O’Leary Critiques Musk Over Starlink While Forecasting Cheltenham Success

The ongoing dispute between Michael O’Leary, the CEO of Ryanair, and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has taken an unexpected turn as O’Leary publicly rejected Musk’s proposal to implement Starlink internet services on Ryanair flights. O’Leary cited concerns over increased fuel consumption as a primary reason for his decision, stating that the addition of necessary equipment would significantly raise operational costs.

Speaking on Newstalk, O’Leary explained, “We’ve already had Boeing confirm we have to put an aerial antenna on top of the aircraft; now, that will cost us about a 2% fuel drag.” He emphasized the financial implications of this decision, noting that Ryanair’s annual fuel expenditure is around $5 billion. The anticipated additional costs could reach between $200 million and $250 million annually, translating to about an extra dollar for each passenger transported. O’Leary declared, “We can’t afford those costs.”

In response to O’Leary’s comments, Musk labeled him an “utter idiot” and “imbecile,” escalating the public feud. This clash has captured attention in the aviation community, though O’Leary’s focus is also shifting towards the upcoming Cheltenham Festival, where he aims to showcase the strength of his Gigginstown House Stud operation.

Walsh Backs Ballyfad Ahead of Cheltenham Festival

As the festival approaches, Ruby Walsh, a prominent figure in horse racing and a 12-time champion jockey, has expressed his endorsement of Gigginstown’s Ballyfad. Following an impressive victory in the novice hurdle at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day, where Ballyfad triumphed by nine and a half lengths over Willie Mullins’ Leader d’Allier, Walsh praised the horse’s performance. “I thought this was really impressive from Ballyfad and I loved the way he went to the line,” he remarked during an appearance on Racing TV.

Walsh highlighted the significance of Ballyfad’s win, noting that Leader d’Allier was considered a strong competitor. He added, “I liked what I saw, and I think overall this was a fairly solid performance.” As Ballyfad prepares for the festival, he is currently listed at 20/1 for the opening contest and 25/1 for the Turners Novice Hurdle, which will take place over a longer distance.

In addition, Ballyfad is entered in two key races at the Dublin Racing Festival: the Tattersalls Ireland Novice Hurdle over two miles and the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle over 2m6f. O’Leary’s confidence in his stable’s capabilities reflects his broader ambitions for the Cheltenham Festival, which remains a pinnacle event in the horse racing calendar.

As the rivalry between O’Leary and Musk continues to develop, the focus on horse racing and the Cheltenham Festival showcases a different aspect of O’Leary’s interests and ambitions. The coming weeks will reveal whether Ballyfad can deliver on the expectations set by Walsh and O’Leary, while the aviation community watches the unfolding drama between two of its most outspoken figures.