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Weatherbys Champion Bumper
Grade 1, Standard Open NH Flat Race
Cheltenham 17:30
£80,000 guaranteed, 4-6yo,
2m 87y, Class 1   
Wednesday 15th March 2023

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1 A Dream To Share 7/2
2 Fact To File 16/5F
3 Captain Teague 40/1
4 Lecky Watson 80/1
21 ran NR: King Of Kingsfield, Samui, Shinji
Distances: 1¼l, 1¼l, 3l Time: 3m 59.83s (slow by 15.83s)

The Grade One Weatherbys Champion Bumper brought Festival Wednesday to a close and saw 19 year old amateur jockey John Gleeson and 85 year old trainer John Kiely combine for a famous victory with A Dream To Share.

John Gleeson, the winning jockey of A Dream To Share, said: “I can’t believe how smoothly it went to be honest! That just happened - I can’t believe it! I kind of set out to keep it simple, the ground has been poached everywhere but we thought that perhaps the outside was slightly better and we decided to take our time as the ground was slightly holding. I can’t believe he did that, he did it so smooth and so well.

“To be honest I didn’t see (any of the interference), as I was just smooth sailing the whole way. I followed Patrick (Mullins, riding the 16-5 Favourite Fact To File) and it just worked out so perfectly. It’s like a dream and I can’t believe it. Even being at the Festival is just unreal.

“We just approached it the same as Leopardstown really. John Kiely has been so good to me and at his age he just keeps me so cool and there was no pressure. I have to thank Mr McManus as well for letting me keep the ride and giving me the opportunity, I’m so grateful. Mr McManus was very generous and said I’d definitely keep the ride today and he was great, there was no pressure from him.

“It’s very special as we’re a small team at home, but we try our best to get to the next stage and to win. I can’t believe it. I’ve been going to John’s with dad for as long as I can remember really, he’s 10 minutes up the road from us and I ride out this horse every day before going to school. He’s very special.

“My mum named the horse on Christmas Day a couple of years ago. It’s very special as they’re all here today and it’s great to be here. I’d say my dad will be one proud dad, he gets a real kick out of it all and he’s very good to me and gives me plenty of sport – so I’m thrilled for me. I’d say I’ve been a bit calmer than dad! He’s been very excited to come here with a horse, let alone a chance, so it’s great it has come off.

“We thought the horse would improve from the last day and we’ve always thought a lot of him, but you never know until you come here on the big stage. He did what we thought he might do. It’s a privilege to ride in these colours and I’m very grateful to Mr McManus for the opportunity.

“I’ve never had to take so many selfies! I’ll have to put my head down next week now though (at school) and carry on like normal, but we’ll enjoy this first. It’s special and great to get a winner here. I’m back at school on Monday – as it’s St Patrick’s Day on Friday. The school were really supportive and they were happy for me to take a couple of days off.

“I’m not too sure what I’ll do, though I’ve got the racing bug for sure! I need to get my Leavers exams out of the way and we’ll go from there. My sisters and a couple of cousins and friends have come over – so I’m not the only one to take some time off school!

“It’s all surreal and it hasn’t sunk in.”

FormRatings

Brian Gleeson, the jockey’s father, added: “It’s tremendous and it means so much. It’s the Cheltenham Festival, my son is riding and he’s in those colours and the horse is trained by a maestro in John Kiely. It’s nearly a book.

“The horse was named by my wife Claire. Everything in life is worth sharing and we always thought that this horse was good, on Christmas Day Claire said she would call this horse A Dream To Share, trained by John Kiely. The dream was to win at the Cheltenham Festival.

“Everyone loves John Kiely. If you speak to Alastair Down or Brough Scott they’ll say it. This man is 86 in May and he’s had second and third placed finishes at Cheltenham and now he’s had a winner with JP McManus. It’s JP’s 70th Festival winner and John Gleeson’s first – it’s fairy tale stuff.

“The ride John gave the horse is down to John Kiely. He’s taught him patience and patience and the old owner was pretty wise too!”

John Kiely said: “I was always happy with the horse and he looked to be a nice horse from day one. I was concerned about the ground today to be honest but the horse came here tip top and I’m delighted with how it worked out. The ground was not his ideal and I was worried he got there too soon but it was great. He is fantastic (John Gleeson). He has come in every morning since I started with the horse to ride him. He will muck out and do everything. I hope he keeps his feet on the ground. I was here first in 1976 and we (me and my brother Paddy) had the winner of the Stayers’ Hurdle in 1993 (Shuil Ar Aghaidh).

“I’m 86 in May and I only gave up riding three years ago. It is brilliant to achieve this in the hallowed spot. The horse is named well and they named him on Christmas Day as a family and they named him A Dream To Share. It is lovely as they are a united family. We take every horse the same until they prove themselves. He seemed to do things easy. I think there is more to come and he seems a nice horse.”

Paul Nicholls, trainer of third placed Captain Teague: "Obviously that was a very pleasing performance to finish third and he is potentially a very smart horse for the future. But that's it for this season as he will be turned away before going novice hurdling in the autumn."

Quinnbet

Weatherbys Champion Bumper
(Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race)
£80,000 guaranteed, 4-6yo, 2m 87y, Class 1
21 ran
Going: Soft

POS. DIST HORSE AGE WGT TRAINER JOCKEY SP
1      A Dream To Share 5 11-7 John E Kiely Mr J L Gleeson 7/2
2 1¼ Fact To File 6 11-7 W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 16/5F
3 1¼ Captain Teague 5 11-7 Paul Nicholls Harry Cobden 40/1
4 3 Lecky Watson 5 11-7 W P Mullins Jack Foley 80/1
5 nk It's For Me 5 11-7 W P Mullins Paul Townend 6/1
6 hd Captain Cody 5 11-7 W P Mullins Miss Josephine Townend 50/1
7 4¾ Western Diego 6 11-7 W P Mullins Rachael Blackmore 18/1
8 ½ No Time To Wait 5 11-7 Gordon Elliott Davy Russell 33/1
9 1¼ Loughglynn 5 11-7 W P Mullins Michael O'Sullivan 33/1
10 1¼ Chapeau De Soleil 5 11-7 2 W P Mullins Brian Hayes 40/1
11 4¼ Encanto Bruno 5 11-7 John C McConnell Sean Bowen 14/1
12 ½ Queens Gamble 5 11-0 Oliver Sherwood Jonathan Burke 20/1
13 ½ Fascile Mode 5 11-7 Thomas Mullins Mr Charlie Mullins 40/1
14 1½ Favour And Fortune 5 11-7 Alan King Tom Cannon 28/1
15 1¼ Fun Fun Fun 5 11-0 W P Mullins Daryl Jacob 5/1
16 2 Better Days Ahead 5 11-7 Gordon Elliott Mr J J Codd 10/1
17 1½ Fiercely Proud 4 10-11 Ben Pauling Luca Morgan 100/1
18 19 D Art D Art 4 10-11 Thomas Cooper B J Cooper 80/1
19 2 Chosen Witness 6 11-7 W P Mullins Sean O'Keeffe 66/1
20 8½ Beachcomber 5 11-7 Jonjo O'Neill Jonjo O'Neill Jr 150/1
21 nk Westport Cove 5 11-7 W P Mullins Danny Mullins 33/1
NR 23 Samui 4 10-11 Gordon Elliott NON RUNNER
NR 13 King Of Kingsfield 5 11-7 Gordon Elliott NON RUNNER
NR 24 Shinji 4 10-11 Martin Keighley NON RUNNER

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WEATHERBYS CHAMPION BUMPER PAST RESULTS

Winner Age/Wt Owner Trainer Jockey SP Ran

2022 Facile Vega 5 11-05 Hammer & Trowel Syndicate W P Mullins Mr P W Mullins 15/8F 20

2021 Sir Gerhard 6-11-05 Cheveley Park Stud W P Mullins Rachael Blackmore 85/40 14

2020 Ferny Hollow 5-11-05 Cheveley Park Stud W P Mullins Paul Townend 11/1 23

2019 Envoi Allen 5-11-05 Cheveley Park Stud Gordon Elliott IRE Mr Jamie Codd 2/1F 14

2018-WINNER-WINNER-RELEGATE 5-10-12 Owner-Paul McKeon; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ms Katie Walsh; 25/1
2ND-Carefully Selected 6-11-05 Owner-Miss M A Masterson; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Danny Mullins; SP-6/1
3RD-Tornado Flyer 5-11-05 Owner-T F P; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Paul Townend; SP-14/1
23 ran, Time-4m 4.30s Dist-nk, 3¼ 9/2 Fav Acey Milan (4th)

2017-WINNER-FAYONAGH 6-10-12 Owner-Mrs M Gittins; Trainer-Gordon Elliott IRE; Jockey-Mr Jamie Codd; SP-7/1
2ND-Debuchet 4-10-11 Owner-Force Eight Syndicate; Trainer-Mags Mullins IRE; Jockey-Danny Mullins; SP-10/1
3RD-Claimantakinforgan 5-11-05 Owner-Grech & Parkin; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Nico de Boinville; SP-22/1
22 ran, Time-3m 51.10s Dist-1¼, 1½ 9/2 Fav Cause Toujours (9th)

2016-WINNER-BALLYANDY 5-11-05 Owner-Options O Syndicate; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Sam Twiston-Davies; SP-5/1
2ND-Battleford 5-11-05 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mikey Fogarty; SP-25/1
3RD-Bacardys 5-11-05 Owner-Shanakiel Racing Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-16/1
23 ran, Time-3m 47.70s Dist-ns, 2 7/2 Fav Augusta Kate (7th)

2015-WINNER-MOON RACER 6-11-05 Owner-Professor Caroline Tisdall & Bryan Drew; Trainer-David Pipe; Jockey-Tom Scudamore; SP-9/2 Fav
2ND-Modus 5-11-05 Owner-John Deer; Trainer-Robert Stephens; Jockey-Tom O’Brien; SP-33/1
3RD-Wait For Me 5-11-05 Owner-Andrew Cohen; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-9/1
23 ran, Time-3m 50.40s Dist-1½, 1½

2014-SILVER CONCORD 6-11-05 Owner-Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Mr Robbie McNamara; SP-16/1
2ND-Shaneshill 5-11-05 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-7/2 Fav
3RD-Joshua Lane 5-11-01 Owner-Stanley Watson; Trainer-Eddie Harty IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-33/1
22 ran, Time-3m 43.40s Dist-1½, 1¾

2013-WINNER-BRIAR HILL 5-11-05 Owner-Andrea & Graham Wylie; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-25/1
2ND-Regal Encore 5-11-05 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Anthony Honeyball; Jockey-A P McCoy; SP-7/1 Jt Fav
3RD-Golantilla 5-11-01 Owner-Barry Connell; Trainer-Tony Martin IRE; Jockey-Danny Mullins; SP-9/1
23 ran, Time-3m 54.7s Dist-7, 2¼ 7/1 Jt Fav Le Vent D’Antan (7th)

2012-WINNER-CHAMPAGNE FEVER 5-11-05 Owner-Susannah Ricci; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Patrick Mullins; SP-16/1
2ND-New Year’s Eve 4-10-11 Owner-Bloomfields; Trainer-John Ferguson; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-9/2 Fav
3RD-Pique Sous 5-11-05 Owner-Supreme Horse Racing Club; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-12/1
20 ran, Time-3m 47.50s Dist-1¼, hd

2011-WINNER-CHELTENIAN 5-11-05 Owner-Roger Brookhouse; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-14/1
2ND Destroyer Deployed 5-11-05 Owner-The Craftsmen; Trainer-Tim Vaughan; Jockey-Aidan Coleman; SP-66/1
3RD Aupcharlie 5-11-05 Owner-Gerard Boyle; Trainer-Pat Collins IRE; Jockey- Mr Jason McKeown; SP-33/1
24 ran, Time-3m 51.85s Dist-5, 4½ 5/1 Fav Ericht (6th)

2010-WINNER-CUE CARD 4-10-12 Owner-Jean Bishop; Trainer-Colin Tizzard; Jockey-Joe Tizzard; SP-40/1
2ND Al Ferof 5-11-05 Owner-John Hales; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-8/1
3RD Frawley 5-11-05 Owner-Dr K A Roche-Nagle; Trainer-John Kiely IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-14/1 24 ran, Time-3m 48.70s Dist-8, 8 3/1 Fav Shot From The Hip (20th)

2009-WINNER-DUNGUIB 6-11-05 Owner-Daniel Harnett; Trainer-Philip Fenton IRE; Jockey-Mr Brian O’Connell; SP-9/2
2ND Some Present 6-11-05 Owner-Frances Duffin; Trainer-Tom Mullins IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-25/1
3RD Rite Of Passage 5-11-05 Owner-Dr Ronan Lambe; Trainer-Dermot Weld IRE; Jockey-Pat Smullen; SP-5/2 Fav 24 ran, Time-3m 56.90s Dist-10, ¾

2008-WINNER-COUSIN VINNY 5-11-05 Owner-Festival Syndicate; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Patrick Mullins; SP-12/1
2ND Corskeagh Royale 5-11-05 Owner-Queen Maeve Racing Club; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Miss Nina Carberry; SP-7/1
3RD Zaarito 6-11-05 Owner-Victoria Syndicate; Trainer-Colm Murphy IRE; Jockey-Davy Russell; SP-3/1 Fav
23 ran, Time-4m 1.30s Dist-3¼, ¾

2007-WINNER-CORK ALL STAR 5-11-05 Owner-Cathal Ryan; Trainer-Jessica Harrington IRE; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-11/2
2ND Sophocles 4-10-11 Owner-Mrs A Donnelly; Trainer-James Leavy IRE; Jockey-Miss Pauline Ryan; SP-40/1
3RD Aranleigh 5-11-05 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Tony Mullins IRE; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-8/1
24 ran, Time-3m 47.90s Dist-1¼, 1½ 4/1 Fav Mad Fish (8th)

2006-WINNER-HAIRY MOLLY 6-11-05 Owner-F T B Syndicate; Trainer-Joe Crowley IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-33/1
2ND Pressgang 4-10-11 Owner-Mrs Anthony West; Trainer-Paul Webber; Jockey-Tom Doyle; 20/1
3RD Kicks For Free 5-11-05 Owner-Mark Tincknell; Trainer-Paul Nicholls; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-5/1
23 ran, Time-3m 46.70s Dist-hd, 1.75 5/2 Fav Equus Maximus (12th)

2005-WINNER-MISSED THAT 6-11-05 Owner-Violet O’Leary; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Ruby Walsh; SP-7/2 Fav
2ND De Soto 4-10-12 Owner-Peter Deal; Trainer-Paul Webber; Jockey-Tom Doyle; SP-20/1
3RD Rasharrow 6-11-05 Owner-Ashleybank Investments Limited; Trainer-Len Lungo; Jockey-Tony Dobbin; SP-9/1
24 ran, Time-3m 52.70s Dist-nk, .5

2004-WINNER-TOTAL ENJOYMENT 5-10-12 Owner-It Will Never Last Syndicate; Trainer-Tommy Cooper IRE; Jockey-Jim Culloty; SP-7/1
2ND Refinement 5-10-12 Owner-Michael Tabor; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Barry Geraghty; SP-7/1
3RD Master Albert 6-10-12 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-David Wachman IRE; Jockey-Mr J P Magnier; SP-50/1
24 ran, Time-3m 48.30s Dist-2.5, 5 7/2 Fav Martinstown (14th)

2003-WINNER-LIBERMAN 5-11-06 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-2/1 Fav
2ND Trabolgan 5-11-06 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Seamus Durack; SP-50/1
3RD Widemouth Bay 5-11-06 Owner-Jackie Deithrick; Trainer-Philip Hobbs; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-33/1
25 ran, Time-3m 52.30s Dist-.5, 1

2002-WINNER-PIZARRO 5-11-06 Owner-Edward Wallace; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Jamie Spencer; SP-14/1
2ND-Rhinestone Cowboy 6-11-06 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Jonjo O’Neill; Jockey-Norman Williamson; SP-5/2 Fav
3RD-Back In Front 5-11-06 Owner-Nelius Hayes; Trainer-Edward O’Grady IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-12/1
23 ran, Time-4m 0.70s; Dist-nk, 3.5

2001-Race Cancelled

2000-WINNER-JOE CULLEN 5-11-06 Owner-Jackie Mullins; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-14/1
2ND-Inca 5-11-06 Owner-Trevor Hemmings; Trainer-Nicky Henderson; Jockey-Mick Fitzgerald; SP-2/1 Fav
3RD-Be My Royal 5-11-06 Owner-Mrs Violet O’Leary; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr James Nash; SP-16/1
17 ran, Time-3m 41.20s, Dist-3.5, 2

1999-MONSIGNOR 5-11-06 Owner-Malcolm Denmark; Trainer-Mark Pitman; Jockey-Brendan Powell; SP-50/1
2ND-Golden Alpha 5-11-06 Owner-David Johnson; Trainer-Martin Pipe; Jockey-Tony McCoy; SP-7/2
3RD-Canasta 5-10-13 Owner-Southern Brick & Tile Co./D S Arnold; Trainer-Mark Pitman; Jockey-Liam Corcoran; SP-25/1
25 ran, Time-3m 54.8s, Dist-1.5, .75 11/4 Fav Biliverdin (15th)

1998-WINNER-ALEXANDER BANQUET 5-11-06 Owner-M Swarbrick; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Ruby Walsh; SP-9/1
2ND-Joe Mac 4-10-12; Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Christy Roche IRE; Jockey-Conor O’Dwyer; SP-6/4 Fav
3RD-Frantic Tan 6-11-06; Owner-The Bunkers Hill Mob; Trainer-Nigel Twiston-Davies; Jockey-Carl Llewellyn; SP-8/1
25 ran, Time-3m 45.7s, Dist-2.5, 7

1997-WINNER-FLORIDA PEARL 5-11-06 Owner-Violet O’Leary; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-6/1
2ND-Arctic Camper 5-11-06 Owner-Lady Harris; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Richard Johnson; SP-16/1
3RD-All The Colours 4-10-12 Owner-Pat Byrnes; Trainer-John Mulhern IRE; Jockey-Jamie Osborne; SP-8/1
25 ran, Time-3m 45.1s, Dist-5, 2 4/1 Fav Dawn Leader (13th)

1996-WINNER-WITHER OR WHICH 5-11-06 Owner-Robert Sinclair; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Willie Mullins; SP-11/4
2ND-Alzulu 5-11-06 Owner-D Buckle; Trainer-Jimmy FitzGerald; Jockey-Peter Niven; SP-25/1
3RD-Mighty Moss 5-10-13 Owner-Ken Hutsby; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Mr Fred Hutsby; SP-33/1
24 ran, Time-3m 53.7s, Dist-2, 3 9/4 Fav Andanito (4th)

1995-WINNER-DATO STAR 4-10-12 Owner-Kath Riley & Joe Donald; Trainer-Malcolm Jefferson; Jockey-Mark Dwyer; SP-7/2
2ND-Red Blazer 4-10-12 Owner-Tom Shrimpton; Trainer-Henrietta Knight; Jockey-Jamie Osborne SP-2/1 Fav
3RD-Skehanagh Bridge 6-11-06 Owner-David Pim; Trainer-Willie Mullins IRE; Jockey-Mr Willie Mullins; SP-12/1
21 Ran, Time-4m 02.2s. Dist-1.25, 3.5

1994-WINNER-MUCKLEMEG 6-11-05 Owner-J P McManus; Trainer-Edward O'Grady IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-7/2 Fav
2ND-Aries Girl 5-11-03 Owner-Wally Sturt; Trainer-Pat Flynn IRE; Jockey-Shay Barry; SP-5/1
3RD-Go Ballistic 5-11-03 Owner-Sheila Lockhart; Trainer-David Nicholson; Jockey-Robert Massey; SP-16/1
25 Ran, Time-3m 53.7s, Dist-3, 15

1993-WINNER-RHYTHM SECTION 4-10-11 Owner-Robert Sinclair; Trainer-Homer Scott IRE; Jockey-Paul Carberry; SP-16/1
2ND-Heist 4-11-02 Owner-Mrs G Matthews; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Charlie Swan; SP-9/4 Fav
3RD-Winter Belle 5-11-13 Owner-John Muldoon; Trainer-Paddy Prendergast IRE; Jockey-John Shortt; SP-7/1
24 Ran, Time-3m 45.2s, Dist-.5, 1

1992-WINNER-MONTELADO 5-11-13 Owner-Ollie Hannon; Trainer-Pat Flynn IRE; Jockey-Richard Dunwoody; SP-8/1
2ND-Tiananmen Square 4-10-12 Owner-Sue Magnier; Trainer-Noel Meade IRE; Jockey-Mr Tim Hyde; SP-6/4 Fav
3RD-Maneree 5-11-08 Owner-Michael Tabor; Trainer-Neville Callaghan; Jockey-Declan Murphy; SP-7/1
23 Ran, Time-3m 58.2s, Dist-12, 10

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