Celebrating the annual challenge between Great Britain and Ireland for Festival winners
The Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse has seen a great rivalry between the home team of British-trained runners and those crossing the Irish Sea for many years.
To celebrate this rivalry, the competition between the two countries is officially titled The BetBright Prestbury Cup.
The BetBright Prestbury Cup runs from the first race of the four-day meeting, the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, on the Tuesday of The Festival™ presented by Magners until either country has 14 winners or more.
In 2017, for the second year running, there were more Irish-trained winners at The Festival than British-trained, with Ireland taking home the cup on the final day of The Festival.
There are a total of 28 races during The Festival.
The Prestbury Cup, named after the nearest village to Cheltenham Racecourse, will be presented to jockeys and trainers from Ireland or Britain once the winning country is confirmed.
The Cup itself has been sealed with some hallowed Cheltenham turf, so the winning country will be taking a little bit of Cheltenham with them.
Best of luck, or as they say in Ireland, Is fearr de luck!
The Festival™ presented by Magners 2019 takes place from Tuesday, March 12 until Friday, March 15. For further information or to book tickets, please click here or call 0344 579 3003.
Irish-trained successes at The Festival
2017-19* (28 races)
2016-15 (28 races)
2015-13 (27 races)
2014-12 (27 races)
2013-14 (27 races)
2012-5 (27 races)
2011-13 (27 races)
2010-7 (26 races)
2009-9 (26 races)
2008-7 (25 races)
2007-5 (24 races)
2006-10 (24 races)
2005-9 (24 races)
2004-4 (20 races)
2003-6 (20 races)
2002-5 (20 races)
2001-cancelled
2000-3 (20 races)
1999-5 (20 races)
1998-4 (20 races)
1997-3 (20 races)
1996-7 (20 races)
1995-4 (20 races)
1994-3 (20 races)
1993-6 (20 races)
1992-2 (19 races)
1991-2 (18 races)
1990-2 (18 races)
1989-0 (18 races)
1988-1 (18 races)
1987-1 (18 races)
1986-4 (18 races)
1985-2 (18 races)
1984-4 (18 races)
1983-5 (18 races)
1982-6 (18 races)
1981-3 (18 races)
1980-4 (18 races)
1979-5 (18 races)
1978-6 (12 races**)
1977-7 (18 races)
1976-5 (18 races)
1975-5 (13 races***)
* Record. Prior to The Festival’s extension to four days in 2005, the previous record was eight wins in 1958 (when 18 races were run).
** In 1978, the third day of The Festival was abandoned due to snow. The Triumph Hurdle and Gold Cup were subsequently run in April.
*** In 1975, waterlogging caused several races to be lost.