Often regarded as the most prestigious race at the Cheltenham Festival, the Gold Cup is the pinnacle for jockeys and trainers alike. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, last year saw the return of a full-capacity crowd for the first time since 2020, and it’s fair to say that fans were reminded just what they were missing when it comes to the famous Cheltenham roar.
Indeed, Prestbury Park’s atmosphere was amped up a few notches last time out and it will be interesting to see if things will be repeated this year. The likes of Galopin Des Champs and last year’s winner A Plus Tard are tipped as favourites to win the Gold Cup amongst the UK horse racing betting, but given the Festival’s unpredictability there’s always the chance of an outsider stealing the show.
To win the Gold Cup is to write your name in the Cheltenham history books. With that in mind, let’s recap previous winners over the recent years and look at their path to glory. Read on to find out more.
2022 – A Plus Tard
Last year’s Gold Cup looked like one of the most open in recent years, with several challengers all capable of winning the race, however, it was A Plus Tard who was successful. The Henry de Bromhead-trained horse beat his stablemate Minella Indo by 11 lengths, avenging his loss from the 2021 Gold Cup. Rachael Blackmore created history in the process by becoming the first female jockey to win the title, with Galvin and Harry Skelton’s Protektorat starting strong but eventually fading away to finish third and fourth respectively.
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2021 – Minella Indo
Jack Kennedy burst onto the scene aboard Minella Indo as the Henry de Bromhead-trained horse won behind closed doors in the 2021 edition of the Gold Cup. Coming into the race with 9/1 odds, the County Waterford eight-year-old surpassed the likes of A Plus Tard and Frodon in a fierce race.
“I think I’m still in the hotel” Kennedy said. “It’s Monday night and it is the start of the week and nothing has happened as of yet, it’s mad!
“I keep saying it’s amazing but it genuinely is. I was looking at him (Al Boum Photo) thinking he is going to stay on. Jack was brilliant on Indo. He is just such a tough horse. To see him pricking his ears after the second last was great, but it is all down to the crew at home and here.
2020 and 2019 – Al Boum Photo
It’s impressive winning the Gold Cup as a one off, but to win successive races and retain the title is certainly a memorable achievement. That was the case of French-bred Al Boum Photo, who captured the Gold Cup back to back in 2020 and 2019. The Willie Mullins-trained veteran was in the peak of his powers as he beat the likes of Anibale Fly and Native River in 2019 and despite a poor Punchestown performance the same spring, he returned in 2020 with a triumphant victory to establish himself as a real Cheltenham legend.
