Interview: Martin Brassil hoping to repeat Punchestown Gold Cup upset

Martin Brassil was one of the stories of the Punchestown Festival in 2023 when his horse Fastorslow upset the odds, and many punters, to stun Galopin Des Champs in the Punchestown Gold Cup.

“It was (a big shock). We had come up short in Cheltenham two years running and he went up 20-high in the handicap for getting beat in Cheltenham. But I always felt that he had real talent and that he could mix it with some of the better horses in the graded races. Thankfully the owners agreed and we took our chance,” Martin explained.

Willie Mullins’ reigning Cheltenham Gold Cup winner went off at odds on before being beaten by two and quarter lengths by the J.J Slevin ridden 20/1 shot.

Martin added, “Fellas might be saying that the two horses that he beat were after having two hard races at Cheltenham, but we were there as well. It worked out well and he delivered on the day. He backed it up with the John Durkan (Punchestown Chase) too.”

The Cheltenham Gold Cup would again go the way of Galopin Des Champs in 2024, with JJ Slevin being unseated in the race on Fastorslow. However, Martin is hoping that his horse can get retribution and defend his crown at the Punchestown festival.

“The big plan was the Gold Cup in Cheltenham this year, where we had no luck. It was just a mishap, so now we are looking forward to going back and maybe trying to win the Punchestown Gold Cup for a second time,” Martin explained.

“He has a good record around Punchestown and if he can maintain that we’ll be delighted.”

Competing for Gold Cup wins is an incredible position for any trainer to be in, even more so for Martin and his relatively modest yard compared to many on the biggest stage.

“It is great (to be competing at the highest level). I am like anyone that trains horses, all you want to do is get your hands on a good one. I have been lucky enough to have him (Fastorslow) and a couple of others knocking around as well,” Martin said.

“It is easier to plan with a good horse too because there are only a certain number of races you can run him in during the season.”

One of the massive boosts for the profile of the man originally from Clare was the Grand National and Numbersixvalverde, who won both the Irish and English Nationals just a year apart.

“It is a big race. What was even a bigger one for me before that was the Thyestes Handicap Steeplechase (Gowran Park) that he won as a novice a few months earlier. Slippers (Niall Madden) was the only amateur to ever win it too,” Martin recalled.

“That (the Grand National) was the race to progress to after winning the Thyestes, he was now gone into a category where he could possibly get into it. We had luck again and he won. Once he won the Irish National, there was only one dream from that day on and that was Aintree.”

Ruby Walsh would ride Numbersixvalverde to win the 2005 Irish Grand National. The Kill jockey won both Nationals that year, also winning on Willie Mullins’ Hedgehunter.

Slippers Madden would be in the saddle for Martin’s Aintree hopeful in 2006 as Ruby once again boarded Hedgehunter in hopes of Grand National retention.

Madden and Numbersixvalverde produced an exceptional performance to beat last year’s winner and come home for glory.

“The race went perfect from start to finish. In those races, and especially back then when it was more a jumping test, it is important you had a lot of luck in running, more so than today. It worked out for us very well and great for Slippers Madden who had his first ride in the race,” Martin recalled.

“It was incredible really from such a small stable of 15-20 horses. It was great to have a horse like that, that you could compete with.

“You wouldn’t even dream about it happening, you never think that it would.”

Whether aiming for Punchestown Gold Cup glory once again in 2024 or reflecting on his Grand National triumphs, Martin always praised those around him for their continued role in his success.

He concluded, “It is not a one man show here. It is all down to the great staff, the good people around me and the great support of my family.”