Who Is in Contention to Be Jumps Horse of The Season?

The 2024/25 National Hunt season is now past the halfway point, and with so many major meetings still to come, including the Cheltenham Festival, Grand National and Dublin Racing Festival, there are many opportunities for the best horses to shine.

Here is a look at who is in contention to end the campaign as the Jumps horse of the season.

Galopin des Champs On Course for Third Gold Cup Triumph

Dual Gold Cup winner Galopin Des Champs will head to the Cheltenham Festival in March bidding for a third straight success in the Blue Riband event in the sport. Only one horse in the last 50 years has achieved that feat, with Best Mate completing his hat-trick in 2004.

Willie Mullins’ chaser blew his rivals away in the Grade One Savills Chase during the festive period. He won the race for the second straight year for the Irish trainer, prevailing by just over seven lengths. It was a much better performance from the nine-year-old than he showed on his seasonal reappearance in the John Durkan Memorial Chase.

Galopin Des Champs will take the same route ahead of Cheltenham as he did last season, featuring in the Irish Gold Cup first. As of January 21st, he is the 4/5 favourite in the bet on horse racing market for the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Victory in the day four feature could see him lead the race to be crowned the horse of the season.

Jonbon Dominates 2m Chase Division

All three of Jonbon’s victories this season have come at Grade Two or higher level. He has dominated the 2m division in the UK, winning the Shloer Chase (Cheltenham), Tingle Creek Chase (Sandown) and Clarence House Chase (Ascot).

In the Tingle Creek at Sandown, he hit the front of the field after the fourth fence from home at the Surrey-based racecourse, and he soon stretched away from his rivals. It was his second win in the race, becoming the first horse since Kauto Star in 2006 to defend his crown.

Jonbon produced an even better performance on his latest run in the Clarence House Chase. Nicky Henderson’s runner took on the Queen Mother Champion Chase winner, Energumene, but the Irish horse was no match for the favourite. It was his fifth straight victory on the track.

The J.P McManus-owned chaser will bid for his first Queen Mother Champion Chase success this season. He missed the meeting due to an injury in 2024 but he now heads to the Festival in great form ahead of that championship contest.

Constitution Hill Back to His Best 

Racing fans were delighted to see former Champion Hurdle winner Constitution Hill return to action in the Christmas Hurdle at Kempton on Boxing Day. Henderson’s star hurdler was back to his best in the Grade One race, beating Irish mare Lossiemouth comfortably.

After a series of setbacks that delayed his opening run of the season, Henderson and Constitution Hill’s regular jockey Nick de Boinville will have been relieved that their horse passed his latest test.

Constitution Hill has been tipped by many horse racing pundits to finish his career as one of the best 2m hurdlers in history. A second Champion Hurdle in March will help him towards that position. With Aintree’s Grand National Meeting or the Punchestown Festival likely for the unbeaten hurdler, he has plenty of time to end the campaign as the most impressive horse this season.

Some Exciting Novices on Both Sides of the Irish Sea

The novice races at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival are set to be very exciting this year, as several first-season hurdlers and chasers head there with big reputations. In the novice hurdles division, The New Lion is one of these. Trained by Dan Skelton, he won the Grade One Challow Hurdle at the end of 2024. His next appearance will be in the Turners Novices’ Hurdle.

In Ireland, Salvator Mundi has won both of his two hurdles starts comfortably. He broke his maiden at the first time attempt at Tipperary, scoring by 62 lengths. Mullins’ runner then stepped up in class to land the Grade Two Moscow Flyer Hurdle at Punchestown. That latest performance suggests he goes into the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle as a big player.

The final fixture on the 2024/25 Jumps calendar is the Celebration Chase Day at Sandown on the 26th of April.

Ribot

Ribot, born in 1952, wasn’t just any racehorse; he was an unstoppable force on the track, carving out a legacy with a perfect record that remains the stuff of legend. This chestnut colt, known for his muscular build and fiery temperament, took the racing world by storm in the mid-1950s, retiring unbeaten and setting a standard that few have approached since.

The Unbeaten Streak

What set Ribot apart wasn’t just his undefeated status, but the manner in which he dominated his competitions. Over the course of his career, Ribot raced 16 times and won every single one of those races, a feat that speaks volumes about his consistency, speed, and stamina. His racing style was a blend of tactical intelligence and raw power, often biding his time before unleashing a devastating turn of speed that left his rivals trailing.

Key Victories and Legacy

Among Ribot’s most memorable victories were his back-to-back wins in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in 1955 and 1956. These wins weren’t just victories; they were demonstrations of his superiority, earning him international acclaim and solidifying his status as one of the all-time greats. In the Arc, Ribot didn’t just win; he dominated, showcasing his exceptional ability to accelerate and maintain a pace that others couldn’t match.

Impact Beyond the Track

Beyond his racing achievements, Ribot’s impact extended to his career as a sire, where he passed on his exceptional genes to a new generation of champions. His influence on thoroughbred racing lineage is profound, contributing to the breed’s development and enhancing the quality of racehorses across the globe.

A Racing Phenomenon

Ribot’s career was a rare phenomenon in the world of horse racing—a career without blemish, marked by an unbeaten record that stands as a high watermark for excellence. His story is not just about the races he won but about setting a bar so high that it challenges all who come after him.

In remembering Ribot, the racing community doesn’t just recall his victories; they celebrate the spirit of competition, the pursuit of perfection, and the sheer joy of watching a master at work. Ribot wasn’t just a champion; he was a racing marvel, whose legacy continues to inspire awe and admiration long after his last race.

Dawn Run

Dawn Run is one of those names in horse racing that just brings a smile to your face when you hear it. This mare, born in 1978, wasn’t just any racehorse; she was a trailblazer, a real-life legend that seemed to defy the odds at every turn. Her career is one of those heartwarming tales that feels like it’s straight out of a movie, except it all actually happened.

What made Dawn Run stand out wasn’t just her incredible talent, but her versatility. Most horses specialize in either hurdling or steeplechase, but Dawn Run? She excelled at both. It’s like being a star player in two major sports at the same time – pretty unheard of in the racing world.

Her career had so many highlights, but if we’re talking Dawn Run, we have to talk about the big two: winning the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham in 1984 and then the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1986. Winning either race is a massive achievement for any racehorse, but winning both? That’s the stuff of legends. She’s the only horse in history to pull off that particular double, which pretty much cements her status as one of the all-time greats.

Training under Paddy Mullins, Dawn Run showed early on that she had something special. But it wasn’t just raw talent; this mare had a fighting spirit. Her races were thrilling to watch, often coming from behind to snatch victory in the final moments. It was like she knew just how to keep the audience on the edge of their seats, waiting for that signature surge to the front.

And then there was her final race in France, which was a testament to her fighting spirit, though it ended in tragedy. Dawn Run’s career, filled with ups and downs, showed just how unpredictable and emotional the world of horse racing can be.

Talking about Dawn Run is like reminiscing about an old friend who never gave up, no matter the odds. Her story isn’t just about the races she won but about her incredible journey, the moments of triumph, the resilience, and the sheer joy she brought to her fans. She was more than just a racehorse; she was an icon, a reminder of the passion and drama that makes horse racing such an exhilarating sport.

Every time her name comes up, it’s a reminder of those nail-biting finishes, the cheers of the crowd, and the sheer brilliance of a mare who wasn’t afraid to take on the boys and win. Dawn Run’s legacy is the kind that keeps racing fans talking for generations, not just for the records she set, but for the way she raced with her heart on her sleeve, giving it her all every time she set foot on the track.

Flying Bolt

Flying Bolt, born in 1959, was an Irish thoroughbred whose racing career in the 1960s made him one of the most celebrated steeplechasers of his time. Trained by Tom Dreaper, who also conditioned the legendary Arkle, Flying Bolt’s career was marked by versatility, dominance, and an array of victories across different distances and disciplines.

From an early age, Flying Bolt displayed a natural talent for jumping, quickly distinguishing himself as a horse of significant potential. His early races hinted at the success that was to come, showcasing not only his ability to jump with precision but also his remarkable speed.

One of Flying Bolt’s most notable achievements was his victory in the 1966 Champion Chase at Cheltenham, a race that solidified his reputation as a top-class chaser. His performance in this race was a demonstration of his exceptional talent, as he carried top weight and still managed to win with ease, a feat rarely accomplished in such competitive company.

Flying Bolt’s versatility was further evidenced by his success over different types of races. He not only excelled in two-mile chases but also demonstrated his stamina in longer races, including winning the Irish Grand National in 1966 by a staggering 12 lengths. This victory underscored his exceptional endurance and versatility, setting him apart from his contemporaries.

Despite his dominance on the track, Flying Bolt’s career was not without its challenges. He faced stiff competition from other racing greats of his era, including his stablemate Arkle. However, Flying Bolt’s performances were always characterized by his competitive spirit and undeniable talent, traits that endeared him to racing fans and experts alike.

In addition to his notable victories, Flying Bolt’s career was marked by his consistency and reliability. He rarely finished outside the top positions, a testament to his quality and the skill of his trainer, Dreaper. His ability to perform at the highest level, regardless of the competition or conditions, made him a formidable opponent in any race.

Flying Bolt’s racing career was unfortunately cut short by illness, which prevented him from realizing his full potential. Despite this, he left behind a legacy that has endured over the years. His achievements on the track, characterized by his speed, agility, and competitive nature, have cemented his place in the annals of horse racing history.

In retirement, Flying Bolt’s impact on the sport continued to be felt, with his name often mentioned in discussions about the greatest steeplechasers of all time. His career, though brief, was marked by moments of brilliance that showcased the best of National Hunt racing.

Istabraq

Istabraq, born in 1992, stands out as one of the most successful hurdlers in the history of National Hunt racing. Originally bred for flat racing, this bay gelding found his true calling over hurdles, embarking on a career that would see him dominate the hurdling scene in the late 1990s and early 2000s under the expert training of Aidan O’Brien.

The transition from flat racing to hurdling marked the beginning of Istabraq’s rise to prominence. His natural speed, coupled with an exceptional ability to clear hurdles with ease and grace, quickly set him apart from his competitors. This unique combination of skills propelled him to the forefront of National Hunt racing, capturing the attention of fans and experts alike.

Istabraq’s career was characterized by a series of remarkable achievements, but none more so than his three consecutive victories in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (1998, 1999, and 2000). These wins not only underscored his dominance in the sport but also his consistency at the highest level of competition. Winning the Champion Hurdle once is a significant achievement; winning it three times in a row is a testament to Istabraq’s extraordinary talent and durability.

Beyond his successes at Cheltenham, Istabraq compiled an impressive record across various Grade 1 races, showcasing his versatility and competitiveness. His racing style was a blend of intelligence and power, often sitting patiently behind the leaders before unleashing his turn of speed to take victory.

Istabraq’s career, however, was not without its challenges. He faced and overcame numerous obstacles, including injuries and the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in 2001, which led to the cancellation of the Cheltenham Festival that year, denying him a potential fourth Champion Hurdle win.

Despite these setbacks, Istabraq remained a formidable force in racing, admired for his resilience and fighting spirit. His connection with jockey Charlie Swan became one of the most successful partnerships in racing, with Swan understanding how to harness Istabraq’s speed and jumping ability to achieve maximum performance.

Istabraq’s racing career came to an end in 2002, but his legacy lives on. He is remembered not just for his victories but for the way he competed, combining speed, skill, and spirit to become one of the most beloved horses in the sport’s history. His impact on National Hunt racing is measured not only in wins and titles but in the memories he created for those who watched him race, leaving an indelible impression on the world of horse racing.

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