Apolon De Charnie captured the JCB Triumph Hurdle at 50-1 odds to open Gold Cup Day at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival on Friday. The four-year-old French-bred gelding, ridden by Patrick Mullins, secured a one-and-a-half length victory over Maestro Conti.
The result handed trainer Willie Mullins his seventh career victory in the two-mile juvenile contest, officially drawing him level with Nicky Henderson’s all-time record for the race. The victory also marked the fifth consecutive Triumph Hurdle win for the Closutton stable.
Minella Study and Maestro Conti established the late running pace approaching the finish. Apolon De Charnie overtook the leaders over the final hurdle and accelerated up the Cheltenham hill. Maestro Conti, entering at 5-1, finished second. Minella Study took third at 7-1 odds, finishing a nose behind the runner-up.
Proactif, the 7-2 favourite owned by JP McManus and also trained by Willie Mullins, finished ninth in the 20-runner field.
“He’s not very big, but he just caught my eye,” Patrick Mullins told reporters following the race on Friday afternoon. “He’s run like a dream today.”
The outcome continued a period of dominance for Irish-trained horses in the opening race of Friday’s sports schedule, marking their seventh consecutive win in the Triumph Hurdle. The result advanced Ireland’s lead in the Prestbury Cup standings to 12-10 over Britain.
The Closutton yard previously won the 2025 Triumph Hurdle with Poniros, who won on his hurdling debut at a 100-1 starting price.
The Prestbury Cup – Cheltenham Festival 2026 https://t.co/1VYdByUgde via @RacingBetter – Apolon De Charnie wins the JCB Triumph Hurdle. A 50-1 winner for Patrick Mullins & Willie Mullins. 10-12. pic.twitter.com/8iyjEGrrTv
— RacingBetter (@RacingBetter) March 13, 2026