Windermere digs deep to make Culloty a racing lord
The man from Killarney, who is based at Churchtown, Mallow, joined a select band that have both ridden and trained the winner of the Gold Cup, after his Lord Windermere landed a shock 20-1 success in yesterday’s pulsating renewal at Cheltenham.
Culloty has become part of the folklore of this great race, alongside three of the greatest names to ever grace the sport, Fred Winter, Pat Taaffe and Jonjo O’Neill, and has more than earned the right to be associated with those amazing men.
He will, of course, be forever remembered as the man who rode the three-times Gold Cup hero, the great Best Mate, but now his name will also be inextricably linked to Lord Windermere.
This really has to be regarded as one of the most extraordinary Cheltenham Gold Cups ever run and it is difficult to know where to start.
Let’s start near the end and all that went on after the final fence.
Lord Windermere, who had to survive a stewards’ inquiry, initially challenged up the centre of the track, but then began to drift away to his right, towards the stands.
Outside him long-time leader On His Own and The Giant Bolster were challenging strongly and the three raced to the line locked together.
It always seemed as if the battle was just about going in favour of Lord Windermere and he held on for dear life to beat On His Own by a short head, with The Giant Bolster a further three parts of a length away in third.
It was immediately noticeable that Lord Windermere’s rider, Davy Russell, was a worried man and his celebration could be best described as subdued.
He clearly knew, long before most of us, that an inquiry was inevitable.
And the head-on revealed just why the wily Russell was far from convinced the outcome was done and dusted.
Russell, to his credit, did everything possible to keep his mount straight and had the whip in the correct hand, his right, all the way to the line.
Culloty, Russell and Lord Windermere’s owner, Dr Ronan Lambe, then went through agony as they awaited the deliberations of the stewards.
Finally, the stewards decided the result should stand and the celebrations could begin in earnest.
“I’m in a total state of disbelief to be honest’, admitted Culloty.
“When the stewards (inquiry) was announced, I thought we were certain to lose it, given my luck.
“He’s just idled in front, like he did last year (won the RSA Chase). He doesn’t do a stroke sometimes when in front, but Davy’s got him over the line.
“He just loves it round here. We suspected he needed to come back to show his best, I told Davy to just drop him out and ride his own race.
“To be fair Davy was getting the sack half way round! I told him to take his time , but half way round I wondered what he was doing, I wanted to sack him.
“I knew he was going to take his time and they went a real good pace, but that was waiting tactics exaggerated.
“Our plan was to ride a waiting race and to chip away. If you have the balls to ride Cheltenham the way it should be ridden, you will ride well. Don’t panic and save every bit of energy you can, that was our plan.”
Russell clearly read the script perfectly.
Continuing, Culloty said: “Quite literally, I can’t believe it. There were days this season when I said I couldn’t bother riding them out, I will ride them in a field. The horses just weren’t right, by God they have come right at the right time. They were the worst few minutes (awaiting the result of the inquiry) of my life.
“Things have been tough since I decided to train. I was in the doldrums for a long, long time and started to wonder if I could actually do this job. I was ringing up everyone for advice.”
I’d say you’ve just answered your own question, Jim.
Russell said: “It is not ideal, even if you win a maiden hurdle at Thurles, to be involved in a stewards’ inquiry, never mind the Gold Cup.
“It is seventh Heaven. It is an ill wind that does not blow your way. This is just a lesson for anybody who gets knocked through their life or career, you keep your mouth shut and move on.
“Thank God, for me, it has worked out, you just don’t know what’s around the next corner.
“I would like to thank my family foremost and all the people who stood by me, which is very important. We have ended up in the place that matters.”
Owner, Dr Lambe, said: “It was a scary race, Lord Windermere was almost tailed off at half-way.
“I thought he was dead and gone at that stage, but Davy knew what he was doing and here we are in the winner’s enclosure.”
Willie Mullins, trainer of runner-up, On His Own, supplemented into the race at a cost of £27,500, indicated he would consider lodging an appeal against the result.
Commented Mullins: “Four weeks ago he was a handicapper going for the Grand National (Aintree), but after he won the Bobbyjo Chase (Fairyhouse), I said, ‘Let’s go for the Punchestown Gold Cup and then, when I got home, looked up the cost of supplementing for this race.
“I discussed it with Graham (Wylie, owner), went through the form and reckoned he could get into the mix. David (Casey) gave him a great ride.”
Casey, however, was found guilty of using his whip above the permitted level and suspended for seven days. He was also fined £1,300.
The Philip Fenton-trained Last Instalment, who unseated Brian O’Connell when back-pedalling, has been retired.
Lord Windermere was bred by Edmond Coleman from Gortroe, near Youghal, while On His Own was bred by Margaret Treacy from Killeagh.
