If you’re into National Hunt racing, you already know Henry de Bromhead — and this guide to Henry de Bromhead horses to follow 2025/26 is made for you.
His Knockeen yard has punched above its weight for years. The 2025/26 season looks like another chapter worth following. This year he brings a fresh mix of proven stars, improving types, and newcomers with something about them — all part of a Henry de Bromhead stable tour worth following. If you enjoy guides like this one, check out our full Horses to Follow series, featuring the top runners from Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, Paul Nicholls, Dan Skelton and Nicky Henderson.
In this guide, we’ll look at the eight to ten horses most likely to shape his campaign — why they’re worth tracking, what they did last season, what to expect next, and when you’ll see them at their peak.
Before we dive in – how we’re picking them and what to expect from this yard
Let me keep this simple. This list of Henry de Bromhead horses to follow 2025/26 combines current form, upside, realistic targets, and the kind of profiles Henry de Bromhead likes to campaign through a whole season—not just a hot week in March. You’ll find a mix of bankers and “could-bloom” types, plus a couple of mares who might surprise you when spring comes around.
Inside Knockeen: how De Bromhead prepares his stars
Before we get to the names, a quick word on the yard itself — Knockeen is built on timing. Henry doesn’t squeeze everything out in October; he likes his horses to build up, learn, and arrive at the big days with fuel in the tank. You can find the full Irish National Hunt schedule on Horse Racing Ireland’s official site, which lists every major meeting from Fairyhouse to Punchestown.
It’s the same method that delivered those famous Festival strikes over the years, including that once-in-a-lifetime treble of Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Gold Cup in the same week. The blueprint hasn’t changed: place each horse where it can grow in confidence, then ask the big question when conditions suit.
How this guide works for you:
- What you’ll get: clear reasons to follow each horse, what they did last season, where they’re likely to show up, and when they’re most dangerous.
- What not to expect: heavy jargon, ratings soup, or fantasy entries that don’t match their trip/ground.
- When to watch: autumn for clues, deep winter for sharpening, spring for the money shots—that’s when Knockeen usually has the volume turned up.
If you already follow De Bromhead you’ll know the rhythm: neat schooling, sensible placements, and very little panic. If you don’t, this season is a good entry point. These names will keep you busy from October to Punchestown.
To keep track of when and where these races happen, don’t miss our National Hunt 2025/26 calendar — it’s updated with every major meeting across Britain and Ireland.
The pillars: Henry de Bromhead horses to follow among the established stars — the runners that define his 2025/26 season.
Bob Olinger
Let’s start with the old warrior who still has fire in him. Bob Olinger, now ten, reminded everyone of his quality by winning the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham 2025, seeing off Teahupoo in style. That was his third Grade 1 Festival win, completing a rare treble after his novice hurdle and novice chase victories.
He’s the anchor of De Bromhead’s staying division — tough, classy, and still dangerous when stamina counts. Expect him in the usual long-distance hurdles: Hatton’s Grace, Christmas Hurdle, Aintree’s Liverpool Hurdle, and most likely another crack at the Stayers’ Hurdle in March 2026.
Why Bob Olinger still matters
Two quick reminders of why he matters so much. First, he rebuilt confidence last season with a smooth Relkeel Hurdle win on New Year’s Day at Cheltenham, which set the tone for the spring. Second, he’s now three from three at the Festival: Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle (2021), Turners Novices’ Chase (2022) and the Stayers’ in 2025. That perfect Cheltenham record isn’t a marketing line — it’s the reason you keep him on side whenever he turns up there.
The Stayers’ itself told us plenty about where he is in life. He drifted in the market early, then steamed back in late. He travelled like the best horse and outstayed Teahupoo up the hill. That mix — patience early, strength late — is exactly what you want from a ten-year-old stayer. And with Rachael Blackmore, the chemistry is obvious: she knows when to leave him alone and when to ask.
Where you’re likely to see him:
- Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle (Leopardstown, 3m) if the team want a mid-winter mark at the staying trip.
- Hatton’s Grace (Fairyhouse, 2m4f) as a sharper prep if they fancy a shorter run early.
- Aintree’s Liverpool Hurdle and a return to the Stayers’ are the natural anchors in spring.
If the ground gets testing, he becomes even more dangerous — one of those Henry de Bromhead horses to follow 2025/26 when stamina matters most. Don’t be surprised if he’s campaigned a little lighter through the depths of winter to keep him fresh for March/April.
Peak time: mid to late season, when the ground turns testing and staying power matters most.
Captain Guinness
If Bob Olinger is the stayer, Captain Guinness is the speedster. A Queen Mother Champion Chase winner in 2024 and third again in 2025, he continues to carry the yard’s flag over two miles. His sharp jumping and relentless pace make him a fixture in the big two-mile Grade 1s — the Tingle Creek, the Dublin Chase, and another tilt at Cheltenham.
De Bromhead may keep him to his optimum trip, though an occasional venture beyond two miles isn’t impossible if the races suit.
He’s the yard’s two-mile flagbearer and still very much hard to knock off the podium. He caused the upset of the 2023/24 season by winning the Champion Chase (2024), then proved it was no fluke by finishing third in 2025 behind Marine Nationale and Jonbon. A few weeks later he ran a cracker again to be runner-up in the Punchestown Champion Chase, confirming he remains top-table at this trip.
The profile is straightforward: sharp jumping, travel, and enough grit to keep rolling when others start to empty. You’ll see him campaigned sensibly, picking races that suit rhythm and a clean round at two miles. If connections ever stretch him, it será algo puntual y muy medido.
Where you’re likely to see him:
- A Dublin Chase tilt at Leopardstown fits perfectly as a mid-season measure.
- One UK run like the Tingle Creek can pop up if the team like conditions, but no need to force it.
- Then it’s all roads back to the Champion Chase.
Fast ground and a strong pace are his friends; he’s the type who turns tentative line-ups into proper races just by lining up.
Peak time: early to mid-season, when the ground is decent and rhythm counts for more than stamina.
The rising or steady movers (2m–2m4f / 2m5f)
Inthepocket
This is one with room to grow. He won the Top Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree in 2023. He only ran once in 2024/25, finishing second in a beginners’ chase at Navan before a setback. Then he returned with a win in a beginners’ chase at Wexford.
What’s exciting: he’s got the engine, and with a clean season he can push for graded chases over 2m4f. He’s one of those horses de Bromhead will be patient with, bringing him along carefully.
He’s one of those you can easily underestimate — mainly because his 2024/25 season was stop–start. But when you look closer, there’s plenty to like. His Wexford beginners’ chase win (November 2024) showed sharp jumping and a relaxed rhythm that had been missing earlier in his career. He travelled strongly behind Three Card Brag at Navan before that setback, which later proved a decent line of form given what that rival went on to achieve.
Now entering his second season over fences, the target is likely a step into graded chases around 2m4f, perhaps starting with something like the Grade 2 Fortria Chase at Navan or the Kinloch Brae at Thurles, both races Henry likes for conditioning runs. He’s always looked the type to improve with experience rather than flash brilliance first time up.
Expect Rachael Blackmore or Darragh O’Keeffe to take the reins — both have clicked with him — and don’t be surprised if he becomes one of those solid each-way types in the middle-distance Grade 1s come spring.
Peak moment: expect him to be at his best mid-season, when he’s had runs to sharpen up but still with energy in reserve.
Slade Steel
A Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner (2024). That gives him blue blood among novices. But now, stepping into chases, the question is how quickly he adapts. His schooling, his jumping, and natural speed all play a part. De Bromhead has praised him as a horse with quality.
He belongs in this “bridge” group: not quite a seasoned chaser, not a pure novice either. If he handles fences well, he can mix in good Gr.2 or even Gr.1 chases in the 2m4f zone.
De Bromhead doesn’t rush his potential stars, and Slade Steel fits the mould perfectly. After his Supreme Novices’ Hurdle (Cheltenham 2024) win, he took the summer quietly and came back looking stronger. He’s already shown a turn of foot that’s rare among staying novice hurdlers, and schooling reports from Knockeen through September 2025 suggest he’s taken to fences naturally — “a natural jumper with a bit of swagger”, as the team put it in a stable tour feature (Racing Post, Sept 2025).
The likely route? Something like the Drinmore Novice Chase (Fairyhouse, 2m4f, early December) to test the waters, then maybe the Ladbrokes Novice Chase (Leopardstown Christmas Festival), before a tilt at the Turners or the Brown Advisory at Cheltenham 2026 depending on trip. He’s versatile and tough, with scope to develop into a real Grade 1 chaser by spring.
If you liked how he travelled in the Supreme, you’ll love watching him attack fences — bold but measured. And yes, the hype is real this time.
Peak time: probably in the second half of the campaign, once he’s gained confidence over fences.
Hiddenvalley Lake
I like this one for the staying hurdle division. He won the Liverpool Hurdle in 2025 at Aintree. That suggests stamina, class, and a liking for testing ground.
Given de Bromhead’s yard depth, Hiddenvalley Lake gives cover in long-distance hurdles, especially if Bob Olinger is reserved for the top events. He might also be an alternate if conditions favour him.
Hiddenvalley Lake had a quietly brilliant campaign last year, culminating in his Liverpool Hurdle victory (Aintree 2025). That was no soft race either — he outstayed Strong Leader and Buddy One on testing ground, showing he’s matured into a proper staying hurdler.
Before that, he’d run consistently in solid company all winter, including a fine second behind Readin Tommy Wrong in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown, proving his reliability at Grade 1 level. He’s the kind of horse every stable loves to have: straightforward, genuine, and thriving in deep ground.
For 2025/26, the plan looks simple: stay over hurdles, shadow Bob Olinger through the big staying races, and step up when the main man is rested. A return to Aintree would be logical, though Fairyhouse and Punchestown could also feature depending on conditions.
You could easily see him winning another major staying hurdle if the spring comes up soft — exactly the kind of form that defines the best Henry de Bromhead horses to follow 2025/26.
Peak time: in the deeper rounds, Aintree or late season when stamina is tested.
The veterans and fond farewells – still ones to watch
Monty’s Star
Here’s a classy one. He was 4th in the Gold Cup 2025. That shows he can mix with the very top over extreme trips. He’s lightly raced for his age, which is a plus.
He may not be an all-season weapon, but keep him in mind for major staying chases or handicaps in the 3-mile+ bracket.
He’s quietly turning into a horse with real Gold Cup credibility. That fourth at Cheltenham 2025 wasn’t a fluke. He travelled strongly, jumped with purpose, and only flattened late when the front two kicked away. A summer at grass has reportedly done him the world of good, and the team expect him to come back stronger. If he wins an Irish Gold Cup trial or the Savills Chase, don’t be shocked; he’s got unfinished business in March. There’s even talk he could develop into the yard’s main Gold Cup hope once Bob Olinger sticks to hurdles.
Peak time: later in the season, in stamina tests. Think Irish Gold Cup, possibly Gold Cups or major staying contests.
Envoi Allen
I’m including him because he’s still good enough to cause trouble on his day. He ran 3rd in the Ryanair Chase in 2025.
Yes, he’s older, more battle-scarred. But with selective targets, he could surprise in the right conditions—especially over intermediate trips where stamina and class combine.
He’s become a sentimental favourite as much as a flagbearer. The spark is still there — just watch his third in the 2025 Ryanair Chase, where he travelled like the old Envoi before the hill caught him. Henry will mind him carefully, maybe two or three starts max, picking races with good ground and smaller fields. Think Clonmel Oil Chase or a quiet prep before Aintree. If he grabs one more big pot, it would be the perfect coda to a brilliant, resilient career.
Peak moment: mid season in 2m6f–3m chases when pace is testy.
The mares and interesting fillies
Air Of Entitlement
A good prospect for the mares’ program. At Cheltenham 2025 she ran in the Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle. De Bromhead has chances invested in mares, and she might be his leading contender in that division.
Expect her in the mares’ hurdle and possibly mares’ chase program — depending on how well she jumps over fences.
Peak time: spring (March–April), when mares’ races hit the schedule.
Majestic Force & Nara
These are “dark horse” mares to watch. Majestic Force had a win in a beginners’ chase in 2025 (Wexford).
Nara won a Grade 2 Irish mares’ novice chase in January 2025 at Thurles.
Why include them? Because mares’ divisions often bring surprises. If they stay sound and jump clean, they can show up in graded mares’ chases or hurdle races.
Peak time: spring, especially around Punchestown, Cheltenham (mare’s division), and in Irish festivals.
🆕 Suggested addition
Zurich — new name, strong start
One horse we didn’t include in this Henry de Bromhead guide but clearly need to now is Zurich, who has launched the 2025/26 jumps season with two wins from two.
He began with a confident victory at Killarney on October 5, landing a Class 4 hurdle at 15/2, posting an official rating of 118 and an RPR of 126 — a strong seasonal debut. Then he followed up in style at Cheltenham on October 25, winning again at 10/1 off OR 125, proving that he’s improving fast and handling higher company with real authority.
He’s a horse on the up, clearly thriving under De Bromhead’s patient approach. It’s early days, but the signs are all positive — the kind that mark a potential graded performer in the making. Definitely one to keep on your radar as the season unfolds.
Why these 8–10?
I’ve chosen this list deliberately to balance experience + youth, speed + stamina, and male + female representation. Also, I wanted to cover the spectrum of distances de Bromhead works in: from two miles (Captain Guinness) to three miles plus (Monty’s Star, Bob Olinger), plus mares’ contests.
These are the names with sufficient class, recent form or pedigree that suggest they’ll be active through 2025/26. Some are “almost there,” others are “can surprise,” but none is a gamble without backing — genuine De Bromhead runners to follow this jumps year.
What to expect through the season and when to see them
Here’s a rough roadmap by period:
| Season phase | Key horses to watch | Targets / expectations |
|---|---|---|
| Autumn / early winter | Captain Guinness, Inthepocket, Slade Steel | First runnings of graded chases, beginners’ chases, seasonal re-starts |
| Mid season (Jan–Feb) | Bob Olinger, Hiddenvalley Lake, Envoi Allen | Key hurdle & chase Gr.1/Gr.2s, distance tests |
| Festival season (March) | Bob Olinger (Stayers), Captain Guinness (Champion Chase) | Cheltenham Festival goals |
| Late spring / summer | Air Of Entitlement, Nara, Majestic Force | Mares’ division events, Punchestown, Irish Festival finishes |
| Late season staying chases | Monty’s Star, Bob Olinger | Long trips, big staying chases, possibly Gold Cup routes |
And if you want a broader view beyond Henry’s camp, have a look at our Horses to Follow 2025/26 Jumps Season guide — a full-season roadmap featuring standout names from across Britain and Ireland. These names also rank among the best horses to follow in Ireland 2025/26, especially with several targeting Cheltenham Festival 2026 hopes.
Remember: some horses might have one main peak, others a series of moderate peaks. De Bromhead’s yard is good at timing fitness — he won’t overrun them too early. That’s what makes these genuine Henry de Bromhead horses to follow 2025/26, ready to peak when it matters.
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