Hennessy Gold Cup (Ireland)
The Hennessy Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in Ireland which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run at Leopardstown over a distance of about 3 miles (4,828 metres), and during its running there are seventeen fences to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in February.
The event was first run in 1987, and it was originally titled the Vincent O'Brien Irish Gold Cup. It was named after Vincent O'Brien (1917–2009), who was a successful racehorse trainer. The present title was introduced in 1991, when Hennessy began sponsoring the race. It is often now referred to as the "Irish Hennessy", as there is also a long-established chase in Great Britain called the Hennessy Gold Cup.
Throughout its history the race has served as a leading trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Two horses have won both events in the same year – Jodami (1993) and Imperial Call (1996).
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[edit] Records
- Most successful horse – Florida Pearl, 4 wins (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004)
- Most successful jockey – Mark Dwyer, 4 wins (1987, 1993, 1994, 1995)
- Most successful trainer – Willie Mullins, 8 wins (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2011, 2012)
[edit] Winners
[edit] References
- pedigreequery.com – Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup – Leopardstown.
[edit] See also
- List of Irish National Hunt races
- Recurring sporting events established in 1987 – this race is included under its original title, Vincent O'Brien Irish Gold Cup.
