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The story

Over 100 years of history

The championship race for staying chasers — nothing in jump racing commands more respect, or demands more of horse and rider.

The essence of the Gold Cup

1819 — 1923

Origins

The name Cheltenham Gold Cup first appeared in July 1819 as a flat race over 3 miles on Cleeve Hill. The modern steeplechase was inaugurated on 12 March 1924, run over 3 miles and 3 furlongs with 22 fences. The very first winner was Red Splash, ridden by Dick Rees. In its early years the race was overshadowed by the National Hunt Chase and offered less prize money than the County Handicap Hurdle — yet the foundations of something extraordinary had been laid.

1932 — 1936

The Golden Miller era

Golden Miller transformed the Gold Cup into a national institution. Owned by Dorothy Paget and trained by Basil Briscoe, he won five consecutive Gold Cups — a record that has never been matched. In 1934 he also won the Grand National, the only horse ever to achieve that famous double in the same season.

Golden Miller — artwork

Golden Miller — 1930s press cartoon

1946 — 1963

Post-war prestige

The 1943 and 1944 races were cancelled due to World War II. In the post-war years, Cottage Rake — trained in Ireland by the legendary Vincent O'Brien — won three consecutive Gold Cups from 1948 to 1950, helping to popularise the Festival with the Irish racing public. In 1959 the race moved permanently to the New Course at Cheltenham, where it remains today.

1964 — 1989

Arkle, Desert Orchid & the golden age

The 1960s belonged entirely to Arkle. Trained by Tom Dreaper and ridden by Pat Taaffe, the Irish giant won three successive Gold Cups from 1964 to 1966. His starting price of 1/10 in his final victory remains the shortest in the race's history. The decades that followed brought Dawn Run (1986) and the beloved grey Desert Orchid (1989).

Arkle — three consecutive Gold Cups

Desert Orchid — the only grey winner

2002 — 2024

Best Mate, Kauto Star & modern champions

Best Mate captivated racing fans with three consecutive victories from 2002 to 2004. Jim Lewis, Best Mate's devoted owner, became one of the most recognisable faces in racing. Kauto Star became the only horse ever to regain the Gold Cup in 2009. In 2022, Rachael Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the race. Galopin Des Champs dominated from 2023 to 2024.

Best Mate at Cheltenham

Jim Lewis — owner of Best Mate

Hall of fame

The legends

Golden Miller

5 victories

19321933193419351936

The greatest record-holder in Gold Cup history. Owned by Dorothy Paget and trained by Basil Briscoe, Golden Miller also claimed the 1934 Grand National — the only horse ever to complete that double in a single season.

Arkle

3 victories

196419651966

Widely regarded as the greatest steeplechaser who ever lived. Trained by Tom Dreaper and ridden by Pat Taaffe, Arkle won his final Gold Cup as a 1/10 favourite. He won by 30 lengths. A race at Cheltenham bears his name to this day.

Desert Orchid

1 victory

1989

The only grey horse ever to win the Gold Cup and one of the most beloved racehorses in modern British history. His 1989 victory over heavy ground — not his ideal conditions — ranks among the most emotionally charged moments in the race's history.

Desert Orchid

At Cheltenham

1989

Desert Orchid in full flight at Cheltenham racecourse, leading the field over a fence in that iconic grey coat. “Dessie” was adored by the racing public like no other horse of his era.

Best Mate

3 victories

200220032004

Trained by Henrietta Knight and ridden by Jim Culloty, Best Mate captivated a new generation of racing fans with three consecutive Gold Cups. His calm temperament and relentless consistency made him a bookie's nightmare.

Jim Lewis

Owner — Best Mate

200220032004

Jim Lewis, the devoted owner of Best Mate, became one of the most recognisable and popular faces in racing during the horse's golden years. His infectious enthusiasm and love for Best Mate endeared him to racing fans across the country.

By the numbers

Records & remarkable facts

Most wins — horse

Golden Miller

5 consecutive wins, 1932–1936

Most wins — owner

Dorothy Paget

7 victories in total

Most wins — trainer

Tom Dreaper

5 wins with 3 different horses

Most wins — jockey

Pat Taaffe / Paul Townend

4 wins each

Shortest starting price

Arkle — 1/10

1966, won by 30 lengths

Longest starting price

Norton's Coin — 100/1

1990 shock winner

Fastest time

Long Run — 6m 29.70s

2011, ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen

First female jockey

Rachael Blackmore

A Plus Tard, 2022

Unique double

Dawn Run — 1986

Only horse to win Gold Cup & Champion Hurdle

Trainer's 1–5

Michael Dickinson

All 5 placed horses in 1983

Only regained cup

Kauto Star

Won 2007, lost 2008, won 2009

Only grey winner

Desert Orchid

1989, one of the most popular ever

2025 prize fund

£625,000

£364,313 to the winner

Irish-trained winners

29 victories

Including multiple for Willie Mullins

Youngest winner

5 years old

Red Splash (1924), Golden Miller (1932)

Oldest winners

12 years old

Silver Fame (1951), What A Myth (1969)

Roll of honour

All Gold Cup winners

Year	Horse	Jockey	Trainer	SP
2026	Garlic Warrior	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins	11/4
2025	Inothewayurthinkin	Mark Walsh	Gavin Cromwell	15/2
2024	Galopin Des Champs2x	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins	10/11F
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 Photo2x	Paul Townend	Willie Mullins	100/30F
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	A P McCoy	Jonjo O'Neill	8/1
2011	Long Run	Sam Waley-Cohen	Nicky Henderson	7/2F
2010	Imperial Commander	Paddy Brennan	Nigel Twiston-Davies	7/1
2009	Kauto Star2x	Ruby Walsh	Paul Nicholls	7/4F
2008	Denman	Sam Thomas	Paul Nicholls	9/4F
2007	Kauto Star	Ruby Walsh	Paul Nicholls	5/4F
2006	War Of Attrition	Conor O'Dwyer	Mouse Morris	7/1
2005	Kicking King	Barry Geraghty	Tom Taaffe	4/1F
2004	Best Mate3x	Jim Culloty	Henrietta Knight	8/11F
2003	Best Mate	Jim Culloty	Henrietta Knight	13/8F
2002	Best Mate	Jim Culloty	Henrietta Knight	7/2F
2001	No race held
2000	Looks Like Trouble	Richard Johnson	Noel Chance	9/1
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	100/30F
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	Sirrell Griffiths	100/1
1989	Desert Orchid	Simon Sherwood	David Elsworth	5/2F
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	7/2F
1983	Bregawn	Graham Bradley	Michael Dickinson	100/30F
1982	Silver Buck	Robert Earnshaw	Michael Dickinson	8/1
1981	Little Owl	Jim Wilson	Michael Dickinson	6/4F
1980	Master Smudge	Richard Hoare	Arthur Barrow	14/1
1979	Alverton	Jonjo O'Neill	Peter Easterby	5/2F
1978	Midnight Court	John Francome	Fred Winter	5/2F
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	2/1F
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	7/1
1971	L'Escargot2x	Tommy Carberry	Dan Moore	7/2F
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	Arkle3x	Pat Taaffe	Tom Dreaper	1/10F
1965	Arkle	Pat Taaffe	Tom Dreaper	30/100F
1964	Arkle	Pat Taaffe	Tom Dreaper	7/4F
1963	Mill House	Willie Robinson	Fulke Walwyn	7/2F
1962	Mandarin	Fred Winter	Fulke Walwyn	7/2
1961	Saffron Tartan	Fred Winter	Donald Butchers	7/1
1960	Pas Seul	Bill Rees	Bob Turnell	6/1
1959	Roddy Owen	Bobby Beasley	Dan Moore	5/1
1958	Kerstin	Stafford Murless	Verly Bewicke	8/1
1957	Linwell	Michael Scudamore	Ivor Herbert	100/8
1956	Limber Hill	Jimmy Power	Willie Stephenson	10/1
1955	Gay Donald	Tony Grantham	John Ford	33/1
1954	Four Ten	Tommy Cusack	John Roberts	100/8
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	7/1
1950	Cottage Rake3x	Aubrey Brabazon	Vincent O'Brien	7/4F
1949	Cottage Rake	Aubrey Brabazon	Vincent O'Brien	4/5F
1948	Cottage Rake	Aubrey Brabazon	Vincent O'Brien	10/1
1947	Fortina	Robert Black	Hector Christie	40/1
1946	Prince Regent	Tim Hyde	Tom Dreaper	4/7F
1942	Medoc II	Roderick More O'Ferrall	Roderick More O'Ferrall	100/8
1941	Poet Prince	Robert Harty	James Ruttle	7/1
1940	Roman Hackle	Evan Williams	Owen Anthony	4/1F
1939	Brendan's Cottage	George Owen	George Beeby	10/1
1938	Morse Code	Danny Morgan	Ivor Anthony	7/1
1936	Golden Miller5x	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
1930	Easter Hero2x	Tommy Cullinan	Jack Anthony	8/11F
1929	Easter Hero	Tommy Cullinan	Jack Anthony	7/4
1928	Patron Saint	Dick Rees	Anthony Escott	8/1
1927	Thrown In	Capt. H.A. Brown	Owen Anthony	8/1
1926	Koko	Ted Leader	Frank Morgan	10/1
1925	Ballinode	Ted Leader	Frank Morgan	3/1F
1924	Red Splash	Dick Rees	Fred Withington	5/1

The Gold CupA Century of Champions

Over 100 years of history

The legends

Records & remarkable facts

All Gold Cup winners