Bob Olinger turned back the clock to claim the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown, delivering a fairy‑tale finish to a long and illustrious racing career. The 11‑year‑old veteran, trained by Henry de Bromhead, was matched against Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo, the 5/4 favourite who was aiming for a third consecutive win in the three‑mile contest.
Teahupoo set the pace early and held the lead into the final flight, but Olinger stayed within striking distance. As the two Robcour‑owned runners cleared the last hurdle together, the second‑favourite at 4/1, Olinger, surged ahead with a burst of fresh energy while Teahupoo began to tire.
Willie Mullins’ Jimmy Du Seuil made a late run and overtook the fading favourite for second place, yet he could not close the three‑quarters of a length gap separating him from Olinger. The win marked Olinger’s 11th career victory and gave jockey Darragh O'Keeffe a remarkable treble on the day, having also ridden the winner of the Irish Gold Cup and the Savills Chase. The triumph caps a career that has produced countless memorable moments for his connections.
Olinger has already secured three Cheltenham Festival victories – the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, the Turners Novices' Chase and the Stayers' Hurdle – all achieved alongside champion rider Rachael Blackmore. De Bromhead summed up the sentiment, saying, "He read the script thankfully; he was brilliant and Darragh was brilliant on him.
What a horse to have had. He's given us so many incredible days. He's got a gear and he's just pure class, he always has been." The trainer’s assistant, Davy Roche, added a personal note, calling Olinger "the best horse that’s ever come through our place" and likening his affection for the gelding to that of a second child. De Bromhead also praised jockey Darragh O'Keeffe, noting his composure and skill: "I'm delighted for everyone at home, obviously the Achesons and Darragh, what a day he's had.
He's a class rider and he gave him a brilliant ride." Reflecting on the horse’s journey, de Bromhead described the victory as "one of the top ones" and said it was fitting for Olinger to retire on such a high note. He recalled the conversation with owner Brian Acheson, who had suggested retirement, to which he replied, "spot on, perfect." The trainer highlighted the pivotal role of vet Ger Kelly, who identified a lingering issue and facilitated Olinger’s return to form after a brief lay‑off. "He went back to Robbie’s (Power) and came back a different horse, the same as he was before," de Bromhead explained. The day’s emotions were summed up in the trainer’s words: "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." In other racing news, Harry Cobden prepared for his new appointment as JP McManus’ retained jockey by taking advantage of a late‑season fall from Kopek Des Bordes on Salvator Mundi in the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase. The 27‑year‑old will officially start his McManus duties on Friday, but his performance at the race showed his readiness.
Riding the 13/2 chance for owners Joe and Marie Donnelly, Cobden stayed close to the favourite, Kopek Des Bordes, who was sent off at 4/11. Kopek led comfortably until a mishap at the second‑last fence caused him to fall, leaving Salvator Mundi with a narrow lead.
Salvator Mundi never lost his composure, keeping close to his stablemate’s tail and, after the fall, stretched his advantage to a decisive 12‑length victory over Irish Panther. This win gave Willie Mullins an 11th consecutive success in the two‑mile contest, underscoring his dominance in the division. 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, yer man was right on his tail." Mullins also noted that Salvator Mundi has often been unlucky, adding, "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 Donnellys, who have endured a challenging season, expressed relief at the victory. "I'm delighted for Marie and Joe Donnelly. They've had a disappointing season, but now they have Kitzbuhel and this fella winning," Mullins said. Regarding Kopek Des Bordes, he offered a candid assessment: "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 highlight the unpredictable drama and emotional depth of National Hunt racing, where careers can end on a high note and new chapters begin with unexpected triumphs.