Store Sale Graduate Stumptown Creates History In Velka Pardubicka

Stumptown created history on Sunday as the Tattersalls Ireland Store sale graduate became the first Irish-trained winner of the Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic.

The race is famed for its unique challenge, comprising of 31 obstacles, each one differing in size and stature. Under a patient Keith Donoghue ride Stumptown was produced to lead shortly after negotiating the final fence.

Trained by Gavin Cromwell, the eight-year-old has quickly developed into a cross-country specialist, and recent seasons have seen him win twice around Cheltenham, while he has also won twice around the Punchestown banks course.

However, the Velka Pardubicka is a test of a different kind, and with reserves of stamina, Stumptown proved more than capable of adapting to the challenge, and came home with almost two lengths in hand.

Owned by the Furze Bush Syndicate, Stumptown is a dual Tattersalls Ireland graduate, having been sold as a foal by Hillfarm Stables to the late William Codd in November 2017. He was then offered three years later as a Store by the Codd family’s Churchlands Stables where David Byrne Bloodstock purchased him for €12,500.

It was a ninth career win for Stumptown who should remain a big player in cross-country races over the coming seasons, and a second successive Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival is likely to be his main target next spring.