‘Cherry on top of the cake’ – Gold Cup joy as Irish finish Cheltenham with a flourish
Audrey Turley, the owner of Cheltenham Gold Cup-winner Galopin Des Champs, described her horse’s victory yesterday as “a very nice cherry on an already beautiful cake”. Galopin Des Champs was heavily backed at 10-11, and there was no stopping him as he strode away to his second successive win in the biggest race of the week at the Cheltenham Festival.
The parade ring was thronged as Ms Turley, her husband Greg and their daughter Sarah joined trainer Willie Mullins, jockey Paul Townend and groom Adam Connolly to receive their awards, presented by Princess Anne.
Ms Turley, who lives in Dublin, was full of pride for her star horse, who she said loved the attention.
“He’s gentle, kind and brave. He’s very clever and he loves his work,” she said. “He’s loving all this. He loves people, he loves being around all the people and he’s quite enjoying the admiration.”
Ms Turley said that when she visits Galopin Des Champs at the stables, he is full of affection.
“When we go and meet him, he’s just so kind and so loving,” she said. “He nibbles our hair and has a red ball in his stable. He’s a beautiful horse. I just want to snuggle him and cuddle him all day.”
Asked how she would celebrate the win, Ms Turley said: “We have a very large group with us and we’ll probably have a glass of champagne.”
Mullins said: “It was great to win a
Gold Cup last year and we were crossing our fingers this year that if we got him there safe and sound he’d have every chance of winning and he’s just done that, but you can only dream about these kinds of things.”
Ireland had a fantastic final day, with six of the seven wins coming from Irish-trained horses, meaning the visitors had 18 winners over the week to England’s nine.
It was a proud day for Warren Ewing, who watched his son, jockey Sam, claim his first Cheltenham win
Glorious week is capped off with six of seven winners on the final day trained in Ireland
Paul Townend and trainer Willie Mullins with Cheltenham Gold Cup
by riding 33-1 shot Stellar Story to victory in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle for trainer Gordon Elliott.
Mr Ewing produced superstar hurdler Constitution Hill after he and jockey Barry Geraghty bought the horse for €16,500 as a foal in 2017.
Despite Constitution Hill’s success, including victory in last year’s Champion Hurdle, Mr Ewing said his son’s victory meant more to him.
Fighting back tears, he struggled to express just how happy he was, but eventually managed to say: “That’s what he dreams about, it’s brilliant.
“We thought he was going to finish second, but he’s a brilliant rider and everybody knows it. He just needs a chance.”
It was also a big race for Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary as it marked his first win for his Gigginstown House Stud at this year’s festival.
“We were very surprised, but it makes up for a disappointing day yesterday – my wife kept presenting trophies to other owners,” O’Leary said.
The air was thick with excitement from the moment the final day of the festival got under way.
Spectators had been treated to some fantastic racing all week, and there was little doubt yesterday was going to be just as exciting – it was certainly the day you wanted the best spot.
It was the only day to be sold out, and within half-an-hour the crowds were noticeably bigger than on the previous days.
The sun shone throughout the morning, much to the surprise of Irish punters Laura Chamberlin and Emer Dimmock from Newcastle West in Co Limerick.
“The weather hasn’t been good all week and we were dreading today, but the sun is out and we’re all annoyed that we forgot our sunglasses,” Ms Chamberlin said.
The pair, who have been friends since school, both live in Solihull in the West Midlands. Gold Cup day is the one day they will travel for, and have done so for 15 years.
Ms Dimmock said: “I have a bet in every race, but there’s no logic behind it, really.”
Irene Sands, who came with her family and friends to the festival, had a unique but exciting first experience at Prestbury Park.
Based in Termonfeckin, Co Louth, Ms Sands, her father Con and brother Neil are behind the relatively new Bronsan Racing stable.
Their horse, Nurburgring, is trained by Joseph O’Brien and finished fourth in yesterday’s first race, the Triumph Hurdle, under jockey JJ Slevin.
“This is my first Cheltenham experience, so to come with a runner is next-level incredible,” Ms Sands said.
She added that attending the festival is something everyone should do “at least once”.
“It’s overwhelming in the best possible way. A huge amount of Irish are here, which is amazing to see,” she said.
“As a first-timer at Cheltenham, it’s been an incredible experience and its something you should do once in your lifetime, even if you’re not a racegoer.”
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“We were very surprised, but it makes up for a disappointing day yesterday – my wife kept presenting trophies to other owners”