Romeo Coolio headlines memorable St Stephen's Day for Gordon Elliott
The trainer enjoyed six winners across three tracks
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Jack Kennedy celebrates on Romeo Coolio
Gordon Elliott enjoyed a memorable St Stephen’s Day as Grade 1 winner Romeo Coolio headlined a six-timer across three tracks.
Jack Kennedy was on board each of the trainer’s three winners on the opening day of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival, with Romeo Coolio reeling in Irish Panther in the feature.
“I am very pleased,” the winning jockey said. “He didn’t jump as sharp as I thought he would, coming back in trip, a higher tempo, he was a fraction slower away than the others from the back of the fences.
“But that should sharpen him up an awful lot. I don’t think there will be any decision made yet as to where he’ll go or what sort of trip after this but he will be better over further.
“We’ll see what the lads decide, I’ll be happy enough as long as I’m on him.”
JUST!
— Horse Racing Ireland (@HRIRacing) December 26, 2025
Romeo Coolio gets the job done in the Grade 1 Racing Post Novice Chase - but he made his backers sweat!@gelliott_racing pic.twitter.com/jJbW7Uw4jW
Kennedy and Elliott’s day started with an eye-catching success of nearly 10 lengths for Ballyfad in the TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle, while favourite Spinola Bay landed the E-Auctions Novice Handicap Hurdle.
It could and maybe should have been a four-timer for the pair but the otherwise impressive El Cairos stumbled and fell after clearing the last.
“Unless he stood on a shoe or something, I don’t know what happened,” Kennedy said.
“He fell a long way away from the hurdle, he got in a bit tight but didn’t think there was any issue with the jump.
“For whatever reason, he took a bad step and just started falling. He did his best to stand up but it was fairly exciting what he was doing before then.
“He was going to be very impressive, the gallop we went and to quicken off that was fairly special. He is a very laidback horse, takes everything in his stride and has loads of gears.”
Sept Etoiles and Slanagaibhgoleir were Elliott’s winners at Down Royal while Kazansky won a thriller by a head at Limerick, leaving the Cullentra handler delighted.
“If I had one win on the day, I would have taken it,” he said. “I was nervous driving up here today, so this is unbelievable.”
Elsewhere at Leopardstown, Danny Mullins struck for uncle Willie with Narciso Has in the Grade 2 Changing Times Brewery Juvenile Hurdle and jockey Kieren Buckley completed his set of a winner at every Irish track with his success on Addragoole for Gavin
Cromwell in the Racing Post Handicap Chase. Peter Lawlor’s Murat was the beneficiary of El Cairos’ stumble, hanging on to beat Doctor Du Mesnil by a nose under Cian Quirke, while The Mourne Rambler landed the Race & Stay INH Flat Race.