Cheltenham Gold Cup

Template:Short description Template:Use British English Template:Use dmy dates Template:Coord Template:Infobox horseraces Template:Jockey colours header Template:Jockey colours row |} Template:Jockey colours collapsible header Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours no footer Template:Jockey colours named collapsible header Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours no footer Template:Jockey colours named collapsible header Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours no footer Template:Jockey colours named collapsible header Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours no footer Template:Jockey colours named collapsible header Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours no footer Template:Jockey colours named collapsible header Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours no footer Template:Jockey colours named collapsible header Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours row Template:Jockey colours footer 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 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 2023 it offered a total prize fund of £625,000.

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>

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.

File:Cheltenham Gold Cup (5524332958).jpg

Cheltenham Gold Cup with Graham Bradley<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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.<ref name=burglary>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

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	Template:Odds	5	Dick Rees	Fred Withington	Maj. Humphrey Wyndham	9	2nd. (hd) Conjuror II 7/1 3rd. (nk) Gerald L. 5/1	Not taken	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
11-03-1925 1925, 11 March	Ballinode†	Template:Odds	9	Ted Leader	Frank Morgan (IRE)	Christopher Bentley	4	2nd. (5 L) Alcazar 8/13F 3rd. (dst) Patsey 10/1	729607:29.6	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
9-03-19261926, 9 March	Koko	Template:Odds	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	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
8-03-19271927, 8 March	Thrown In	Template:Odds	11	Mr Hugh Grosvenor	Owen Anthony	2nd Lord Stalbridge	8	2nd. (2 L) Grakle 5/1 3rd. (Template:Frac) Silvo 13/8F	728007:28.0	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
13-03-19281928, 13 March	Patron Saint	Template:Odds	5	Dick Rees	Stanley Harrison	F. W. Keen	7	2nd. (4 L) Vive 8/1 3rd. (2 L) Koko 4/5F	729607:29.6	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
12-03-19291929, 12 March	Easter Hero	Template:OddsF	9	Dick Rees	Jack Anthony	John Hay Whitney	10	2nd. (20 L) Lloydie 100/9 3rd. (2 L) Grakle 11/4	657006:57.0	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
11-03-19301930, 11 March	Easter Hero	Template:OddsF	10	Tommy Cullinan	Jack Anthony	John Hay Whitney	4	2nd. (20 L) Grakle 10/1 3rd. (dist) Gib 13/8	706007:06.0	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
01-01-1931 No race 1931 Template:Ref label
1-03-19321932, 1 March	Golden Miller	Template:Odds	5	Ted Leader	Basil Briscoe	Dorothy Paget	6	2nd. (4 L) Inverse 8/1 3rd. (dist) Aruntius 20/1	733407:33.4	<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
7-03-19331933, 7 March	Golden Miller	Template:OddsF	6	Billy Stott	Basil Briscoe	Dorothy Paget	7	2nd. (10 L) Thomond II 11/4 3rd. (5 L) Delaneige 20/1	733007:33.0	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
6-03-19341934, 6 March	Golden Miller	Template:OddsF	7	Gerry Wilson	Basil Briscoe	Dorothy Paget	7	2nd. (6 L) Avenger 6/1 3rd. (6 L) Kellsboro 10/1	704607:04.6	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
14-03-19351935, 14 March	Golden Miller	Template:OddsF	8	Gerry Wilson	Basil Briscoe	Dorothy Paget	5	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:3/4 L]]) Thomond II 5/2 3rd. (5 L) Kellsboro' Jack 100/7	630006:30.0	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
12-03-19361936, 12 March	Golden Miller	Template:OddsF	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	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
01-01-1937 No race 1937 Template:Ref label
10-03-19381938, 10 March	Morse Code	Template:Odds	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	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
9-03-19391939, 9 March	Brendan's Cottage	Template:Odds	9	George Owen	George Beeby	Jean Smith-Bingham	5	2nd. (5 L) Morse Code 4/7F 3rd. (dist) Embarrassed 25/1	734207:34.2	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
20-03-19401940, 20 March	Roman Hackle	Template:OddsF	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	<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
20-03-19411941, 20 March	Poet Prince	Template:Odds	9	Roger Burford	Ivor Anthony	David Sherbrooke	10	2nd. (3 L) Savon 100/30 3rd. (sh) Red Rower 8/1	615606:15.6	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
21-03-19421942, 21 March	Medoc II	Template:Odds	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	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
01-01-1943 Races not held in 1943–44 due to World War II Template:Ref label
17-03-19451945, 17 March	Red Rower	Template:OddsF	11	Davy Jones	2nd Lord Stalbridge	2nd Lord Stalbridge	16	2nd. (3 L) Schubert 11/2 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Paladin 100/30	616206:16.2	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
14-03-19461946, 14 March	Prince Regent	Template:OddsF	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	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
12-04-19471947, 12 April	Fortina	Template:Odds	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	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
4-03-19481948, 4 March	Cottage Rake	Template:Odds	9	Aubrey Brabazon	Vincent O'Brien (IRE)	Frank Vickerman	12	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Happy Home 6/1 3rd. (10 L) Coloured School Boy 10/1	656406:56.4	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
11-04-19491949, 11 April	Cottage Rake	Template:OddsF	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	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
9-03-19501950, 9 March	Cottage Rake	Template:OddsF	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	<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
25-04-19511951, 25 April	Silver Fame	Template:OddsF	12	Martin Molony	George Beeby	1st Baron Bicester	6	2nd. (shd) Greenogue 100/8 3rd. (2 L) Mighty Fine 10/1	623406:23.4	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
6-03-19521952, 6 March	Mont Tremblant	Template:Odds	6	Dave Dick	Fulke Walwyn	Dorothy Paget	13	2nd. (10 L) Shaef 7/1 3rd. (4 L) Galloway Braes 66/1	702307:02.3	<ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
5-03-19531953, 5 March	Knock Hard	Template:Odds	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	<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref>
1954	Four Ten	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman">Template:Cite book</ref>
1955	Gay Donald	Template:Odds	9	Tony Grantham	Jim Ford	Philip Burt	9	2nd. (10 L) Halloween 7/2 3rd. (8 L) Four Ten 3/1F	659206:59.20	<ref name="Harman"/>
1956	Limber Hill	Template:OddsF	9	Jimmy Power	Bill Dutton	James Davey	11	2nd. (4 L) Vigor 50/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Halloween 100/8	642006:42.00	<ref name="Harman"/>
1957	Linwell	Template:Odds	9	Michael Scudamore	Charlie MallonTemplate:Ref label	David Brown	13	2nd. (1 L) Kerstin† 6/1 3rd. (5 L) Rose Park 100/8	655606:55.6	<ref name="Harman"/>
1958	Kerstin†	Template:Odds	8	Stan Hayhurst	Verly Bewicke	George H. Moore	9	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:1/2 L]]) Polar Flight 11/2 3rd. (dist) Gay Donald 13/2	655606:55.6	<ref name="Harman"/>
1959	Roddy Owen	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1960	Pas Seul	Template:Odds	7	Bill Rees	Bob Turnell	John Rogerson	11	2nd. (1 L) Lochroe 12/1 3rd. (5 L) Zonda 9/1	700007:00.0	<ref name="Harman"/>
1961	Saffron Tartan	Template:Odds	10	Fred Winter	Don Butchers	Guy Westmacott	9	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Pas Seul 100/30 3rd. (3 L) Mandarin 100/7	649806:49.8	<ref name="Harman"/>
1962	Mandarin	Template:Odds	11	Fred Winter	Fulke Walwyn	Peggy Hennessy	10	2nd. (1 L) Fortria 3/1 3rd. (10 L) Cocky Consort 50/1	639406:39.4	<ref name="Harman"/>
1963	Mill House	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1964	Arkle	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1965	Arkle	Template:OddsF	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1966	Arkle	Template:OddsF	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1967	Woodland Venture	Template:Odds	7	Terry Biddlecombe	Fred Rimell	Harry Collins	8	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:3/4 L]]) Stalbridge Colonist 11/2 3rd. (2 L) What A Myth 3/1	659206:59.2	<ref name="Harman"/>
1968	Fort Leney	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1969	What A Myth	Template:Odds	12	Paul Kelleway	Ryan Price	Lady Lucy Weir	11	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Domacorn 7/2 3rd. (20 L) Playlord 4/1	730087:30.8	<ref name="Harman"/>
1970	L'Escargot	Template:Odds	7	Tommy Carberry	Dan Moore (IRE)	Raymond R. Guest	12	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) French Tan 8/1 3rd. (10 L) Spanish Steps 9/4	647406:47.4	<ref name="Harman"/>
1971	L'Escargot	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1972	Glencaraig Lady†	Template:Odds	8	Frank Berry	Francis Flood (IRE)	Patrick Doyle	12	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:3/4 L]]) Royal Toss 22/1 3rd. (head) The Dikler 11/1	717807:17.8	<ref name="Harman"/>
1973	The Dikler	Template:Odds	10	Ron Barry	Fulke Walwyn	Peggy August	12	2nd. (shd) Pendil 4/6F 3rd. (6 L) Charlie Potheen 9/2	637206:37.2	<ref name="Harman"/>
1974	Captain Christy	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1975	Ten Up	Template:Odds	8	Tommy Carberry	Jim Dreaper (IRE)	Duchess of Westminster	8	2nd. (6 L) Soothsayer 28/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Bula 5/1	751407:51.4	<ref name="Harman"/>
1976	Royal Frolic	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1977	Davy Lad	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1978	Midnight Court	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1979	Alverton	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1980	Master Smudge Template:Ref label	Template:Odds	8	Richard Hoare	Arthur Barrow	Arthur Barrow	14	2nd. (5 L) Mac Vidi 66/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Approaching 11/1	714207:14.2	<ref name="Harman"/>
1981	Little Owl	Template:Odds	7	Mr Jim Wilson	Peter Easterby	Robin & Jim Wilson	15	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Night Nurse 6/1 3rd. (10 L) Silver Buck 7/2	709907:09.9	<ref name="Harman"/>
1982	Silver Buck	Template:Odds	10	Robert Earnshaw	Michael Dickinson	Christine Feather	22	2nd. (2 L) Bregawn 18/1 3rd. (12 L) Sunset Cristo 50/1	711307:11.3	<ref name="Harman"/>
1983	Bregawn	Template:Odds	9	Graham Bradley	Michael W. Dickinson	James Kennelly	11	2nd. (5 L) Captain John 11/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Wayward Lad 6/1	657606:57.6	<ref name="Harman"/>
1984	Burrough Hill Lad	Template:Odds	8	Phil Tuck	Jenny Pitman	Stan Riley	12	2nd. (3 L) Brown Chamberlin 5/1 3rd. (8 L) Drumlargan 16/1	641406:41.4	<ref name="Harman"/>
1985	Forgive 'n Forget	Template:Odds	8	Mark Dwyer	Jimmy FitzGerald	Tim Kilroe & Sons Ltd	15	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Righthand Man 15/2 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Earls Brig 13/2	648306:48.3	<ref name="Harman"/>
1986	Dawn Run†	Template:Oddsf	8	Jonjo O'Neill	Paddy Mullins (IRE)	Charmian Hill	11	2nd. (1 L) Wayward Lad 8/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Forgive 'n Forget 7/2	635006:35.0	<ref name="Harman"/>
1987	The Thinker	Template:Odds	9	Ridley Lamb	Arthur Stephenson	Tom McDonagh	12	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Cybrandian 25/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Door Latch 9/1	656106:56.1	<ref name="Harman"/>
1988	Charter Party	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1989	Desert Orchid	Template:Odds	10	Simon Sherwood	David Elsworth	Richard Burridge	13	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Yahoo 25/1 3rd. (8 L) Charter Party 14/1	717607:17.6	<ref name="Harman"/>
1990	Norton's Coin	Template:Odds	9	Graham McCourt	Sirrel Griffiths	Sirrel Griffiths	12	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:3/4 L]]) Toby Tobias 8/1 3rd. (4 L) Desert Orchid 10/11f	630906:30.9	<ref name="Harman"/>
1991	Garrison Savannah	Template:Odds	8	Mark Pitman	Jenny Pitman	Autofour Engineering	14	2nd. (shd) The Fellow 28/1 3rd. (15 L) Desert Orchid 4/1	649806:49.8	<ref name="Harman"/>
1992	Cool Ground	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1993	Jodami	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1994	The Fellow	Template:Odds	9	Adam Kondrat	François Doumen (FRA)	Marquesa de Moratalla	15	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Jodami 6/4F 3rd. (4 L) Young Hustler 20/1	640706:40.7	<ref name="Harman"/>
1995	Master Oats	Template:Odds	9	Norman Williamson	Kim Bailey	Paul Matthews	15	2nd. (15 L) Dubacilla 20/1 3rd. (15 L) Miinnehoma 9/1	655906:55.9	<ref name="Harman"/>
1996	Imperial Call	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
1997	Mr Mulligan	Template:Odds	9	Tony McCoy	Noel Chance	M. & G. Worcester	14	2nd. (9 L) Barton Bank 33/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:1/2 L]]) Dorans Pride 10/1	635506:35.5	<ref name="Harman"/>
1998	Cool Dawn	Template:Odds	10	Andrew Thornton	Robert Alner	Dido Harding	17	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Strong Promise 14/1 3rd. (hd) Dorans Pride 9/4	639706:39.7	<ref name="Harman"/>
1999	See More Business	Template:Odds	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	<ref name="Harman"/>
2000	Looks Like Trouble	Template:Odds	8	Richard Johnson	Noel Chance	Tim Collins	12	2nd. (5 L) Florida Pearl 9/2 3rd. (nck) Strong Promise 20/1	630306:30.3	<ref name="Harman"/>
01-01-2001 No race 2001 Template:Ref label
2002	Best Mate	Template:Odds	7	Jim Culloty	Henrietta Knight	Jim Lewis	18	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Commanche Court 25/1 3rd. (8 L) See More Business 40/1	650106:50.10	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2003	Best Mate	Template:OddsF	8	Jim Culloty	Henrietta Knight	Jim Lewis	15	2nd. (10 L) Truckers Tavern 33/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Harbour Pilot 40/1	639006:39.10	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2004	Best Mate	Template:OddsF	9	Jim Culloty	Henrietta Knight	Jim Lewis	10	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:1/2 L]]) Sir Rembrandt 33/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Harbour Pilot 20/1	642606:42.60	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2005	Kicking King	Template:OddsF	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	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2006	War of Attrition	Template:Odds	7	Conor O'Dwyer	Mouse Morris (IRE)	Gigginstown House Stud	22	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Hedgehunter 16/1 3rd. (7 L) Forget The Past 9/1	631706:31.70	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2007	Kauto Star	Template:OddsF	7	Ruby Walsh	Paul Nicholls	Clive D. Smith	15	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Exotic Dancer 9/2 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Turpin Green 40/1	640466:40.46	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2008	Denman	Template:Odds	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	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2009	Kauto Star	Template:OddsF	9	Ruby Walsh	Paul Nicholls	Clive D. Smith	16	2nd. (13 L) Denman 7/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Exotic Dancer 8/1	644956:44.95	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2010	Imperial Commander	Template:Odds	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	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2011	Long Run	Template:OddsF	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	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2012	Synchronised	Template:Odds	9	Tony McCoy	Jonjo O'Neill	J. P. McManus	14	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) The Giant Bolster 50/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:3/4 L]]) Long Run 7/4f	636196:36.19	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2013	Bobs Worth	Template:OddsF	8	Barry Geraghty	Nicky Henderson	The Not Afraid Partnership	9	2nd. (7 L) Sir Des Champs 4/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Long Run 7/2	705067:05.06	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2014	Lord Windermere	Template:Odds	8	Davy Russell	Jim Culloty (IRE)	Dr. Ronan Lambe	13	2nd. (shd) On His Own 16/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:3/4 L]]) The Giant Bolster 14/1	643886:43.88	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2015	Coneygree	Template:Odds	8	Nico de Boinville	Mark Bradstock	The Max Partnership	16	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Djakadam 10/1 3rd. (2 L) Road To Riches 8/1	642506:42.50	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2016	Don Cossack	Template:OddsF	9	Bryan Cooper	Gordon Elliott (IRE)	Gigginstown House Stud	9	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Djakadam 9/2 3rd. (10 L) Don Poli 9/2	635006:35.00	<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
2017	Sizing John	Template:Odds	7	Robbie Power	Jessica Harrington (IRE)	Ann & Alan Potts	13	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Minella Rocco 18/1 3rd. (shd) Native River 7/2	636106:36.10
2018	Native River	Template:Odds	8	Richard Johnson	Colin Tizzard	Brocade Racing	15	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Might Bite 4/1F 3rd. (4 L) Anibale Fly 33/1	702607:02.60
2019	Al Boum Photo	Template:Odds	7	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins (IRE)	Mrs J Donnelly	16	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Anibale Fly 22/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Bristol de Mai 18/1	639066:39.06
2020	Al Boum Photo	Template:OddsF	8	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins (IRE)	Mrs J Donnelly	12	2nd. (nk) Santini 5/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Lostintranslation 10/1	650386:50.38
2021	Minella Indo	Template:Odds	8	Jack Kennedy	Henry De Bromhead (IRE)	Barry Maloney	12	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) A Plus Tard 100/30 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Al Boum Photo 9/4F	635456:45.35
2022	A Plus Tard	Template:OddsF	8	Rachael Blackmore	Henry De Bromhead (IRE)	Cheveley Park Stud	11	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Minella Indo 6/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Protektorat 11/1	6:41.75
2023	Galopin Des Champs	Template:OddsF	7	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins (IRE)	Mrs Audrey Turley	13	2nd. (7 L) Bravemansgame 6/1 3rd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Conflated 22/1	6:45.46
2024	Galopin Des Champs	Template:OddsF	8	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins (IRE)	Mrs Audrey Turley	13	2nd. ([[Horse length|Template:Frac L]]) Gerri Colombe 13/2 3rd. (9 L) Corach Rambler 14/1	7:05.14
2025	Inothewayurthinkin	Template:Odds	7	Mark Walsh	Gavin Cromwell (IRE)	J. P. McManus	9	2nd. (6 L) Galopin Des Champs 8/13F 3rd. (12L) Gentlemansgame 40/1	6:40.00

Template:Note label The race was abandoned in 1931 because of frost, and in 1937 because of flooding.
Template:Note label It was cancelled in 1943 and 1944 because of World War II.
Template:Note label The 1957 winner, Linwell, was trained by Ivor Herbert, a well-known racing journalist and so barred from holding a trainer's licence.<ref name="Harman"/>
Template:Note label Tied Cottage finished first in 1980, but was subsequently disqualified after testing positive for a banned substance.
Template:Note label 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,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> after the betting company bought the Government-owned Tote in June 2011,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref name=timico1>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In July 2018 Cheltenham Racecourse announced Magners Irish Cider as the new Cheltenham Gold Cup sponsor until 2021 with a possible extension to 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Magners ended their sponsorship early, after the 2020 race, and the 2021 race carried the name of the charity WellChild.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 24 January 2022 it was announced luxury jeweller Boodles would sponsor the Cheltenham Gold Cup from 2022.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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)<ref name=timico1/>
• 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

---

• Racing Post:
  • Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post
  • Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post
  • Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post, Template:Racing Post

---

• 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.
• Template:Cite book

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, 1963-2004) youtube.com