Gaelic Warrior gives Mullins and Townend another Cheltenham Gold Cup

Gaelic Warrior (11/4 co-favourite) won the 2026 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday afternoon.

The German breed owned by Rich Ricci claimed a very impressive eight length winner of the Blue Ribbon Hunt at Prestbury Park this afternoon.

It was another first grade success this week for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.

Incredibly, the jockey and trainer won the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday with Lossiemouth – also for owner Rich Ricci – the Champion Chase with Il Etait Temps on Wednesday and then the main event of the week, the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

History for Townend and Mullins

This makes Townend the winningest jockey and Mullins the winningest trainer in the history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Townend now has five wins under his belt following victories with Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020), Galopin des Champs (2023, 2024) and now Gaelic Warrior (2026).

Mullins joins Tom Dreaper with five hits, namely, Boum Photo (2019, 2020), Galopin des Champs (2023, 2024) and Gaelic Warrior (2026).

Mullins delighted

“It was just amazing,” admitted Mullins. “I’m just delighted for the Riccis, I think they’re the first owners to have won the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup in the same season (they are actually second only to Dorothy Paget). I’m delighted for Paul Townend, who gave him such a great ride. He was so cool with him. Can you imagine what was going through his mind as he went to the last obstacle? I know what was happening to mine! We’ve had so many fence incidents around here. It’s fantastic and the way he did it was nothing short of spectacular.

Gaelic Warrior looked victorious for most of today’s three-mile, 2-furlong, 70-yard race. When he took the lead two fences from home, his and Townend’s only dangers looked ahead – the last two fences.

Both were won with aplomb and the eight-year-old son of Maxios raced up the Cheltenham hill to record an eight-length victory over Jango Baie (11/4 joint favourite) – the horse of Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville.

Last season’s Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin (11/1) was placed last for most of the race under jockey Mark Walsh. His jumps were not smooth throughout the race, even if he remained third in the colors of JP McManus, two lengths behind the vice-champion.

Gold Cup wins ‘getting better and better’ for Townend

Paul Townend, born in Lisgoold, County Cork, said of his fifth Cheltenham Gold Cup victory:

“It’s the Gold Cup. I always say they are getting better and better. Oh my God, I’m speechless! We had a big blow with the exit of Galopin Des Champs, I was lucky that this boy arrived. Patrick was convinced that he was the horse of the race. He’s done a lot of work with this horse since the last day, it’s a big team effort, I was just lucky to be on his back today.”

A sad postscript to the race was the death of Envoi Allen. The 12-year-old collapsed after the Gold Cup and the former Ryanair Chase winner sadly passed away.

We are very sorry to announce the passing of Envoi Allen.
The 10-time G1 winner was a three-time Cheltenham Festival hero.
Our thoughts go to connections pic.twitter.com/s4FAIuNP4s
– Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 13, 2026