Hours before the racing begins, Cheltenham's Guinness Village is already buzzing with energy. The band plays 'It Must Be Love,' a fitting soundtrack for Brian Acheson, owner of the celebrated horse Bob Olinger, who speaks openly about his profound affection for the animal. Acheson acknowledges with a chuckle that his devotion might border on madness, but it's a madness he embraces wholeheartedly.
A Relationship Beyond the Track
"When we bring the horses home for the summer, he's the one I'll go out and sit in a field with," Acheson reveals. "He'll ignore me. I swear to God. I'll get in, he'll see me, turn his back and he'll walk off and do his own thing – but I couldn't care less!" This unique bond transcends typical owner-horse dynamics, with Acheson considering Bob Olinger as much a part of his family as his human children, Rob and Courtney. Everyone knows his third child is 'Bob.'
The Horse of a Lifetime
While friends Audrey and Greg Turley have had their own standout horse in Galopin Des Champs, Acheson feels immensely fortunate to have found his equine soulmate in Bob. "I'm very fortunate to have my own horse of a lifetime. That's Bob. It's everything about him, his whole personality and everything he's been through. He just wants to give you his best," Acheson explains, his voice filled with emotion.
Bob Olinger, now 11 years old and named after the last man killed by Billy The Kid, boasts an unbeaten record at Cheltenham. He is aiming for a remarkable fourth victory at the Festival, a testament to his enduring class and resilience. The Cheltenham crowd has developed a strong rapport with him, most notably during his stunning win in The Relkeel Hurdle on New Year's Day 2024. Despite the murky late afternoon conditions, he coasted to victory under jockey Rachael Blackmore, drawing roars from 30,000 spectators that made it feel like a Festival day.
Breakthrough and Comeback
Trained by Henry de Bromhead, Bob Olinger provided Acheson with his breakthrough Cheltenham success five years ago in the 2021 Ballymore Novices Hurdle. The Festival was held behind closed doors due to the pandemic, but Bob's performance was unforgettable. Blackmore herself admitted to getting goosebumps recalling that race, and Acheson's emotions run even deeper. "We were still in lockdown, weren't we, and couldn't travel over," he recalls. "But I was able to go to a friend's house and watch it. I wandered off to be on my own... To have my right-hand man, my best friend there as Bob won… God, I'm emotional now!"
However, success has not been a straight line. Bob faced a challenging period after hurting his back while attempting to jump fences, spending time in the doldrums. Yet, his team, including Grand National-winning jockey Robbie Power, never lost faith. They knew Bob Olinger possessed the qualities of a Formula One car: stunning looks paired with a powerful engine that purrs when he arrives in the Cotswolds. His triumphant return in the Stayers Hurdle last year, which marked Blackmore's final Festival success, is arguably his finest hour.
The Pressure of Cheltenham
For Acheson, the entire year revolves around Cheltenham. "The pressure of winning here is unbelievable – if we don't have a winner here, the year is almost written off. The general public will have it as a disaster for you," he admits. He experienced the flip side after last year's victory, with local pride palpable in his hometown of Clonmel. "I walked into the chemists a week later; Christina, who owns it – the first thing she says to me is: 'Ah, jeez, you had a great Cheltenham!' If you don't have a winner, people think you're an eejit!"
Bob Olinger was supposed to begin his retirement last year, with plans to compete at Cheltenham, Punchestown, and then the American Grand National. Instead, he defied expectations with another stellar performance. As Acheson looks to today's race, hope springs eternal. "Last year was supposed to be the start of his retirement... Didn't he show what I know? Then he does what he does. And the way the ground is out there now? You know what. He might do the same thing again."
Despite having other runners this week, including the 2024 winner Teahupoo in the Paddy Power Stayers Hurdle, Bob Olinger remains the focal point of Acheson's passion. As a dyed-in-the-wool Liverpool supporter, Acheson understands the highs and lows of sport, but today, all hopes are pinned on his beloved 'third child' to create more unforgettable memories at Cheltenham.
