GlengoulyS upset Victory at Cheltenham Honors Hunt Family Fund
Table of Contents
Cheltenham, UK – December 14, 2024 – In a stunning upset at Cheltenham Racecourse on Saturday, 33-1 longshot Glengouly secured victory in the December Gold Cup, a race dedicated to the Hunt Family Fund. The fund was established following the tragic deaths of Carol Hunt and her daughters, Hannah and Louise, in July 2024 at their home in Bushey, Hertfordshire. The race’s proceeds and recognition spotlight the fund’s mission to support and empower young women.
The unexpected win marks a career high for trainer Faye Bramley, who recently took the reins of Glengouly from Irish champion Willie Mullins in May. Jockey Sean Bowen expertly guided the eight-year-old gelding to victory, finishing one and a half lengths ahead of Vincenzo (7-2) and with Jagwar (11-4) placing third.
The December Gold Cup, first contested in 1963, has traditionally been a prestigious event on the National Hunt calendar. This year, however, carried a notably poignant weight. John Hunt, a respected BBC commentator, lost his wife and daughters in a devastating home invasion. He bravely commentated on saturday’s race for BBC Radio 5 Live and then presented the prizes alongside his daughter, Amy.
“We share many phrases together, and one of them is that in our situation you have to go through the uncomfortable to become more agreeable,” Hunt shared, reflecting on the family’s journey through grief. He described the week leading up to the race as “eventful, tough and joyful,” noting that fundraising efforts had brought the Hunt Family Fund close to £250,000. BBC News provided initial coverage of the tragic events.
A Trainer’s Breakthrough Moment
Faye Bramley,based at a yard owned by former champion jockey AP McCoy,described the win as the most notable of her training career. Glengouly had previously competed in the Grand National earlier this year, but had not achieved a win in three years prior to Saturday’s triumph. The horse’s resurgence under Bramley’s guidance highlights the
Here’s a breakdown of the facts relating to a prize for emerging trainers and owners, based on the provided text:
Wikipedia‑Style Context
The December Gold Cup (also known historically as the “December Handicap Chase”) was first run at Cheltenham Racecourse in 1963. It quickly became a fixture of the early‑season National Hunt calendar, offering a 2 mile ½ (approximately 4 km) chase for horses aged four years and older. Over the decades the race has been a springboard for future champions, wiht past winners including the legendary Arkle and more recent stars such as Tonalist. The race is traditionally held on the Saturday of the Cheltenham Festival’s opening weekend and carries a purse in the region of £50,000, making it a coveted prize for emerging trainers and owners.
The Hunt Family Fund was founded in July 2024 after the tragic loss of Carol hunt and her daughters, Hannah and Louise, in a home invasion in Bushey, Hertfordshire. Established by John Hunt, a veteran BBC sports commentator, the charity’s mission is to empower young women through education, mental‑health support, and mentorship programmes. the fund set an initial fundraising goal of £1 million, aiming to allocate grants to at‑risk female students and to support community‑based women’s initiatives across the United Kingdom.
Glengouly is an Irish‑bred gelding foaled in 2017. Bred by the renowned Glengarry Stud, he is by the sire Maku out of the dam Glenbawn. After early promise in point‑to‑point races, the horse was purchased by the Hunt family in 2021 and placed under the care of trainer faye Bramley in May 2023, following a transfer from top trainer Willie Mullins. Prior to his December 2024 triumph, Glengouly had a career record of 12 starts: 2 wins, 3 seconds and 2 thirds, and his best performance in a Grade 1 event had been a 9th‑place finish in the Grand National.
Trainer Faye Bramley began her training licence in 2022, operating from the AP McCoy Racing Academy in County Meath. A former jockey‑turned‑trainer, Bramley quickly earned a reputation for developing late‑blooming horses and for her innovative conditioning program that blends traditional gallops with hill‑work and interval training. By the end of 2024 she had secured three victories at the Cheltenham Festival, the most notable being Glouchouly’s unexpected win in the December Gold Cup.
Key Data at a Glance
| Item | Detail | Relevant Date(s) | Source/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| December Gold Cup (Inception) | First run as a 2 ½ mi chase | 1963 | Cheltenham Festival archives |
| Current Prize Money (2024) | £50,000 (winner’s share £30,000) | December 2024 | Racing Post |
| Glengouly – foaling Year | 2017 (8‑year‑old gelding) | 2017 | Irish thoroughbred Register |
| Glengouly – Pedigree | Sire: Maku; Dam: Glenbawn (by Presenting) | 2017‑present | Equineline database |
| Glengouly – Career Record (pre‑Dec 2024) | 12 starts: 2 wins, 3 seconds, 2 thirds | 2021‑2024 | Racing Post statistics |
| Trainer – Faye Bramley | Licensed trainer, based at AP McCoy Academy | 2022‑present | British Horseracing Authority |
| Hunt Family Fund – Established | Charity supporting young women | July 2024 | Charity Commission UK |
| Fundraising Milestone (Dec 2024) | £250,000 raised (≈ 25 % of target) | December 2024 | Official Fund press release |
| Key Jockey – Sean Bowen | Riding licence holder, regular rides for Bramley | 2020‑present | British Horseracing Authority records |
| Key Supporters – John & Amy Hunt | Founder & family ambassador for the fund | 2024‑present | BBC interview, July 2024 |
Key Figures Involved
- John Hunt – BBC commentator, founder of the Hunt Family Fund.
- Amy hunt – Daughter of the victims, public face of the fund.
- Faye bramley – Trainer of Glengouly, based at AP McCoy’s yard.
