In the world of National Hunt racing, certain names have long dominated the headlines. Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Henry de Bromhead are household names, their successes celebrated far and wide.
But there’s a new force rising through the ranks, quietly amassing an impressive string of horses and eyeing one of the biggest prizes in the sport.
That force is Gavin Cromwell, and 2025 might just be the year he makes his mark on the Grand National.
Hard Work and Perseverance
Cromwell’s journey to the upper echelons of Irish racing is a testament to hard work and perseverance. Just a decade ago, he was primarily known as a farrier, shoeing horses for other trainers, including Gordon Elliott.
Training was a sideline, with Cromwell having just a single horse in his care. Fast forward to 2025, and the landscape has changed dramatically.
This year, Cromwell has entered eight potential runners in the Grand National, with four guaranteed a place in the starting lineup.
It’s a statement of intent that cannot be ignored, especially considering this is only two fewer entries than Willie Mullins, the perennial powerhouse of Irish racing.
Yet, curiously, there’s been a notable lack of buzz around Cromwell’s rise and his strong hand for the Aintree showpiece.
Perhaps the most compelling evidence of Cromwell’s ascent is Inothewayurthinkin, currently the ante-post favourite for the 2025 Grand National. He’s a terrific chaser and one to keep in mind for a bet when you’re browsing the best Grand National betting offers that will be available closer to the race.
This seven-year-old, rated 160 and set to carry 11st 5lbs, has been turning heads with every outing. His fourth-place finish in the Irish Gold Cup, just seven lengths behind Gold Cup favourite Galopin Des Champs, hinted at a horse with immense potential.
The fact that he made a mistake four fences from home and still finished strongly suggests there’s more improvement to come.
Cromwell’s Team & Base
But Inothewayurthinkin is just the tip of the iceberg. Cromwell’s Grand National team also includes Stumptown, a horse that exemplifies the trainer’s knack for improving his charges.
An eight-year-old with a real aptitude for soft ground, Stumptown demonstrated his stamina with a victory in the Cross Country Handicap Chase at Cheltenham’s December meeting.
At a general 20/1 chance, he represents excellent each-way value and showcases the depth of Cromwell’s Grand National squad. Just bear in mind that those odds will drop significantly if he wins the Glenfarclas at Cheltenham ahead of a trip to Aintree!
His entries in 2025 are:
- Inothewayurthinkin
- Limerick Lace
- Malina Girl
- Perceval Legallois
- Stumptown
- Vanillier
- Velvet Elvis
- Yeah Man
The rise of Cromwell’s stable hasn’t happened by accident. A significant investment of €1 million into his County Meath base over the past year has yielded immediate results. A new five-furlong hill gallop has already proven its worth, with Cromwell’s runners showing improved form on the track.
This commitment to infrastructure and training facilities underlines Cromwell’s ambition and his determination to compete at the highest level.
Cromwell’s success isn’t limited to the jumps, either. His Flat string, while smaller, has been making waves. Diego Ventura and An Chorr Dubh both scored impressive victories before being sold for substantial sums, highlighting Cromwell’s eye for talent and ability to improve horses.
This dual-purpose approach adds another string to his bow and demonstrates his versatility as a trainer.
The Ultimate Test
The Grand National, however, remains the ultimate test for any National Hunt trainer. Cromwell is no stranger to success in racing’s biggest events, having won the Champion Hurdle with Espoir D’Allen in 2019.
Yet, it was his handling of Flooring Porter, a horse he purchased for just €5,000 as a store horse and guided to two Stayers’ Hurdle victories, that perhaps best illustrates his skill as a trainer.
Cromwell’s Grand National record, while brief, is encouraging. From five runners to date, his best result came with Vanillier, who finished a close second to Corach Rambler in 2023. He is also entered again in 2025.
This experience, combined with his stronger team for 2025, puts Gavin Cromwell in an excellent position to go one better.
The downside, however, is that the Irish trainer’s rise hasn’t gone unnoticed by racing authorities. In a move that speaks volumes about his new status, Horse Racing Ireland has proposed that Cromwell, along with Mullins, Elliott, and de Bromhead, will face restrictions on entering horses in certain races next season.
It’s a controversial decision that has caused consternation in training ranks, but it’s also a backhanded compliment to Cromwell’s success.
Looking Ahead
As we look ahead to the 2025 Grand National, it’s clear that Gavin Cromwell is a trainer on the cusp of something special. With a strong team headed by the favorite Inothewayurthinkin, backed up by talented chasers like Stumptown, and bolstered by significant investment in his training operation, Cromwell has all the ingredients for success at Aintree.
The narrative of the underdog taking on the established order is always compelling in sport. Cromwell’s rise from farrier to potential Grand National-winning trainer embodies this spirit. His journey is a reminder that in horse racing, with the right combination of hard work, talent, and a little bit of luck, anything is possible.
As the countdown to the 2025 Grand National begins, all eyes will be on the usual suspects. But for those in the know, Gavin Cromwell is the name to watch.
Whether he’s lifting the trophy on Saturday, April 5th remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Gavin Cromwell has arrived, and he’s here to stay at the top table of National Hunt racing.
