Gaelic Warriors to dominant gold cup triumph as Envoi Allen passes away
Willie Mullins and Paul Townend secured a commanding victory for owners Susannah Ricci in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, with their eight-year-old horse leaving rivals far behind. The win marked Riccis first championship success of 2026 following Lossiemouth's earlier Champion Hurdle triumph on this final day at Ascot. While Gaelic Warrior celebrated his glory as an eleven-four joint-favourite, the race concluded in heartbreaking fashion for legendary trainer Envoi Allen after he died during a subsequent event later that afternoon
Key Points
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1Gaelic Warrior won a dominant six-length victory to claim his first major title at this year's Festival for trainer Willie Mullins and owner Rich Ricci.
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2The eight-year-old horse finished so far ahead that he left the field 'toiling' in its wake, securing an impressive win over rivals like Jango Baie.
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3While Gaelic Warrior celebrated a historic double with his previous Champion Hurdle success at this year's Festival for trainer Willie Mullins and owner Rich Ricci.
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4The victory was overshadowed by tragic news that legendary jockey Envoi Allen died in the final race of the festival after finishing eighth, having ridden The Jukebox Man.
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5Harry Redknapp expressed disappointment as his horse finished well behind Gaelic Warrior despite being a joint-favourite to win.
Developments
Perspectives
Gaelic Warrior delivered a dominant performance to win the gold cup for trainer Willie Mullins and owner Rich Ricci.
— [Mar 13, 16:58] Gaelic Warrior roars to dominant Cheltenham Gold Cup victory (Irishmirror.ie)The eight-year-old horse provided owners Susannah and Rich Ricci with their first gold cup win of the season after previously winning a champion hurdle.
— [Mar 13, 16:58] Gaelic Warrior roars to dominant Cheltenham Gold Cup victory (Irishmirror.ie)Gaelic warrior stormed through and left his rivals far behind in an impressive gold cup win at the cheltanham festival.
— [Mar 13, 16:58] Gaelic Warrior roars to dominant Cheltenham Gold Cup victory (Irishmirror.ie)Gaelic warrior won for trainer willie mullins and jockey paul townend while owner rich ricci celebrated his first gold cup win.
— [Mar 13, 16:58] Gaelic Warrior roars to dominant Cheltenham Gold Cup victory (Irishmirror.ie)Harry redknapp was left disappointed as the jukebox man finished eighth in a race won by gaelic warrior.
— [Mar 13, 16:58] Gaelic Warrior roars to dominant Cheltenham Gold Cup victory (Irishmirror.ie)Gaelic Warrior won the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup by eight lengths from Jango Baie in a dominant performance. The victory marked an extraordinary achievement as it was only Willie Mullins' fifth win of this race and represented his first joint-favourite ride with jockey Paul Townend, while owner Rich Ricci became one to have both won the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup that season.
Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old **Gaelic Warrior** won the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup at the 2025 Festival, securing his owners Susannah Ricci's first victory in this race. The win was overshadowed by a tragic post-race incident where Henry De Bromhead's twelve-year-old horse Envoi Allen collapsed and died after trailing home last of nine finishers.
Gaelic Warrior secured a victory in the Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend. The win occurred after Envoi Allen collapsed post-race at the finish line, while Harry Redknapp's horse finished eighth; Gaelic Warriors won by eight lengths from runner-up Jango Baie.
Gaelic Warrior won the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup by eight lengths under Paul Townend and trained by Willie Mullins as an 11-4 joint-favourite. Jango Baie finished second, while Rebecca Curtis' Haiti Couleurs initially led before fading in a race where Redknapp's The Jukebox Man also failed to recover from the lead.