We profile the Ryanair boss who just loves his horses
The man who recorded a Gold Cup four-timer has more leading contenders this year with Don Cossack and Don Poli among the stars
Gigginstown House Stud
Cheltenham Festival Winners: 13
The first festival winner for Ryanair magnate Michael O’Leary and his brother Eddie came with War of Attrition in 2006 in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and they may throw a few darts at the board this year again with leading contenders Don Cossack and Don Poli.
However, O’Leary is yet to win the race he sponsors, the Ryanair Chase, so may divert last year’s Gold Cup third Road To Riches to Thursday’s race while Valseur Lido may have put himself in the Gold Cup picture despite a last-fence fall in the Irish Gold Cup.
Although their modus operandi is staying chasers, their winners have been scattered around the Festival including two winners, a runner-up and third last season in the Albert Bartlett Hurdle, two winners and four places in the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap.
Will also have Alpha Des Obeaux and Prince of Scars running in Thursday’s World Hurdle – which they sponsor this year while having the Champion Hurdle bound Identity Thief is a relatively new departure for them in the hurdling division while Tombstone may contest the Supreme Novices Hurdle.
They have won the RSA Chase twice and have market-leader No More Heroes in it this year and have a strong team in the National Hunt Chase with Roi Des Francs, Rule The World and Measureofmydreams.
Recorded a four-timer on Gold Cup two years ago.