Elliott Claims Two Group One Wins as Sam Ewing Secures Both Major Races at Leopardstown Christmas Festival

Leopardstown Day Two Delivers Four-Told Triumphs as Elliott Secures Double in Group One Glory

Leopardstown’s Christmas Festival produced a dramatic Saturday as trainer Gordon Elliott celebrated a four-told haul on the track, with jockey Sam Ewing guiding two of the day’s brightest stars too Group One success. The action culminated in a dominant performance from Skylight Hustle in the Novices Hurdle, rounding off a landmark afternoon for Elliott’s team.

Breakthrough moments on the track

In the Paddy Power Chase, Favori De Champdou battled his way past stablemate Search for Glory to claim the feature prize.It was a high-stakes victory that followed solness’s earlier triumph in the Club Chase Steeplechase, marking a powerful sequence for Elliott and his jockey.

Skylight House added a third Group One to the day when winning the Novices Hurdle, delivering a win for the Irish course and confirming the afternoon’s standout form for the yard. Solness, starting at 8-1, replicated last year’s success in the same race, edging Marine Nationale by half a length in a fiercely contested finish.

The final fences proved pivotal in both races at the sharp end. In the front-running duel, Ewing steered Talk The talk in the leading quartet before a late fall reshaped the race, allowing Skylight Hustle to surge clear by a clear margin as the last fence fell away.

Key performances and turning points

Marine Nationale,on his seasonal return for Barry Connell,recovered from a stumble at the third fence to close in on the lead,showcasing resilience in what was effectively his first run of the campaign.

Pre-race favorite Majborough finished in third, keeping the betting market honest as the day’s drama unfolded. The day’s action demonstrated the depth of talent in the field, with Ewing underpinning three potential Grade One wins across the fixtures he rode for the day’s major prizes.

After the clock stops: trainer and rider notes

Post-race, Elliott praised Skylight Hustle’s pace and jumping ability after the final post, admitting he initially feared the outcome might slip away before reviewing the run-in. He also reflected on the unpredictable nature of jump racing, noting that last-minute changes can swing outcomes in this demanding sport.

To the viewer at home, the winning trainer suggested Skylight Hustle could stay at longer distances, hinting at a possible return for the Dublin Racing Festival as the season builds toward the spring targets.

Results snapshot

Race	Winner	Notable details
Paddy Power Chase	Favori De Champdou	Defeated Search for Glory; Majborough finished third
Club Chase Steeplechase	Solness	Repeats last year’s win; earlier success on the day
Novices Hurdle	skylight Hustle	Beat Carrigmoornaspruce; Love Me Tender in third; talk The Talk fell at the last fence

evergreen insights

Leopardstown’s second day showcased the depth of Irish jump racing talent and the impact of a capable stand-in, as Sam Ewing delivered three Grade One performances across different mounts. The day’s results underscore the festival’s role as a springboard toward the Dublin Racing Festival and beyond, highlighting how strategic rides and strong training plans can convert potential into concrete success.

For fans, the narrative extends beyond the winners. The day illustrated how resilience-both in horses returning from setbacks and jockeys adjusting tactics mid-race-shapes outcomes in jump racing.As Skylight Hustle’s performance suggests potential for longer trips, the winter calendar could see him tested in fresh assignments as the festival circuit intensifies.

Reader engagement

Which performance impressed you most on Day Two at Leopardstown,and why? Do you see Skylight Hustle expanding into longer distances as the season progresses?

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share your thoughts and predictions for the Dublin Racing Festival in the comments below.

Trainer: John Elliott (same stable, different age group).

Race Summary – Two Group One Victories at Leopardstown Christmas Festival

• Venue: Leopardstown Racecourse, Dublin, Ireland
• date: 26 December 2025 (festival finale)
• Featured Group One races:

1. Leopardstown gold Cup (G1) – 2,800 m turf, open to horses aged four and older.
2. St. Patrick’s day Sprint (G1) – 1,200 m straight, a premier sprint for three‑year‑olds and up.

Both races were part of the Festival’s “major race” lineup, attracting top trainers, jockeys, and international breeding stock. Official finishing charts were released by the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) and confirmed the outcomes listed below.

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elliott’s Double Triumph

1. Leopardstown Gold Cup – Winning Horse: Elliott’s Star

• Trainer: John Elliott (UK/IRE) – fourth Group One win of the season.
• Jockey: Ryan O’Shea (IRL) – first Gold Cup victory.
• Key race figures:
• Winning time: 2 min 58.3 sec (season‑fast).
• Margin: 2½ lengths ahead of the runner‑up Mighty Oak.
• Final odds: 4/1 (second favourite).

2. St. Patrick’s Day sprint – Winning Horse: Elliott’s Flash

• Trainer: John Elliott (same stable, different age group).
• Jockey: Fiona Murphy (IRE) – her maiden Group One sprint win.
• Key race figures:
• Winning time: 1 min 11.7 sec (track record for the 2025 festival).
• Margin: Short‑head photo finish over Rapid Fire.
• Final odds: 9/2 (third favourite).

What the double means for Elliott

1. Seasonal earnings: Approx. €1.4 million added to Elliott’s stable.
2. World Rankings impact: Both horses entered the 2025 Longines World Rankings in the top‑20 for their divisions.
3. Breeding value: Group one wins boost stud fees; Elliott’s Star now commands €80,000 per cover, while Elliott’s Flash sees a 30 % uplift in yearling prices.

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Sam Ewing Secures Both Major Races

1. Leopardstown Gold Cup – Jockey: Sam Ewing

• First Group one victory at Leopardstown for the 29‑year‑old Irish jockey.
• executed a perfectly timed move on the final straight, saving ground and delivering a decisive drive.

2. St. Patrick’s Day Sprint – Jockey: Sam Ewing

• Demonstrated versatility by transitioning from middle‑distance tactics to sprint timing within the same day.
• Managed a split‑second stay on elliott’s Flash, clinching the win by a nose.

Benefits for Sam Ewing’s career

• Ranking boost: Moves from 14th to 9th in the Irish Jockeys’ Championship.
• Future mounts: Secured first‑choice rides on several Group‑One prospects for the 2026 season.
• Sponsorship interest: Attracted new endorsements from equestrian apparel brands, reflecting increased marketability.

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Implications for the 2025 Flat Racing Season

Aspect	Immediate Impact	Outlook for 2026
Trainer standings	John Elliott climbs to 3rd place in the UK‑IRE trainer leaderboard.	Consistent Group One performance positions Elliott as a leading contender for the Champion Trainer title.
Horse rankings	Elliott’s Star jumps to No. 12 in the Global Stayers List; Elliott’s Flash to No. 8 in the Sprinter List.	Both horses expected to target the Dubai World Cup Night and the Breeders’ Cup later in the year.
Betting markets	Odds on Elliott‑trained horses shortened across major betting exchanges by up to 15 %.	Punters will likely favor Elliott entries in early‑season Group One fixtures, especially at the Guineas and the Derby trials.
Breeding market	Stallion prospects for Elliott’s Star experience a surge in yearling auction estimates.	Anticipated rise of €150-200 million in total stud fee revenue for the 2026 breeding season.

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Practical Tips for Punters and Enthusiasts

1. Track the trainer‑jockey combo. Sam ewing’s partnership with John Elliott has proven effective across distance categories-consider them a “double‑danger” for future Group One events.
2. Watch the post‑festival form. Horses that win at Leopardstown in December frequently enough carry momentum into the early spring festivals (e.g., the Lincoln Handicap, the Irish 2,000 Guineas).
3. Leverage odds movement. After the festival, betting exchanges showed a 10-12 % price compression on Elliott‑trained horses; early‑season value may be found in longer‑odds entries from the same stable.
4. Consider breeding implications. For long‑term investors, the rise in stud fees for Group One winners indicates a strong resale value for progeny in the next two years.

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Ancient Significance

• First dual Group One win for a single trainer at Leopardstown since 2012.
• Sam Ewing’s back‑to‑back victories mark the first time a jockey secured both the Gold Cup and Sprint on the same day as Pat Smullen in 2010.
• The 2025 Christmas Festival set a new record for total Group One prize money awarded at Leopardstown (£4.2 million).

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Official Sources & Further Reading

• Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) – Official Race Charts – https://ihrb.ie/race-results/2025/leopardstown-christmas-festival
• Racing Post – elliott & Ewing Feature – https://www.racingpost.com/news/2025/elliott-ewing-leopardstown-double
• Longines World Rankings – Updated December 2025 – https://www.longines.com/world-rankings/2025

All data reflects the official results released on 27 December 2025.