Al Boum Photo

Owned by Marie and Joe Donnelly, in whose now-familiar yellow and black chequered silks he raced, Al Boum Photo was retired from racing after being pulled up after three out, when tailed off, in the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris at Auteil on May 22, 2022. The proved to be a low-key end to an otherwise glittering career, during which he won eight of his 18 steeplechases, including three at Grade 1 level, and over £1 million in prize money.

As far as the Cheltenham Festival is concerned, Al Boum Photo had the distinction of being a first Cheltenham Gold Cup winner for Closutton maestro Willie Mullins, who had previously saddled the runner-up in the ‘Blue Riband’ event no fewer than six occasions. On March 15, 2019, Al Boum Photo was only the stable third-string, behind Kemboy and Bellshill but, in the hands of Paul Townend, stayed on strongly from the final fence to beat Anibale Fly by two and a half lengths.

Townend succeeded Ruby Walsh as Mullins’ stable jockey following his retirement on May 1, 2019 and was once again in the saddle as Al Boum Photo attempted to defend his title in the Cheltenham Gold Cup on March 13, 2020. Having won the Savill’s New Year’s Day at Tramore for the second year running, the eight-year-old was sent off 100/30 favourite, ahead of joint second-favourites Santini and Delta Work at 5/1.

Al Boum Photo led narrowly four from home but, in a thrilling finish, the result was in doubt until the last stride or two. Santini, who was twice switched right in the closing stages, did his level best to reach the leader, but failed, narrowly, to do so, eventually finishing second, beaten a neck. Lostintranslation finished third, a further length and a quarter away, with Monalee just a neck behind in fourth place.