Gaelic Warrior: wow we always knew he could - or did we? Back in 2022 at the Cheltenham Festival, it seemed like anyone and everyone had heard about this new Rich Ricci-owned hurdler who was going to make a mockery of a mark of 129, and I suppose in all truth he has, when awarded a Timeform rating of 174 for his victory in the Cheltenham Gold Cup. But those who have followed this horse for years know it has not always been this easy. He was beaten in the juvenile off a mark of 129, yes, you have read that right, he was beaten. But this is the madness of the horse that makes him who he is and why he is so exciting: “He's too keen, he’s too highly strung, he can’t settle when you need him, he won’t get home” were all comments added to this horse before the Gold Cup, but they never included: “he’s just very good though,” and that is the way it is. Gold Cup winner commands respect He is an extremely talented horse, and finishing this season, it would be fair to say he has more ability than any National Hunt horse in training. He jumps great and his engine is absolutely mind-boggling. He does an awful lot wrong but is able to correct it with the things he does right. When looking at Gaelic Warrior at the Closutton yard or on a raceday, he is a horse that demands respect. He wants everyone to know who he is, but all good horses do this. They know they are good, and the only way to remain that good is to keep coming back into the winner’s enclosure with all the attention surrounding you. Looking back on his career, after his Cheltenham second it looked like he would pay his way, but the ability and engine were evident with an 86-length win in a Tramore maiden. Questions were raised again when he was second in the Ballymore at Cheltenham behind Impaire Et Passe, but then he stepped up to three miles at Punchestown and showed the racing public what really was under the bonnet when scooting clear to a 9-length victory in a Grade 1 hurdle. Mixed results over fences He gave an unbelievable display of speed, stamina, and excellence in his beginners’ chase at Punchestown, but in true Gaelic Warrior fashion he made it known he enjoyed giving a fence a bump. It was then on to Limerick for the Grade 1 Faugheen Novice Chase, and again he was extremely good and on reflection it looks like the horses behind him that day were not bad; the second Il Etait Temps, the 2026 Champion Chase winner, and back in third was Inothewayurthinkin, the 2025 Gold Cup winner. The mad Gaelic Warrior returned for a Leopardstown match race versus stablemate Fact To File, and it was then we saw the bad side of Gaelic Warrior, with an awkward display of jumping, and he essentially gave up. You questioned his ability, and it was announced he would take part in the Arkle at the Cheltenham Festival, and the doubts grew again. In true Gaelic Warrior fashion, he had his own ideas and sauntered clear to success. A second place behind Il Etait Temps followed at Punchestown and his season was over. Aintree success led to Gold Cup dream Last season, it was a case of poor two-mile displays, and he never once looked happy. So in true Willie Mullins fashion, a freshen up was needed, and a step up in trip followed. Patrick Mullins guided him to Aintree Bowl success, and the Gold Cup dreams began, as he showed that although he had brilliance, he had stamina to match it. The John Durkan this season was exceptional. Gaelic Warrior and Fact To File eyeballed each other for two fences, with a neck separating them. It told you that the fight was truly in Gaelic Warrior. Operation King George unfortunately failed, but he did not go down without a fight - four horses were in the finish, and although he finished third, he was an unlucky loser. We then saw him finish second behind Fact To File in the Irish Gold Cup, but this was where the light bulb appeared for Patrick Mullins, as he knew where the keys to the kingdom could be found with this horse. Gold Cup Tactics It was all about how the Cheltenham track works, and how if you could bury him on the rail and not let him over-race, he would be sure to see out the Gold Cup trip. Patrick Mullins had no worry about this and was hoping Paul Townend wouldn’t have too difficult a decision when choosing between him or Galopin Des Champs. Unfortunately, Galopin Des Champs was ruled out with injury, meaning Paul Townend would guide Gaelic Warrior in the Gold Cup last Friday. It was a difficult Friday for Paul Townend - things didn’t seem to go right throughout the day, but it showed why he is the best in the business and why he is Willie Mullins’ number one. He followed the advice and took the risk of settling the horse in. It worked, it truly worked. Gaelic Warrior jumped and travelled, and a clip from Racing TV’s TikTok zoomed in on Townend’s smile as he sauntered to the finish line in what was a demolition of good horses. It hasn’t been an easy journey with Gaelic Warrior, but for those who stuck by him, it has been a fun one. There have been bad days and bumps along the way, but days of admiration have followed, where you understand; yes, he might have a quirk, and yes, he might like to do things his own way, but one thing that cannot be questioned is his ability. He is a superstar, he is a talent, and he is the 2026 Cheltenham Festival Gold Cup hero.
