Horse In Profile: Kopek des Bordes

Credit to the power and might of the Closutton yard, there is currently a strong focus in the horse racing world on Willie Mullins’ endeavours to claim a second consecutive trainers championship in the UK. However, many will be looking to the Punchestown Festival next week and to the Supreme Hurdle hero at the Cheltenham Festival; Kopek des Bordes.

The Build up to the Cheltenham Festival

There is little doubt that Kopek des Bordes is another one in the Mullins’ battalion who can be considered a superstar.

Despite winning his sole bumper start by an impressive 13 lengths, many were uncertain about Kopek des Bordes true capabilities as he began his novice campaign over hurdles. It is fair to say that uncertainty grew following his debut in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown on December 26, as despite winning, his jumping was disjointed and required significant improvement.

He was a 16/1 shot in the Supreme following that performance, but only until Kopek des Bordes lit up the Dublin Racing Festival at the beginning of February. Even though the five-year-old was an odds-on shot for the race at Leopardstown, he won in emphatic style. His jumping was much more fluent, his injection of pace was exciting and just like that the Supreme betting had completely turned on its head.

Kopek des Bordes’ success in the Supreme

Come March, Kopek des Bordes went on to secure Willie Mullins' first Supreme win since 2021, despite a minor stumble at the last hurdle that would have had his backers holding their breath, as he held off a valiant effort from Barry Connell's William Munny, who finished second.

Kopek des Bordes' victory in the Supreme looks even more impressive considering the subsequent performances of his competitors. Stablemate Salvator Mundi, who finished fifth at the Festival, went on to win the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle at Aintree, beating third-placed Romeo Coolio. Seventh-placed Irancy has since won a Grade 2 race, and others from the Supreme have placed in Grade 1 and 2 events, highlighting Kopek des Bordes' exceptional form.

What’s next?

The question many will be looking to decipher before next season commences will be whether or not Willie Mullins takes his star chasing or keeps him over hurdles. Paul Townend, who rode him to success at Cheltenham pondered the question whether he could stay hurdling despite being built like a chaser.

However, what we do know is that Kopek des Bordes is very likely to end his stellar season with one last run at the Punchestown Festival. He is entered in the Grade 1 Champion Novices’ Hurdle and will be set to take on his stable companion Salvator Mundi following his Grade 1 success at Aintree. He’ll likely be a short-priced favourite on the day having already defeated many of the other entrants during his star-studded novice campaign.

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