20th Running of the Hennessy Gold Cup
On Sunday, 7th February 2010 Leopardstown Racecourse will host the 20th running of the Hennessy Gold Cup – Ireland’s premier Steeplechase. Although the race was previously known as the Vincent O’Brien Irish Gold Cup (first run in 1987) the present title was introduced in 1991, when Hennessy began its sponsorship of the Grade 1 three-miler at Leopardstown.
Throughout its history the race has served as the "lighthouse" on the way to the Cheltenham festival proving to be a strong indicator of form particularly for the blue riband event of National Hunt - the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In the history of the race two horses have managed the double in the same year – Jodami (1993) and Imperial Call (1996).
Commenting on the 20th running of the Hennessy Gold Cup, Caroline Sleiman, Market Development Manager, Moët Hennessy said:
"The Hennessy Gold Cup is a truly magnificent occasion and the longevity of our sponsorship is testament to the success of the partnership with the team at Leopardstown Racecourse.
The 20 years of this sponsorship have produced some enduring sporting memories and it is a pleasure for us at Moët Hennessy to be associated with such remarkable sporting stars from the horses and jockeys to the trainers, owners and all associated with this wonderful event."
Also commenting Tom Burke, General Manger Leopardstown Racecourse:
"The partnership between Leopardstown Racecourse and Hennessy goes back well over 40 years, making it one of the longest running sponsorships in Irish sport. Since Hennessy took over sponsorship of the Gold Cup in 1991 the race has gone from strength to strength and is now one of the key events on the Irish Racing and social calendar. We are looking forward to celebrating the 20th running of the Hennessy Gold Cup on Sunday 7th February."
Without doubt the biggest success story of the 20 years of the Hennessy Gold Cup has been the partnership of four time winner Florida Pearl (1999, 2000, 2001, 2004) and trainer Willie Mullins who has six wins (1999, 2000, 2001, 2002 - Alexander Banquet, 2004, 2005 - Rule Supreme). Florida Peal was part of a famous rivalry with another much loved legend of Irish horse racing, Beef or Salmon, who along with Jodami has won with race on three occasions.
Hennessy Gold Cup Roll of Honour
Year Winner Age Jockey Trainer
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1987 Forgive 'n Forget 10 Mark Dwyer Jimmy FitzGerald
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1988 Playschool 10 Paul Nicholls David Barons
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1989 Carvill's Hill 7 Ken Morgan Jim Dreaper
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1990 Nick the Brief 8 Martin Lynch John Upson
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1991 Nick the Brief 9 Robbie Supple John Upson
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1992 Carvill's Hill 10 Peter Scudamore Martin Pipe
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1993 Jodami 8 Mark Dwyer Peter Beaumont
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1994 Jodami 9 Mark Dwyer Peter Beaumont
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1995 Jodami 10 Mark Dwyer Peter Beaumont
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1996 Imperial Call 7 Conor O'Dwyer Fergie Sutherland
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1997 Danoli 9 Tommy Treacy Tom Foley
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1998 Dorans Pride 9 Richard Dunwoody Michael Hourigan
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1999 Florida Pearl 7 Richard Dunwoody Willie Mullins
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2000 Florida Pearl 8 Paul Carberry Willie Mullins
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2001 Florida Pearl 9 Richard Johnson Willie Mullins
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2002 Alexander Banquet 9 Barry Geraghty Willie Mullins
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2003 Beef or Salmon 7 Timmy Murphy Michael Hourigan
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2004 Florida Pearl 12 Richard Johnson Willie Mullins
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2005 Rule Supreme 9 David Casey Willie Mullins
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2006 Beef or Salmon 10 Paul Carberry Michael Hourigan
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2007 Beef or Salmon 11 Andrew J. McNamara Michael Hourigan
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2008 The Listener 9 Daryl Jacob Robert & Sally Alner
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2009 Neptune Collonges 8 Ruby Walsh Paul Nicholls
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