Gavin Cromwell Celebrates Landmark Velka Pardubicka Win

Gavin Cromwell’s steady climb among the elite of National Hunt trainers continued on Sunday as Stumptown produced a remarkable performance to claim the Velka Pardubicka, one of the most testing and prestigious cross-country races in Europe. This achievement in the Czech Republic was the first time ever that an Irish-trained horse had gone and won the legendary race.

The trainer from Meath who has been on fire since the arrival of the spring festival at Cheltenham, March, decided to add another one to his trophies of international prestige with the help by the jockey record holder Keith Donoghue who gave the eight-year-old mount a gutsy performance in a race that is always a hard test for the best of the horses and riders.

“It was a fantastic day to be a part of,” said Gavin Cromwell, still beaming with pride the morning after the win. “The race is unlike anything else. The atmosphere, the crowd, and the entire occasion were incredible. We had three frightful situations during the race, any of them might have stopped our progress, but we were lucky to have the luck on our side.”

The Velka Pardubicka, a race with 31 challenging obstacles over a harsh 4 miles and 2 furlongs, is known to be one of the hardest cross-country races in the world. Horses have to face different ground, water jumps, and the very famous Taxis fence that has gained its terrifying name through a long time.

Stumptown, a strong and willing competitor, showed immense courage under Donoghue’s careful handling. At the Taxis fence, the pair were almost wrecking the collaboration which is why the incident was so close to a catastrophe. But Donoghue managed to recover both his balance and his composure before continuing his journey.

Later on, the animal kept his pace and energy, slowly moving through the pack. At the finish, his staying power was apparent, and he continued with great force to achieve a victory of fame and will be remembered for a long time in Irish horse racing history.

“The Taxis fence was definitely one of those heart-in-mouth moments,” Gavin Cromwell admitted. “Keith did a brilliant job to keep the partnership intact. You need both bravery and patience for this race, and he showed plenty of both.”

Gavin Cromwell has earned major wins in Ireland and Britain, but this one stood apart. The Velka Pardubicka, a national institution in the Czech Republic, is second only to the sport’s biggest event in stature. Gavin Cromwell’s international profile has now got another layer of accomplishment by his winning it from abroad as an outsider.

“Winning such a unique race is really special,” Gavin Cromwell said. “It’s just another thing, and being the first Irish team to get the win is brilliant. The people were very friendly, and it will be a day we will always remember.”

Donoghue sees the victory as a continuation of an admirable haul of successes across different terrains, or cross-country as he terms it. One of the qualities that Donoghue is most known for, his tactical acumen, and unflappability, he navigated Stumptown through every challenge, measured the tempo beautifully, and executed his late move with perfect timing.

“He really did an excellent job with the horse,” said Gavin Cromwell. “So many things can happen to you in a race like that but Keith’s expertise shone through.”

Gavin Cromwelll’s rise has been one of the most compelling stories in National Hunt racing. After years of quietly building his operation, he has become one of Ireland’s most respected trainers. He has already made a big impact in 2025 with his Cheltenham Gold Cup win with Inothewayurthinkin.

By a turn of events,he has not only added the Velka Pardubicka to his increasing haul of wins but also has gone on to show his flexibility and depth as a trainer that he can aim at different types of races.

“This year has been fantastic for everyone in the yard,” Gavin Cromwell said. “It’s the result of a lot of hard work from the whole team, from the riders to the staff at home. Winning a race like this is a great reward for all of them.”

Gavin Cromwell now plans to give Stumptown a well-earned break before setting new targets for the winter season. With his confidence high and his stable in strong form, the Meath trainer is set to remain a major player on both domestic and international stages.

As for the Velka Pardubicka, the 2025 edition will be remembered as the year an Irish-trained horse finally triumphed in one of Europe’s most demanding races, a reflection of persistence, preparation, and a touch of racing luck.

“It’s one we’ll treasure,” Gavin Cromwell concluded. “There is a lot of meaning in being able to do that in front of this audience, on a track that was really challenging. As a result, it is another day of progress for the team, and maybe it is not the last time we will have such a celebration.”