Bob Olinger (4/1) won the Ladbrokes Grade 1 Champion Stayers Hurdle on his final racecourse appearance at Punchestown today.
The 11-year-old son of Sholokhov delighted the thousands who flocked to the County Kildare venue on Thursday by claiming his 11th career jump success.
Bob Olinger picks up the @Ladbrokes Remaining Champions Hurdle
pic.twitter.com/n3ATPJ6cSU – Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2026
Ridden by jockey title contender Darragh O’Keeffe, who completed a hat-trick on the third day of the Festival to reduce the gap between himself and championship leader Jack Kennedy to three, rode in Robcour colors aboard Bob Olinger.
The Henry de Bromhead star received a tremendous welcome from the crowd when he entered the winners’ enclosure one lap around the ring to applause from the crowd.
“He read the script.” Bob Olinger bows out with victory at Punchestown. Nice things with the owner @BrianAcheson pic.twitter.com/zmkOvsFgD4
– Racing TV (@RacingTV) April 30, 2026
Jimmy Du Seuil (9/1), trained by Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, took second place, three-quarters of a length behind the winner.
Teahupoo, owned by the same owner as the winner, but trained in County Meath by Gordon Elliott and ridden by Jack Kennedy, took third place, three and a half lengths further back, on ground which was probably not ideal for him.
The position Bob Olinger retires after first-year Ladbrokes champions success appeared first on SportsNewsIreland.