The horror of John Hunt’s family tragedy puts Cheltenham upsets into perspective – his statement reduced me to tears
CHELTENHAM 2025 nearly had it all. Drama, emotion, tears, beaten and winning favourites, fabulous stories and magical memories.
What it didn’t have was former Festival victor Michael O’Sullivan and for three days John Hunt, a colleague of mine on Sky Sports Racing and the BBC Five Live racing commentator.
John, who was on course to call the Gold Cup, was in court on Tuesday for the sentencing of Kyle Clifford, the rapist and murderer of his wife Carol, 61, and two daughters Hannah, 28, and Louise, 25.
I was at Cheltenham all four days.
On Tuesday every bit of me wanted to see Constitution Hill hack all over his Champion Hurdle rivals for jockey Nico de Boinville, trainer Nicky Henderson and owner Michael Buckley.
When he crashed out at the fourth last, I felt like falling on my knees to the ground. It was a hammer blow. Bitter disappointment. I was in shock.
Just a couple of hours earlier Clifford was sentenced for each murder to life imprisonment with a whole life order. It means he will never leave prison.
I got back to my hotel that evening still frustrated about the big race. Then I read John’s impact statement.
My mood quickly changed. I read it twice. I shed a tear. Hell, I shed many tears. An hour went by without me moving a muscle. Just sat there with a sense of overwhelming sadness that someone as lovely as John Hunt, the most decent guy you could meet, had been left heartbroken and wounded in this way. The unthinkable acts that had taken place on his family.
John’s words were powerful, strong and beautiful. Anyone taking them in could feel for themselves the love the Hunt family enjoyed – still enjoys, but now less three magical souls.
Constitution Hill’s defeat signalled much unjustified criticism and anger on social media.
But compared to what has happened to John it was of no relevance at all. Perspective people, perspective.
Two years ago Michael O’Sullivan landed the Grade 1 Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Marine Nationale and Boodles Juvenile Hurdle on Jazzy Matty.
This week Marine Nationale returned to take the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Jazzy Matty the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual.
Michael, though, was not here. As most of you will know the Supreme was run in his memory. Michael passed on February 16 after a riding accident at Thurles.
Again, on X, formerly known as Twitter, all hell was breaking out after Jonbon was asked for a long one at the ninth fence and made a shuddering mistake. He would eventually plug on for second.
I like most was keen for Jonbon to score. He deserved a Cheltenham Festival victory. But like his brother Douvan the Champion Chase was not to prove a happy hunting ground.
Again, though, perspective. A horse race. Everyone doing their best. But not the end.
There is often light at the end of darkened tunnels. Golden Ace’s victory in the Unibet Champion Hurdle was wonderful. The crowd reaction to winning trainer Jeremy Scott one I have never witnessed before. A thing of beauty.
Marine Nationale’s success was clearly poignant, while Fact to File was brilliant – arguably the performance of the week – in the Ryanair and Bob Olinger rolled back the years in the Stayers’ Hurdle.
As for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, jockey Paul Townend told me he was never happy with Galopin des Champs, who eventually chased home 15-2 chance and supplemented Inothewayurthinkin who scored for Gavin Cromwell.
It was a strange atmosphere on course. Pretty much silence as Galopin des Champs was eclipsed. The people wanted to crown a super star three-time Gold Cup hero. Maybe they will get their chance next year.
I don’t know why Kyle Clifford did what he did. I don’t know why Constitution Hill gave one hurdle so little respect that it left him no choice but to fall, and I don’t know why the oh-so-reliable Jonbon blundered and gave himself an impossible task.
But what I do know is that life goes on.
Make the most of it whatever is sent to torment you. And if what happens on the track sometimes irks, remember for all the passion in sport there is a lot worse going on in the world than a race lost.