Charlie McCarthy: The Kopek Dream Moves to the Dublin Racing Festival

What sparked your love for racing?
I’ve always had an interest in racing. I’m living in Fermoy, and it’s the heartland of National Hunt and point-to-point racing. I had a couple of flat horses in training with Michael O’Callaghan and we had enjoyed some success. But I’m a keen National Hunt racing fan and that’s where my heart lies.

Your family also share a passion for the sport …
They all love it, but my son David is obsessed with it. It is a merry go round of happiness that Kopek Des Bordes has brought us. He has brought pure joy to my family and the community of Fermoy. It was a lonely Christmas due to him being ruled out after a small hold up.

How did your association with Willie Mulins come together?
After purchasing Jerry Lucey’s brokerage he said to me, Charlie you are not short of a penny! He reminded me that if I wanted to buy a National Hunt horse, I should look no further than Willie Mullins. So on Jerry’s advice I picked up the phone and called Willie. I said to Willie I know you, but you don’t know me. I named successful owner Tim O’Driscoll as a reference. I said I’d like you to buy me a horse, just tell me the price, and we’ll strike a deal. We met at a race meeting, had a quick discussion and three weeks later he phoned to say that he had found a horse. The horse had won a point-to-point for Colin Bowe, and that was the start of it.

Kopek Des Bordes was purchased at the Derby Sale. How did you come to owning him?
I decided that I would like to buy another horse, and Willie invited me across to Closutton. He had two three-year-olds to choose from, and the minute I saw Kopek Des Bordes, immediately my mind was made up. He was the horse I had been waiting for all my life. This all occurred in July 2023, just a couple of weeks after he was bought at the Derby Sale. Willie said to me that particular day that this horse will win the Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper at Fairyhouse next April. He was proved spot on as he came home 13 lengths clear on his racecourse debut.

His Grade 1 win at the DRF last year confirmed the belief that he was potentially top class …
He blew his rivals away at the Dublin Racing Festival last year, and we knew afterwards that the Cheltenham Festival dream was alive. I remember people eulogising afterwards. Davy Russell and Andrew McNamara were in disbelief on the RTE coverage. He was the horse I had dreamed about having all my life, and this performance was confirmation that the dream was becoming a reality.

When you reflect on Cheltenham you must look back amazement?
I actually cannot describe that feeling in the Cheltenham parade ring. It is like you are in heaven. It is a wish that many people have but it doesn’t happen for them. That is not lost on me – I am very lucky to have experienced that with my family. I was brought into a room afterwards where I had to sign a winning owners book – writing Charles John McCarthy, Fermoy made me such a proud man. The race was run in memory of Michael O’Sullivan, who tragically lost his life just weeks earlier. The O’Sullivan family are based just 20 kilometres away in Mallow, and it was a mixture of emotions. And not forgetting the talented Cork man on board too, Paul Townend.

Kopek Des Bordes has brought you and your family on an amazing journey. What is the latest update on him? 
He had a slight setback prior to Christmas, and it did put him on the back foot. We were concerned that time might tighten him for the Dublin Racing Festival, but he worked last week and the Mullins team are positive. It is all systems go for this weekend. There is a huge public interest in the horse, and everywhere I go people ask me about Kopek Des Bordes.
My heart was in my mouth throughout his chasing debut at Navan. He jumped unbelievably. Paul said he respected his fences, and that initial experience will stand to him. He has us spoilt and people’s expectations are now high given his previous achievements.

You bought a horse at the 2025 Derby Sale. How is he coming along?
He is doing exceptionally well. He is a grey son of Masked Marvel named Masked L’As. His half-brother is Excello who is a smart chaser in training with Nicky Henderson. Similar to Kopek Des Bordes, I have put him out of my mind for 12 months. I’ll let Willie do whatever he has to do. There is the option of the €100,000 Tattersalls Ireland MSL Mercedes-Benz Sales Bumper in December at Leopardstown, and that would be an obvious first target.