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The Friday of the 2024 Cheltenham Festival witnessed the celebration of 100 years of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
None of us were around to watch Red Splash win the inaugural running of our greatest race but it was with his success that commenced the incredible story of jump’s racing blue riband event, the race every jockey, trainer and owner dreams of winning.
The Gold Cup Centenary Year Summary
The GC100 year commenced in June when team members from Cheltenham Racecourse were joined on a climb up the highest peaks of the British Isles, accompanied by the Gold Cup trophy and some of the legends of race. They finished their challenge a top of Arkle, the mountain in Scotland that gave its name to the horse generally regarded as the greatest horse to win the Gold Cup.
Following this achievement the Cup went on tour. It visited schools, attracting new eyes to the wide world of horse racing, ventured many racecourses, surprising and delighting existing racing fans. It also had day trips to pubs, offices, hospitals and care homes where Gold Cup tales were told and thousands of selfies taken.
A cherished memory for those present was the Cup visiting Stan Hayhurst at his home in Hexham. Stan is the oldest winning rider, a feat he achieved in 1958 on board Kirstin.
The trophy travelled to Ireland, where it is better known as the Holy Grail, and to France where a love for it runs strong thanks to feats The Fellow who won the race in 1994.
For the first time ever on Gold Cup day the racecourse staged an opening ceremony where heroes of the races across generations, and a range of GC100 merchandise was made available to racegoers.
A book written on the history of the race compiled by historian Chris Pitt was published and continues to sell exceptionally well.
All the legends of the Gold Cup were invited to celebratory lunch as part of Festival Monday. It was an emotional occasions as old friends and rivals spent time reminiscing of days gone by. Local school children got to shake hands with the stars of the show in the Parade Ring. It was a very special way to start the 2024 Festival.
Three thousand sets of playing cards, featuring the colours of the winners were sold with part of the proceeds going to a special fund, the GC100 Community Fund, that to date has distributed close to £70,000 back into local good causes. A golf event, bucket collections, proceeds from the Preview Night, a networking event in the Core on Course Restaurant and other activities topped up the funds.
In 2027 it will be time to do it all again in celebration of the Champion Hurdle.
To commemorate Gold Cup 100, we have produced special edition playing cards and a book, "Let No Memories Fade".
Let No Memories Fade compiled by Chris Pitt provides a fascinating journey through the history of Cheltenham’s celebrated steeplechase. It is written in a style that will appeal to any sport’s fan, not just those who have a passion for horse racing. The book draws its inspiration from a hundred heroes, a combination of horses and humans, who between them have created the golden aura surrounding the championship race from its humble beginnings to being the race “every jockey needs to win”.
With just 52 cards in a set and a hundred years of Gold Cup history, it is impossible for every winner to be represented in the Gold Cup 100 Limited Edition Playing Cards. So, we have simply chosen our racecourse favourites for the picture cards. It was a very subjective debate! By purchasing this limited edition pack of Gold Cup Centenary celebration playing cards you have contributed to a good cause.
Due to unprecedented demand, we are awaiting new stock of limited edition playing cards. Because of this, we are not able to despatch items until January 10th.
This is a charity event to raise awareness for Racing Welfare where a team of fund-raisers will be taking the Gold Cup to the top of the highest peaks in Ireland, Wales and England and then on to the summit of Arkle in Scotland - the mountain that lent its name to the greatest of all Gold Cup winners.
A charity golf event on Cleeve Hill to be run in aid of the Gold Cup 100 Community Fund, which will enable us to make grants to local, charitable causes through the Rotary Clubs of Cheltenham.
Each and every day from 100 days out from Gold Cup Day, the trophy itself will be going on a grand tour visiting schools, hospitals, care homes and other locations where it has the ability to shine.
On the eve of The Festival next year, local schools and other community groups will be invited to Cheltenham Racecourse to enjoy a fun, behind the scenes educational experience in conjunction with our partners, Racing To School. Other activities taking place on the day will be a special Gold Cup 100 charity luncheon.
On the big day, there will be a number of befitting Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup-themed activities that together, with the running of the race, will form the fabric of what will be a momentous occasion. The highlight will be a parade of legends featuring horses that have competed for the Gold Cup.
