Gold Cup Winner 2019
Winner: Al Boum Photo
Betting Odds: 12/1
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Owner: Mrs J. Donnelly
The 91st annual running of the Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) sponsored by Magners, a brand of cider produced in County Tipperary in Ireland by C & C Group. One of the biggest fields in recent years. A deep race with a number of up-and-coming 7-year-olds.
A going description of good to soft.
Win prize money of £351,687.50. A winning time of 6m 39.06s (fast by 10.94s).
This seven-year-old gelding, a son of Buck’s Boum out of an unraced mare named Al Gane, was bred and owned by Emmanuell Clayeau & Jacky Rauch until the 13th December 2016. Not sold for 70,000 (Euros) 2015. He retired on the 22nd May 2022, when pulled-up Auteuil, France. His total earnings topped £1M.
Al Boum Photo was earmarked to run in the Unibet Irish Gold Cup on the 3rd February, however, he was withdrawn due to unsuitable going [described as good]. A four-strong field saw Bellshill win by a short-head.
His previous run, on the 1st January 2019, saw him at Tranmore competing in the Savills Chase (Listed Race) over 2m 5 1/2f. He kept on well to win by 6-lengths at odds of 2/1f.
Could this be the first Cheltenham Gold Cup win for Willie Mullins?
Would Native River retain his crown?
15th March 2019 –
3:30 Cheltenham – Magners Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1)
A large field of 16 runners. Leading fancies included: Presenting Percy 100/30f, Clan Des Obeaux 5/1, Native River 6/1, Kemboy 8/1, Bellshill 9/1, Al Boum Photo 12/1 & Thistlecrack 12/1.
One of the leading fancied, Kemboy unseated David Mullins at the first.
At the second fence Might Bite (14/1) and Invitation Only (33/1) led from Definitely Red (50/1). A compact field. Native River, slightly outpaced, but settled in fourth over the third fence while Al Boum Photo was held up at the back while Bellshill made a bad mistake which continued at the 7th and 8th before being pulled up soon after.
At the top of the hill Might Bite continued to lead. Sadly, Invitation Only was fatally injured when falling at the 10th, he brought down Definitely Red.
King George winner, Clan Des Obeaux travelled well in fourth ahead of Al Boum Photo and Presenting Percy, while Thistlecrack was struggling at the back of the field. He would gradually lose touch, tailed off and pulled up before the 17th.
With a circuit to go, heading towards the stands, Native River poked his head in front in the hands of Richard Johnson. Anibale Fly (22/1) and Bristol De Mai (18/1) held up in mid-division.
Might Bite continued to jump and travel well in the lead while Native River looked slightly tapped for toe but determinedly holding second some lengths ahead of Clan Des Obeaux.
At 6 out, Al Boum Photo made good headway into fourth, still some lengths off the leading pair, but moving well.
At the top of the hill, Native River pressed on taking the race by the scruff of its neck with a mighty jump, raising cheers from the crowd, and adulation from commentator Simon Holt. ‘Native River defending his crown with great tenacity.’
Coming to the final turn it was a very open race with nine horses in close proximity. It turned into a gripping battle as Bristol De Mai loomed up on the outside as Native River tried to hold his ground endeavouring to fight off the challenge from Al Boum Photo who was upsides. Clan Des Obeaux sneaked up the rail.
Leading up to the second last, Native River dropped back, while Al Boum Photo took it up, reaching for it, holding a length or two lead over Bristol De Mai and the running on Anibale Fly.
Al Boum Photo was safely over the last and drew away. Anabale Fly responded well to the urgings of Barry Geraghty but he was ‘no threat to the winner’ who held on by 2 1/2-lengths, with Bristol De Mai a further 3 3/4-lengths back in third.
Willie Mullins said: ‘Al Boum Photo was third or fourth in my pecking order coming into the Gold Cup, and at the top of the hill first time round he was number one! We’ve had placed horses, obviously, but its nice to get one on the board.’
Al Boum Photo would go on to win the 2020 Cheltenham Gold Cup and finish third in the 2021 renewal.
An exceptional horse.