Paul Townend proves once again he's best in the business with seventh Champion Jockey crown

Lisgoold’s Paul Townend was crowned champion jockey for the seventh time at Punchestown last week after another stellar season.

During his acceptance speech on the day, he pointed out that this year will be remembered for the loss of his friend and colleague Michael O’Sullivan.

In a week that saw his great rival Rachael Blackmore retire from the sport, Townend was back on Leeside this week and was happy to talk about another memorable year with plenty of highs and lows along the way, including the agonising final hurdle fall of State Man in the Champion Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

“There is no doubt that this has been a very tough year for everyone in our sport with the loss of Michael,” Townend said.

It is the worst that can ever happen, and it puts a lot of things in perspective.

“Thankfully, it rarely happens but when it does it really affects us all. We lost one of our own and there are really no words to describe that feeling. It is still very raw for everyone, and we will always keep Michael in our thoughts.”

The Cheltenham Festival dominates the racing calendar and Townend finished the week as leading rider with four winners.

EMOTIONAL

He looks back on the highs and lows which started with an emotional start to the week.

“Winning the opening Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novice Hurdle race was very emotional.

“Obviously, the horse was owned by the McCarthy family from Fermoy and having the Cork armband on made it a bit surreal in the circumstances.

“It was the race that Michael enjoyed his finest hour aboard Marine Nationale a couple of years back, so it was a special victory for sure.

“That day ended in disappointment when State Man came down in a real dramatic Champion Hurdle. We had plenty of winners during the week, but I finished runner-up in the Gold Cup which was another major disappointment aboard Galopin Des Champs.

“He just never travelled on the day and that can happen with horses. But both Galopin Des Champs and State Man really bounced back and were brilliant at Punchestown.

“I’ve had incredible days with both horses so hopefully we will get back together for many more Grade 1 victories.”

With Townend enjoying a hugely successful partnership with Willie Mullins he rarely wins big races for other yards.

But there was a notable exception last Christmas when Banbridge won the King George at Kempton Park.

I am very privileged to be riding for Willie Mullins but winning for an outside yard like Joseph O’Brien was a very pleasant surprise.

“It’s a huge race and as a kid it was the biggest race at Christmas. We had got beaten with Lossiemouth and Ballyburn, so it was great to get the King George on my CV.“

TRAILBLAZER

Blackmore surprised many when she announced her retirement from the sport on Monday evening.

The Tipperary native was a real trailblazer winning the Champion Hurdle, Gold Cup, and the Aintree Grand National.

She thrived on the big day and was a real Cheltenham specialist. Her victories aboard Honeysuckle were sensational and she pressed the Cork man for the jockeys title on a number of occasions.

“Ah Rachael had it all as a rider, she was very brave, tough as nails, tactically she was brilliant and was a real great judge of pace in a race.

“During those big races you were always looking around to see where she was as you knew she would be coming all guns blazing to go past you in every race.

“She has won all the big ones and has achieved everything in racing. I wish her well in retirement.”

One of the other highlights of this year’s Cheltenham Festival was the victory of Bambino Fever in the bumper which was ridden by Paul’s sister Jody.

The unbridled joy for the family was shared by the elder Townend sibling. Jody also won the ladies rider title this season and will ride a horse owned by King Charles on Friday at Leopardstown. This is the first horse that Willie Mullins has trained for the Royal Family.

“Ah it was brilliant to see Jody ride a first Cheltenham winner. It really is such a special place, but riding a winner there is so special.

“Walking down in front of the massive crowds is unreal. Jody gave the horse a brilliant ride and even though she is an amateur she is taking on all the professional jockeys.

“The occasion certainly wouldn’t get to Jody anyway, and she gave it a great ride. It was a very special moment for the family.”