Bob Olinger turned back the clock to claim the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown, bringing his long and illustrious racing career to a fitting close. The 11‑year‑old veteran, owned by the Robcour family, faced a strong field that included Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo, the 5/4 favourite aiming for a third consecutive win in the three‑mile contest.
Teahupoo set the pace early and led the pack into the final flight, but the race was anything but settled. As the horses approached the last hurdle, Henry de Bromhead’s seasoned campaigner began to make steady progress.
When the two Robcour‑owned runners leapt the final fence together, the second‑favourite at 4/1, Bob Olinger, emerged with a clear advantage while Teahupoo started to look tired. Willie Mullins’ Jimmy Du Seuil surged past the fading favourite to secure second place, but he could not close the three‑quarters of a length gap to Olinger, who crossed the line with an emphatic win. The victory marked Olinger’s 11th career win and gave jockey Darragh O’Keeffe a remarkable treble on the day. The triumph caps a career that will be remembered for its consistency and class.
Olinger has won three Cheltenham Festival races, all partnered with the legendary Rachael Blackmore: the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle, the Turners Novices’ Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle. De Bromhead summed up the sentiment perfectly: “He read the script thankfully; he was brilliant and Darragh was brilliant on him.
What a horse to have had. He’s got a gear and he’s pure class, he always has been.” The trainer’s assistant, Davy Roche, added a personal touch, calling Olinger “the best horse that’s ever come through our place,” a statement colored by his affection for the animal, which he likened to a second child. De Bromhead praised the connections, noting the special nature of the day: “I’m delighted for everyone at home – the Achesons and Darragh – what a day he’s had. He’s a class rider and gave him a brilliant ride.
It’s really special, one of the top ones. For him to go out like that is what he deserves, it’s typical of him.” The story of Olinger’s career is filled with highs and lows.
After a triumphant season that included a win in the Ballymore during the Covid‑affected year, the horse suffered a setback that required veterinary intervention from Ger Kelly in Fethard. “He found the issue, went back to Robbie’s (Power) and came back a different horse, the same as he was before,” de Bromhead recalled, highlighting the resilience and expert care that helped Olinger return to top form. Reflecting on the final race, the trainer said, “This is one you savour, just a special day. You dream that they can end like that but plenty of time they don’t.
To see him go out like that is just phenomenal.” The sentiment captures the rarity of a horse retiring on a high note, especially after a career that spanned more than a decade at the highest level. In other news from Punchestown, Harry Cobden used the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase as a warm‑up for his upcoming role as JP McManus’ retained jockey. Riding Salvator Mundi for owners Joe and Marie Donnelly, Cobden capitalized on the fall of the season‑ending favourite Kopek Des Bordes, who was sent off at 4/11. After Kopek’s mishap, Salvator Mundi, who had been tracking his stablemate, seized the opportunity and galloped away to a 12‑length victory over Irish Panther, giving Willie Mullins an impressive 11th consecutive win in the two‑mile contest.
Mullins praised his winner: “He’s a good horse in his own right. He was right on the premises; it wasn’t as if he was 20 lengths behind and picked up the pieces. He was going to be involved in the finish. If Kopek had made a mistake there and got away with it, your man was right on his tail.” He added that Salvator Mundi may prefer softer ground, describing him as “more of a spring horse than a real winter horse.” The Donnellys, who endured a challenging season, expressed relief at the result.
“I’m delighted for Marie and Joe. They’ve had a disappointing season, but now they have Kitzbuhel and this fella winning,” Cobden said, highlighting the morale boost the victory provided. Kopek Des Bordes, the race’s early favourite, suffered a fall at the second‑last fence, an incident that could have been disastrous. Cobden explained, “He probably just lost his concentration going to the fence, without horses around him to keep him focused.
He appeared to take off but never put out his landing gear and landed on his knees. I think both horse and rider were very lucky. They seem to be all right, fingers crossed they are.” Both stories underscore the unpredictable nature of National Hunt racing, where preparation, skill, and a touch of luck combine to produce unforgettable moments. Bob Olinger’s farewell at Punchestown will be remembered as a testament to durability, partnership, and the joy of ending a career on a high.
Meanwhile, the emerging talent of Harry Cobden and the resilience of horses like Salvator Mundi illustrate the ever‑evolving narrative of the sport, promising more drama and excitement in the seasons to come.