Rupert "Ruby" Walsh is an Irish former jockey. He is the second child, and eldest son, of former champion amateur jockey Ted Walsh and his wife Helen. Widely regarded as one of the greatest National Hunt jockeys of all time, Walsh is the third most prolific winner in British and Irish jump racing history behind only Sir Anthony McCoy and Richard Johnson.
The Arkle Challenge Trophy is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Great Britain which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham, England, over a distance of about 2 miles, and during its running there are thirteen fences to be jumped. The race is for novice chasers, and takes place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.
William Peter Mullins is an Irish racehorse trainer and former jockey. He is a 17 time Irish National Hunt Champion trainer.
The David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle, is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to mares aged four years or older. It is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs, and during its running there are ten hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.
The Punchestown Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Punchestown over a distance of about 2 miles, and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year during the Punchestown Festival in late April or early May.
The John Durkan Memorial Chase is a Grade 1 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs {2 miles 4 furlongs and 40 yards, or 4,060 metres) at Punchestown in December.
The Christmas Hurdle is Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland. It is run at Leopardstown Racecourse in December, over a distance of 3 miles and during its running there are 12 flights of hurdles to be jumped.
The Gowran Park Champion Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Gowran Park over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs, and it is scheduled to take place each year in late September or early October.
The Flyingbolt Novice Chase is Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run at Navan Racecourse in March, over a distance of 2 miles and 1 furlong and during the race there are 12 fences to be jumped. The race was first run in 2003 and was downgraded from Grade 2 to Grade 3 in 2017.
The Hilly Way Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run at Cork Racecourse in December, over a distance of about 2 miles and half a furlong.
The Kinloch Brae Chase, currently run as the Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland. It is run at Thurles Racecourse in late January or early February, over a distance of about 2 miles and 4½ furlongs and during its running there are 14 fences to be jumped.
Bryan Cooper is a retired Irish National Hunt jockey and is the son of trainer Tom Cooper and his mother is Geraldine Cooper née O'Brien. Cooper was born in Tralee, County Kerry, Ireland and in his short career scored notable wins at the National Hunt Cheltenham Festival.
The Mares Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Ireland which is open to mares aged four years or older. It is run at Punchestown Racecourse over a distance of about 2 miles and 4 furlongs, and during its running there are twelve hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in late April or early May.
The T. A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase is a Listed National Hunt steeplechase in Ireland which is open to mares aged four years or older. It is run at Clonmel over a distance about 2 miles and 4 furlongs. The race is for novice chasers, and it is scheduled to take place each year in November.
The Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase, currently known for sponsorship purposes as the Charleville Cheese Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase, is a Grade 2 National Hunt novice chase in Ireland which is open to mares aged four years or older. It is run at Limerick over a distance of 2 miles and 6 furlongs. The race is scheduled to take place each year in March.
The Lombardstown Mares Novice Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt novice steeplechase in Ireland which is open to mares aged four years or older. It is run at Cork over a distance of about 2 miles and half a furlong. The race is scheduled to take place each year in December. Since 2014 the race has been sponsored by the Kerry Group and run as the Kerry Group European Breeders Fund Mares Novice Chase.
The Anaglog's Daughter Mares Novice Chase, currently run as the Coolmore National Hunt Mogul Novice Chase for sponsorship reasons, is a Grade 2 National Hunt novice steeplechase in Ireland which is open to mares aged five years or older. It is run at Thurles over a distance of 2 miles and 4½ furlongs and during the race there are fourteen fences to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in January.
The Naas Directors Plate Novice Chase is a Grade 3 National Hunt novice chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Naas over a distance of 2 miles and 4 furlongs and during the race there are 13 fences to be jumped. It is scheduled to take place each year in March.
Rachael Blackmore MBE is an Irish jockey who competes in National Hunt racing. In 2021, she became the first female jockey to win the Grand National in the 182-year history of the race. She also became the first woman to be leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival with six victories, including the Champion Hurdle, in 2021. The following year she became the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Henry de Bromhead is an Irish horse trainer who specialises in training horses for National Hunt racing. He has trained a number of Grade 1 winners including Sizing John and Honeysuckle, and is based at stables in Knockeen, County Waterford
