Bob Olinger turned back the clock to claim the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown, providing a fairy‑tale finale to a long, glittering career that will be remembered for years to come. The 11‑year‑old veteran, trained by Henry de Bromhead, delivered a masterclass performance, crossing the line first and securing his eleventh win of the season while also giving jockey Darragh O'Keeffe a remarkable treble on the day. The race began with Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo, the 5/4 favourite, taking an early lead.
Teahupoo, who had already won the three‑mile contest for two consecutive years, looked set to chase a third straight victory as he headed the field down the home straight. However, the pace soon shifted when de Bromhead’s sturdy front‑runner, Bob Olinger, began to make steady progress.
By the time the field approached the final flight, the two Robcour‑owned horses were neck‑and‑neck, each leaping the last hurdle in perfect sync. When the dust settled, it was the 4/1 second‑favourite, Bob Olinger, who landed with a burst of fresh energy, while Teahupoo started to show signs of fatigue. Willie Mullins’ Jimmy Du Seuil surged past the fading Teahupoo to take second place, but he could not close the three‑quarters of a length gap to Olinger, who held on to win comfortably.
The victory marked Olinger’s 11th win of the season and capped off a career that included three Cheltenham Festival triumphs – the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, the Turners Novices' Chase and the Stayers' Hurdle – all achieved alongside the legendary Rachael Blackmore. "He read the script thankfully; he was brilliant and Darragh was brilliant on him. What a horse to have had," de Bromhead said in the post‑race interview.
"He's given us so many incredible days. He's got a gear and he's just pure class, he always has been." De Bromhead’s assistant, Davy Roche, added his own heartfelt tribute: "He's the best horse that's ever come through our place.
That's a big statement and I'm probably a bit biased because I adore him – he's like my second child." The trainer also praised jockey Darragh O'Keeffe, noting, "I'm delighted for everyone at home – the Achesons, Darragh, everyone. He's a class rider and gave Bob 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." Reflecting on the horse’s journey, de Bromhead recalled a pivotal moment during the Covid‑affected season when Olinger won the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle.
"Rachael gave him a superb ride that day," he said. "Then we lost him for a little bit, but Ger Kelly in Fethard was brilliant and identified the issue.
He went back to Robbie Power, came back a different horse, the same as he was before." The trainer summed up the day’s emotions: "This is one you savour, just a special day. You dream that they can end like that but many times they don't.
To see him go out like that is just phenomenal." The Punchestown meeting also featured other notable performances. Harry Cobden, preparing for his new role as JP McManus’ retained jockey, rode Salvator Mundi to a dominant 12‑length victory in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase. The 27‑year‑old was given a chance to showcase his talent after a strong showing on Kitzbuhel at the Cheltenham Festival, and he did not disappoint. While the race began with the Paul Townend‑ridden Kopek Des Bordes, the 4/11 favourite, leading comfortably, a fall at the second‑last fence handed the advantage to Salvator Mundi.
The horse stayed close to the fallen leader’s tail, seized the opportunity, and surged ahead to claim an impressive win for trainer Willie Mullins, marking his 11th consecutive victory in the two‑mile contest. Mullins praised the winner, saying, "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, "He's always been a good horse, but things just haven't gone right for him. It's nice to get a big race like that with him.
He won at Aintree last year and he's no back number. He probably needs nice ground, he's probably more of a spring horse than a real winter horse." The Donnelly owners, Joe and Marie, expressed their relief after a challenging season: "I'm delighted for Marie and Joe. They've had a disappointing season, but now they have Kitzbuhel and this fella winning." Regarding Kopek Des Bordes, Mullins 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." Bob Olinger’s retirement marks the end of an era for Irish National Hunt racing. His consistency, versatility over long distances, and partnership with top jockeys have made him a fan favourite. As de Bromhead reflected, "We've been so lucky to be part of his story. Rachael won the Stayers' Hurdle on him, the year of Covid when he won the Ballymore – what a ride she gave him.
Then we lost him for a little bit, but the vet work brought him back. This is one you savour, just a special day." The horse’s final race will be remembered not only for the win but for the emotional resonance it carried for connections, fans, and the broader racing community. It serves as a reminder that, in the sport of kings, a well‑run career can culminate in a storybook ending that honors the talent, dedication, and heart of both horse and human.