Henry de Bromhead’s touching tribute to late son Jack at race named in his honour

The horse trainer described how, following the appearance of a rainbow during the race, he and his family “knew he was with us”.

Joseph O’Brien’s Home By The Lee claimed victory in the Jack de Bromhead Christmas Hurdle. ​

Henry de Bromhead spoke movingly about the support his family has received since Jack (13) died in a racing accident in September during the Glenbeigh Racing Festival in Co Kerry.

“The support we have is incredible – friends, family, everyone working with us. Just everyone in the whole industry,” he said.

“We’re extremely lucky to have these two [his daughters Georgia and Mia], and their mum [Heather].

“We’ve had a fantastic day and we obviously miss Jacksy, but when we saw the rainbow we knew he was with us.”

The crowds were out in force again on day three of the Leopardstown Christmas Festival yesterday as Conflated put himself firmly in the Cheltenham Gold Cup picture with a dominant success in the Savills Chase.

The Gordon Elliott-trained eight-year-old was a surprise winner of the Irish Gold Cup over the course and distance last season.

He went on to run well before falling two from home in Cheltenham’s Ryanair Chase, before pushing Clan Des Obeaux close in the Bowl at Aintree.

There was also success for de Bromhead when Deep Cave, who was piloted by Rachael Blackmore, lunged late to win the opening Savills Maiden Hurdle.

Deep Cave was a £235,000 purchase after winning an Irish point-to-point.

He shaped with significant promise when runner-up on his hurdling debut at Punchestown last month and was an 11-4 chance to go one better yesterday.