Cheltenham Gold Cup

51°55′13″N2°3′28″W / 51.92028°N 2.05778°W / 51.92028; -2.05778

Cheltenham Gold Cup

Class	Grade 1
Location	Cheltenham Racecourse Cheltenham, England
Inaugurated	1924
Race type	Steeplechase
Sponsor	Boodles
Website	Cheltenham Gold Cup
Race information
Distance	3m 2f 70y (5,294 m)
Surface	Turf
Track	Left-handed
Qualification	5-years-old and up
Weight	11 st 6 lb (5yo); 11 st 10 lb (6yo+) Allowances 7 lb for mares
Purse	£646,880 (2025) 1st: £363,999

Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase

2025
Inothewayurthinkin	Galopin Des Champs	Gentlemansgame

Previous years
2024
Galopin Des Champs	Gerri Colombe	Corach Rambler
2023
Galopin Des Champs	Bravemansgame	Conflated
2022
A Plus Tard	Minella Indo	Protektorat
2021
Minella Indo	A Plus Tard	Al Boum Photo

2020-2011
2020
Al Boum Photo	Santini	Lostintranslation
2019
Al Boum Photo	Anibale Fly	Bristol De Mai
2018
Native River	Might Bite	Anibale Fly
2017
Sizing John	Minella Rocco	Native River
2016
Don Cossack	Djakadam	Don Poli
2015
Coneygree	Djakadam	Road To Riches
2014
Lord Windermere	On His Own	The Giant Bolster
2013
Bobs Worth	Sir Des Champs	Long Run
2012
Synchronised	The Giant Bolster	Long Run
2011
Long Run	Denman	Kauto Star

2010-2001
2010
Imperial Commander	Denman	Mon Mome
2009
Kauto Star	Denman	Exotic Dancer
2008
Denman	Kauto Star	Neptune Collonges
2007
Kauto Star	Exotic Dancer	Turpin Green
2006
War of Attrition	Hedgehunter	Forget The Past
2005
Kicking King	Take The Stand	Sir Rembrandt
2004
Best Mate	Sir Rembrandt	Harbour Pilot
2003
Best Mate	Truckers Tavern	Harbour Pilot
2002
Best Mate	Commanche Court	See More Business

2000-1991
2000
Looks Like Trouble	Florida Pearl	Strong Promise
1999
See More Business	Go Ballistic	Florida Pearl
1998
Cool Dawn	Strong Promise	Dorans Pride
1997
Mr Mulligan	Barton Bank	Dorans Pride
1996
Imperial Call	Rough Quest	Couldnt Be Better
1995
Master Oats	Dubacilla	Miinnehoma
1994
The Fellow	Jodami	Young Hustler
1993
Jodami	Rushing Wild	Royal Athlete
1992
Cool Ground	The Fellow	Docklands Express
1991
Garrison Savannah	The Fellow	Desert Orchid

1990-1981
1990
Norton's Coin	Toby Tobias	Desert Orchid
1989
Desert Orchid	Yahoo	Charter Party
1988
Charter Party	Cavvies Clown	Beau Ranger
1987
The Thinker	Cybrandian	Door Latch
1986
Dawn Run	Wayward Lad	Forgive 'n Forget
1985
Forgive 'n Forget	Righthand Man	Earls Brig
1984
Burrough Hill Lad	Brown Chamberlin	Drumlargan
1983
Bregawn	Captain John	Wayward Lad
1982
Silver Buck	Bregawn	Sunset Cristo
1981
Little Owl	Night Nurse	Silver Buck

1980-1971
1980
Master Smudge	Mac Vidi	Approaching
1979
Alverton	Royal Mail	Aldaniti
1978
Midnight Court	Brown Lad	Master H
1977
Davy Lad	Tied Cottage	Summerville
1976
Royal Frolic	Brown Lad	Colebridge
1975
Ten Up	Soothsayer	Bula
1974
Captain Christy	The Dikler	Game Spirit
1973
The Dikler	Pendil	Charlie Potheen
1972
Glencaraig Lady	Royal Toss	The Dikler
1971
L'Escargot	Leap Frog	The Dikler

1970-1964
1970
L'Escargot	French Tan	Spanish Steps
1969
What a Myth	Domacorn	Playlord
1968
Fort Leney	The Laird	Stalbridge Colonist
1967
Woodland Venture	Stalbridge Colonist	What a Myth
1966
Arkle	Dormant	Snaigow
1965
Arkle	Mill House	Stoney Crossing
1964
Arkle	Mill House	Pas Seul

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt horse race run on the New Course at Cheltenham Racecourse in England, over a distance of about 3 miles 2½ furlongs (3 miles 2 furlongs and 70 yards, or 5,294 m), and during its running there are 22 fences to be jumped. The race takes place each year during the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The steeplechase, which is open to horses aged five years and over, is the most prestigious of all National Hunt events ^[1] and it is sometimes referred to as the Blue Riband of jump-racing. Its roll of honour features the names of such chasers as Arkle, Best Mate, Golden Miller, Kauto Star, Denman and Mill House. The Gold Cup is the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain, and in 2025 it offered a total prize fund of £625,000. ^[1]

History

Early years

The first horse race known as the Cheltenham Gold Cup took place in July 1819. It was a flat race, and it was contested over 3 miles on Cleeve Hill, which overlooks the present venue. The inaugural winner, Spectre, won a prize of 100 guineas for his owner Mr Bodenham.

The founding of the Cheltenham Gold Cup was an important event in the history of National Hunt racing. In the early 1920s there were very few valuable weight-for-age steeplechases. Apart from the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham and the Champion Chase at Liverpool all the most important races were handicaps. Some people thought this was not in the best interests of the sport, so the Gold Cup was founded to redress the balance to a certain degree. It is not sure who had the idea for the Gold Cup, but it may have been Mr F.H. Cathcart, the Chairman of the Cheltenham Executive. It took a while for the prestige of the Gold Cup to grow, but it is now regarded as the true championship race for staying chasers.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup was first run as a steeplechase on 12 March 1924, over 3 miles 3 furlongs, for five year olds and upwards, with five year olds carrying 11 st 4 lbs, and the remainder 12 st. The race was covered by Pathe News. ^[2] A prize of £685 was awarded to the owner of the winning horse. This was considerably less valuable than the National Hunt Chase, which was still regarded as the most important race of the meeting. The weather at Cheltenham for that first Gold Cup was mild and springlike. Among the spectators was the Prince of Wales, a friend of Harry Brown who was riding Conjuror II. There was an exciting finish, with Major E.H. Wyndham's five year old, Red Splash, 5/1, ridden by Dick Rees and trained by Fred Withington, beating Conjuror II by a head, with Gerald L a neck away third. Forewarned, ridden by Jack Anthony, was the 3/1 favourite. Red Splash appeared to have a great future, but he was difficult to train and never again ran in the Gold Cup. ^[3]

The event originally took place on what is now the "Old Course" at Cheltenham. In its early years it was overshadowed at the Festival by another race, the National Hunt Chase and was worth less in prize money than the County Handicap Hurdle which had a purse of £1,000. ^[4]

The Gold Cup was abandoned in 1931 (because of frost) and 1937 (flooding), but the five intervening years saw the emergence of the most successful horse in the event's history. All five races from 1932 to 1936 were won by Golden Miller, who also won the Grand National in 1934.

During World War II, the Gold Cup was cancelled twice, in 1943 and 1944. The first multiple winner in the post-war era was Cottage Rake, who won the three runnings from 1948 to 1950. Cottage Rake was trained in Ireland by Vincent O'Brien, and his successes helped to popularise the Gold Cup, and the Festival itself, with the Irish public.

Modern era

The Gold Cup was switched to the "New Course" in 1959, and this remains the regular track used for the event. In the mid-1960s, the race was dominated by Arkle, who won three consecutive runnings from 1964 to 1966. Such was Arkle's perceived superiority before the last of these victories that he was given a starting price of 1/10 (a £10 bet would have won £1). He remains the shortest-priced winner in the race's history.

Cheltenham Gold Cup with Graham Bradley

The first commercial sponsorship of the race was by Piper Champagne, which began supporting the event in 1972. The Tote (now known as Totesport) became the sponsor in 1980.

The most remarkable feat in the Gold Cup by a trainer came in 1983, when Michael Dickinson was responsible for all of the first five horses to finish – Bregawn, Captain John, Wayward Lad, Silver Buck and Ashley House. The 1986 winner, Dawn Run, is the only horse to have ever won both this race and the leading hurdle event, the Champion Hurdle. One of the most popular horses to win the Gold Cup was Desert Orchid, a grey who won the event in 1989. The following year's running was won by Norton's Coin, whose starting price of 100/1 represents the race's longest ever winning price.

The entire Cheltenham Festival was cancelled in 2001 because of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. A replacement for the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Gold Trophy Chase, was contested at Sandown in late April, but the Racing Post stated that this "lacked any strength in depth and was no substitute for the Gold Cup". ^[6] The next three runnings were all won by Best Mate, who is the most recent of the four horses to have won the race three or more times.

In 2009, Kauto Star became the first horse to regain the Gold Cup. He overcame his stablemate and conqueror in 2008, Denman, who had recovered from a heart condition to take his place in the race. ^[7] Timeform spokesperson Kieran Packman said of Kauto Star's performance, "it is the best Gold Cup-winning figure since the Arkle era in the mid-1960s". ^[8]

One of the cups, a different one being awarded each year, was reported stolen on 14 July 2010 after a burglary at a home in Wormington, Gloucestershire. ^[9]

Cheltenham Racecourse announced in September 2018 that it had been reunited with the original Cheltenham Gold Cup trophy, dating back to 1924, and will present it to the winner of the 2019 race. First awarded to five-year-old Red Splash, owned by Major Humphrey Wyndham, trained by Fred Withington and ridden by Dick Rees, it will now be re-introduced as a perpetual trophy, presented to the winning connections of the 2019 race and in future years. ^[10]

In 2020 the Cheltenham Festival, and the Gold Cup in particular, was blamed for accelerating the spread of Covid-19 in the UK, being one of the last major sporting events to take place before national lockdowns were imposed by the government. In 2021 the Gold Cup was contested behind closed doors, as the rest of the festival was, resulting in a muted atmosphere. In 2022 Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to ride to victory at the Gold Cup on A Plus Tard, who she had ridden to second place the previous year. ^[11]

Records

Most successful horse (5 wins):

• Golden Miller – 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936

Leading jockey (4 wins):

• Pat Taaffe – Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966), Fort Leney (1968)
• Paul Townend - Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020), Galopin Des Champs (2023, 2024)

Leading trainer (5 wins):

• Tom Dreaper – Prince Regent (1946), Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966), Fort Leney (1968)

Leading owner (7 wins):

• Dorothy Paget – Golden Miller (1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936), Roman Hackle (1940), Mont Tremblant (1952)

Multiple wins on 2 or more horses

Trainer: Willie Mullins, Jockey: Paul Townend 2019, 2020 Al Boum Photo, 2023, 2024 Galopin Des Champs.

Winners

• Amateur jockeys indicated by "Mr".
• Winning mares indicated by †
• Winning trainers based in Great Britain unless indicated (IRE) = Ireland, (FRA) = France

Date	Winner	SP	Age	Jockey	Trainer	Owner	Field	2nd and 3rd	Time	Ref.
12-03-1924 1924, 12 March	Red Splash	1005 5/1	5	Dick Rees	Fred Withington	Maj. Humphrey Wyndham	9	2nd. (hd) Conjuror II 7/1 3rd. (nk) Gerald L. 5/1	Not taken	[12]
11-03-1925 1925, 11 March	Ballinode†	1003 3/1	9	Ted Leader	Frank Morgan (IRE)	Christopher Bentley	4	2nd. (5 L) Alcazar 8/13F 3rd. (dst) Patsey 10/1	729607:29.6	[13]
9-03-19261926, 9 March	Koko	1010 10/1	8	Tim Hamey	Alfred Bickley	Frank Barbour	8	2nd. (4 L) Old Tay Bridge 3/1 3rd. (5 L) Ruddyglow 6/5F	711007:11.0	[14]
8-03-19271927, 8 March	Thrown In	1010 10/1	11	Mr Hugh Grosvenor	Owen Anthony	2nd Lord Stalbridge	8	2nd. (2 L) Grakle 5/1 3rd. (1+1⁄2) Silvo 13/8F	728007:28.0	[15]
13-03-19281928, 13 March	Patron Saint	1003.5 7/2	5	Dick Rees	Stanley Harrison	F. W. Keen	7	2nd. (4 L) Vive 8/1 3rd. (2 L) Koko 4/5F	729607:29.6	[16]
12-03-19291929, 12 March	Easter Hero	1001.75 7/4F	9	Dick Rees	Jack Anthony	John Hay Whitney	10	2nd. (20 L) Lloydie 100/9 3rd. (2 L) Grakle 11/4	657006:57.0	[17]
11-03-19301930, 11 March	Easter Hero	1000.7272727273 8/11F	10	Tommy Cullinan	Jack Anthony	John Hay Whitney	4	2nd. (20 L) Grakle 10/1 3rd. (dist) Gib 13/8	706007:06.0	[18]
01-01-1931No race 1931 [1]
1-03-19321932, 1 March	Golden Miller	1006.5 13/2	5	Ted Leader	Basil Briscoe	Dorothy Paget	6	2nd. (4 L) Inverse 8/1 3rd. (dist) Aruntius 20/1	733407:33.4	[19]
7-03-19331933, 7 March	Golden Miller	1000.5714285714 4/7F	6	Billy Stott	Basil Briscoe	Dorothy Paget	7	2nd. (10 L) Thomond II 11/4 3rd. (5 L) Delaneige 20/1	733007:33.0	[20]
6-03-19341934, 6 March	Golden Miller	1001.2 6/5F	7	Gerry Wilson	Basil Briscoe	Dorothy Paget	7	2nd. (6 L) Avenger 6/1 3rd. (6 L) Kellsboro 10/1	704607:04.6	[21]
14-03-19351935, 14 March	Golden Miller	1000.5 1/2F	8	Gerry Wilson	Basil Briscoe	Dorothy Paget	5	2nd. (3⁄4 L) Thomond II 5/2 3rd. (5 L) Kellsboro' Jack 100/7	630006:30.0	[22]
12-03-19361936, 12 March	Golden Miller	1001.05 21/20F	9	Evan Williams	Owen Anthony	Dorothy Paget	6	2nd. (12 L) Royal Mail 5/1 3rd. (2 L) Kellsboro' Jack 10/1	705207:05.2	[23]
01-01-1937No race 1937 [1]
10-03-19381938, 10 March	Morse Code	1006.5 13/2	9	Danny Morgan	Ivor Anthony	Dealtry C. Part	6	2nd. (2 L) Golden Miller 7/4F 3rd. (3 L) Macaulay 3/1	635206:35.2	[24]
9-03-19391939, 9 March	Brendan's Cottage	1008 8/1	9	George Owen	George Beeby	Jean Smith-Bingham	5	2nd. (5 L) Morse Code 4/7F 3rd. (dist) Embarrassed 25/1	734207:34.2	[25]
20-03-19401940, 20 March	Roman Hackle	1001 EvensF	7	Evan Williams	Owen Anthony	Dorothy Paget	7	2nd. (10 L) Black Hawk 20/1 3rd. (2 L) Royal Mail 100/8	646406:46.4	[26]
20-03-19411941, 20 March	Poet Prince	1003.5 7/2	9	Roger Burford	Ivor Anthony	David Sherbrooke	10	2nd. (3 L) Savon 100/30 3rd. (sh) Red Rower 8/1	615606:15.6	[27]
21-03-19421942, 21 March	Medoc II	1004.5 9/2	8	Frenchie Nicholson	Reg Hobbs	7th Earl of Sefton	12	2nd. (3 L) Red Rower 3/1F 3rd. (sh) Asterabad 20/1	638006:38.0	[28]
01-01-1943Races not held in 1943–44 due to World War II [2]
17-03-19451945, 17 March	Red Rower	1002.75 11/4F	11	Davy Jones	2nd Lord Stalbridge	2nd Lord Stalbridge	16	2nd. (3 L) Schubert 11/2 3rd. (1+1⁄2 L) Paladin 100/30	616206:16.2	[29]
14-03-19461946, 14 March	Prince Regent	1000.5714285714 4/7F	11	Tim Hyde	Tom Dreaper (IRE)	Jimmy Rank	6	2nd. (5 L) Poor Flame 5/1 3rd. (4 L) Red 9/2 April	647606:47.6	[30]
12-04-19471947, 12 April	Fortina	1008 8/1	6	Mr Richard Black	Hector Christie	3rd Baron Grimthorpe	12	2nd. (10 L) Happy Home 3/1 3rd. (5 L) Prince Blackthorn 8/1	641206:41.2	[31]
4-03-19481948, 4 March	Cottage Rake	1010 10/1	9	Aubrey Brabazon	Vincent O'Brien (IRE)	Frank Vickerman	12	2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Happy Home 6/1 3rd. (10 L) Coloured School Boy 10/1	656406:56.4	[32]
11-04-19491949, 11 April	Cottage Rake	1000.6666666667 4/6F	10	Aubrey Brabazon	Vincent O'Brien (IRE)	Frank Vickerman	6	2nd. (2 L) Cool Customer 13/2 3rd. (6 L) Coloured School Boy 8/1	636006:36.0	[33]
9-03-19501950, 9 March	Cottage Rake	1000.8333333333 5/6F	11	Aubrey Brabazon	Vincent O'Brien (IRE)	Frank L. Vickerman	6	2nd. (10 L) Finnure 5/4 3rd. (8 L) Garde Toi 100/1	700607:00.6	[34]
25-04-19511951, 25 April	Silver Fame	1001.5 6/4F	12	Martin Molony	George Beeby	1st Baron Bicester	6	2nd. (shd) Greenogue 100/8 3rd. (2 L) Mighty Fine 10/1	623406:23.4	[35]
6-03-19521952, 6 March	Mont Tremblant	1008 8/1	6	Dave Dick	Fulke Walwyn	Dorothy Paget	13	2nd. (10 L) Shaef 7/1 3rd. (4 L) Galloway Braes 66/1	702307:02.3	[36]
5-03-19531953, 5 March	Knock Hard	1005.5 11/2	9	Tim Molony	Vincent O'Brien (IRE)	Moya Keogh	12	2nd. (5 L) Halloween 5/2F 3rd. (2 L) Galloway Braes 33/1	628406:28.4	[37]
1954	Four Ten	1016.6666666667 100/6	8	Tommy Cusack	John Roberts	Alan Strange	9	2nd. (4 L) Mariner's Log 20/1 3rd. (4 L) Halloween 100/6	712207:12.20	[38]
1955	Gay Donald	1033 33/1	9	Tony Grantham	Jim Ford	Philip Burt	9	2nd. (10 L) Halloween 7/2 3rd. (8 L) Four Ten 3/1F	659206:59.20	[38]
1956	Limber Hill	1001.375 11/8F	9	Jimmy Power	Bill Dutton	James Davey	11	2nd. (4 L) Vigor 50/1 3rd. (1+1⁄2 L) Halloween 100/8	642006:42.00	[38]
1957	Linwell	1011.1111111111 100/9	9	Michael Scudamore	Charlie Mallon [3]	David Brown	13	2nd. (1 L) Kerstin† 6/1 3rd. (5 L) Rose Park 100/8	655606:55.6	[38]
1958	Kerstin†	1007 7/1	8	Stan Hayhurst	Verly Bewicke	George H. Moore	9	2nd. (1⁄2 L) Polar Flight 11/2 3rd. (dist) Gay Donald 13/2	655606:55.6	[38]
1959	Roddy Owen	1005 5/1	10	Bobby Beasley	Danny Morgan (IRE)	12th Earl of Fingall	11	2nd. (3 L) Linwell 11/2 3rd. (10 L) Lochroe 100/9	728407:28.4	[38]
1960	Pas Seul	1006 6/1	7	Bill Rees	Bob Turnell	John Rogerson	11	2nd. (1 L) Lochroe 12/1 3rd. (5 L) Zonda 9/1	700007:00.0	[38]
1961	Saffron Tartan	1002 2/1	10	Fred Winter	Don Butchers	Guy Westmacott	9	2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Pas Seul 100/30 3rd. (3 L) Mandarin 100/7	649806:49.8	[38]
1962	Mandarin	1003.5 7/2	11	Fred Winter	Fulke Walwyn	Peggy Hennessy	10	2nd. (1 L) Fortria 3/1 3rd. (10 L) Cocky Consort 50/1	639406:39.4	[38]
1963	Mill House	1003.5 7/2	6	Willie Robinson	Fulke Walwyn	Bill Gollings	12	2nd. (12 L) Fortria 4/1 3rd. (4 L) Duke of York 7/1	708407:08.4	[38]
1964	Arkle	1001.75 7/4	7	Pat Taaffe	Tom Dreaper (IRE)	Duchess of Westminster	4	2nd. (5 L) Mill House 8/13F 3rd. (25 L) Pas Seul 50/1	645606:45.6	[38]
1965	Arkle	1000.3 30/100F	8	Pat Taaffe	Tom Dreaper (IRE)	Duchess of Westminster	4	2nd. (20 L) Mill House 100/30 3rd. (30 L) Stoney Crossing 100/1	645606:41.2	[38]
1966	Arkle	1000.1 1/10F	9	Pat Taaffe	Tom Dreaper (IRE)	Duchess of Westminster	5	2nd. (30 L) Dormant 20/1 3rd. (10 L) Snaigow 100/7	654206:54.2	[38]
1967	Woodland Venture	1012.5 100/8	7	Terry Biddlecombe	Fred Rimell	Harry Collins	8	2nd. (3⁄4 L) Stalbridge Colonist 11/2 3rd. (2 L) What A Myth 3/1	659206:59.2	[38]
1968	Fort Leney	1005.5 11/2	10	Pat Taaffe	Tom Dreaper (IRE)	John Thomson	5	2nd. (neck) The Laird 3/1 3rd. (1 L) Stalbridge Colonist 7/2	651006:51.0	[38]
1969	What A Myth	1008 8/1	12	Paul Kelleway	Ryan Price	Lady Lucy Weir	11	2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Domacorn 7/2 3rd. (20 L) Playlord 4/1	730087:30.8	[38]
1970	L'Escargot	1033 33/1	7	Tommy Carberry	Dan Moore (IRE)	Raymond R. Guest	12	2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) French Tan 8/1 3rd. (10 L) Spanish Steps 9/4	647406:47.4	[38]
1971	L'Escargot	1003.5 7/2	8	Tommy Carberry	Dan Moore (IRE)	Raymond R. Guest	8	2nd. (10 L) Leap Frog 7/2 3rd. (15 L) The Dikler 15/2	800608:00.6	[38]
1972	Glencaraig Lady†	1006 6/1	8	Frank Berry	Francis Flood (IRE)	Patrick Doyle	12	2nd. (3⁄4 L) Royal Toss 22/1 3rd. (head) The Dikler 11/1	717807:17.8	[38]
1973	The Dikler	1009 9/1	10	Ron Barry	Fulke Walwyn	Peggy August	12	2nd. (shd) Pendil 4/6F 3rd. (6 L) Charlie Potheen 9/2	637206:37.2	[38]
1974	Captain Christy	1007 7/1	7	Bobby Beasley	Pat Taaffe (IRE)	Jane Samuel	7	2nd. (5 L) The Dikler 5/1 3rd. (20 L) Game Spirit 20/1	705507:05.5	[38]
1975	Ten Up	1002 2/1	8	Tommy Carberry	Jim Dreaper (IRE)	Duchess of Westminster	8	2nd. (6 L) Soothsayer 28/1 3rd. (1+1⁄2 L) Bula 5/1	751407:51.4	[38]
1976	Royal Frolic	1014 14/1	7	John Burke	Fred Rimell	Sir Edward Hanmer	11	2nd. (5 L) Brown Lad 13/8F 3rd. (5 L) Colebridge 12/1	640106:40.1	[38]
1977	Davy Lad	1014 14/1	7	Dessie Hughes	Mick O'Toole (IRE)	Anne-Marie McGowan	13	2nd. (6 L) Tied Cottage 20/1 3rd. (20 L) Summerville 15/1	713807:13.8	[38]
1978	Midnight Court	1002.5 5/2	7	John Francome	Fred Winter	Olive Jackson	10	2nd. (7 L) Brown Lad 8/1 3rd. (1 L) Master H 18/1	657306:57.3	[38]
1979	Alverton	1005 5/1	9	Jonjo O'Neill	Peter Easterby	Snailwell Stud Co.	14	2nd. (25 L) Royal Mail 7/1 3rd. (20 L) Aldaniti 40/1	701007:01.0	[38]
1980	Master Smudge [4]	1014 14/1	8	Richard Hoare	Arthur Barrow	Arthur Barrow	14	2nd. (5 L) Mac Vidi 66/1 3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) Approaching 11/1	714207:14.2	[38]
1981	Little Owl	1006 6/1	7	Mr Jim Wilson	Peter Easterby	Robin & Jim Wilson	15	2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Night Nurse 6/1 3rd. (10 L) Silver Buck 7/2	709907:09.9	[38]
1982	Silver Buck	1008 8/1	10	Robert Earnshaw	Michael Dickinson	Christine Feather	22	2nd. (2 L) Bregawn 18/1 3rd. (12 L) Sunset Cristo 50/1	711307:11.3	[38]
1983	Bregawn	1003.3333333333 100/30	9	Graham Bradley	Michael W. Dickinson	James Kennelly	11	2nd. (5 L) Captain John 11/1 3rd. (1+1⁄2 L) Wayward Lad 6/1	657606:57.6	[38]
1984	Burrough Hill Lad	1003.5 7/2	8	Phil Tuck	Jenny Pitman	Stan Riley	12	2nd. (3 L) Brown Chamberlin 5/1 3rd. (8 L) Drumlargan 16/1	641406:41.4	[38]
1985	Forgive 'n Forget	1007 7/1	8	Mark Dwyer	Jimmy FitzGerald	Tim Kilroe & Sons Ltd	15	2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Righthand Man 15/2 3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) Earls Brig 13/2	648306:48.3	[38]
1986	Dawn Run†	1001.875 15/8f	8	Jonjo O'Neill	Paddy Mullins (IRE)	Charmian Hill	11	2nd. (1 L) Wayward Lad 8/1 3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) Forgive 'n Forget 7/2	635006:35.0	[38]
1987	The Thinker	1006.5 13/2	9	Ridley Lamb	Arthur Stephenson	Tom McDonagh	12	2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Cybrandian 25/1 3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) Door Latch 9/1	656106:56.1	[38]
1988	Charter Party	1010 10/1	10	Richard Dunwoody	David Nicholson	Smith / Mould	15	2nd. (6 L) Cavvies Clown 6/1 3rd. (10 L) Beau Ranger 33/1	658906:58.9	[38]
1989	Desert Orchid	1002.5 5/2	10	Simon Sherwood	David Elsworth	Richard Burridge	13	2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Yahoo 25/1 3rd. (8 L) Charter Party 14/1	717607:17.6	[38]
1990	Norton's Coin	1100 100/1	9	Graham McCourt	Sirrel Griffiths	Sirrel Griffiths	12	2nd. (3⁄4 L) Toby Tobias 8/1 3rd. (4 L) Desert Orchid 10/11f	630906:30.9	[38]
1991	Garrison Savannah	1016 16/1	8	Mark Pitman	Jenny Pitman	Autofour Engineering	14	2nd. (shd) The Fellow 28/1 3rd. (15 L) Desert Orchid 4/1	649806:49.8	[38]
1992	Cool Ground	1025 25/1	10	Adrian Maguire	Toby Balding	Whitcombe Manor Racing	8	2nd. (shd) The Fellow 7/2 3rd. (1 L) Docklands Express 16/1	647506:47.5	[38]
1993	Jodami	1008 8/1	8	Mark Dwyer	Peter Beaumont	John Yeadon	16	2nd. (2 L) Rushing Wild 11/1 3rd. (7 L) Royal Athlete 66/1	634406:34.4	[38]
1994	The Fellow	1007 7/1	9	Adam Kondrat	François Doumen (FRA)	Marquesa de Moratalla	15	2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Jodami 6/4F 3rd. (4 L) Young Hustler 20/1	640706:40.7	[38]
1995	Master Oats	1003.3333333333 100/30	9	Norman Williamson	Kim Bailey	Paul Matthews	15	2nd. (15 L) Dubacilla 20/1 3rd. (15 L) Miinnehoma 9/1	655906:55.9	[38]
1996	Imperial Call	1004.5 9/2	7	Conor O'Dwyer	Fergie Sutherland (IRE)	Lisselan Farms Ltd	10	2nd. (4 L) Rough Quest 12/1 3rd. (19 L) Couldn't Be Better 11/1	642306:42.3	[38]
1997	Mr Mulligan	1020 20/1	9	Tony McCoy	Noel Chance	M. & G. Worcester	14	2nd. (9 L) Barton Bank 33/1 3rd. (1⁄2 L) Dorans Pride 10/1	635506:35.5	[38]
1998	Cool Dawn	1025 25/1	10	Andrew Thornton	Robert Alner	Dido Harding	17	2nd. (1+3⁄4 L) Strong Promise 14/1 3rd. (hd) Dorans Pride 9/4	639706:39.7	[38]
1999	See More Business	1016 16/1	9	Mick Fitzgerald	Paul Nicholls	Paul Barber / Keighley	12	2nd. (1 L) Go Ballistic 66/1 3rd. (17 L) Florida Pearl 5/2F	641906:41.9	[38]
2000	Looks Like Trouble	1004.5 9/2	8	Richard Johnson	Noel Chance	Tim Collins	12	2nd. (5 L) Florida Pearl 9/2 3rd. (nck) Strong Promise 20/1	630306:30.3	[38]
01-01-2001No race 2001 [5]
2002	Best Mate	1007 7/1	7	Jim Culloty	Henrietta Knight	Jim Lewis	18	2nd. (1+3⁄4 L) Commanche Court 25/1 3rd. (8 L) See More Business 40/1	650106:50.10	[39]
2003	Best Mate	1001.625 13/8F	8	Jim Culloty	Henrietta Knight	Jim Lewis	15	2nd. (10 L) Truckers Tavern 33/1 3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) Harbour Pilot 40/1	639006:39.10	[40]
2004	Best Mate	1000.7272727273 8/11F	9	Jim Culloty	Henrietta Knight	Jim Lewis	10	2nd. (1⁄2 L) Sir Rembrandt 33/1 3rd. (1+1⁄4 L) Harbour Pilot 20/1	642606:42.60	[41]
2005	Kicking King	1004 4/1F	7	Barry Geraghty	Tom Taaffe (IRE)	Conor Clarkson	15	2nd. (5 L) Take The Stand 25/1 3rd. (8 L) Sir Rembrandt 12/1	642906:42.90	[42]
2006	War of Attrition	1007.5 15/2	7	Conor O'Dwyer	Mouse Morris (IRE)	Gigginstown House Stud	22	2nd. (2+1⁄2 L) Hedgehunter 16/1 3rd. (7 L) Forget The Past 9/1	631706:31.70	[43]
2007	Kauto Star	1001.25 5/4F	7	Ruby Walsh	Paul Nicholls	Clive D. Smith	15	2nd. (2+1⁄2 L) Exotic Dancer 9/2 3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) Turpin Green 40/1	640466:40.46	[44]
2008	Denman	1002.25 9/4	8	Sam Thomas	Paul Nicholls	Paul Barber / Findlay	12	2nd. (7 L) Kauto Star 10/11f 3rd. (shd) Neptune Collonges 25/1	647846:47.84	[45]
2009	Kauto Star	1001.75 7/4F	9	Ruby Walsh	Paul Nicholls	Clive D. Smith	16	2nd. (13 L) Denman 7/1 3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) Exotic Dancer 8/1	644956:44.95	[46]
2010	Imperial Commander	1007 7/1	9	Paddy Brennan	Nigel Twiston-Davies	Our Friends in the North	11	2nd. (7 L) Denman 4/1 3rd. (23 L) Mon Mome 50/1	643906:43.90	[47]
2011	Long Run	1003.5 7/2F	6	Mr Sam Waley-Cohen	Nicky Henderson	Robert Waley-Cohen	13	2nd. (7 L) Denman 8/1 3rd. (4 L) Kauto Star 5/1	629706:29.70	[48]
2012	Synchronised	1008 8/1	9	Tony McCoy	Jonjo O'Neill	J. P. McManus	14	2nd. (2+1⁄4 L) The Giant Bolster 50/1 3rd. (3⁄4 L) Long Run 7/4f	636196:36.19	[49]
2013	Bobs Worth	1002.75 11/4F	8	Barry Geraghty	Nicky Henderson	The Not Afraid Partnership	9	2nd. (7 L) Sir Des Champs 4/1 3rd. (2+3⁄4 L) Long Run 7/2	705067:05.06	[50]
2014	Lord Windermere	1020 20/1	8	Davy Russell	Jim Culloty (IRE)	Dr. Ronan Lambe	13	2nd. (shd) On His Own 16/1 3rd. (3⁄4 L) The Giant Bolster 14/1	643886:43.88	[51]
2015	Coneygree	1007 7/1	8	Nico de Boinville	Mark Bradstock	The Max Partnership	16	2nd. (1+1⁄2 L) Djakadam 10/1 3rd. (2 L) Road To Riches 8/1	642506:42.50	[52]
2016	Don Cossack	1002.25 9/4F	9	Bryan Cooper	Gordon Elliott (IRE)	Gigginstown House Stud	9	2nd. (4+1⁄2 L) Djakadam 9/2 3rd. (10 L) Don Poli 9/2	635006:35.00	[53]
2017	Sizing John	1007 7/1	7	Robbie Power	Jessica Harrington (IRE)	Ann & Alan Potts	13	2nd. (2+3⁄4 L) Minella Rocco 18/1 3rd. (shd) Native River 7/2	636106:36.10
2018	Native River	1005 5/1	8	Richard Johnson	Colin Tizzard	Brocade Racing	15	2nd. (4+1⁄2 L) Might Bite 4/1F 3rd. (4 L) Anibale Fly 33/1	702607:02.60
2019	Al Boum Photo	1012 12/1	7	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins (IRE)	Mrs J Donnelly	16	2nd. (2+1⁄2 L) Anibale Fly 22/1 3rd. (3+3⁄4 L) Bristol de Mai 18/1	639066:39.06
2020	Al Boum Photo	1003.3333333333 100/30F	8	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins (IRE)	Mrs J Donnelly	12	2nd. (nk) Santini 5/1 3rd. (1+1⁄4 L) Lostintranslation 10/1	650386:50.38
2021	Minella Indo	1009 9/1	8	Jack Kennedy	Henry De Bromhead (IRE)	Barry Maloney	12	2nd. (1+1⁄4 L) A Plus Tard 100/30 3rd. (4+1⁄4 L) Al Boum Photo 9/4F	635456:45.35
2022	A Plus Tard	1003 3/1F	8	Rachael Blackmore	Henry De Bromhead (IRE)	Cheveley Park Stud	11	2nd. (15+0⁄0 L) Minella Indo 6/1 3rd. (2+1⁄2 L) Protektorat 11/1	6:41.75
2023	Galopin Des Champs	1001.4 7/5F	7	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins (IRE)	Mrs Audrey Turley	13	2nd. (7 L) Bravemansgame 6/1 3rd. (6+1⁄2 L) Conflated 22/1	6:45.46
2024	Galopin Des Champs	1000.9090909091 10/11F	8	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins (IRE)	Mrs Audrey Turley	13	2nd. (3+1⁄2 L) Gerri Colombe 13/2 3rd. (9 L) Corach Rambler 14/1	7:05.14
2025	Inothewayurthinkin	1007.5 15/2	7	Mark Walsh	Gavin Cromwell (IRE)	J. P. McManus	9
2026	Gaelic Warrior	1002.75 11/4	8	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins (IRE)	Rich Ricci	10

¹ The race was abandoned in 1931 because of frost, and in 1937 because of flooding.
² It was cancelled in 1943 and 1944 because of World War II.
³ The 1957 winner, Linwell, was trained by Ivor Herbert, a well-known racing journalist and so barred from holding a trainer's licence. ^[38]
4 Tied Cottage finished first in 1980, but was subsequently disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance.
⁵ The 2001 running was cancelled due to a foot-and-mouth outbreak. A substitute race at Sandown was won by Marlborough.

Race sponsors

Betfred began sponsoring the Gold Cup in 2012, ^[54] after the betting company bought the Government-owned Tote in June 2011, ^[55] but in late 2015 they lost their sponsorship following Jockey Club's and Arena Racing new initiative to not allow bookmaker sponsorships on their tracks that do not offer any contribution to horse racing from their offshore business. ^[56] Only two weeks later a new sponsorship deal was announced with Timico, an independent internet service provider whose CEO Tim Radford is a horse owner having top chasers like Somersby and Racing Demon associated with his name. ^[57] Timico also offered an increase of £25,000 to reach a total of £575,000 prize money for the 2016 Gold Cup renewal. It was the first time that the race had been sponsored by a non-bookmaker since the Tote took over from Piper Champagne in 1980. ^{[58] [59]} In July 2018 Cheltenham Racecourse announced Magners Irish Cider as the new Cheltenham Gold Cup sponsor until 2021 with a possible extension to 2022. ^[60] Magners ended their sponsorship early, after the 2020 race, and the 2021 race carried the name of the charity WellChild. ^[61] On 24 January 2022 it was announced luxury jeweller Boodles would sponsor the Cheltenham Gold Cup from 2022. ^{[62] [63]}

The Cheltenham Gold Cup has had the following sponsors:

• No sponsor before 1972
• Piper Champagne Cheltenham Gold Cup (1972 – 1979)
• Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup (1980 – 2003)
• totesport Cheltenham Gold Cup (2004 – 2011)
• Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup (2012 – 2015)
• Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup (2016 – 2018) ^[57]
• Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup (2019–2020)
• WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup (2021)
• Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup (2022-

See also

• Horseracing in Great Britain
• List of British National Hunt races
• Cheltenham Festival

References

1. "Gold Cup". Racing Post. 14 March 2025. Archived from the original on 14 March 2025.
2. "Pathe News film of 1924 race" . Retrieved 15 March 2013.
3. Mortimer, Roger (1966). The History of Steeplechasing Part III. London: Michael Joseph Ltd. pp. 147–148.
4. "County Hurdle goes to Hednesford". Daily Mail. 12 March 1924. Retrieved 13 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
5. "CityAM - Cheltenham".
6. "Tote Gold Trophy Chase (2001)". Racing Post. 27 April 2001. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
7. "Historic Gold Cup win for Kauto". BBC. 13 March 2009. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
8. Wood, Greg (15 March 2009). "Kauto still not as good as Dessie, despite second Cup". The Guardian. London. Retrieved 18 March 2009.
9. "Cheltenham Gold Cup Stolen From House". Sky News. 14 July 2010. Retrieved 14 July 2010.
10. "Cheltenham Racecourse reunited with original Gold Cup trophy". BBC Sport. 28 September 2018.
11. Wood, Greg (18 March 2022). "Rachael Blackmore celebrates historic Gold Cup win on A Plus Tard". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 September 2022.
12. "A head victory for Red Splash". Western Morning News. 13 March 1924. Retrieved 14 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
13. "1925 Gold Cup". Derby Daily Telegraph. 11 March 1925. Retrieved 15 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
14. "1926 Gold Cup". Gloucester Citizen. 9 March 1926. Retrieved 15 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
15. "1927 Gold Cup". Dundee Courier. 9 March 1927. Retrieved 15 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
16. "1928 Gold Cup". Dundee Evening Telegraph. 13 March 1928. Retrieved 15 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
17. "1929 Gold Cup". Sheffield Independent. 13 March 1929. Retrieved 15 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
18. "1930 Gold Cup". Dundee Courier. 12 March 1930. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
19. "1932 Gold Cup". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 2 March 1932. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
20. "1933 Gold Cup". Western Morning News. 8 March 1933. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
21. "1934 Gold Cup". Western Morning News. 7 March 1934. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
22. "1935 Gold Cup". Lancashire Evening Post. 14 March 1935. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
23. "1936 Gold Cup". Western Morning News. 13 March 1936. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
24. "1938 Gold Cup". Dundee Evening Telegraph. 10 March 1938. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
25. "1939 Gold Cup". Gloucester Citizen. 9 March 1939. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
26. "1940 Gold Cup". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 21 March 1940. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
27. "1941 Gold Cup". Nottingham Evening Post. 20 March 1941. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
28. "1942 Gold Cup". Derby Daily Telegraph. 21 March 1942. Retrieved 22 November 2015.(Subscription required.)
29. "1945 Gold Cup". Derby Daily Telegraph. 17 March 1945. Retrieved 1 December 2015.(Subscription required.)
30. "1946 Gold Cup". Nottingham Evening Post. 14 March 1946. Retrieved 1 December 2015.(Subscription required.)
31. "1947 Gold Cup". Gloucestershire Echo. 12 April 1947. Retrieved 3 December 2015.(Subscription required.)
32. "1948 Gold Cup". Derby Daily Telegraph. 4 March 1948. Retrieved 3 December 2015.(Subscription required.)
33. "1949 Gold Cup". Gloucestershire Echo. 11 April 1949. Retrieved 3 December 2015.(Subscription required.)
34. "1950 Gold Cup". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 10 March 1950. Retrieved 4 December 2015.(Subscription required.)
35. "1951 Gold Cup". Hartlepool Northern Daily Mail. 25 April 1951. Retrieved 4 December 2015.(Subscription required.)
36. "1952 Gold Cup". Yorkshire Post and Leeds Intelligencer. 7 March 1952. Retrieved 4 December 2015.(Subscription required.)
37. "1953 Gold Cup". Portsmouth Evening News. 5 March 1953. Retrieved 4 December 2015.(Subscription required.)
38. Harman, Bob (2000). The Ultimate Dream: The History of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Mainstream Publishing. ISBN   1-84018-381-0.
39. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2002". Racing Post. 14 March 2002.
40. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2003". Racing Post. 13 March 2003.
41. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2004". Racing Post. 18 March 2004.
42. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2005". Racing Post. 18 March 2005.
43. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2006". Racing Post. 17 March 2006.
44. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2007". Racing Post. 16 March 2007.
45. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2008". Racing Post. 14 March 2008.
46. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2009". Racing Post. 13 March 2009.
47. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2010". Racing Post. 19 March 2010.
48. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2011". Racing Post. 18 March 2011.
49. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2012". Racing Post. 16 March 2012.
50. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2013". Racing Post. 15 March 2013.
51. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2014". Racing Post. 14 March 2014.
52. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2015". Racing Post. 13 March 2015.
53. "Cheltenham Gold Cup result 2016". Racing Post. 18 March 2016.
54. "Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup" . Retrieved 9 December 2012.
55. "The Tote sold to Betfred for £265M". 3 June 2011.
56. Lewis Porteous (22 November 2015). "Gold Cup left without sponsor due to ABP". Racing Post . Archived from the original on 10 December 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
57. "Timico to back Cheltenham Gold Cup after Betfred sponsorship row exit". The Guardian. Press Association. 8 December 2015. Retrieved 8 December 2015.
58. "Timico unveiled as new Gold Cup sponsor". Racing Post . Archived from the original on 22 December 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
59. "Cheltenham Gold Cup History". RacingBetter.co.uk. Retrieved 21 December 2015.
60. "Bulmers agree deal to sponsor the 'Magners Cheltenham Gold Cup' for four years". Irish Independent. 18 July 2019. Retrieved 15 March 2019.
61. Stevens, James (11 February 2021). "Children's charity WellChild announced as new Cheltenham Gold Cup partner". Racing Post. Retrieved 11 February 2021.
62. "BOODLES TO SPONSOR THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP". Jockey Club. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.
63. "Boodles announced as new Cheltenham Gold Cup sponsor". Racing Post. 24 January 2022. Retrieved 1 February 2022.

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• Racing Post:
  • 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997
  • 1998, 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
  • 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014

---

• thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham – Media information pack (2010).
• horseracinghistory.co.uk – Cheltenham Gold Cup.
• pedigreequery.com – Cheltenham Gold Cup – Cheltenham.
• tbheritage.com – Cheltenham Gold Cup.
• The Breedon Book of Horse Racing Records. Breedon Books. 1993. p. 234. ISBN   1-873626-15-0.

Further reading

• Declan Colley, 2010, When Bobby Met Christy – The Story of Bobby Beasley and a Wayward Horse, Collins Press

External links

• Race Recordings (1959-1961, 1963-2017) youtube.com