Energumene: everything you need to know about this racehorse

Energumene ridden by Paul Townend (right) clears a fence on their way to winning the Patrick Ward & Co. Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase during day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown Racecourse. Picture date: Saturday February 6, 2021.

(Image credit: PA)

Energumene is one of the top chasers in National Hunt (jump) racing at the moment. Here, we find out a little bit more about him ahead of the Cheltenham Festival (15–18 March 2022).

1. Energumene is an eight-year-old gelding (born on 13 June 2014).

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Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.

Energumene: everything you need to know about this key Cheltenham Festival contender

2. He is owned by Tony Bloom.

3. He was bred by Christophe Dubourg in France.

4. Energumene is by Denham Red, who was sire to multiple Grade One winner, Un De Sceaux, and is out of Olinight, who is by April Night.

5. An ‘energumene’ is one who shouts and gesticulates loudly in public, drawing anxious glances from those around.

7. So far, Energumene has won eight of his 10 career starts, with one of those coming in his sole point-to-point in January 2018 when trained in Britain by Sophie Lacey, before starting his career under Rules for Willie.

8. He has amassed over £225,000 in prize money to-date.

9. His biggest victories so far came in two Grade One races; one in the Irish Arkle novices’ chase at Leopardstown in February 2021 and the other in the Ryanair novice chase at Punchestown in April 2021.

11. He will be ridden by Irish jockey Paul Townend at the Cheltenham Festival, who has ridden him in all bar three of his races under Rules.

Keep up-to-date with all of Horse & Hound’s Cheltenham coverage this week via horseandhound.co.uk, where you will be able to read all of the latest news and features surrounding The Festival.

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