The 2024 Cheltenham Festival is on the horizon, and anticipation for the latest renewal of the Gold Cup is reaching a fever pitch amongst racing fans and pundits alike.
An enduring symbol of excellence, perseverance, and raw equine power, the legendary Gold Cup has witnessed the triumphs of some of the sport’s most illustrious champions.
With the countdown to yet another exhilarating edition of the prestigious event on and those looking for a bet on Cheltenham Gold Cup 2024 ramping up their research, it’s fitting to cast our gaze back upon the last five winners who have etched their names in folklore.
Each victor tells a story of sheer determination and tactical brilliance. From Al Boum Photo’s dual dominance to Minella Indo’s thrilling upset, these champions have captivated horse racing fans. So, let’s look at their extraordinary feats on the hallowed turf of Prestbury Park.
Native River – 2018
Native River delivered trainer Colin Tizzard his maiden Gold Cup success in 2018, beating the pre-race favourite Might Bite by four-and-a-half lengths.
The then eight-year-old was the second favourite at 5/1 in the Cheltenham horse race betting and battled bravely with Might Bite over the last few fences before gaining a narrow advantage, staying on strongly up the hill and being driven out for a comfortable win under jockey Richard Johnson.
Al Boum Photo – 2019 & 2020
Given Willie Mullin’s immense success at the Cheltenham Festival over the last couple of decades, it’s somewhat hard to believe that Al Boum Photo’s initial win in 2019 was also the esteemed trainer’s first in the Gold Cup.
Al Boum Photo was priced at outside odds of 12/1, technically making him Mullins’ third-string horse in the race as Kemboy and Bellshill were both shorter prices.
But, as they say, a horse doesn’t know its odds and Al Boum Photo led turning in — going on to win by over two lengths from Anibale Fly in second.
Like London buses, two Gold Cups arrived in succession for Mullins as the Jessica Donnelly-owned horse followed up in 2020 when beating Santini by a neck to become the first horse since Best Mate in the early 2000s to win back-to-back Gold Cups.
Related: No Davy Russell At This Year’s Cheltenham Festival, So Who Are The Jockeys To Watch?
Minella Indo – 2021
The 2021 Cheltenham Festival might have fallen a bit flat for some people as it was held behind closed doors due to the pandemic, but it was one to remember for trainer Henry de Bromhead.
The Irish trainer won an incredible six races across the four days, including the esteemed Champion Hurdle and Queen Mother Champion Chase, but the Gold Cup was the cherry on the cake.
With Al Boum Photo going for the hat-trick and stablemate A Plus Tard looking to make history with Rachael Blackmore in the saddle, Minella Indo was fancied at 9/1.
However, he had gained a two-length lead ahead of the last and despite that being reduced by A Plus Tard on the run-in, stayed on gamely to win by just over a length under youngster Jack Kennedy.
A Plus Tard – 2022
It is notoriously difficult to bounce back from a Gold Cup defeat.
But, 12 months on from finishing second to Minella Indo, A Plus Tard and a determined Blackmore returned to Prestbury Park with their sights set on revenge.
This time, the Cheveley Park Stud-owned horse was the 3/1 favourite and he rallied home to win by a commanding 15 lengths from Minella Indo as Blackmore became the first female rider to win the sought-after Gold Cup.
Galopin Des Champs – 2023
Three years on from Al Boum Photo’s second success, Mullins was once again celebrating a Gold Cup win thanks to Galopin Des Champs.
The seven-year-old was one of the shortest-priced Gold Cup favourites in recent years with odds of 7/4, but he justified his market value with a seven-length win over Bravemansgame.
Galopin Des Champs is just 10/11 to win back-to-back renewals of the Gold Cup this year.
