Bob Olinger proved that age is just a number when he captured the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown, bringing his illustrious racing career to a spectacular close. The eleven‑year‑old veteran, trained by Henry de Bromhead, delivered a performance that will be remembered by fans and connections alike, adding another chapter to a résumé already studded with top‑level wins.
The race opened with Gordon Elliott’s Teahupoo, the 5/4 favourite, taking an early lead. The French‑bred was aiming for a third consecutive triumph in the three‑mile contest and looked comfortable as he headed the field toward the final flight.
However, the pace soon shifted when de Bromhead’s stalwart, Bob Olinger, began to make steady progress. By the second last fence, the two Roborough‑owned horses were neck‑and‑neck, and when they leapt the last hurdle together, the momentum swung in Olinger’s favour. The 4/1 second‑favourite surged ahead, while Teahupoo started to lose steam. Willie Mullins’ Jimmy Du Seuil made a late charge, overtaking the tiring Teahupoo to secure second place, but he could not erase the three‑quarters of a length gap that separated him from Olinger.
The victorious horse crossed the line with a clear margin, marking his 11th career win and delivering a treble for jockey Darragh O'Keeffe, who also rode the winner of the Irish Grand National and the Champion Hurdle on the same day. Olinger’s win at Punchestown was a fitting finale to a career that has produced countless memorable moments. He is a three‑time Cheltenham Festival champion, having taken the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, the Turners Novices' Chase and, most recently, the Stayers' Hurdle – all aboard the talented Rachael Blackmore.
Those victories cemented his status as one of the most versatile and durable stayers of his generation. "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 winner's enclosure. "He's given us so many incredible days.
He's got a gear and he's pure class – he always has been." Assistant trainer Davy Roche, who has worked closely with Olinger for years, added his admiration: "He's the best horse that's ever come through our yard. That's a big statement, but I'm biased because I adore him – he's like a second child." De Bromhead also praised the team effort: "I'm delighted for everyone at home – the Achesons, 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 trainer recalled the planning that led to Olinger’s final race: "Brian (Acheson) rang me the other day to say that's what he was planning to do and I just said 'spot on, perfect'.
We've been 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." He also touched on a difficult period when Olinger was sidelined: "Then we lost him for a little bit, but Ger Kelly (vet) in Fethard was brilliant and he found the issue. He went back to Robbie's (Power) and came back a different horse, the same as he was before." Reflecting on the emotional weight of the win, de Bromhead said, "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." In other racing news, Harry Cobden used the Barberstown Castle Novice Chase as a rehearsal for his upcoming role as JP McManus’ retained jockey. Riding Salvator Mundi for owners Joe and Marie Donnelly, Cobden capitalised on the fall of the season‑ending favourite Kopek Des Bordes. After the 4/11 favourite was unseated two fences from the finish, Salvator Mundi, who had been tracking the leader, seized the advantage and galloped away to a 12‑length victory, delivering Willie Mullins his 11th consecutive win in the two‑mile contest. Mullins praised his charge: "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'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." Cobden also expressed his pleasure for the Donnellys: "I'm delighted for Marie and Joe Donnelly. They've had a disappointing season, but now they have Kitzbuhel and this fella winning." Regarding Kopek Des Bordes’ fall, Mullins noted, "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 farewell at Punchestown will be remembered as a masterclass in stamina, bravery and the deep bond between horse, trainer and jockey.
His legacy, built on multiple Festival victories and a career that spanned more than a decade, serves as a benchmark for future stayers. As the racing community celebrates his final triumph, the story of an 11‑year‑old champion who never lost his fighting spirit continues to inspire fans and connections across the sport.