Horse racing news: Gaelic Warrior named Horse of the Year in Timeform’s Jumps Awards
Gaelic Warrior has been named both Timeform’s Horse of the Year and Top Chaser following a sensational campaign in 2025/26, headlined by dominant victories in both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup.
Willie Mullins’ star performer achieved a Timeform rating of 180 for his 26-length rout of Fact To File in the Punchestown Gold Cup, cementing his position at the top of the chasing division and putting him just 1lb short of the peak rating of two-time Gold Cup winner Galopin des Champs.
Gaelic Warrior proved himself equally effective around Cheltenham, producing one of the most commanding victories in the Cheltenham Gold Cup seen in recent years.
Horse racing news: Gstaad the lowest top-rated horse in 2000 Guineas in over 30 years
This year’s renewal of the 2000 Guineas looks substandard according to Timeform, with the Aidan O’Brien-trained Gstaad topping the ratings on 117, which is the lowest pre-race rating for a Timeform top-rated horse in the 2000 Guineas in over 30 years.
Gaelic Warrior enhances Timeform rating to 180 following Punchestown Gold Cup rout
Gaelic Warrior has been awarded an outstanding Timeform rating of 180 for his impressive victory in the Punchestown Gold Cup on Wednesday and is now the organisation's highest-rated jumps horse in training.
Gaelic Warrior was rated 174 after his dominant success in the Cheltenham Gold Cup but produced an even better performance at Punchestown where he slammed old rival Fact To File by 26 lengths.
Horse racing news: Aintree winner I Am Maximus posts best Grand National rating in Timeform history
I Am Maximus created equine history in winning the 2026 Grand National, becoming just the ninth horse to win the race more than once.
In the process, he was also the first since the legendary Red Rum in 1977 to both regain his crown and shoulder top weight to victory.