Henry de Bromhead is one of Ireland’s most successful National Hunt racehorse trainers, renowned for his achievements at the highest level of jump racing. Born into a racing family, he is the son of former trainer Harry de Bromhead, from whom he inherited both his passion for horses and his training base at Knockeen, County Waterford. After studying business in Dublin, de Bromhead gained valuable experience working with prominent trainers, including Sir Mark Prescott and Coolmore Stud, before taking over the family yard in 2000.
Since then, he has built a formidable reputation for producing top-class chasers and hurdlers. De Bromhead is particularly known for his meticulous attention to detail and his ability to rejuvenate horses transferred from other trainers. His breakthrough came with Sizing Europe, winner of the 2011 Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham, which established Knockeen as a major force in Irish racing.
In the years that followed, de Bromhead trained a string of elite performers, including Minella Indo, A Plus Tard, and Honeysuckle, all of whom captured major Grade 1 titles. His 2021 Cheltenham Festival campaign was historic: he became the first trainer ever to win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, and Gold Cup in the same year. That success was followed by victories in the Grand National and Irish Gold Cup, confirming his stable’s dominance on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Known for his calm demeanour, professionalism, and close partnership with jockey Rachael Blackmore, Henry de Bromhead is widely respected within the racing community. Despite personal tragedy, notably the death of his teenage son, Jack, in 2022, de Bromhead has continued to train at the highest level, earning admiration for his resilience and dedication to the sport.
2024/25 Season Review
Henry de Bromhead entered the 2024/25 campaign as one of the pillars of Irish jump racing. Expectations were high after several stellar years, and while the season had its quieter spells, it also reaffirmed his enduring class and ability to deliver on the biggest stages.
This was a year of transition as much as triumph. With a few of his long-time stars nearing the end of their careers, de Bromhead focused on developing the next wave of talent while keeping the yard competitive in the major races. His hallmark precision and patient planning once again paid dividends when it mattered most.
Cheltenham brilliance
Cheltenham was the defining week of the season for Knockeen. Bob Olinger produced a brilliant staying performance to win the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, confirming his resurgence and versatility. On the same day, Air Of Entitlement landed the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, giving de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore a Festival double. Those victories reinforced the trainer’s remarkable record at Cheltenham and underlined his ability to peak horses for the spring.
Envoi Allen added another Grade 1 earlier in the season, showing there is still life in some of the older brigade. At the same time, Hiddenvalley Lake and Inthepocket continued their progress, hinting at future top-level potential.
Consistency through the campaign
Though midwinter form dipped slightly, with a few promising novices needing more experience, the stable remained a constant presence at major Irish meetings. De Bromhead’s attention to detail and measured campaigning ensured that his leading horses arrived fresh and firing for the key spring targets.
Bob Olinger’s consistency over hurdles was one of the season’s enduring highlights, while younger chasers like Hiddenvalley Lake and Slade Steel began to shape into the next generation of standard-bearers. Captain Guinness and Envoi Allen kept the two-mile and intermediate chase divisions competitive, providing valuable depth across multiple categories.
Summary
The 2024/25 jumps season can be summed up as solid and strategically managed. De Bromhead once again proved that quality trumps quantity, producing Festival glory and keeping his name among the top trainers in both Ireland and Britain.
This was not a record-breaking year in terms of volume, but in terms of timing, judgment, and long-term planning, it was another testament to his steady hand. As the yard transitions from its golden generation to a new wave of talent, Henry de Bromhead remains as sharp and respected as ever—still one of the sport’s most reliable sources of big-race magic.
Looking Ahead to 26/26
Henry de Bromhead heads into the 2025/26 season with a familiar mix of ambition and careful planning. The stable has a strong record of delivering on the big stage, but this campaign carries a slightly different feel, one of renewal as a new generation of talent steps through the shadows left by ageing stars. While his veteran performers remain central to the yard’s hopes, much of the intrigue will lie in how the younger horses adapt to more competitive company. Crowds, punters, and rivals alike will be watching not just for big wins but for signs of the next de Bromhead stalwarts emerging.
One of the most eagerly anticipated prospects is Good N’ Kind. The six-year-old made a bright impression late in 2024/25, winning a maiden hurdle over three miles in Cork and finishing second in a novice hurdle at Limerick over two miles three furlongs. She remains lightly exposed but has the physique, scope, and attitude to improve. This season is likely to see her tested in stronger maiden and novice hurdle company, and potentially in small handicaps as she gains experience and confidence.
Heart Wood and other developing chasers also look to have important roles this season. Heart Wood has the balance of speed and stamina to step up in distance and class, with options ranging from intermediate chases to staying events. Slade Steel has shown promise and may progress to fences, while Inthepocket is capable of improvement after a solid beginner’s chase last season. Beckett Rock is another lightly raced horse who could make an impact if he returns to full fitness.
The yard’s veterans will continue to anchor the stable. Bob Olinger remains a major figure over staying hurdles and long-distance chases, but a muscle issue after Cheltenham last season may affect his early-season programme. De Bromhead will likely manage him carefully, aiming to peak at the right time. Envoi Allen and Captain Guinness also provide experience and stability across intermediate distances, helping guide the yard while younger horses develop.
The 2025/26 campaign is likely to be characterised by selective campaigning rather than a high volume of runs. Big meetings such as Cheltenham, Punchestown, and Leopardstown will remain the primary focus. With Rachael Blackmore retired, the relationships between horses and their jockeys will take on renewed importance, particularly for newer horses. Managing fitness, handling various ground conditions, and gradually stepping horses up will be key to ensuring the young brigade thrives.
The outlook for the season is promising. A breakthrough from one of the younger horses, Good N’ Kind, Heart Wood, or Slade Steel, could define the narrative of the season and signal the start of a new generation of Knockeen stars. How Bob Olinger is programmed will be closely watched, as will the gradual introduction of the novices into the graded company. While the stable may run fewer horses overall, careful placement and patient progression could yield high rewards, with a spring peak once again the ultimate aim.
The Bromhead Brigade to Keep the Fire Burning
As Knockeen heads into 2025/26, de Bromhead’s focus is clear: carefully nurture the next wave of talent, keep his veterans firing, and target the sport’s biggest meetings with precision. It’s a season of measured progression, high hopes, and the promise of the next Knockeen stars stepping into the spotlight.
This has marked the penultimate, looking ahead to the jump season. All previous instalments can be found HERE. Next up will be Willie Mullins.
