CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP

The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most prestigious jumps race of the year and always the highlight of the week at the Festival.

Its roll of honour includes household names such as Golden Miller, Arkle, Dawn Run, Desert Orchid, Best Mate and Kauto Star.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Trophy
Grade 1 | 5yo+ | Friday 15.30
3 miles 2½ furlongs | 22 fences | New Course
Weight: 11st 6lb (5yo) / 11st 10lb (6yo+) | Allowance: 7lb for mares
Prize money (2023): £614,813 | 1st: £351,991

The race is a true test of a horse’s stamina and jumping, with 22 fences to be cleared before the final, punishing climb to the line.

Indeed, just eight horses have won the Gold Cup on more than one occasion:

MULTIPLE GOLD CUP WINNERS

The Cheltenham Gold Cup will celebrate its Centenary in 2024:

CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP TRENDS

23/23 winners were previous Grade 1 winners
22/23 winners were aged between 7-9
21/23 winners had won that season
20/23 winners had competed in 12 or fewer chases
21/23 winners were priced 9/1 or less
19/23 winners were in the top 3 in the betting
19/23 winners had won or placed at the Festival before
17/23 winners had won last time out (10 of the last 12)
11/23 favourites won
Data covers every Cheltenham Gold Cup since 2000 including the 2023 renewal

Recently, lightly raced chasers have fared best - the vast majority of winners having run in 12 or less chases when lining up in the Gold Cup. 

Most winners have either won or placed at the Festival before and Coneygree (2015) is the only winner since 1996 not to have run at the Festival previously.

Surprisingly though, proven stamina isn’t so important: only four of the last 18 winners had already won beyond 3 miles ½ furlong. 

But class is everything, with every winner this century having already won a Grade 1.

Age is also a good guide: most winners are aged seven, eight, or nine, with Long Run (aged six) the only exception this century.

In fact, 10 of the last 11 Cheltenham Gold Cup winners were aged either seven or eight.

Meanwhile, seven of the last eight Cheltenham Gold Cups have now gone to Ireland.

CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP ODDS

LAST 5 WINNERS’ DATA

YEAR
AGE
OFFICIAL RATING
WEIGHT
2023
7
173
11-10
2022
8
172
11-10
2021
8
164
11-10
2020
8
175
11-10
2019
7
164
11-10

RECENT WINNERS

YEAR
WINNER
JOCKEY / TRAINER
SP
2024
-
/
/
2023
Galopin Des Champs
Paul Townend / Willie Mullins
7/5f
2022
A Plus Tard
Rachael Blackmore / Henry De Bromhead
3/1f
2021
Minella Indo
Jack Kennedy / Henry De Bromhead
9/1
2020
Al Boum Photo
Paul Townend / Willie Mullins
10/3f
2019
Al Boum Photo
Paul Townend / Willie Mullins
12/1
2018
Native River
Richard Johnson / Colin Tizzard
5/1
2017
Sizing John
Robbie Power / Jessica Harrington
7/1
2016
Don Cossack
Bryan Cooper / Gordon Elliott
9/4f
2015
Coneygree
Nico de Boinville / Mark Bradstock
7/1
2014
Lord Windermere
Davy Russell / Jim Culloty
20/1
2013
Bobs Worth
Barry Geraghty / Nicky Henderson
11/4f
2012
Synchronised
Tony McCoy / Jonjo O’Neill
8/1
2011
Long Run
Mr Sam Waley-Cohen / Nicky Henderson
7/2f
2010
Imperial Commander
Paddy Brennan / Nigel Twiston-Davies
7/1
2009
Kauto Star
Ruby Walsh / Paul Nicholls
7/4f
2008
Denman
Sam Thomas / Paul Nicholls
9/4
2007
Kauto Star
Ruby Walsh / Paul Nicholls
5/4f
2006
War Of Attrition
Conor O’Dwyer / Mouse Morris
15/2
2005
Kicking King
Barry Geraghty / Tom Taaffe
4/1f
2004
Best Mate
Jim Culloty / Henrietta Knight
8/11f
2003
Best Mate
Jim Culloty / Henrietta Knight
13/8f
2002
Best Mate
Jim Culloty / Henrietta Knight
7/1
2001

Festival Cancelled
 
2000
Looks Like Trouble
Richard Johnson / Noel Chance
9/2
Scoll down for previous Cheltenham Gold Cup winners

Galopin Des Champs 2024

Galopin Des Champs stormed to victory in 2023 to gain redemption for his final-fence fall in the Turners Novices' Chase a year earlier.

The seven-year-old quashed any doubts about his stamina by joining Bravemansgame at the last fence, before surging clear to win by an emphatic seven lengths.

It was a third Cheltenham Gold Cup success for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend, following Al Boum Photo in 2019 and 2020:

‘CHELTENHAM IS VERY IMPORTANT, BUT THE GOLD UP JUST HAS THAT LITTLE BIT MORE SPICE TO IT’

In 2022 A Plus Tard comprehensively turned the tables on his 2021 conqueror under Rachael Blackmore, who'd kept the faith.

He ran out a highly impressive 15-length winner for another 1-2 for Henry De Bromhead:

‘THIS IS THE STUFF YOU DREAM ABOUT, AND WE’RE JUST SO LUCKY TO HAVE HER - SHE IS A SAVAGE RIDER’

The 2021 Gold Cup winner was Minella Indo who finished ahead of stablemate A Plus Tard in a 1-2 for Henry de Bromhead.

Al Boum Photo achieved the rare feat of back-to-back Gold Cups in 2020.

Willie Mullins finally won the Gold Cup with Al Boum Photo in 2019, having trained the runner-up six times.

Native River and Might Bite had an almighty battle almost from start to finish in 2018.

Sizing John was the first horse to achieve the Irish Gold Cup, Cheltenham Gold Cup and Punchestown Gold Cup treble in 2017.

Cue Card was set to win a £1m bonus for winning the 'Triple Crown' of Betfair Chase, King George and Gold Cup in 2016.

However, the two-time Festival winner fell three out when going well, leaving Don Cossack to triumph for Gordon Elliott.

Coneygree was the first novice in 40 years to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2015, on only his fourth start over fences.

Lord Windermere followed up victory in the RSA Chase the year before to win in 2014.

Trained by Jim Culloty, who won the race three times as a jockey with Best Mate, he remains the longest priced Cheltenham Gold Cup winner this century at 20/1.

Bobs Worth rallied to maintain his unbeaten record at Cheltenham in 2013.

He was the first horse since Flying Bolt in the 1960's to win three different Festival races, following the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle in 2011 and the RSA Chase in 2012.

Synchronised gave AP McCoy his second Cheltenham Gold Cup victory in 2012 and the legendary jockey later reflected:

‘IT WAS PROBABLY THE BEST RIDE I’VE EVER GIVEN A HORSE. THAT WAS DEFINITELY THE ONE - THE RIDE OF MY LIFE’

Long Run 2011

Imperial Commander 2010

In 2009 Kauto Star became the first horse to regain his Cheltenham Gold Cup crown.

The most hyped Cheltenham Gold Cup took place in 2008, as reigning champion Kauto Star took on stablemate Denman.

Kauto Star 2007

War Of Attrition 2006

Kicking King won the Gold Cup in 2005 as the 4/1 favourite, but had been available at 999/1 on Betfair in the Festival build-up after being ruled out of the race with a bug.

However, he recovered quickly and the rest is history.

In 2004 Best Mate emulated Arkle's feat by winning the Gold Cup for a third time.

Best Mate 2003

Best Mate 2002

Looks Like Trouble 2000

PREVIOUS WINNERS

YEAR
WINNER
JOCKEY / TRAINER
SP
1999
See More Business
Mick Fitzgerald / Paul Nicholls
16/1
1998
Cool Dawn
Andrew Thornton / Robert Alner
25/1
1997
Mr Mulligan
Tony McCoy / Noel Chance
20/1
1996
Imperial Call
Conor O'Dwyer / Fergie Sutherland
9/2
1995
Master Oats
Norman Williamson / Kim Bailey
100/30
1994
The Fellow
Adam Kondrat / François Doumen
7/1
1993
Jodami
Mark Dwyer / Peter Beaumont
8/1
1992
Cool Ground
Adrian Maguire / Toby Balding
25/1
1991
Garrison Savannah
Mark Pitman / Jenny Pitman
16/1
1990
Norton's Coin
Graham McCourt / Sirrel Griffiths
100/1
1989
Desert Orchid
Simon Sherwood / David Elsworth
5/2
1988
Charter Party
Richard Dunwoody / David Nicholson
10/1
1987
The Thinker
Ridley Lamb / Arthur Stephenson
13/2
1986
Dawn Run
Jonjo O'Neill / Paddy Mullins
15/8f
1985
Forgive 'n Forget
Mark Dwyer / Jimmy FitzGerald
7/1
1984
Burrough Hill Lad
Phil Tuck / Jenny Pitman
7/2
1983
Bregawn
Graham Bradley / Michael Dickinson
100/30
1982
Silver Buck
Robert Earnshaw / Michael Dickinson
8/1
1981
Little Owl
Jim Wilson / Peter Easterby
6/1
1980
Master Smudge*
Richard Hoare / Arthur Barrow
14/1
1979
Alverton
Jonjo O'Neill / Peter Easterby
5/1
1978†
Midnight Court
John Francome / Fred Winter
5/2
1977
Davy Lad
Dessie Hughes / Mick O'Toole
14/1
1976
Royal Frolic
John Burke / Fred Rimell
14/1
1975
Ten Up
Tommy Carberry / Jim Dreaper
2/1
1974
Captain Christy
Bobby Beasley / Pat Taaffe
7/1
1973
The Dikler
Ron Barry / Fulke Walwyn
9/1
1972
Glencaraig Lady
Frank Berry / Francis Flood
6/1
1971
L'Escargot
Tommy Carberry / Dan Moore
7/2
1970
L'Escargot
Tommy Carberry / Dan Moore
33/1
1969
What A Myth
Paul Kelleway / Ryan Price
8/1
1968
Fort Leney
Pat Taaffe / Tom Dreaper
11/2
1967
Woodland Venture
Terry Biddlecombe / Fred Rimell
100/8
1966
Arkle
Pat Taaffe / Tom Dreaper
1/10f
1965
Arkle
Pat Taaffe / Tom Dreaper
30/100f
1964
Arkle
Pat Taaffe / Tom Dreaper
7/4
1963
Mill House
Willie Robinson / Fulke Walwyn
7/2
1962
Mandarin
Fred Winter / Fulke Walwyn
7/2
1961
Saffron Tartan
Fred Winter / Don Butchers
2/1
1960
Pas Seul
Bill Rees / Bob Turnell
6/1
1959
Roddy Owen
Bobby Beasley / Danny Morgan
5/1
1958
Kerstin
Stan Hayhurst / Verly Bewicke
7/1
1957
Linwell
Michael Scudamore / Charlie Mallon
100/9
1956
Limber Hill
Jimmy Power / Bill Dutton
11/8f
1955
Gay Donald
Tony Grantham / Jim Ford
33/1
1954
Four Ten
Tommy Cusack / John Roberts
100/6
1953
Knock Hard
Tim Molony / Vincent O'Brien
11/2
1952
Mont Tremblant
Dave Dick / Fulke Walwyn
8/1
1951†
Silver Fame
Martin Molony / George Beeby
6/4f
1950
Cottage Rake
Aubrey Brabazon / Vincent O'Brien
5/6f
1949†
Cottage Rake
Aubrey Brabazon / Vincent O'Brien
4/6f
1948
Cottage Rake
Aubrey Brabazon / Vincent O'Brien
10/1
1947†
Fortina
Richard Black / Hector Christie
8/1
1946
Prince Regent
Tim Hyde / Tom Dreaper
4/7f
1945
Red Rower
Davy Jones / Lord Stalbridge
11/4f
1944

No Race

1943

No Race

1942
Medoc II
Frenchie Nicholson / Reg Hobbs
9/2
1941
Poet Prince
Roger Burford / Ivor Anthony
7/2
1940
Roman Hackle
Evan Williams / Owen Anthony
Evensf
1939
Brendan's Cottage
George Owen / George Beeby
8/1
1938
Morse Code
Danny Morgan / Ivor Anthony
13/2
1937

No Race

1936
Golden Miller
Evan Williams / Owen Anthony
21/20f
1935
Golden Miller
Gerry Wilson / Basil Briscoe
1/2f
1934
Golden Miller
Gerry Wilson / Basil Briscoe
6/5f
1933
Golden Miller
Billy Stott / Basil Briscoe
4/7f
1932
Golden Miller
Ted Leader / Basil Briscoe
13/2
1931

No Race

1930
Easter Hero
Tommy Cullinan / Jack Anthony
8/11f
1929
Easter Hero
Dick Rees / Jack Anthony
7/4f
1928
Patron Saint
Dick Rees / Stanley Harrison
7/2
1927
Thrown In
Hugh Grosvenor / Owen Anthony
10/1
1926
Koko
Tim Hamey / Alfred Bickley
10/1
1925
Ballinode
Ted Leader / Frank Morgan
3/1
1924
Red Splash
Dick Rees / Fred Withington
5/1
All Cheltenham Gold Cup winners prior to 2000

* Tied Cottage finished first in 1980 but was subsequently disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance
† Run at April meeting

See More Business 1999

Cool Dawn 1998

Mr Mulligan 1997

Imperial Call 1996

Master Oats 1995

The Fellow 1994

Jodami 1993

Cool Ground 1992

Garrison Savannah 1991

Norton's Coin 1990

Perhaps the most memorable Cheltenham Gold Cup contest was the 1989 running, which saw an emotional success for the massively popular grey, Desert Orchid.

Charter Party 1988

The Thinker 1987

Dawn Run was another hugely popular winner in 1986, becoming the only horse to win both the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle.

Passed on the run-in by the previous year's winner Forgive 'n Forget and Wayward Lad, she rallied to snatch a famous victory:

‘AND THE MARE’S BEGINNING TO GET UP’

Forgive 'n Forget 1985

In 1984, Jenny Pitman became the first woman to train a winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Burrough Hill Lad.

Arguably the most remarkable renewal took place in 1983 when Michael Dickinson saddled the first five runners home, headed by Bregawn. 

Silver Buck 1982

CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP HISTORY

The first Cheltenham Gold Cup was run way back in 1819 when it was a flat race that took place on Cleeve Hill, which overlooks the modern racecourse.

The jumps race we know now was introduced in 1924 and first won by Red Splash, who only took part due to the late withdrawal of the favourite Alcazar.

It was less prestigious at that time than both the National Hunt Chase and County Hurdle.

Golden Miller raised its profile, winning five years in a row from 1932 to 1936 in the silks of his colourful owner, Dorothy Paget.

The race was switched to the New Course in 1959.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup trophy weighs 644 grams of nine-carat gold and is plated in 18-carat gold. It is the original trophy dating back to 1924 and remains on display at Prestbury Park, with each winning owner receiving a replica.

L'Escargot secured back-to-back Gold Cup's in 1971, having won at odds of 33/1 a year earlier.

The 'Snail' also finished fourth in 1972 and 1973 before going on to win the Grand National in 1975, beating Red Rum by 15 lengths.

Thus, he became only the second horse to win both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Grand National (after Golden Miller).

The 1964 Cheltenham Gold Cup was billed as 'the race of the century' - a showdown between Mill House and Arkle.

Only two other horses were even entered!

Mill House started as the favourite, having beaten Arkle in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Newbury 4 months prior, but Arkle won this now fabled duel by five lengths:

‘THIS IS THE CHAMPION. THIS IS THE BEST WE’VE SEEN FOR A LONG TIME’

The legendary chaser went on to complete his Gold Cup hattrick in 1966 as the 1/10 favourite:

CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP FAQ's