WillowWarm Gold Cup explained

Class:Grade 1
Horse Race:WillowWarm Gold Cup
Location:Fairyhouse
County Meath, Ireland
Race Type:Steeplechase
Sponsor:WillowWarm
Website:Fairyhouse
Distance:2m 4f (4,023 metres)
Surface:Turf
Track:Right-handed
Qualification:Five-years-old and up
Weight:11 st 10 lb
Allowances
7 lb for mares
Purse:100,000 (2023)
1st: €59,000

|}The WillowWarm Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Fairyhouse over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs (4,023 metres), and during its running there are sixteen fences to be jumped. The race is for novice chasers, and it is scheduled to take place each year on Easter Sunday.

The event was formerly sponsored by Irish Distillers, the producers of Powers Whiskey and from 2015 to 2019 it was sponsored by Irish airline Ryanair. In 2021 it was sponsored by Underwriting Exchange, in 2022 by BoyleSports and since 2023 by WillowWarm. It is run during the Fairyhouse Easter Festival, a three-day meeting which also features the Irish Grand National. Prior to 1994 it was contested over 2 miles and 2 furlongs.

Records

Leading jockey since 1960 (4 wins):

Leading trainer since 1960 (5 wins):

Winners since 1960

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Year
Winner
Age
Jockey
Trainer
1960Owen's Sedge7Christy KinaneDarrell Farmer
1961CommuteringWillie RobinsonDan Moore
1962ConistonJoe MaloneCharlie Weld
1963Arkle6Pat TaaffeTom Dreaper
1964Fort Leney6Pat TaaffeTom Dreaper
1965Doone Valley6Pat TaaffeTom Dreaper
1966Vulpine5Matt CurranPaddy Mullins
1967White Abbess6Sean BarkerTom Dreaper
1968Bold Fencer7Stan MurphyPhonsie O'Brien
1969Kinloch Brae6Timmy HydeWillie O'Grady
1970No Other7Bobby CoonanLord Fingall
1971GlendingJ. DonaghyPaddy Osborne
1972Frou Frou5Tommy CarberryDan Moore
1973VulforoSean BarkerJim Dreaper
1974Captain Christy7Bobby BeasleyPat Taaffe
1975Golden LancerMouse MorrisEdward O'Grady
1976Troubled Times7L. O'DonnellPeter McCreery
1977Bunker Hill7Mouse MorrisAdrian Maxwell
1978BallyrossTommy CarberryJim Dreaper
1979Persian WandererGerry DowdJim Dreaper
1980Paddy Bouler7John HartyPat Rooney
1981The Mighty Mac6Gerry NewmanTom Costello
1982Sean Ogue6P. WalshMichael O'Brien
1983Step Together7Enda BolgerJ. P. Bourke
1984Bobsline8Frank BerryFrancis Flood
1985Lucisis6Frank BerryFrancis Flood
1986Barrow Line9Frank BerryPat Hughes
1987Tickite Boo7Mark DwyerJimmy FitzGerald
1988Haepenny Well7Tommy CarmodyGillian O'Brien
1989Carvill's Hill7Ken MorganJim Dreaper
19907Tommy CarmodyEdward O'Grady
1991Garamycin9Brendan SheridanWillie Deacon
1992General Idea7Brendan SheridanDermot Weld
1993How's the Boss7Mark DwyerJohn Brassil
1994Merry Gale6Kevin O'BrienJim Dreaper
1995Strong Platinum7Conor O'DwyerPaddy Burke
1996Love the Lord6Tommy TreacyDaniel O'Connell
1997Dorans Pride8Richard DunwoodyMichael Hourigan
1998Delphi Lodge8Tommy TreacyTom Taaffe
1999Rince Ri6Ruby WalshTed Walsh
2000Native Upmanship7Conor O'DwyerArthur Moore
2001Sackville8David CaseyFrances Crowley
2002Big-and-Bold6Ruby WalshGer Lyons
2003Thari6Paul CarberryNoel Meade
2004Hi Cloy7Timmy MurphyMichael Hourigan
2005Like-A-Butterfly11Tony McCoyChristy Roche
2006Justified7Tony McCoyDusty Sheehy
2007One Cool Cookie6David CaseyCharlie Swan
2008Conna Castle9Paul CarberryJimmy Mangan
2009Aran Concerto8Paul CarberryNoel Meade
2010Jadanli8Andrew LynchPaul John Gilligan
2011Realt Dubh7Paul CarberryNoel Meade
2012Flemenstar7Andrew LynchPeter Casey
2013Realt Mor8Davy CondonGordon Elliott
2014Rebel Fitz9Barry GeraghtyMichael Winters
2015Gilgamboa7Tony McCoyEnda Bolger
2016Kylemore Lough7Barry GeraghtyKerry Lee
2017Road To Respect6Bryan CooperNoel Meade
2018Al Boum Photo6David MullinsWillie Mullins
2019Voix Du Reve7Ruby WalshWillie Mullins
data-sort-value="2020" no race 2020
2021Janidil 7Jody McGarveyWillie Mullins
2022Galopin Des Champs7Paul TownendWillie Mullins
2023Flame Bearer 8Sean O'KeeffeWillie Mullins
2024Spillane's Tower6Mark WalshJimmy Mangan

See also

References