Super treble for Team Knockeen at Peerless Punchestown
Darragh O’Keeffe on Bob Ollinger celebrates winning The Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle (Grade 1) at Punchestown. Photos: INPHO/Morgan Treacy
Bob Olinger brought the curtain down on his remarkable career in brilliant fashion as the Henry de Bromhead-trained 11-year-old rallied under a fine Darragh O’Keeffe ride to secure the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champions Stayers Hurdle on day three of the Punchestown Festival as Team Knockeen had three winners of the five days.
After it was confirmed before the race that this would be Bob’s final run, he duly obliged with a late wet sail under jockey O’Keeffe to gun down 5/4 favourite Teahupoo, who was also running in the colours of owners Robcour.
But there was still a final scare for the veteran as the Willie Mullins-trained Jimmy Du Seuil came with a late flourish under Paul Townend, but he couldn’t deny Bob his 11th career win after winning four times at the Cheltenham Festival under Rachael Blackmore.
Commenting after the win, trainer Henry de Bromhead said: He’s given us so many incredible days, and he has been a brilliant horse to have. He was brilliant and Darragh (O’Keeffe) was brilliant on him.
“Davy Roche, my assistant, said he’s the best horse that’s ever come through our place. That’s a big statement and he is probably a bit biased because he adores him, he’s like his second child.
“I’m delighted for everyone at home, obviously the Achesons and Darragh, what a day he’s had. He’s a class rider and he gave him a brilliant ride. He’s got a gear and he’s just pure class; he always has been.
“It’s really special, it’s one of the top ones. For him to go out like that is what he deserves, it’s typical of him.
“We’ve had some amazing years with him. Brian rang me the other day to say that’s what he was planning to do and I just said ‘spot on, perfect’.
“This is one you savour, just a special day. You dream that they can end like that but plenty of time they don’t. To see him go out like that is just phenomenal.”
His jockey Darragh O'Keeffe added: “Days like this are unbelievable. What a horse this fella is, and a huge credit to everyone at home.
“They got first run on him at Cheltenham, so once I got a couple of good jumps before the straight, I put a target on Jack today, and I thought he might keep me going a bit longer down to the last.
“He’s been staying really well this year. For an 11-year-old to turn up like this and win a Grade 1 is fantastic.”
It was Nouvotic that put Henry de Bromhead on the board for the five days when he led throughout under Darragh O’Keeffe to win the Grade 3 Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase on Wednesday afternoon, day two of the festival.
Having his first start since scoring at Wexford in October, he made light of that absence, jumping and travelling strongly at the head of affairs, and when push came to shove, the Roger Brookhouse owned 7/1 chance asserted between the final two fences, staying on well to beat Conyers Hill by 10 lengths.
“It’s lovely to get one, especially for Roger, who is a brilliant supporter of Punchestown. He loves coming over, he comes over every year,” said de Bromhead.
“He’s a great supporter of ours as well, and that’s the second time we’ve won this; we won it with Let's Go Champ a couple of years ago as well.
“We thought he was a real three-miler, and he was disappointing one day in Kilbeggan. He looks like a two-and-a-half or two-six kind of horse.
“I couldn‘t believe the easy lead Darragh got, and I’m just delighted.”
Team Knockeen sent out the final winner of the 2026 festival as newcomer Crystaisa made all to win impressively under John Gleeson when landing the Sebden Steel Celebrating 30 Years In Business (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race on the final day.
Sent off 8/1 in the familiar Roger Brookhouse colours, the five-year-old was sent straight into the lead from flag fall, where he didn’t see another rival despite running green throughout as he powered to an impressive 12-length success.
Commenting afterwards, Henry de Bromhead said: "He looked lovely and had done some nice bits of work. We hoped he would put up a nice performance, and while Roger (Brookhouse) normally goes home on a Friday this week, Davy Roche (De Bromhead's head man) somehow persuaded him to stay, and thankfully it was worth it. It is great to have the Brookhouses here, and they love it here.
"He has always looked like a nice horse, but we wouldn't dig that deep with them at home. He will have a summer break now."
The week belonged to Willie Mullins as he had 12 winners during the course of the week, winning the big races with Il Etait Temps, Gaelic Warrior, King Rasko Grey, Lossiemouth, and Place De La Nation in the Grade Ones.
The crowd were up during the five days, with over 43,000 present on Friday for Champion Hurdle day, as Lossiemouth showed her pure class to land the day four featured race.
The weather was kind as the curtain came down on the National Hunt season.
