Tributes paid to Envoi Allen after Cheltenham Festival hero dies following Gold Cup run

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Connections of Envoi Allen paid a heartfelt tribute to the Cheltenham Festival regular after his final race ended in tragedy when he collapsed and died after the Gold Cup.

Win, lose or draw, trainer Henry de Bromhead and owners the Thompson family had signalled their intention to retire the 12-year-old after the big race but, despite pulling up sound after finishing last of nine runners, he collapsed as he made his way back to the unsaddling enclosure. 

"Everything was grand and I was happy out there," said rider Darragh O'Keeffe, who cut a sombre figure as came back alone from the track carrying Envoi Allen's saddle. "He pulled up A1 but when we were trotting back [after the race] he collapsed. 

"He was unbelievable and a special horse. He won numerous races and it just happened so fast."

Envoi Allen began his career under rules with Gordon Elliott, winning all 11 starts for the trainer, including the Champion Bumper and Ballymore Novices' Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Envoi Allen jumps a fence during the Cheltenham Gold Cup on FridayCredit: Adrian Dennis/AFP via Getty Images

He fell on his first start after being switched to the De Bromhead yard when odds-on for the Grade 1 Marsh Novices' Chase at the festival in 2021, but roared back to land the 2023 Ryanair Chase.  

The Gold Cup marked his eighth appearance at the festival in the colours of Cheveley Park Stud, with his owners understandably heartbroken as they consoled one another in the parade ring after the race. 

"We didn't see it but the vets okayed them all after the race and Darragh said he was pricking his ears after the race," said Richard Thompson. "He then went over as he was coming back on to the chute. He'd just retired but then in a minute or two he was gone. 

"He was such a lovely little horse and it wasn't the ending we wanted. He's been an incredible servant and just wonderful over the years. It's such a sad way to go."

Envoi Allen won 17 of his 31 races under rules, earning £1,117,315 in prize-money. 

Envoi Allen at Cheltenham

2019: Champion Bumper - WON
2020: Ballymore (now the Turners) - WON
2021: Marsh (race since discontinued) - Fell
2022: Champion Chase - 3rd
2023: Ryanair - WON
2024: Ryanair - 2nd
2025: Ryanair - 3rd
2026: Gold Cup - 9th

Envoi Allen's three festival victories

Champion Bumper: Envoi Allen's deep connection with Cheltenham began in 2019 when he turned up as the red-hot 2-1 favourite for the Champion Bumper and obliged under Jamie Codd, getting the better of Blue Sari, Thyme Hill and Abacadabras in a strong renewal.

Ballymore: A year later Envoi Allen took his festival record to two from two with a dominant four and a quarter length win in the Ballymore. This time Davy Russell was in the saddle and the pair drew well clear to justify 4-7 favouritism.

Ryanair Chase: Envoi Allen's third festival win came in 2023 when he got the better of Shishkin, Hitman and French Dynamite in the Ryanair. Rachael Blackmore got the 13-2 shot humming and they put the race to bed between the final two fences.