The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade One National Hunt steeplechase, run over 3 miles 2.5 furlongs with 22 fences, that is held on the final day of the Cheltenham Festival in March. It is the most prestigious race at the Festival, which runs from Tuesday-Friday, and a massive highlight of the National Hunt season.
When is the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The race is due to get underway at 3.05pm on Friday 19 March.
Who are the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup runners?
The following 29 horses, listed alphabetically, are entered at the time of writing. By the time the race comes around, a maximum of 24 horses are permitted to line up.
Horse: Al Boum Photo
Trainer: W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Owner: Mrs J. Donnelly
Allaho
W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Cheveley Park Stud
A Plus Tard
Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
Cheveley Park Stud
Aso
Venetia Williams
The Bellamy Partnership
Battleoverdoyen
Gordon Elliott, Ireland
Gigginstown House Stud
Black Op
Tom George
Mr R. S. Brookhouse
Burrows Saint
W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Mrs S. Ricci
Champ
Nicky Henderson
Mr John P. McManus
Cyrname
Paul Nicholls
Mrs Johnny de la Hey
Frodon
Paul Nicholls
Mr P. J. Vogt
Imperial Aura
Kim Bailey
Imperial Racing Partnership 2016
Kemboy
W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Kemboy/Brett Graham/Ken Sharp Syndicate
Lostintranslation
Colin Tizzard
Taylor & O’Dwyer
Magic of Light
Mrs J. Harrington, Ireland
Ann & Alan Potts Limited
Master Tommytucker
Paul Nicholls
Mr A. G. Fear
Melon
W. P. Mullins, Ireland
Mrs J. Donnelly
Minella Indo
Henry de Bromhead, Ireland
Mr Barry Maloney
Native River
Colin Tizzard
Brocade Racing
Real Steel
Paul Nicholls
Mrs Kathy Stuart & Sullivan Bloodstock Ltd
Royale Pagaille
Venetia Williams
Mrs S. Ricci
Saint Calvados
Harry Whittington
Kate & Andrew Brooks
Samcro
Gordon Elliott, Ireland
Gigginstown House Stud
Santini
Nicky Henderson
Mr & Mrs R. Kelvin-Hughes
Shattered Love
Gordon Elliott, Ireland
Gigginstown House Stud
Simply The Betts
Harry Whittington
Kate & Andrew Brooks
Vinndication
Kim Bailey
Moremoneythan
How to watch the Cheltenham Gold Cup
If you’re looking forward to settling down the watch the race from home at 3.05pm on Friday 19 March, then don’t miss our armchair viewing guide, which includes how to watch the Cheltenham Gold Cup on TV and much more.
What is the prize money for winning?
The total prize pot for the 2021 WellChild Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase £625,000 and the winner takes home £263,766 making it the most valuable jumps race in Britain and Ireland after the Grand National.
Recent winners
2020: Al Boum Photo – read the race report
2019: Al Boum Photo – read the race report
2018: Native River – read the race report
2017: Sizing John – read the race report
2016: Don Cossack – read the race report
2015: Coneygree – read the race report
2014: Lord Windermere – read the race report
2013: Bobs Worth – read the race report
2012: Synchronised – read the race report
2011: Long Run – read the race report
Winning-most trainer, horse, jockey and owner
The all-time leading Cheltenham Gold Cup trainer is Tom Dreaper, who won it a total of five times, thanks to Prince Regent (1946), Arkle (1964-66) and Fort Leney (1968). The all-time most successful horse in the Cheltenham Gold Cup is Golden Miller, who won it a total of five times across five consecutive years – 1932 to 1936. The top all-time Cheltenham Gold Cup jockey is Pat Taaffe, who won a total of four times – three times on Arkle (1964-66) and one on Fort Leney (1968). And the leading Cheltenham Gold Cup owner, Dorothy Paget won it seven times – five times with Golden Miller (1932-36), as well as with Roman Hackle (1940) and Mont Tremblant (1952).
Most successful previous winners
Golden Miller: won five consecutive Gold Cups from 1932 to 1936 and in 1934 became the only horse ever to win the Aintree Grand National and the Gold Cup in the same season.
Cottage Rake: won three consecutive Gold Cups from 1948-1950.
Arkle: won three consecutive Gold Cups in 1963-1965.
L’Escargot: won the Gold Cup twice in 1970 and 1971.
Best Mate: won the Gold Cup three times in 2002-2004, the first three-timer since Arkle.
About the Gold Cup trophy
A new Gold Cup is cast every year for the winner of this race each year. The trophy is worth approximately £10,000 and made of 10 ounces of gold. In 2010, a Gold Cup won in 1988 was stolen by thieves from racehorse owner Raymond Mould. Mr Mould won the Cheltenham Gold Cup with Charter Party, ridden by Richard Dunwoody and trained by David Nicholson.
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The history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup
The first horse race known as the Cheltenham Gold Cup was a flat race run over three miles during a three-day meeting in 1819 and won by a horse called Spectre. The race was run on a course on Cleeve Hill, which overlooks the current Cheltenham racecourse site. The races on Cleeve Hill became popular over the next decade and then interest diminished as steeplechasing became popular.
On 12 March 1924 the Gold Cup was first run as a chase race at Prestbury Park. The winner was a horse called Splash and he took home prize money of £685.
It was not until some years later that the Cheltenham Festival and the Gold Cup became the prestigious events that they are today.
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