WillowWarm Gold Cup

WillowWarm Gold Cup
Grade 1 race
LocationFairyhouse
County Meath, Ireland
Race typeSteeplechase
SponsorWillowWarm
WebsiteFairyhouse
Race information
Distance2m 4f (4,023 metres)
SurfaceTurf
TrackRight-handed
QualificationFive-years-old and up
Weight11 st 10 lb
Allowances
7 lb for mares
Purse€100,000 (2023)
1st: €59,000
Ryanair Gold Cup
2024
Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, black star on cap Red, red and white hooped sleeves, white spots on cap
Spillane's Tower Tactical Move Blood Destiny
Previous years
2023
Red and white check, white stars on sleeves, quartered cap Red, white sash, royal blue cap Royal blue and emerald green diamonds, emerald green sleeves, striped cap
Flame Bearer Sir Gerhard Appreciate It
2022
Yellow and brown quartered, halved sleeves, yellow cap White and red diabolo, hooped sleeves and cap White and emerald green chevrons, red cap
Galopin Des Champs Master McShee Riviere D'etel
2021
Emerald Green and Orange Hooped, emerald green cap, white star Dark blue, yellow hoop, white sleeves, dark blue cap, yellow star Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, black star on cap
Janidil Franco De Port Asterion Forlonge
2020-2011
2019
Beige and black halved, black chevrons on sleeves, beige cap Red, pink hoop, pink armlet, red cap Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap
Voix Du Reve Real Steel Winter Escape
2018
Yellow and black check, yellow sleeves, black star on cap Maroon, white star and armlets, blue cap Beige and black halved, black chevrons on sleeves, beige cap
Al Boum Photo Shattered Love Invitation Only
2017
Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Beige and black halved, black chevrons on sleeves, beige cap Maroon, white star and armlet, royal blue cap
Road To Respect Yorkhill Ball D'arc
2016
Dark blue, royal blue diamond, sleeves and diamond on cap Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Emerald green, yellow sleeves, white cap, yellow spots
Kylemore Lough Outlander Blair Perrone
2015
Emerald green and orange hooped, white cap Yellow, dark blue sash, dark blue cap, yellow star Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap
Gilgamboa The Tullow Tank Smashing
2014
Dark blue, orange and dark blue halved sleeves, dark blue cap Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Only two finished
Rebel Fitz Bright New Dawn Only two finished
2013
Dark blue, yellow diamond and sleeves, yellow cap, red diamond Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Pink, light green spots, pink sleeves and cap
Realt Mor Dedigout Mikael D'Haguenet
2012
White and red diamonds, white sleeves, white cap, maroon diamonds Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Light green, large purple spots, light green cap, purple spots
Flemenstar Rathlin False Economy
2011
Royal blue, white cross sashes, striped sleeves and cap Emerald green, yellow chevron and sleeves, red cap Maroon, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star
Realt Dubh Loosen My Load Mr Cracker
2010-2001
2010
Royal blue and emerald green halved, sleeves reversed, yellow cap Royal blue, white hooped sleeves, pink cap Yellow and royal blue stripes, yellow sleeves, emerald green and orange quartered cap
Jadanli Deal Done Shakervilz
2009
Light tan, red hoop, black sleeves, red hoop, red cap Royal blue and white hoops, white sleeves, white cap, royal blue stars Dark blue and white hoops, white chevrons on sleeves, striped cap
Aran Concerto Barker Deutschland
2008
ORANGE and LIGHT BLUE DIAMONDS, orange sleeves, orange cap, light blue diamonds PURPLE, yellow spots, purple sleeves, yellow spots on cap PINK, black diamond, black armlet, quartered cap
Conna Castle Big Zeb Oscar Honey
2007
MAROON, white star and armlet, maroon cap, white star Red, white chevron, white chevrons on sleeves, quartered cap Grey, maroon triple diamond and seams on sleeves, grey cap, maroon diamonds
One Cool Cookie Schindlers Hunt Anothercoppercoast
2006
Maroon and White stripes, White sleeves, Maroon cap, White spots DARK BLUE, yellow panel, check cap Green, yellow/white star on cap ??
Justified In Compliance The Railway Man
2005
Emerald green and yellow hooped, quartered cap DARK BLUE, yellow panel, check cap Light tan, red hoop, black sleeves, red hoop, red cap
Like-A-Butterfly Forget The Past Watson Lake
2004
White, Red hoop, striped sleeves, White cap PURPLE, white diamond and sleeves, purple cap Red, white sleeves, black cap
Hi Cloy Kicking King Nil Desperandum
2003
Purple, gold sleeves, hooped cap Pink, light blue cross sashes, quartered cap Only two finished
Thari One Night Out Only two finished
2002
Brown, Beige braces, Orange cap Red, black sash, red cap, black spots Light blue, maroon stars, light blue sleeves, quartered cap
Big-And-Bold Harbour Pilot Biliverdin
2001
Light green, black epaulets, green cap, black star Red, Green sash and sleeves, Black cap, White hoop Emerald green and orange diabolo, orange sleeves, emerald green cap, white star
Sackville Limestone Lad Alcapone
2000-1991
2000
Dark blue Light blue, dark blue disc, striped sleeves, hooped cap Only two finished
Native Upmanship Sunrise Special Only two finished
1999
MAROON and WHITE STRIPES, maroon and yellow check cap Emerald green and orange diabolo, orange sleeves, emerald green cap, white star Red, white chevron, halved sleeves, red cap, white star
Rince Ri Promalee Micko's Dream
1998
Royal blue, white stars on sleeves, royal blue cap, white star Yellow and royal blue diabolo, yellow sleeves and cap WHITE and YELLOW DIAMONDS, yellow sleeves, quartered cap
Delphi Lodge Tempo Fiddlers Tune
1997
Emerald green, red stars, red star on cap DARK BLUE and PINK DIAMONDS, pink chevrons on sleeves, quartered cap WHITE and YELLOW DIAMONDS, yellow sleeves, quartered cap
Dorans Pride Jeffell Merry Gale
1996
Green, white braces and sleeves, spots on cap Orange and green hoops Orange, black sash, white cap, orange star
Love The Lord Common Policy Double Symphony
1995
Yellow, purple hoop, hooped sleeves Royal blue, red sleeves, light blue cap Yellow and royal blue diabolo, yellow sleeves and cap
Strong Platinum Sound Man Imperial Call
1994
WHITE and YELLOW DIAMONDS, yellow sleeves, quartered cap Dark blue, white star, hooped sleeves, check cap Only two finished
Merry Gale Glencloud Only two finished
1993
Light blue, dark blue hooped sleeves, light blue cap Pink, black cross sashes, light blue cap BLACK and WHITE HOOPS, emerald green cap, white star
How's The Boss Galevilla Express Lasata
1992
YELLOW, royal blue epaulettes, yellow cap, royal blue star RUST, green sash and cuffs, quartered cap White, blue cross-belts, blue cap, white spots
General Idea Second Schedual Mass Appeal
1991
Blue and white hoops, white sleeves and cap YELLOW, emerald green cross of lorraine, yellow and white quartered cap Orange, blue triple diamond, diamonds on cap
Garamycin El-Sid Senor Toranfield
 

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):

  • Paul Carberry – Thari (2003), Conna Castle (2008), Aran Concerto (2009), Realt Dubh (2011)

Leading trainer since 1960 (5 wins):

  • Jim Dreaper – Vulforo (1973), Ballyross (1978), Persian Wanderer (1979), Carvill's Hill (1989), Merry Gale (1994)
  • Willie Mullins - Al Boum Photo (2018), Voix Du Reve (2019), Janidil (2021), Galopin Des Champs (2022), Flame Bearer (2023)

Winners since 1960

Year
 Winner
 Age
 Jockey
 Trainer
1960 Owen's Sedge 7 Christy Kinane Darrell Farmer
1961 Commutering Willie Robinson Dan Moore
1962 Coniston Joe Malone Charlie Weld
1963 Arkle 6 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1964 Fort Leney 6 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1965 Doone Valley 6 Pat Taaffe Tom Dreaper
1966 Vulpine 5 Matt Curran Paddy Mullins
1967 White Abbess 6 Sean Barker Tom Dreaper
1968 Bold Fencer 7 Stan Murphy Phonsie O'Brien
1969 Kinloch Brae 6 Timmy Hyde Willie O'Grady
1970 No Other 7 Bobby Coonan Lord Fingall
1971 Glending J. Donaghy Paddy Osborne
1972 Frou Frou 5 Tommy Carberry Dan Moore
1973 Vulforo Sean Barker Jim Dreaper
1974 Captain Christy 7 Bobby Beasley Pat Taaffe
1975 Golden Lancer Mouse Morris Edward O'Grady
1976 Troubled Times 7 L. O'Donnell Peter McCreery
1977 Bunker Hill 7 Mouse Morris Adrian Maxwell
1978 Ballyross Tommy Carberry Jim Dreaper
1979 Persian Wanderer Gerry Dowd Jim Dreaper
1980 Paddy Bouler 7 John Harty Pat Rooney
1981 The Mighty Mac 6 Gerry Newman Tom Costello
1982 Sean Ogue 6 P. Walsh Michael O'Brien
1983 Step Together 7 Enda Bolger[a] J. P. Bourke
1984 Bobsline 8 Frank Berry Francis Flood
1985 Lucisis 6 Frank Berry Francis Flood
1986 Barrow Line 9 Frank Berry Pat Hughes
1987 Tickite Boo 7 Mark Dwyer Jimmy FitzGerald
1988 Haepenny Well 7 Tommy Carmody Gillian O'Brien
1989 Carvill's Hill 7 Ken Morgan Jim Dreaper
1990 Blitzkreig 7 Tommy Carmody Edward O'Grady
1991 Garamycin 9 Brendan Sheridan Willie Deacon
1992 General Idea 7 Brendan Sheridan Dermot Weld
1993 How's the Boss 7 Mark Dwyer John Brassil
1994 Merry Gale 6 Kevin O'Brien Jim Dreaper
1995 Strong Platinum 7 Conor O'Dwyer Paddy Burke
1996 Love the Lord 6 Tommy Treacy Daniel O'Connell
1997 Dorans Pride 8 Richard Dunwoody Michael Hourigan
1998 Delphi Lodge 8 Tommy Treacy Tom Taaffe
1999 Rince Ri 6 Ruby Walsh Ted Walsh
2000 Native Upmanship 7 Conor O'Dwyer Arthur Moore
2001 Sackville 8 David Casey Frances Crowley
2002 Big-and-Bold 6 Ruby Walsh Ger Lyons
2003 Thari 6 Paul Carberry Noel Meade
2004 Hi Cloy 7 Timmy Murphy Michael Hourigan
2005 Like-A-Butterfly 11 Tony McCoy Christy Roche
2006 Justified 7 Tony McCoy Dusty Sheehy
2007 One Cool Cookie 6 David Casey Charlie Swan
2008 Conna Castle 9 Paul Carberry Jimmy Mangan
2009 Aran Concerto 8 Paul Carberry Noel Meade
2010 Jadanli 8 Andrew Lynch Paul John Gilligan
2011 Realt Dubh 7 Paul Carberry Noel Meade
2012 Flemenstar 7 Andrew Lynch Peter Casey
2013 Realt Mor 8 Davy Condon Gordon Elliott
2014 Rebel Fitz 9 Barry Geraghty Michael Winters
2015 Gilgamboa 7 Tony McCoy Enda Bolger
2016 Kylemore Lough 7 Barry Geraghty Kerry Lee
2017 Road To Respect 6 Bryan Cooper Noel Meade
2018 Al Boum Photo 6 David Mullins Willie Mullins
2019 Voix Du Reve 7 Ruby Walsh Willie Mullins
no race 2020
2021 Janidil 7 Jody McGarvey Willie Mullins
2022 Galopin Des Champs 7 Paul Townend Willie Mullins
2023 Flame Bearer 8 Sean O'Keeffe Willie Mullins
2024 Spillane's Tower 6 Mark Walsh Jimmy Mangan
  1. ^ amateur jockey

See also

References