Is Lulamba the next Sir Gino? Comparisons between Lulamba and Sir Gino are easy to make as the pair of French imports were bought by the same connections and sent to Nicky Henderson's team at Seven Barrows. As Sir Gino was a year ago, Lulamba is the ante-post favourite for the Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival after a winning British racecourse bow. Of course, Sir Gino didn't make it to Cheltenham last spring, but has more than made up for that since. Can Lulamba be the next star turn for owners Joe and Marie Donnelly? French imports with tons of promise Sir Gino debuted at Auteuil in a Listed hurdle race over 1m7f on heavy ground in April 2023, beating Salvator Mundi by just under two lengths with a couple of next-time-out winners well behind in third and fourth. Salvator Mundi was next spotted in the Triumph itself at Cheltenham, finishing sixth having joined Willie Mullins and, after winning both starts this season, he is favourite for the Supreme at Cheltenham. Lulamba started out at Auteuil in October 2024 in a 2m2f heavy-ground hurdles race worth €34k to the winner. He came clear to score and, like Sir Gino, was subsequently snapped up by the Donnellys. Sir Gino comparisons look premature Initial thoughts on Lulamba's win at Ascot would perhaps fall in line with suggesting that comparing him to Sir Gino is a touch premature. Sir Gino stormed to Kempton glory on his UK bow, cruising clear to win by 14 lengths from Royal Way, the Gary Moore inmate who would win his next three starts. Next stop was Cheltenham on Trials Day where Sir Gino made short work of six rivals in a Triumph Trial, leaving Burdett Road in his wake. That rival went on to enjoy Listed success on the Flat at Newmarket in September and also won the Greatwood Hurdle back at Cheltenham in November. Though he missed Cheltenham last season when the Henderson team were under a cloud of ill-health, Sir Gino made up for that by winning an Aintree Grade 1 novice. At Newcastle in November, he became one of few exceptional juveniles across recent years to make a seamless transition into open Grade 1 company as he won the Fighting Fifth. He soon turned his attention to novice chasing and, for the second Christmas in a row, starred at Kempton. The manner of his dismissal of Ballyburn suggests he's going to be top drawer over fences. His body of work also strongly points towards Sir Gino being exceptionally talented, potentially a generational horse. Lulamba up and running At Ascot, on his British bow, Lulamba did what was expected based on the whispers that emerged from Seven Barrows. He travelled fairly effortlessly under Nico de Boinville to get to the lead landing over the second last and, when Mondo Man came after him over the final flight, he extended away without maximum urging from the saddle. As starting points go, it should prove more than adequate. Mondo Man was a smart performer on the Flat in France and ran well at Royal Ascot last summer when fourth in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. He ceded jumping experience to Lulamba, but could in time prove well above average in the hurdling sphere. Donnellys retain the magic touch It's very much starting to appear as though the Donnelly ownership are incapable of landing with a poor horse. Al Boum Photo, Shiskin and Melon were precursors, State Man has carried on the mantle alongside Dancing City, Daddy Long Legs and now the emerging stars like Sir Gino, Salvator Mundi, Anzadam and Lulamba. Once an on-course bookmaker, Joe Donnelly has made fortunes in property and art and is investing heavily in jumps stock. His stable of talent is growing year on year, with Henderson and Mullins the primary beneficiaries. Sir Gino right now looks to be the brightest rising star in the yellow and black checks. To burden Lulamba with a comparison after just one UK run might be pushing the envelope, given the enormity of what Sir Gino threatens to achieve.
