Gold Cup Flies

Al Boum Photo has won two Gold Cups 2019 and 2020, and still has the chance to add more, as his career is still, very much in motion at the time of writing. He is a French-bred horse, prepared in Ireland by Willie Mullins, who is the most successful Festival trainer of all time. Al Boum Photo runs in the colours of Mrs J Donnelly.

Arkle is regarded by many as the greatest steeplechaser of all time. The Duchess of Westminsters-owned legend was trained in Ireland by Tom Dreaper. He won the Gold Cup three times in succession; 1964, 1965 and 1966. He is remembered fondly for his on-track battles with English chaser, Mill House.

The French-bred Kauto Star became the first horse to regain the Gold Cup after losing it. Trained by Paul Nicholls and owned by Clive Smith, he was unquestionably one of the most successful chasers of the modern era. His two Gold Cup wins came in 2007 and 2009. The 2008 Gold Cup was won by his stablemate, the equally popular Denman.

Dawn Run remains the most successful mare in the history of steeplechasing. She was successful at the Festival in 1984 winning the Champion Hurdle and then two years later, landed the Gold Cup. Owned by Charmian Hill, she was trained in Ireland by Paddy Mullins.

Known to millions simply as "Dessie" the celebrated grey was a racing hero to a generation. He was trained by David Elsworth, and owned by James, Midge, Richard Burridge and Simon Bullimore. The shout when he won the 1989 Gold Cup was one of the loudest ever heard at Prestbury Park.

Best Mate was trained by Henrietta Knight and owned by Aston Villa-fan, Jim Lewis, hence the claret and blue colours. He joined an elite band of horses to win three Gold Cups in succession in 2002, 2003 and 2004. A visit to the Best Mate statue at Cheltenham is regarded as a pilgramage my many racegoers.

Golden Miller remains unquestionably the most successful Gold Cup horse of all time. Running in the colours of the legendary owner, Dorothy Paget he won the Gold Cup for five consecutive years between 1932 and 1936. He is the only horse to win the Gold Cup and the Grand National in the same year, a unique feat he acheived in 1934.

L'Escargot won two Gold Cups in 1970 and 1971. He was owned by the American, Raymond Richard Guest, who was US Ambassador to Ireland. Trained by Dan Moore, he is one of only two horses to have been successful in both the Gold Cup and the Grand National, winning at Aintree as a 12-year-old in 1975.