Gaelic Warrior

{{Short description|Irish thoroughbred racehorse (born 2018)}} {{infobox racehorse | horsename = Gaelic Warrior | image_name = [[File:Owner_Mrs_S_Ricci.svg|120px]] | caption = Racing silks of S Ricci | owner = Rich and Susannah Ricci | sire = Maxios | grandsire = | dam = Game Of Legs | damsire = Hernando | sex = [[Gelding]] | foaled = 5 April 2018 | country = Germany | colour = [[Bay (horse)|Bay]] | breeder = The Niarchos Family | trainer = [[Willie_Mullins|Willie Mullins]] | record = | earnings = | race = {{UBL | [[Channor Real Estate Group Novice Hurdle]] (2023) | [[Faugheen Novice Chase]] (2023) | [[Arkle Challenge Trophy|Arkle Chase]] (2024) | [[Oaksey Chase]] (2025) | [[Aintree Bowl]] (2025) | [[John Durkan Memorial Punchestown Chase]] (2025) | [[Cheltenham Gold Cup]] (2026) | [[Punchestown Gold Cup]] (2026) }} | awards = | honours = | updated = }}

'''Gaelic Warrior''' (born 5 April 2018) is a German-bred, Irish-trained [[thoroughbred]] racehorse. A [[Steeplechase (horse racing)|steeplechaser]], he is best known for winning the 2026 [[Cheltenham Gold Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coates |first1=Charlotte |title=Gaelic Warrior wins Cheltenham Gold Cup |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/horse-racing/articles/cd6z8xw1z28o |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 March 2026}}</ref>

Gaelic Warrior is owned by [[Rich Ricci|Rich]] and Susannah Ricci. He is trained by [[Willie Mullins]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Gaelic Warrior |url=https://www.racingpost.com/profile/horse/3525139/gaelic-warrior/form |website=Racing Post |access-date=13 March 2026}}</ref> at Leighlinbridge in Co. Carlow.<ref>{{cite web |title=Crowds flock to Carlow to see returning Gold Cup hero Gaelic Warrior |url=https://www.rte.ie/sport/racing/2026/0318/1564055-crowds-flock-to-see-gold-cup-hero-gaelic-warrior/ |website=RTÉ Sport |access-date=19 March 2026}}</ref>

In the [[2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup]], Gaelic Warrior, ridden by [[Paul Townend]], went off as the 11-4 joint favourite with Jango Baie. He won by eight lengths from Jango Baie, with the 2025 winner [[Inothewayurthinkin]] closing strongly to take 3rd.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Coates |first1=Charlotte |title=Gaelic Warrior wins Cheltenham Gold Cup |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/horse-racing/articles/cd6z8xw1z28o |website=BBC Sport |access-date=13 March 2026}}</ref> The 2024 winner, [[Galopin Des Champs]], had been ruled out through injury. It was Mullins' fifth Gold Cup win, and also a fifth win for jockey Paul Townend.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wood |first1=Greg |title=Gaelic Warrior routs Gold Cup field and carries Mullins into record books |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/mar/13/gaelic-warrior-routs-gold-cup-willie-mullins-record-books-cheltenham-festival-horse-racing#:~:text=The%20race%20was%20in%20effect,Redknapp's%20runner%20%E2%80%93%20in%20close%20attendance. |website=The Guardian |access-date=13 March 2026}}</ref>

In the 2026 [[Punchestown_Gold_Cup|Punchestown Gold Cup]], Gaelic Warrior, ridden by [[Paul Townend]], went off at 5-6 favourite and won by twenty-six lengths from Fact To File.<ref>{{cite web |last1=O'Connor |first1=Brian |title=Gaelic Warrior dominates in ruthless Punchestown Gold Cup victory |url=https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/racing/2026/04/29/gaelic-warrior-dominates-in-ruthless-punchestown-gold-cup-victory/ |website=Irish Times |access-date=30 April 2026}}</ref>

== References ==

[[Category:Racehorses bred in Germany]] [[Category:2018 racehorse births]] [[Category:Racehorses trained in Ireland]] [[Category:Cheltenham Gold Cup winners]]