‘He was brilliant’ - Paddy Flood full of praise for Donoghue’s ride in the Velka Pardubicka

Keith Donoghue's hunting experience was a key factor in his winning ride on Stumptown in the Velka Pardubicka, according to former jockey Paddy Flood and racing journalist Johnny Ward.

Speaking on irishracing.com's Irish Angle show this week, the panel reflected on Stumptown becoming the first Irish horse to win the famous race in Czechia.

Trainer Gavin Cromwell has since revealed that the eight-year-old's next priority will be winning Cheltenham's Cross Country Chase again rather than the Grand National.

Huge Credit to Donoghue

Former jockey Flood was full of praise for Donoghue's performance in the Velka Pardubicka.

He said: “It's amazing that there's a race like that in a part of the world where jump racing wouldn't be seen as a big show or spectacle, but it's probably one of the best races you can ever watch. It was amazing.

“I'll have to admit after three or four fences, I thought, yeah, he's enjoying this, Keith's enjoying it, everything was smooth.

“But after they went out halfway around the circuit, I thought, no, he's absolutely no chance. He can't win from there. He was last at one stage.

“Keith actually forced him back into the race. You'd never do it, you know. It was just a smashing ride.

“If Keith had got one fence wrong or panicked at any stage, the horse would have given up, he'd have pulled up. But he just kept enough. I don't know what he did on him, he was brilliant. He was so, so good.

“It's not lost on me that the hunting fields of Meath are a special, special place for young people coming up. We talk about racing schools and all this, but a hunting field on a horse jumping ditches and hedges teaches you a fair bit about a horse, their limits, how to ride one and how to keep one interested.

“Gavin Cromwell, Keith, and all that family up around there are great hunting men.

“I didn't see it live and I didn't turn on Twitter, so I waited until I knew it was over and then watched the rerun.

“I was actually sitting with a friend of mine who knows nothing about horses. They'd done a charity walk, and he couldn't believe it. He just couldn't believe the jumps they were jumping. It was brilliant.

“I've never had a horse [in the race] or anyone to go over to ride for, never looked into it. But I might put it on a bucket list now. It looks good.”

STUMPTOWN creates Irish Racing history becoming the first Irish-trained horse to win the Velka Pardubice for @gavincromwell1 @donoghue_keith

Relive the race 👀 pic.twitter.com/2KPj0akiyH

— Tattersalls Ireland (@Tattersalls_ie) October 12, 2025

Donoghue's Secret Weapon

Journalist Ward compared Donoghue's pedigree to Paul Carberry who piloted 14 Cheltenham Festival winners and 1999 Grand National winner Bobbyjo.

He explained: “I'd think the same as Paddy in relation to Keith Donoghue.

“The likes of the Paul Carberrys from the Ward Union — the hunt experience you gain by riding horses over mad obstacles for fun on a Sunday makes all the difference for stickability and not coming off horses when they make mistakes. I always felt that was a big asset Paul Carberry had.

“I imagine there are basically two sets of people in life: people who have ridden a racehorse and people who haven't. Even though I've been on a horse, I'm basically in the latter category. Those who've ridden in a race like that or even just hunted and gone with the horse, tackling obstacles without knowing what's ahead, must get an incredible buzz.

“It's interesting if you compare it to the Grand National, because in many ways this is more what the Grand National should be - a proper test of horse and jockey. The Grand National is a nothing race now really, it doesn't stand for anything. It's just a glorified hurdle race where they laud that a horse hasn't fallen as if that's a triumph.”

Host Emma Nagle agreed with the assessment of Ward and Flood and also gave full credit to Donoghue.

She explained: “Seeing him around those cross-country courses—he does it better than anyone. It's poetry in motion.

“I watched his press conference after the race with Gavin. He described it as the toughest race in the world. Comparing it to the National isn't even fair. It takes nine to ten minutes to complete every year.

“For Gavin as well, to become the first Irish trainer to win it - it takes some horse to go through those obstacles and ploughed fields. It's something completely different. Maybe the horses over there are more conditioned to it, you have to give total credit to horse and jockey.”

‘Massive Kick' For Cromwell

Ward also revealed he heard from trainer Cromwell following his successful trip to eastern Europe.

He said: “I was just talking to Gavin Cromwell this morning on WhatsApp. I think he got a massive kick out of it. For all the things he's won - Royal Ascot, Arc weekend, Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle - he's won them all. But I think he got a massive kick out of this.

“Keith is some story. It's not that long ago he was basically retiring, he was too heavy. He had to work really hard. If any jockey is coming up worried about weight, Keith is the man to talk to.

“There are ways around it that don't involve torturing yourself. It's about a physical regime, gym work, and diet.

“He's a gifted rider. Sometimes you don't appreciate how good he is.”

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