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last mo.

Marine Nationale Wins Emotional Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham

The victory comes nearly a month after the tragic death of jockey Michael O’Sullivan, who played a key role in the horse's early career.

Horse Racing - Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Britain - March 12, 2025 General view during the 14:40 Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle REUTERS/Peter Cziborra
Horse Racing - Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Britain - March 12, 2025 Sean Flanagan riding Marine Nationale celebrates after winning the 16:00 BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase REUTERS/Matthew Childs
Horse Racing - Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Britain - March 12, 2025 Quilixios ridden by Darragh O'Keeffe falls after jumping the last fence as Marine Nationale ridden by Sean Flanagan rides on to win the 16:00 BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase REUTERS/Matthew Childs
Horse Racing - Cheltenham Festival - Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Britain - March 12, 2025 Sean Flanagan riding Marine Nationale celebrates after winning the 16:00 BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase REUTERS/Peter Cziborra

Overview

  • Marine Nationale secured a commanding victory in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, finishing 18 lengths ahead of favorite Jonbon.
  • The win was dedicated to Michael O’Sullivan, the late jockey who rode Marine Nationale to triumph in the 2023 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and passed away in February from injuries sustained in a fall.
  • Trainer Barry Connell and jockey Sean Flanagan both paid heartfelt tributes to O’Sullivan, crediting him with shaping the horse’s success and legacy.
  • Jonbon, the odds-on favorite, made a critical error mid-race, while Quilixios fell at the final fence, clearing the way for Marine Nationale’s decisive finish.
  • The day also saw another poignant victory as Jazzy Matty, another horse O’Sullivan had ridden to success at Cheltenham in 2023, won the Grand Annual Chase.