Bob Olinger turned back the clock on his final day at the track, capturing the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at Punchestown in a storybook finish to a long and illustrious career. The race was dominated early by Gordon Elliott's Teahupoo, the 5/4 favourite who was aiming for a third consecutive win over the three‑mile distance. Teahupoo set the pace and led the field right up to the final flight, appearing to be on course for yet another triumph. But Henry de Bromhead’s seasoned campaigner began to close the gap as the race entered its decisive stages.
By the second last, the two Robcour‑owned runners were neck‑and‑neck. When they cleared the last hurdle together, the 4/1 second‑favourite – Bob Olinger – surged ahead with a burst of speed that left the tiring Teahupoo behind.
Willie Mullins’ Jimmy Du Seuil rallied strongly in the closing stages, overtaking Teahupoo for second place, but he could not erase the three‑quarters of a length deficit to Olinger. The 11‑year‑old veteran crossed the line for his 11th career win, giving jockey Darragh O'Keeffe a remarkable treble on the day.
The victory marked the curtain call for a horse that has delivered countless unforgettable moments for his connections. Olinger’s résumé includes three Cheltenham Festival wins – the Ballymore Novices' Hurdle, the Turners Novices' Chase and the Stayers' Hurdle – all secured alongside Rachael Blackmore. De Bromhead summed up the occasion, 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 pure class, he always has been." Assistant trainer Davy Roche, who has worked closely with the horse, called Olinger "the best horse that's ever come through our place," adding that his affection for the animal was almost paternal.
The trainer’s pride was evident as he praised jockey Darragh O'Keeffe: "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." Reflecting on the horse’s career, de Bromhead noted, "It's really special, it's one of the top ones. For him to go out like that is what he deserves, it's typical of him. We've had some amazing years with him.
Brian rang me the other day to say that's what he was planning to do and I just said 'spot on, perfect'." He also recalled the partnership with Rachael Blackmore, who rode Olinger to victory in the Stayers' Hurdle and the Ballymore during the Covid‑impacted season. After a brief setback, the horse was examined by vet Ger Kelly in Fethard, who identified the issue and helped restore the gelding to his former form. "He went back to Robbie's (Power) and came back a different horse, the same as he was before," de Bromhead explained.
The trainer summed up the emotions of the day: "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 triumph was celebrated by Sky Sports Racing, which also highlighted other notable performances from the meeting. In a separate feature, 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 capitalised on the fall of the season‑ending favourite Kopek Des Bordes, who had been leading comfortably before being unseated two fences out. Salvator Mundi stayed close to the leader’s tail, and when the front‑runner went down, the Donnellys’ horse surged ahead to win by twelve lengths over Irish Panther, delivering Willie Mullins 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 that Salvator Mundi has always been a quality runner, but circumstances had prevented him from fulfilling his potential until now. "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," Mullins explained. The win also offered a morale boost to the Donnellys, who have endured 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," Cobden said. Regarding Kopek Des Bordes’ mishap, Mullins suggested the horse may have lost concentration approaching the fence, noting, "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 drama of National Hunt racing, where seasoned veterans like Bob Olinger can script a perfect farewell, while rising stars such as Harry Cobden seize opportunities to cement their place at the top. The Punchestown meeting will be remembered not only for Olinger’s elegant swan song but also for the emergence of new narratives that will shape the sport’s future.