Gaelic Warrior’s brother sparkles on his debut
I Am Maximus is paraded through Leighingbridge after winning the Randox English Grand National at Aintree. Photos: INPHO/Tom Maher
With the 2026 Punchestown Festival looming, and Gold Cup hero Gaelic Warrior chasing a rare Cheltenham–Punchestown double, his younger brother has already started making noise. Sparkling Wit announced himself in style on Thursday at a bustling Limerick.
Most of the student-heavy crowd may forget the finale on an eight-race card. A few won’t. They’ll remember the day Gaelic Warrior’s brother began carving out his own story.
Backed into 6/4 favouritism, Sparkling Wit, owned by Rich Ricci, was ridden with patience early, settled off the pace but travelling smoothly throughout.
The race only ignited approaching the three-furlong pole, when Patrick Mullins pressed the button. Still green, Sparkling Wit needed encouragement to assert just over a furlong out, but once he clicked, the result was never in doubt. He quickened clear, idled late, yet always had matters in hand.
With that pedigree comes expectation, but this was a debut that delivered. Sparkling Wit couldn’t have done much more, and the future looks bright.
Trainer Willie Mullins said, “We were very worried about the ground as he is not like his brothers (Gaelic Warrior and four-year-old Our Trigger), and I think he is a good-ground horse. He is a much more feminine type, is smaller and slighter, but was tough in the end today. I think he'll be much better on nicer ground and I'd be hoping he could go for a winners' bumper around May-time.”
“I just think he is not a middle-of-winter horse. He is very different from his two brothers and is a nice ride. I think he will improve, as he started off very slowly at the start of the season, and Willie has been very patient with him. He has got better every week. We bought him as a foal when we initially thought Gaelic Warrior was very good.”
It took three runs over hurdles, but Arcadian Emperor is up and running, and he did it with authority at Clonmel.
Tuesday’s Botanica International Maiden Hurdle always looked his for the taking, and Mark Walsh made sure it stayed that way. Dictating from the front, the imposing son of Kamsin jumped soundly and controlled the race throughout.
A brief threat emerged two out, but it was swatted away almost instantly. From there, the JP McManus-owned gelding stretched clear of Hi Ho Idaho to score with something in hand.
The form won’t set pulses racing, but the profile will. This is a chasing type through and through—one who should progress markedly once sent over fences.
Racing manager Frank Berry said afterwards: "He has run well every time but has just bumped into a couple of decent horses and was back in a lower grade today. He jumped great and won nicely.” "If the ground stays like that, he'll have another go and then will go jumping fences next autumn."
