The Leopardstown Christmas Festival is one of the most anticipated events in the Irish racing calendar, attracting top-class horses, jockeys, and trainers. Taking place over four thrilling days, the festival delivers high-quality action, festive cheer, and plenty of talking points that resonate across the horse racing bet world.
With key Cheltenham Festival contenders on display, high-profile clashes, and emerging stars making their mark, the impact of Leopardstown’s results is often felt far beyond Irish shores.
In this article, we delve into the standout moments, the biggest surprises, and what they mean for the jumps racing scene moving forward.
Gordon Elliott’s seven winners
Gordon Elliott has been in red-hot form this season, currently leading the race for the Irish Champion Trainer title, and his remarkable seven winners at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival saw him collect over €241,175 in winning prize money.
As well as unleashing exciting youngsters with plenty of potential, like Maiden Hurdle winners The Enabler and Wendrock, the County Meath-based trainer landed three Grade 1s across the four days of action.
Croke Park kicked things off on Boxing Day by winning the Long Distance Novice Chase before Romeo Coolio scored in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle 24 hours later.
Brighterdaysahead completed the top-level hat-trick for Elliot when landing the Neville Hotels Hurdle.
Willie Mullins’ disappointing festival
On the contrary, Willie Mullins would have felt mixed emotions when reflecting on the 2024 renewal of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival after ending the meeting with just four winners—a far cry from his usual dominance.
The festival started well for the Clousutton boss, securing an opening day double with Kopek Des Bordes and Green Splendor, but he fired a rare blank on the second card of the meeting before another two wins thanks to Kaid d’Authie and Galopin Des Champs in the Savills Chase on the penultimate day.
While Galopin Des Champs’ win was one of the highlights of the entire Leopardstown Christmas Festival, the reality is that many of Mullins’ horses didn’t live up to their billing—with Argento Boy, Quai De Bourbon, State Man, and Redemption Day among the biggest disappointments.
Brighterdaysahead’s stunning victory in the Neville Hotel Hurdle
Brighterdaysahead was the star of the show, beating her rivals in the Grade 1 Neville Hotel Hurdle by a resounding 30 lengths in a stunning performance.
Defending Champion Hurdle champion State Man was backed to reverse the form on Elliott’s mare after losing narrowly in the Morgiana Hurdle on reappearance at Punchestown in November.
However, Elliott got his race tactics spot on. King Of Kingsfield set a fast pace with Brighterdaysahead right on his tail as the pair pulled clear of the rest of the field.
Sam Ewing asked his mount to kick on, and she did so with ease—going on to win by a remarkable 30 lengths from 66/1 outsider Winter Fog as State Man was only third.
Galopin Des Champs firms up favouritism for the Gold Cup
Galopin Des Champs is on the hunt for a landmark third Gold Cup success at the Cheltenham Festival in March, but the Willie Mullins-trained star had a point to prove in the Grade 1 Savills Chase before he could turn his attention to Prestbury Park.
The nine-year-old was beaten by his younger stablemate Fact To File in the John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase on reappearance and needed to reverse the form at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.
He did that and then some, beating the JP McManus-owned eight-year-old by over seven lengths in what was dubbed one of Galopin Des Champs’ best performances to date.
It saw the nine-year-old reclaim favouritism in the Gold Cup, and he might not have Fact To File to deal with as the Ryanair Chase could now be his target.
