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Cheltenham Gold Cup facts & figures


Facts & figures

The 1982 and 2006 Gold Cups attracted the joint-largest fields, when 22 runners went to post on each occasion. Since the chase was first run in 1924 no other renewals have had more than 18 runners. The maximum field allowed is 24.

In the Cheltenham Gold Cup’s history, only eight horses have won more than once, most recently Al Boum Photo, successful in 2019 and 2020. Kauto Star, who took the spoils in 2007 and 2009 and was the only horse to ever regain the Gold Cup. The others were Best Mate (2002, 2003. 2004), L’Escargot (1970, 1971), Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966), Cottage Rake (1948, 1949, 1950), Golden Miller (1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936) and Easter Hero (1929, 1930).

 

Golden Miller holds the record for the most Gold Cup victories, with five consecutive wins from 1932 to 1936.

Golden Miller’s owner, Dorothy Paget, has been the most successful owner in the race with an amazing seven victories, with Roman Hackle (1940) and Mont Tremblant (1952) adding to Golden Miller’s five wins.

The most successful trainer has been Tom Dreaper, who won five Gold Cups with three separate horses, namely Prince Regent (1946), Arkle (1964, 1965 and 1966) and Fort Leney (1968).

 

Paul Nicholls is the most successful current handler with four wins with three separate horses - See More Business (1999), Kauto Star (2007 & 2009) and Denman (2008).

The most successful jockey has been Pat Taaffe, who recorded four victories on Arkle (1964, 1965 & 1966) and Fort Leney (1968). Paul Townend is the only current rider to have been successful more than once, having partnered Al Boum Photo to both his victories (2019 & 2020).

Danny Morgan

  • Rode; Morse Code (1938)
  • Trained; Roddy Owen (1959)

 

Fred Winter

  • Rode; Saffron Tartan (1961), Mandarin (1962)
  • Trained; Midnight Court (1978)

 

Pat Taaffe

  • Rode; Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966), Fort Leney (1968)
  • Trained; Captain Christy (1974)

 

Jonjo O’Neill

  • Rode; Alverton (1979), Dawn Run (1986) 
  • Trained; Synchronised (2012)

 

Jim Culloty

  • Rode; Best Mate (2002, 2003, 2004)
  • Trained; Lord Windermere (2014) 

 

A total of four mares have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup – Ballinode (1925), Kerstin (1958), Glencaraig Lady (1972) and Dawn Run (1986).

The only grey Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was Desert Orchid in 1989.

The breakdown of winners by age is as follows:

 

  • 5yo - 3 victories
  • 6yo - 5 victories
  • 7yo - 18 victories
  • 8yo - 25 victories
  • 9yo - 25 victories
  • 10yo - 11 victories
  • 11yo - 5 victories
  • 12yo - 2 victories

The winners of 29 Gold Cups have been trained overseas.

 

IRELAND (28): Ballinode (1925), Prince Regent (1946), Cottage Rake (1948, 1949, 1950), Knock Hard (1953), Roddy Owen (1959), Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966), Fort Leney (1968), L’Escargot (1970, 1971), Glencaraig Lady (1972), Captain Christy (1974), Ten Up (1975), Davy Lad (1977), Dawn Run (1986), Imperial Call (1996), Kicking King (2005), War Of Attrition (2006), Lord Windermere (2014), Don Cossack (2016). Sizing John (2017), Al Boum Photo (2019 & 2020), Minella Indo (2021) and A Plus Tard (2022).

 

FRANCE (1): The Fellow (1994)

The fastest winning time is 6 minutes 29.7 seconds, set by Long Run in 2011.

Michael Dickinson saddled the first five horses home in the 11-runnner 1983 renewal – Bregawn (Graham Bradley – 100-30F), Captain John (David Goulding – 11-1), Wayward Lad (Jonjo O’Neill – 6-1), Silver Buck (Robert Earnshaw – 5-1) and Ashley House (Mr Dermot Browne – 12-1).

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History

Although a race known as the Cheltenham Gold Cup had existed in the past as a three-mile Flat race in the 19th century, its present status is very much down to the foresight of Frederick Cathcart, Clerk of the Course and Chairman of Cheltenham Racecourse from 1908 to 1934.

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Century of winners

Take a look at the winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

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