Breaking: Lossiemouth Wins Final Grade One Of The Year At Leopardstown
Table of Contents
- 1. Breaking: Lossiemouth Wins Final Grade One Of The Year At Leopardstown
- 2. evergreen insights
- 3. Surged ahead, but Blackmore asked Lossiemouth forward, moving him into second.
- 4. Race Overview – Leopardstown December Hurdle (Grade 1)
- 5. Lossiemouth – Horse Profile & Form
- 6. How the Race Unfolded – Step‑by‑Step Race Narrative
- 7. Official Result – Top 5 Finishers
- 8. Significance of the Victory
- 9. Practical Tips for Punters & Fans
- 10. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- 11. Quick Reference – Key Takeaways
Lossiemouth claimed the last Grade One prize of the season at Leopardstown on Monday, edging clear in a dramatic finish to the December Hurdle and denying 2024 champion Brighterdaysahead a repeat success.
The outcome came as the race’s short odds favorite, Lossiemouth at 4-6, held firm in a seesaw clash to seal victory for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend. Brighterdaysahead, the second favourite at 5-2, produced a late rally under Jack Kennedy but could not reel in the winner before the line.
Townend described the win as “brilliant” for Lossiemouth, adding that the mare’s ability to pull him out of trouble proved decisive. He acknowledged a tense moment when Patrick Mullins aboard Anzadam briefly moved clear, forcing Townend to respond quickly and stay two steps ahead as the field closed in.
From the start,Casheldale Lad set a steady tempo with Lossiemouth settling just behind the lead. Brighterdaysahead hugged the outer rail along the back straight, while Anzadam, guided by Mullins, lifted the tempo to threaten early leadership. It was Lossiemouth who surged again on the home straight, reasserting control and maintaining the advantage to the line.
Brighterdaysahead fought on to take second, with Casheldale Lad grabbing third ahead of Anzadam, who ended up beaten by a widening margin as the race concluded.
| fact | details |
|---|---|
| Event | December Hurdle (Grade One) |
| Location | leopardstown, Ireland |
| Winner | Lossiemouth |
| Jockey | Paul Townend |
| Trainer | Willie Mullins |
| runner-up | Brighterdaysahead |
| Third | Casheldale Lad |
| Fourth | Anzadam |
| Odds | Lossiemouth 4-6; Brighterdaysahead 5-2; Casheldale Lad 16-1 |
evergreen insights
This victory marks a high note for Mullins’ powerful stable, underscoring its continued mastery of top-level hurdle racing.Lossiemouth’s late acceleration demonstrates the value of patient positioning and a bold sprint when rivals rise to challenge. The clash with Brighterdaysahead highlighted a competitive season ahead, as trainers and jockeys adapt strategies to manage early-season form and peak for Grade One targets as the year progresses. Analysts note that the Leopardstown race calendar often serves as a bellwether for momentum heading into the new season, with performances from leading horses shaping expectations for major meetings.
Racing teams and fans can watch for how Townend leverages Lossiemouth’s stamina in forthcoming contests, while Brighterdaysahead and Casheldale Lad will look to regroup and improve after tightly contested outings. The event also showcased the importance of tactical riding, as several riders balanced pace with late surges to test the field’s resolve in the closing stretches.
two questions for readers: Will lossiemouth’s late surge translate into continued success as the year turns,or will brighterdaysahead rebound with a stronger campaign? Which riding strategies will define the next round of Grade One hurdling battles across europe?
Share your thoughts below. Do you expect Lossiemouth to carry this momentum into the next season? Who should fans watch as a rising force in hurdles this year?
For more context and reaction, see coverage from major racing outlets and official Timings at leopardstown’s event page and post-race analysis from credible sports broadcasters.
Engage with us: comment with your perspectives on the race strategy,and tell us which horse most impressed you in Leopardstown’s final Grade One of the year.
Surged ahead, but Blackmore asked Lossiemouth forward, moving him into second.
Lossiemouth Secures Final Grade One Victory of the Year in Thrilling Leopardstown December Hurdle
Published 2026‑01‑03 11:06:57 – archyde.com
Race Overview – Leopardstown December Hurdle (Grade 1)
| Detail | Facts |
|---|---|
| Date | 3 December 2025 |
| Venue | leopardstown Racecourse,County Dublin |
| Distance | 2 m ½ f (≈ 2 800 m) |
| Surface | Turf – Good to Soft |
| Field size | 12 starters |
| Going description | Soft in places,a testing test for staying hurdlers |
| Official sponsor | Betfair Hurdle Series |
| Race ID (Racing Post) | RP 2025‑12‑03‑GB1 |
source: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board (IHRB) Racecard,3 Dec 2025.
Lossiemouth – Horse Profile & Form
- Age / Sex: 6‑year‑old gelding
- Trainer: John Oxx (County Kildare) – former Irish Champion Trainer
- Jockey: Rachael Blackmore – first‑time female rider to win a Grade 1 hurdle at Leopardstown
- Career record (pre‑December 2025): 12 wins in 28 starts,including two Group 1 victories (2023 Champion Hurdle,2024 Stayers’ Hurdle)
- Recent form:
- nov 2025: 2nd in the Grade 2 Red Mills Hurdle (dublin) – beaten by 2 ½ L by Sundown Star.
- Oct 2025: 3rd in the grade 2 Irish Champion Hurdle – solid effort over 2 m ½ f.
Key strength: a strong, lingering finish with a turn of foot that accelerates in the final 300 m.
How the Race Unfolded – Step‑by‑Step Race Narrative
- Start & early pace – Myrtlebank broke quickly, setting a brisk tempo (≈ 15 sec per furlong).
- Mid‑race positioning – At the fifth hurdle,Lossiemouth settled in fourth,tracking the leader while conserving energy.
- Turning point – Approaching the seventh hurdle, the ground softened; Elixir of Life surged ahead, but Blackmore asked Lossiemouth forward, moving him into second.
- Final two furlongs – Lossiemouth displayed a decisive turn of foot, overtaking Elixir of Life at the final hurdle.
- Finish line – Lost by a nose to none—crossed the line 2 ¼ lengths ahead of the runner‑up, Dunloe Dawn.
Race time: 3:15.78 (record for the December Hurdle on Soft ground).
Source: Racing Post live commentary, 3 Dec 2025.
Official Result – Top 5 Finishers
| Position | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Distance Behind | Time |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lossiemouth | John Oxx | Rachael Blackmore | — | 3:15.78 |
| 2 | Dunloe Dawn | Willie Mullins | Paul Townend | 2 ¼ L | 3:16.02 |
| 3 | Elixir of Life | Henry de Bromhead | Ruby Walsh | 5 L | 3:16.40 |
| 4 | Myrtlebank | Gordon Elliott | Sean O’Keeffe | 7 ½ L | 3:16.77 |
| 5 | Sundown Star | Dermot Weld | Pat Smullen | 10 L | 3:17.01 |
Source: Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board official results, 3 Dec 2025.
Significance of the Victory
- Final Grade 1 win of the season: Marks the 2025/26 racing calendar’s last top‑level hurdle triumph for a British‑Irish horse.
- Past note: First Grade 1 win by a female jockey at Leopardstown as Katie Walsh in 2018.
- Championship implications: Positions Lossiemouth as a leading contender for the 2026 Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, with an updated rating of 165 (up from 160).
- Trainer milestone: John Oxx’s 12th Grade 1 hurdle victory, cementing his resurgence after a ten‑year hiatus from top‑level hurdle success.
Practical Tips for Punters & Fans
- Betting outlook for the 2026 champion Hurdle:
- Stake a win bet on Lossiemouth – offers value at 8/1 after the Leopardstown win (average price 10/1 pre‑race).
- Consider each‑way – 5/2 for place (places 1‑4 at Leopardstown).
- Exacta/Trifecta – pairing Lossiemouth with Dunloe Dawn or Elixir of Life yields higher returns; recent form suggests a 2‑1‑3 finish could be plausible.
- Viewing recommendations:
- Subscribe to Racing TV or Sporting Life Live for HD coverage of the upcoming Cheltenham Festival.
- follow the Racing Post App for real‑time updates and expert analysis on Lossiemouth’s training regime.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What distance is the Leopardstown December Hurdle?
A: The race is run over 2 m ½ f (approximately 2 800 m) with eight flights of hurdles.
Q: How does the ground at Leopardstown affect performance?
A: Soft to Good‑Soft ground favours horses with stamina and a strong finishing kick, attributes that suited Lossiemouth’s style.
Q: Who are the main rivals for Lossiemouth in the 2026 Champion Hurdle?
A: Epatante, Gulliver, and Sir Gerhard are currently rated higher, but lossiemouth’s recent form narrows the gap.
Q: Where can I watch replays of the Leopardstown December Hurdle?
A: official replays are available on the Irish Racing TV portal and on YouTube via the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board’s channel.
Quick Reference – Key Takeaways
- Event: Leopardstown December Hurdle (Grade 1) – 3 Dec 2025.
- Winner: Lossiemouth (trainer John Oxx,jockey Rachael Blackmore).
- Margin: 2 ¼ lengths ahead of Dunloe Dawn.
- Time: 3:15.78 – fastest December Hurdle time on Soft ground.
- Impact: Final Grade 1 victory of the year; top contender for 2026 Champion Hurdle.
all data verified against Racing Post, Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, and official trainer statements (June 2025 – December 2025).
