Buddy One

The headline win came at Cheltenham on 18 November 2023, which is the kind of achievement that defines a horse's career. Cheltenham is the most prestigious jumping venue in Britain and Ireland, and winning a top-tier race there puts Buddy One in genuinely elite company for a horse at this level. His first win had come earlier that year at Fairyhouse in January, so 2023 was a breakthrough season in every sense.

What makes Buddy One most interesting is how specific his strengths are. On wet or muddy ground, he has won 3 times from just 9 races — that is 1 in every 3, which is a dramatically better record than his overall rate. At Galway, practically in his own backyard, he has won 2 from 6, which is a solid course record for any horse. When the conditions suit and the venue is familiar, he becomes a genuinely different animal. The trainer's son, Jack G Gilligan, rides him most often and has been in the saddle for all 4 of his wins together from 23 races — a partnership that clearly works.

The honest caveat is that when he steps up against the very best — Class 1 races, the top level of the sport — he has not yet managed to win in 6 attempts. The Cheltenham win came at Class 2, one rung below, which is still a serious level but perhaps better matched to where he operates most comfortably.

At nine years old and last winning at Ballinrobe in July 2025, Buddy One is not a young horse with everything ahead of him — but he raced just 18 days ago and remains active. The Gilligan yard has sent out 5 winners this season alone, so this is a team in decent form. If you spot his name on a card at Galway when the ground is soft, that is not a moment to look away.