‘Speechless’ Townend becomes most successful jockey in history of Gold Cup & Mullins’ team in Cheltenham celebrations
GAELIC Warrior lit up Cheltenham today as legendary Irish trainer Willie Mullins claimed his fifth Gold Cup win.
And jockey Paul Townend became the most successful rider in the race’s history.
Townend beamed: “It’s the Gold Cup. I always say they just get better and better.
“Oh my God, I’m speechless!”
Winning owner Rich Ricci said: “I’m a wreck! I’ve been crying since the second last fence. I’ve been trying to win this race for 21 years. Brilliant. Magic. People are so lovely to me.
“It was a great ride by Paul. It’s magic, it’s great. It’s been a great week, incredible. Unbelievable.
“Great racing, great winners, it was a great race today. I’m pleased for the horse and I’m pleased for my racing manager Joe Chambers.
“We’ve tried to buy Gold Cup winners, we’ve never had it until today. It’s magic. Absolutely magic. Delighted for Susannah (my wife) as well, of course.”
He added: “I love the game. It’s kept me involved for all these years. It’s the passion, the people. I find people in racing always take me as they find me.
“I’m not the easiest fella. I’m American. I’m loud, I’m obnoxious, I’m this, that and the other, but they’re very good to me. I love the sport and long may it last.”
Mullins said: “It’s extraordinary. I’m delighted for the Riccis, I think they are the first owners to have won the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup in the same season (they are actually the second after Dorothy Paget).
“I’m delighted for Paul Townend, who gave him such a great ride. He was so cool on him. Could you imagine what was going through his head going to the last fence?
“I know what was going through mine! We’ve had so many last fence mishaps around here.
“It’s fantastic and the way he did it was just spectacular.
“He got everything right and just put in a tremendous round of jumping. We can’t ask for better than that. Jumping and ability, fantastic for owner and jockey.”
Gaelic Warrior’s victory meant the Irish had a clean sweep in the Championship races, with wins in the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle, Ryanair Chase and Gold Cup.
However, it was a bad week for Ryanair boss Michael O’Leary who didn’t have a winner in four days.
It was a family affair for the Mullins as Willie’s son Patrick romped to victory on Apolon De Charnie in the first race at 50/1.
Willie said: “I’m very happy to be on the top of the stand and shout for my son. It was a nice surprise.
“But we thought he was a good horse — we just didn’t know what to expect.
Ecstatic jockey Patrick said he thought the horse was “eye-catching” and one for the future.
He said: “He’s not big. We were a little long at the last and he just knuckled and lost momentum. But once he got back going again he was quite good.”
There were emotional scenes in the parade ring after Jonjo and AJ O’Neill’s Wilful pulled off a stunning victory in the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle.
AJ told ITV: “It really has been a week of dreams. I’m speechless.
“Jonjo Junior gave him an unbelievable ride. The Hay family are great supporters of ours and the horse has done a fantastic job to claim it again.”
It was a poignant winner after trainer Jonjo and Dawn Run made history by winning the 1986 Cheltenham Gold Cup, 40 years before Wilful won today.
Jonjo Snr said: “Cheltenham is Cheltenham, isn’t it? We’re lucky enough to have two winners here this time. It was great.”
Willie Mullins’ superb day then continued when Dinoblue, ridden by Mark Walsh, stormed home to win the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase. And Willie was presented with the leading trainer gong for the 13th time since 2011, while JP McManus bagged the title of leading owner.
Spokesperson for BoyleSports, Brian O’Keeffe said: “It was Friday 13th and our luck certainly deserted us in the Gold Cup.
“The 50/1 winner in the opening race put us on the front foot, but it’s fair to say punters hit back in style and they were making for the exits with a spring in their step thanks to Gaelic Warrior in the big one.”
The helicopters were buzzing back and forth as a crowd of 67,016 rolled in for the sell-out day.
Racing fans, including one group wearing shiny Gold Cup metallic suits, made the most of a mainly dry day before the rain hit.
Among the famous faces at Gold Cup day included Jeremy Clarkson, Alex Ferguson, Christian and Geri Horner, Tommy Fury, Mary Berry, Georgia Toffolo, Nathan Aspinall, and Hannah Waddingham.
Ex-Made in Chelsea star Toffolo said: “It’s been the best week ever, it’s my favourite Cheltenham. I’ve got to say it just goes up a notch on the Friday for the Gold Cup. I can really feel it.”
And Bake-Off host Berry said: “I’m always very excited to come to Cheltenham. There is a great atmosphere and you’re seeing the leading horses in the country.
“It’s very much a family occasion, and it’s packed to the rafters. There’s a smile on everybody’s face, because it’s beautifully run.”
Actor and Traitors star Celia Imrie said: “I absolutely adore being at Cheltenham for my first time, because I’ve been saving up for this day.
“I’ve been to every other racecourse in the country. I was greeted by the Irish pipes when I arrived at Cheltenham, and I was immediately happy.
“I’m a quarter Irish, and half Scots. But the music greeted me and I thought, ‘Nothing could be better’.”
Away from the betting ring, racing enthusiast Ellen Ellams told The Irish Sun: “We’re having a great day so far. We are so excited for Gold Cup day. We came over last night from Wexford. We’re just here for today and we’re super, super excited.
“This is my third time here at Cheltenham. My dad has been here many times before and it’s my fiance’s first time.”
First-timer John Harnett from Wexford said: “We’re lucky with the weather and everything.
“The atmosphere is building now. We were in the town earlier, it’s been great. If everything goes well, we will be out celebrating tonight. That’s the plan.”
A total of 226,223 punters, up 8,130 from last year, enjoyed the festivities over the bumper week.
