Hurricane Fly claimed a landmark victory and wrote himself into the history books last weekend in winning his fifth consecutive BHP Insurances Irish Champion Hurdle. It was his 10th Grade 1 win from 10 starts at Leopardstown and he arrived back into the parade ring to a hero’s welcome.

His principal rival, Jezki, set a strong pace throughout the race but the champion showed all his battling qualities and galloped to a momentous three-and-a-half-length victory.

Hurricane Fly now surpasses the previous record of four consecutive wins, which he had shared with the legendary Istabraq.

It was a Sunday to savour for Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh as earlier in the day Un de Sceaux romped to a 15-length victory in the Grade 1 Frank Ward Solicitors Arkle Novice Chase. It was proof that he is a serious force over fences as he left Clarcam and Gilgamboa trailing in his wake.

For the past five years, BHP Insurances, sponsor of the Irish Champion Hurdle, have partnered with a chosen charity as part of a fundraising initiative. Last weekend’s chosen charity was the National Council for the Blind of Ireland (NCBI) who provide vital support and services to 8,000 people living with sight loss each year.

Gavin Duffy from Dragons’ Den hosted the NCBI charity auction at the Leopardstown Pavilion. Items auctioned included the winning saddle cloth worn by Hurricane Fly after his historic win, signed by Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh, which went for €2,000, and a signed painting of Hurricane Fly, which made €2,500.

Pat Keogh, CEO of Leopardstown said: “What an occasion to be part of today – a milestone for racing and a milestone for Leopardstown. The excellent crowd and the huge cheer as Hurricane Fly returned to the parade ring was a fitting tribute to a horse that will go down in history and be remembered for a long time to come.”