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.
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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 nine horses have won the race more than once, most recently Galopin Des Champs, successful in 2023 and 2024. Kauto Star, victorious in 2007 and again in 2009, is the only horse ever to regain the Gold Cup. The other multiple winners were Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020), Best Mate (2002–2004), L’Escargot (1970, 1971), Arkle (1964–1966), Cottage Rake (1948–1950), Golden Miller (1932–1936) and Easter Hero (1929, 1930)..
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 historic record was long held by Pat Taaffe, who earned four victories on Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966) and Fort Leney (1968). However, Paul Townend is now the most successful jockey in Gold Cup history with five wins, riding Al Boum Photo (2019, 2020), Galopin Des Champs (2023, 2024), and Gaelic Warrior (2026).
Danny Morgan
Fred Winter
Pat Taaffe
Jonjo O’Neill
Jim Culloty
A total of four mares have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup – Ballinode (1925), Kerstin (1958), Glencaraig Lady (1972) and Dawn Run (1986).
The longest-priced winner of the Gold Cup has been Norton’s Coin, who started at 100-1 in 1990, while the shortest-priced winner was Arkle, the 1-10 favourite in 1966. In the 94 runnings, 32 favourites have won – (34 per cent).
The only grey Cheltenham Gold Cup winner was Desert Orchid in 1989.
The breakdown of winners by age is as follows:
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)
Dawn Run is the only horse to have won both the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. She was successful in 1984 and 1986 respectively.
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).
