As January turns to February, the 2026 edition of the Cheltenham Festival edges ever closer. With the Prestbury Park showstopper now only five weeks away, last week saw the biggest pre-Cheltenham fixture in Ireland. Slated to take place on Saturday, 31st January, and Sunday, 1st February, the Dublin Racing Festival (DRF) was blown into a new Sunday-to-Monday slot by Storm Chandra.
Squeezing eight Grade 1 contests into its runtime, the spectacular show from Leopardstown delivered a cracking spectacle yet again, with a Gordon Elliott mare and a Willie Mullins gelding stealing the show.
Elsewhere, the curtain finally came down on the career of the most famous jockey of the modern era as Frankie Dettori bowed out in Rio de Janeiro. This time, it seems there will be no encore.
Irish Champion Hurdle: Brighterdayshead Lowers Lossiemouth’s Colours
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Brighterdaysahead | 11/4 | Gordon Elliott | Jack Kennedy |
| 2nd | Lossiemouth | 4/6F | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
| 3rd | Poniros | 33/1 | Willie Mullins | Danny Mullins |
In common with many of the Grade 1 contests at the DRF, the Irish Champion Hurdle presented a clash between training titans Willie Mullins and Gordon Elliott. The cards looked stacked in Mullins’ favour in the two-mile showpiece, with the Closutton maestro responsible for four of the five-runner field. Included in that number was odds-on favourite, Lossiemouth, who sought to claim a tenth career Grade 1 success.
While Gordon Elliott saddled only one, it was he who provided the biggest threat to the market leader. Going in the hands of the excellent Jack Kennedy, Brighterdaysahead had finished a length behind Lossiemouth in the 2025 edition of the December Hurdle over this track and trip. However, she lacked a little race fitness that day, on what was her seasonal return, and looked to have a chance of turning the tables.
Once underway, El Fabiolo set out to make the running, setting a pace which should have suited Lossiemouth. However, it was clear from a long way out that Lossiemouth wasn’t quite at her best on the heavy ground. In contrast, Brighterdaysahead travelled supremely well. Grabbing the lead off the home turn, the Gigginstown House Stud mare swatted a laboured Lossiemouth aside to post an impressive win by just over three lengths. Brighterdaysahead is zero from two at the Cheltenham Festival but heads the market for the 2026 Champion Hurdle at a general 2/1. Lossiemouth is out to 6/1 for the Day One highlight, with a defence of her Mares’ Hurdle crown now looking a more likely target.
Irish Gold Cup: Fact To File Floors Rivals
| Pos | Horse | SP | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Fact To File | 9/2 | Willie Mullins | Mark Walsh |
| 2nd | Gaelic Warrior | 4/1 | Willie Mullins | Patrick Mullins |
| 3rd | Galopin Des Champs | 15/8F | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend |
What will almost certainly be the classiest Monday afternoon race of 2026 saw a field of 12 line up for the Irish Gold Cup (a record 13 runners were declared but Stellar Story was a non-runner). Having saddled 14 winners in total, the 1-2-3 in 2025, and responsible for eight of the 12 runners, this three-mile contest was expected to be all about Willie Mullins. And that’s exactly how the race turned out, with Mullins saddling the first three home once again, albeit not in the order the betting market suggested.
The 2023, 2024, and 2025 winner, Galopin Des Champs, travelled well for much of the race, only to run out of steam in the straight and settle for third. Gaelic Warrior, meanwhile, appeared tapped for toe mid-race, before finishing well. However, that late flourish was still only good for a five-length second behind the impressive winner, Fact To File.
Going in the green and gold of JP McManus, this nine-year-old had been taken out of the Cheltenham Gold Cup following a subpar effort in the King George. With his stamina for three miles in doubt, a defence of his Ryanair Chase title looked his most likely Cheltenham Festival assignment. Mullins and McManus may need to revisit those plans following this emphatic display. Always moving well, Fact To File sauntered into the lead on the turn for home and never looked like being caught. As big as 33/1 before the race, he has crashed into general 4/1 favouritism for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but will need to be supplemented by connections.
Dettori at the Double on Final Racecourse Appearance
Far from stormy Ireland, the final chapter of one of racing’s most compelling tales drew to a close in the sunnier climes of Brazil. Under the watching eyes of Christ the Redeemer, a 55-year-old Frankie Dettori donned his silks for the final time at the beautiful Gavea racecourse. Brazilian 2,000 Guineas Day set the stage for the last leg of Frankie’s farewell tour of South America.
More than two years after winning the Champion Stakes on his final British ride, Frankie was once again in full flying dismount mode. Dettori struck early on the card when picking up a plum spare ride aboard Speak Alpha. With the pressure to ride a final day winner removed, Dettori displayed all of his experience and strength in the feature event of the Grande Premio Estadio do Rio de Janeiro. Stalking the pace throughout, Frankie kicked into the lead off the home bend and held off all comers in a driving finish to the line.
A Classic-winning end to a career dripping in Group 1 success, and a finale which triggered a change of heart in Frankie, but only briefly. Amidst the post-race celebrations, Dettori declared, “I’ve changed my mind – I’m not retiring!” before swiftly adding, “No, I’m joking.” His time in the saddle may have drawn to a close, but the popular Italian is sure to remain in the public eye through his ambassadorial role with Amo Racing.
