Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner 2015
Winner: Coneygree
Betting Odds: 7/1
Trainer: Mark Bradstock
Owner: The Max Partnership
The 87th annual running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) sponsored by Betfred, a bookmakers based in the United Kingdom, founded by Fred Done. It was first established as a single betting shop in Ordsall, Salford, in 1967.
A strong renewal with many of the leading players from the previous year. After a brilliant display in the Denman Chase at Newbury, connections decided to bypass the RSA Chase. For a gelding who liked to get his toe in the ground, the going would be an important factor. Could Coneygree be the first novice to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup since 1974? [Captain Christie]
This race was very much a changing of the guard. There was a strong gallop and the pace held up.
By all accounts it was an imperious display and a noted performance.
A going description of soft.
Win prize money of £313,225. A winning time of 6m 42.50s (fast by 3.50s).
This eight-year-old gelding, a son of Karinga Bay out of a five-times winning mare named Plaid Maid. Bred by Lord Oaksey, in the ownership of The Max Partnership. He was trained by Mark Bradstock.
Coneygree won well at odds of 10/1 on his debut at Uttoxeter (2011) when competing in an Open National Hunt Flat Race over 2m.
Leading up to the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Coneygree ran in the Betfair Denman Chase on the 7th February 2015 on soft going. The 15/8f, ridden by Richard Johnson, stayed on strongly, and in control from 2f out. He won by 7-lengths.
Mark Bradstock said: ‘The ground was tacky enough so Coneygree didn’t go completely mad. It was quite an ask taking on experienced horses. We have to worry about the Gold Cup by Tuesday when we have to stump up £1300. He will probably continue with the entry. It is pretty open. It will still be only his fourth run over fences.’
Coneygree raced 18 times in his career, achieving 9 wins, unplaced on just 5 occasions. He had total prize earnings of £526,589. He raced up till the age of 12. His last race at Ascot on the 16th February 2019. Priced 5/1 for the Keltbray Swinley Chase (A Limited Handicap) (Listed Race) over 3m on good-to-soft ground, he was pulled-up by Nico De Boinville before 2 out.
He was retired after the race. Injury had taken its toll on this brave, front-running stayer.
13th March 2015 –
3:20 Cheltenham – Betfred Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
A large of 16 runners on soft ground.
Leading contenders included: Silviniaco Conti 3/1f, Coneygree 7/1, Many Clouds 7/1, Road To Riches 8/1, Holywell 8/1, Djakadam 10/1 & Carlingford Lough 14/1.
The roar heralds the start of the Betfred Gold Cup…
Road To Riches (8/1) and Coneygree (7/1), leading over the first with On His Own (33/1) sitting in third. Boston Boy (33/1) was pushed along at the back of the field.
Coneygree, jumping well, led over the water jump with Road To Riches and On His Own in second and third, Holywell a few lengths back in fourth.
Lord Windermere (20/1) never travelling, detached at the 6th, and would be pulled up before 2 out.
At the halfway stage, Coneygree continue to jump with precision, roared on by the crowd as he galloped past the stands some two lengths ahead of On His Own, Road To Riches dropping back as the pace increased.
Commentator, Richard Hoiles, said: ‘A lot of the big guns are clustered mid-field…’
Coneygree pressed on stringing out the field as On His Own blundered.
Hoiles detailed: ‘There is no hiding place in the Gold Cup this year.’
Heading toward the fourth last, Coneygree continued to hold an advantage over On His Own and Road To Riches while Silviniaco Conti (3/1f) and Djakadam (10/1) travelled strongly in behind, with Many Cloud (7/1) and Holywell in close contention.
The pace increased seeing Silviniaco Conti and Many Cloud struggling to hold position.
At three out, Coneygree, jumping exceptionally well, led from the gallant Road To Riches, while Djakadam improved into third.
Hoiles: ‘Coneygree gallops on remorselessly, leads by two…’
Coneygree ran to the last, looking at the fence, with the roar of the crowd in his ears, jumped magnificently. Racing up the hill, he started to wander to his right with a chasing Road To Riches and Djakadam closing in.
For a moment it looked like he may get caught.
He gallantly prevailed.
‘Coneygree, a novice, wins the Gold Cup!’
He beat Djakadam and Road To Riches into third.
A truly astounding performance from the winner who jumped perfectly and led all the way.
Nico de Boinville said: ‘Coneygree is very straightforward. We rode him how we planned, get in front over the first two and then get him into a rhythm as we passed the stands for the first time. I wanted to conserve a bit as I knew the ground was very testing. We then just wound it up from the front – it was very simple in the end. He was being hassled a bit up front which made him pull a little but if didn’t really affect him.’
Cheltenham Gold Cup Results:
2015 – 1st
Major wins: Hyde Novices’ Hurdle (2012), Bristol Novices’ Hurdle (2012), Berkshire Novices’ Chase (2014), Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (2014), Denman Chase (2015) &Cheltenham Gold Cup (2015).