Memorable Moments

A sold-out crowd gathered for the biggest day in horse racing, and were treated to a stunning performance from Gaelic Warrior to win the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. The week also delivered one of the tightest Prestbury Cups in recent memory, going right down to the wire before Air Of Entitlement clinched victory for Team Ireland, sealing a 15–13 triumph. A week that reminded us all why nothing feels like Cheltenham.

WILLIE MULLINS REIGNS SUPREME  

Willie Mullins has been crowned leading trainer at The Cheltenham Festival for the eighth consecutive year. He headed into Gold Cup Day having trained five winners across the first three days and brought up a magnificent treble to bring his tally to eight. 

Apolon De Charnie (50-1) and Dinoblue (11-8) took his tally to an incredible 120 total Festival successes, before Gaelic Warrior (11-4 Joint Fav) provided the crowning moment with his 121st Festival success and record-equalling 5th Gold Cup triumph. 

“It was just extraordinary. I’m just delighted for the Riccis, I think they are the first owners to have won the Champion Hurdle and the Gold Cup in the same season (they are actually the second after Dorothy Paget). I’m delighted for Paul Townend, who gave him such a great ride. He was so cool on him. Could you imagine what was going through his head going to the last fence? I know what was going through mine! We’ve had so many last fence mishaps around here. It’s fantastic and the way he did it was just spectacular.” 

FIVE GOLD CUPS FOR TOWNEND 

Paul Townend is now the most successful jockey ever in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup with five victories. He was previously tied with the late Pat Taaffe but after scoring on Gaelic Warrior (11-4 Joint Fav), in today’s feature race, Townend now leads on his own.  

Townend was previously successful on Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020) and Galopin des Champs (2023, 2024) and said today:  

“It’s the Gold Cup. I always say they just get better and better. Oh my God, I’m speechless! We were dealt a big blow with Galopin Des Champs coming out, I was lucky enough for this lad to come along. Patrick was convinced that he was the horse for the race. He’s done a lot of work with this horse from the last day, it’s a huge team effort, I was just the fortunate one to be on his back today.” 

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AIR OF ENTITLEMENT SECURES THE PRESTBURY CUP FOR IRELAND 

It was nip and tuck all week, but Ireland emerged victorious in the battle for the Prestbury Cup thanks to Air of Entitlement’s success in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle.    

Britain went into the final race looking to even up the score at 14-14 but the 10-1 shot, trained by Henry de Bromhead, scored by half a length from Hot Fuss (25-1) to bring up a decisive 15th victory for the Irish in the closest contest since 2019.

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