Papillon is one of the best known Irish-trained winners of the Aintree Grand National. A notable family success for one of the great families of Irish racing, he was trained by Ted Walsh and ridden by his son Ruby. The win launched the remarkable career of Ruby and was arguably the highlight of Ted’s training career. When winning the Aintree showpiece, he landed a notable gamble, having been tipped by Pricewise in the Racing Post and been backed from 33/1 to 10/1, making the win all the more memorable.
Trainer: Ted Walsh
Principal Jockey: Ruby Walsh
Notable Wins: Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Chase (2000), Aintree Grand National (2000), Newlands Chase (1999), Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Handicap Chase (1998), Ladbroke Trophy Chase Handicap (1998), EBF Novice Handicap Chase (1997)
Early Days
Owned by an American lady called Betty Moran, unlike many future Aintree Grand National winners, Papillon did quite well as a young horse. Having won a maiden hurdle at Punchestown on his debut in February 1996, he was sent straight over fences the following season and made an immediate impact, winning a maiden chase and the Grade 3 EBF Novice Handicap Chase, both at Fairyhouse.
Rising Up The Ranks
The 1997/8 campaign saw Papillon continue his rise up through the handicap ranks, winning at Fairyhouse prior to gaining a notable win in the valuable Ladbroke Trophy Chase Handicap at Cheltenham in January. He was well beaten when well fancied in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Chase at the Cheltenham Festival on his next start, but better was to come on his final start of the season. Stepping into unknown territory in stamina terms in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse, Papillon made a very bold bid for success, finding just the subsequent Aintree Grand National winner Bobbyjo a ½-length too good. While it was disappointing to be beaten, the promise of the run was clear to all and he would gain his compensation in due course.
Another Solid Campaign
Amazingly for a horse that had finished second in the previous seasons Irish Grand National, Papillon would show his best form in the 1998/9 season at the much shorter trip of around two miles. He won the Paddy Power Dial-a-Bet Handicap Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting and the Grade 2 Newlands Chase at Naas before gearing up for a second bid for the Irish Grand National. Sent off as the 8/1 favourite, he ran poorly and was found to be lame after the race. This was very disappointing indeed, but he wouldn’t have to wait long for his day in the sun.
A Campaign Towards Aintree
Papillon’s 1999/2000 campaign did not start off in very inspiring fashion, with him being well beaten in his first five starts of the season. However, those defeats saw him drop valuable few pounds in the handicap and following a more encouraging display in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown in March, the stage was set for his bid for glory in the Aintree Grand National. Having been tipped by the influential tipster Pricewise in the Racing Post, his price plummeted from 33/1 to 10/1 at the off. With the 20-year-old Ruby Walsh in the saddle, Papillon enjoyed a drama-free round, leading at the fifth-last fence and holding off the challenge of Mely Moss by an authoritative 1¼ length margin. It was a remarkable family success and it prompted rapturous celebrations in the winner’s enclosure.
Life After Aintree
Papillon was given a well-deserved break after his Aintree exploits, but he made a winning return to action the following Christmas at Leopardstown, winning the Listed Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Chase. He returned to Aintree to defend his title the following April, but the heavy ground conditions did not suit him at all and he unseated his rider not long after halfway. However, Ruby Walsh identified that very few horses would complete the race in the very testing conditions and having remounted Papillon, he went on to finish a distant fourth. Unfortunately, Papillon failed to recapture his form in the next two seasons and was retired in the build-up to the Aintree Grand National in 2003. Despite the quiet ending to his career, Papillon will always be remembered for his memorable success at Aintree and the role he played in launching the career of his rider Ruby Walsh.
Info supplied by Horse Racing Ireland - Updated January 2011
