Minella Indo’s victory in the WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup etched Henry de Bromhead’s name into the history books, as the trainer became the first ever to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle, Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same year.
It also brought home a four time accumulator for our own David Jaxx aka Faugheen Machine.
De Bromhead said he felt like he was still dreaming and explained: “I think I’m still in the hotel – it’s Monday night and it is the start of the week and nothing has happened as of yet, it’s mad!
“I keep saying it’s amazing but it genuinely is. I was looking at him (Al Boum Photo) thinking he is going to stay on. Jack was brilliant on Indo. He is just such a tough horse. To see him pricking his ears after the second last was great, but it is all down to the crew at home and here.
“They are working so hard and it’s brilliant. The support of all our clients is brilliant. He certainly did (travel well the whole way through). Whatever it is about here, it is a bit like Put The Kettle On, he just comes alive. He is fast asleep at home on a daily basis. Even saddling him there he was like he was before the Albert Bartlett kicking the back wall. He was so up for it.
“We had the mishap at Christmas and then he wasn’t as good in the Irish Gold Cup but we wanted to get a clear round that day and Rachael rode him brilliantly but it has all come together here it’s fantastic.”
Asked what the victory means to him he added: “It’s massive and the Gold Cup is what you dream about winning. Any of these races, winners at Cheltenham, I can’t tell you how much they mean, you just dream about it. Like I say, I’m going to wake up it’s Monday evening and that’s it.
“She did have the choice of the two. I would always try to stay out of that (of saying which one to ride) as I would hate to put her the wrong way. I leave all that to Rachael.
“Everyone has been asking me that before the race (was Rachael on the right one). I couldn’t split them. I just let her do it and I don’t like to interfere on that. She knew they were both training well.”
When told he is now the first trainer to win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup in the same week he added: “It is incredible to think it. I’ve been coming here plenty of years with plenty of tough results but also some great ones.
“As I say though everyone who is working with us home and the crew here I couldn’t do it without them and the clients that give us the opportunity to buy these good horses. I just feel extremely lucky.
“It will be me myself, and I on the car and on the ferry and that is there is no celebrating. It will be quarantine for five days when I get back home. I’m looking forward to getting back home and seeing the family.”
In a separate interview with Racing TV, de Bromhead added: “It’s unbelievable. I’m delighted for everybody, all connections. The Maloneys — Barry, Mike and everyone — we’ve had so much fun with this guy, we weren’t beaten far last year with Monalee, so to go and do it with him… he’s just an incredible horse who comes alive here.
“When we saw Allaho winning like he did yesterday, it gave us more confidence with him. He’s amazing. He just comes alive, he’s a different horse. A little bit like Put The Kettle On. He’s been amazing.”
Reflecting on the week he has had, he added: “I think I’m still in my hotel, it’s Monday evening and I’m about to wake up in a few minutes and nothing has even started yet!
“A Plus Tard was amazing, he ran a cracker for the Thompsons and Cheveley Park, both jockeys were amazing, it’s just brilliant.”
1st – Minella Indo – Henry de Bromhead IRE 8-11-10 Jack Kennedy 9/1
2nd – A Plus Tard – Henry de Bromhead IRE 7-11-10 Rachael Blackmore 100/30 Fav
3rd – Al Boum Photo – Willie Mullins IRE 9-11-10 Paul Townend 9/4 Fav
12 ran
Distances: 1¼, 4¼
Time: 6m 45.35s
Winning Owner: Barry Maloney
Breeder: Mrs R H Lalor
Breeding: b g Beat Hollow – Carrigeen Lily (IRE) (Supreme Leader)
Henry de Bromhead – 15th winner at The Festival™ supporting WellChild
Jack Kennedy – 9th winner at The Festival™ supporting WellChild
Some facts about the winner Minella Indo….
The 24th eight year old to succeed
The 27th winner to be trained in Ireland
First WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup success for trainer Henry de Bromhead. Previous best was Monalee (4th in 2020)
First WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup success for trainer Henry de Bromhead. Previous best runner was Monalee (4th in 2020).
First WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup success for jockey Jack Kennedy. Previous best runner was Shattered Love (9th in 2019).
Henry de Bromhead becomes the first trainer in history to win the Unibet Champion Hurdle, Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase and WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup in the same year.
