A Week of Dreams at Cheltenham

​The scene that unfolded last week in Cheltenham was stuff of dreams. The Irish team was really strong but nobody could have predicted the level of success that we would attain.  There were 23 Irish winners from a possible 28, 10 different Trainers, 13 different Jockey's and 20 different owners entering into the sacred winners enclosure namely:
 
Owner                                                  Horse(s)
Kenneth Alexander                             Honeysuckle & Telmesomethinggirl
R A Bartlett                                           Galvin
Paul Byrne                                            The Shunter
Cheveley Park Stud                              Sir Gerhard, Allaho & Quilixios
Direct Bloodstock Ltd                          Belfast Banter
Albert Dravins & Eamonn Scanlon    Jeff Kidder
Flooring Porter Syndicate                   Flooring Porter
Mrs N Flynn                                           Colreevy
Gigginstown House Stud                    Tiger Roll
Mrs H M Keaveney                               Vanillier
KTDA Racing                                          Mount Ida
Barry Maloney                                      Minella Indo
Miss M A Masterson                            Appreciate It
Maverton Ltd                                        Mrs Milner
One for Luck Syndicate                       Put the Kettle On
Mrs S Ricci                                             Monkfish
Robcour                                                 Bob Olinger
Mrs Audrey Turley                               Galopin Des Champs
John Turner                                           Heaven Help Us
Caren Walsh & J Lightfoot                   Black Tears
 
Rachel Blackmore rode her way into the history books with a sensational display of horsemanship and every jockey interviewed was not only a credit to the industry but to the whole country.  Given the difficulties with Brexit and Covid 19, Dr Jennifer Pugh and the team of HRI deserve huge credit for making a momentous task look seamless.  The grooms and stable staff were as always top class and the camaraderie shown for each winner from the ‘Green Corner’ was just outstanding.
 
There were so many positives to pull from last week regarding Training, Riding, Owning, Point to Pointing and Breeding.   It is imperative to congratulate HRI for all their efforts in producing programmes, opportunities and fixtures to prepare our horses to the highest possible standards.  Lastly, huge congratulations to each and every Owner, roll on Fairyhouse, Aintree and Punchestown!!