Surprise victory for priest's horse at traditional tournament

Cheltenham - The gelding Lecky Watson crossed the finish line at the steeplechase in Cheltenham with a lead of four horse lengths – hardly anyone had expected this before the race, not even the bookmakers. His owners are delighted: One of them is a vicar.

Published on 13.03.2025 at 11:46 –

Outsider success for Monsignor John Byrne: The Irish priest's horse Lecky Watson unexpectedly crossed the finish line first in a steeplechase at the Cheltenham show on Wednesday. Did the priest from Portlaoise pray for the victory? "We'll take all the help we can get," he told the Times of London. Lecky Watson (photo), ridden by jockey Sean O'Keeffe, belongs to Byrnes and his seven siblings. The race in the southern English equestrian metropolis of Cheltenham is only the third competition win for the seven-year-old chestnut gelding. The favourite Ballyburn only finished a disappointing fifth.

The odds were 20-1 in favour of Lecky Watson and Byrne did not say publicly how much he had won himself, but expressed concern about the collection in his parish if word of the win got around. "I'm afraid that will go down." The prize money for the win is 112,540 British pounds (134,000 euros). Until the 1960s, Irish priests were forbidden from attending horse races, except to administer the last rites in emergencies. However, out of concern for vocations, the Irish bishops lifted the ban. Gambling was forbidden to clergy by the universal canon law until 1983 expressly forbidden.

Family tradition among the Byrnes

In an interview back in 2021, Byrne spoke about the family tradition: "My family is involved in horse racing and has a few horses. I love going to races with them. Especially when we have a winner!" In addition to horse racing, golf ("Not good, but I like it") is one of his hobbies. Byrne referred to the Doctor of the Church Irenaeus of Lyon and his saying that the honour of God is the living person: "And to be a living person, it is necessary to enjoy life through interpersonal relationships and hobbies."

The Broadway Novices' Chase steeplechase in Cheltenham has been held since 1921. Horse racing has been held in the Gloucestershire town since 1815. Horses aged five and over can take part in the Novices' Chase, which is held on the old racecourse with a total length of just under 5 kilometres. In the past, some winners of the Novices' Chase have also gone on to win England's most prestigious steeplechase, the Cheltenham Gold Cup. (fxn)