A superb day of racing at Leopardstown saw Brighterdaysahead and Majborough steal the Dublin Racing Festival limelight while day two’s action centres around the great Galopin Des Champs’ bid for Irish Gold Cup history. Here is Monday’s racing round-up.
Dublin Racing Festival results see Brighterdaysahead and Majborough impress
The headline contest on what was ultimately the opening day of the Dublin Racing Festival saw Brighterdaysahead turn the tables on Lossiemouth in an enthralling battle for the Irish Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown. The pair had met, with Lossiemouth victorious, over course and distance in December, but it was Gordon Elliott’s charge who emerged successfully in heavier ground on Sunday, as she held off the grey after the final hurdle. Both potentially have the Champion Hurdle on their radars for the Cheltenham Festival in March. (BBC)
Although the Irish Champion Hurdle slipped away from him, the Grade 1 Dublin Chase did not elude Willie Mullins, who sent out Majborough for a first win in open company. The six-year-old had blown two opportunities with some clumsy jumping earlier in the campaign, but was much more assured over the heavy ground, ultimately cruising to a 19-length success over defending Champion Chase hero Marine Nationale. it is Majborough who is now the clear favourite for that race at Cheltenham. (Sky Sports)
Another result which had a significant bearing on the 2026 Cheltenham Festival came in the Grade 1 Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle as Talk The Talk made up for his final flight fall at Leopardstown in December to triumph for Joseph O’Brien and JJ Slevin. The five-year-old surged late down the outside to collar Ballyfad and King Rasko Grey to announce himself as the prime Irish contender for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, for which the Nicky Henderson-trained Old Park Star is now a clear market leader. (Racing TV)
There were two big shocks at the Dublin Racing Fesitval, one equine, and one human, with Final Demand, previously the leading staying novice chaser in Britain and Ireland, finishing only third in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Novice Chase. Willie Mullins still sent out the winner though in the shape of the JP McManus-owned Kaid d’Authie, while human error saw Stephen Connor banned for 14 days after mistaking the winning post in the concluding bumper. He sat up early aboard Royal Hillsborough, leading to a victory for outsider Moonverrin instead. (RTE)
Galopin Des Champs the star on rearranged Dublin Racing Festival card
What would have been Saturday’s day one card at the Dublin Racing Festival has been rearranged for Monday, with Galopin Des Champs bidding for an historic fourth straight win in the Irish Gold Cup. The ten-year-old lost his unbeaten record at Leopardstown over Christmas, but is still the horse to beat in the staying chase division for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. He will face 12 rivals, including his December conqueror Affordale Fury, unbeaten stablemate Spindleberry and Gold Cup hero Inothewayurthinkin. (Racing Post)
Frankie Dettori rides two winners on final swansong
Lastly, the great Frankie Dettori has ridden his final race as a jockey, as he concluded his retirement tour in Brazil this weekend. The charismatic Italian ended his career on a fittingly high note, as he rode two winners at the Gavea racetrack in Rio De Janeiro, including in the Brazilian 2,000 Guineas aboard Bet You Can. (Mirror)