Don Cossack showed promise in his early career, winning three National Hunt Flat races and a novice hurdle before being switched to steeplechasing in the autumn of 2013.

He produced his best form in spring by winning the Melling Chase and the Punchestown Gold Cup and ended the season as the highest-rated National Hunt performer in Britain and Ireland.

After his first race he was bought by Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud and transferred to the stable of Gordon Elliott at Longwood, County Meath.

Don Cossack made his debut in a National Hunt Flat race at Punchestown Racecourse in April 2011 and finished fifth of the twenty-four runners behind King Vuvuzela.

[9] The gelding was ridden by Bryan Cooper when he started favourite for the Florida Pearl Novice Chase at Punchestown in November but after taking the lead at the second last he was caught on the run-in and beaten half a length by Morning Assembly.

After being restrained in the early stages he moved up to jump the last in third before taking the lead on the run-in and winning from the Galway Plate winner Carlingford Lough and Road To Riches.

He was beaten four lengths into second place by the Willie Mullins-trained Ballycasey in the Dr P. J. Moriarty Novice Chase at Leopardstown Racecourse in February and was then sent to England for his first visit to the Cheltenham Festival.

On his final appearance of the season he finished fourth behind Carlingford Lough, Ballycasey and the favoured Morning Assembly in the Growise Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown on 29 April.

Don Cossack made his debut against more experienced chasers in the Grade Three Daily Star Chase at Punchestown in October and won by five and a half lengths from the ten-year-old Loosen My Load.

At Down Royal on 1 November he was matched against the Paul Nicholls-trained Wonderful Charm in the Grade Two Powers Irish Whiskey Chase over two and a half miles.

Despite some jumping errors and interference from the two riderless horses[13] he maintained his advantage and drew away after the last to win by four and a half lengths from Boston Bob, with Lord Windermere in third.

[14] Only three horses opposed Don Cossack in the Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles Racecourse in January, but they included Champagne Fever who was made favourite.

He travelled well into the race but a jumping mistake approaching the final back straight made him lose couple of lengths and position on the leading horses.

After quickly recovering and getting back into the race he was hampered at second-last fence but managed to stay on well up the hill to finish third behind Uxizandre and the mare Ma Filleule.

On 10 April, Don Cossack was made 3/1 joint-favourite with Champagne Fever for the Melling Chase at Aintree, with the other contenders including Al Ferof, Cue Card and Sire de Grugy.

Boston Bob and Cue Card were again among the opposition but his main threats seemed to be Djakadam (the 2/1 favourite) and Road To Riches who had finished second and third to Coneygree in the current season's Gold Cup.

[24][25] Two weeks later he won the Champion Chase at Down Royal in a small field which included the winner of this race in 2013 Roi Du Mee and the last year's runner-up Rocky Creek.

He led four fences from home and was totally unextended to cross the line eight lengths clear of the duelling Rocky Creek and Roi Du Mee, who were separated by a neck.

He started the 15/8 favourite but during the race had his supporters worried as he was losing positions and showing distress signals being inconvenienced by the fast pace set by the dual title holder Silviniaco Conti earlier on.

Trainer Gordon Elliott was present at the ceremony along with jockey Bryan Cooper and owner Eddie O’Leary who represented Gigginstown House Stud.