This week brings the news that Minella Indo, one of National Hunt racing’s stars of recent times, has been officially retired at the age of 12.

The horse, best known for his dramatic win in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup, ends an illustrious career that spanned seven years, 27 races, and over £835,000 in prize money.

Trained in Ireland by Henry de Bromhead, he was a horse that saw much public support over the years, and plenty will remember his big day for at Cheltenham for years to come.

As you’ll see below, the horse was at the centre of some big moments for the yard.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Win in 2021

The crowning moment of his career came in March 2021 at the Cheltenham Festival. Under jockey Jack Kennedy, Minella Indo would win the Gold Cup at 9/1, leading a one-two finish for trainer Henry de Bromhead, with stablemate A Plus Tard in second.

It was the final victory in de Bromhead’s quest to win the big three at the Festival; he’d already won the Champion Hurdle and Champion Chase. Minella Indo gave him the full house.

After the race, Kennedy recalled, “He travelled beautifully the whole way. I was delighted to give Henry his first Gold Cup, and this horse deserved it. He’s just such a tough, honest, classy horse.”

Surprise 2019 Festival Win to Hit the Headlines

Long before his Gold Cup glory, the horse would win at the Cheltenham Festival over hurdles, and he caused a surprise that day.

Winning at 50/1, he would claim the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, a Grade One success. Rachel Blackmore rode him on this occasion, and it was the first Grade One success of her career. Now retired from the sport, Blackmore came to life soon after this win, and at the start of it all was Minella Indo.

He also came painfully close to another Festival victory in 2020, when he was narrowly beaten by Champ in the RSA Novices’ Chase, just faltering up the run-in after a late mistake.

I’m sure many will remember Champ storming up the hill to claim victory; it was the heart of Minella Indo that he broke.

Emotional Win in Savills Chase

In January 2023, Minella Indo took the roof off Tramore racecourse, with a gritty win in the Savills New Year’s Day Chase. The victory was especially poignant, coming just months after the tragic loss of Henry de Bromhead’s teenage son, Jack.

A big day for the yard, and Irish racing as a whole, and this horse was on hand to deliver.

De Bromhead reflected on that win with deep emotion: “I’ll never forget that day. Indo gave us something very special when we all really needed it. He was more than a horse to us, he was part of the family.”

Lasting Legacy & Emotional Moments

You’ve only got to read the above to see this horse has been around for some big moments. That winner at Tramore, Rachel’s first Grade One success, and a first Gold Cup for Henry.

Minella Indo was responsible for all of them.

His impact extended far beyond the winners’ enclosure. He was more than just a racehorse, he was a personality, a presence, and a reminder of everything fans love about jumps racing.

Towards the end of his career, he would turn his attention to the Grand National. A test too far for him, if we’re being honest, but he still managed to deliver a third placed effort in 2024, and a ninth placed finish in 2025.

With eight wins from 27 starts and three Grade 1 victories, he proved a durable, dependable performer, always giving his best on the track, which helped the public fall in love.

He seemed to come alive every spring, raising his game for Cheltenham time and again, before backing that up with strong efforts in the Grand National, also in the spring.

A name associated with many significant moments in Irish racing, and in particular, the yard of Henry de Bromhead. His legacy, the way he battled, and the moments he brought are sure to live in the memory for a very long time.