Who are the Most Successful Trainers in the History of the Cheltenham Festival?
In the world of horse racing, the Cheltenham Festival stands out as the most spectacular display. The best horse trainers in the world compete here every year for the most prestigious awards and generous monetary payouts in the sport. It’s interesting to observe, though, which trainers have delivered the grand spectacle’s most skilful performances.
Many seasoned trainers have triumphed in the past, and fresher trainers have also succeeded in leaving their imprint. To find out who among them has had the most successful runs at Cheltenham and what makes them unique from their rivals, let’s look deeper into this area of horse racing history.
Willie Mullins
Since his first appearance at the festival in 2008, Willie Mullins‘ name has become synonymous with Cheltenham. It wasn’t until 2011 though that he truly solidified his place in the history books, picking up an impressive four winners throughout the course of the week.
While the arrival of Gordon Elliott curtailed his dominance, Mullins bounced back to his very best in 2019. Over the course of the following four years, he once again secured four consecutive top trainer awards, now amassing an incredible total of 27 winners. His overall tally now stands at a staggering 78 winners, a testament to Mullins’ unrivalled expertise in preparing and training talented racehorses.
His prowess and influence extend well beyond his impressive trophy cabinet. His ability to nurture and develop extraordinary equine talent has cemented his legacy and earned him the respect of his peers. He has been responsible for overseeing the success of a number of iconic horses, including Hurricane Fly and six-time Festival champion Quevega, both of whom hold a special place in the hearts of passionate horse racing fans throughout the world.
However, Mullins’ crowning achievement came in 2019 when Al Boum Photo triumphed in the much-coveted Gold Cup. This remarkable feat epitomised Mullins’ unwavering dedication and commitment to excellence and further solidified his place among the greatest trainers of all time.
Nicky Henderson
Irish trainer Nicky Henderson also boasts a remarkable track record at Cheltenham. Throughout his illustrious career, he has trained a plethora of incredible horses, including Altior, who attained victory in 21 of his 24 races, securing a whopping £1.25m in prize money in the process. Additionally, Henderson also trained Sprinter Sacre, who triumphed in two Champion Chases in 2013 and once more three years later.
The roster of fantastic horses doesn’t stop there. Henderson has also bred Bobs Worth and Long Run, both of whom secured Gold Cups. Inocular, another Henderson-trained horse, obtained two Champion Hurdles.