Top 5 winning most trainers at the Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious and eagerly anticipated events in the world of horse racing. Held annually at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, England, the festival attracts the very best horses, jockeys, and trainers from around the world. Over the years, there have been many legendary trainers who have left their mark on the festival. In this blog post, we will look at the top five trainers in Cheltenham Festival history.
1. Willie Mullins - 88
Willie Mullins is undoubtedly one of the greatest trainers in the history of the Cheltenham Festival. He has trained 88 winners at the festival and has been crowned the leading trainer nine times. Mullins' tally includes four victories in the Champion Hurdle, two apiece in the Gold Cup and Stayers' Hurdle, and one Champion Chase win with Energumene last year.
2. Nicky Henderson - 72
Nicky Henderson is the most succesful British trainer who has enjoyed great success at the Cheltenham Festival. He has trained 72 winners at the festival, including two Gold Cup winners. His most famous horse, Sprinter Sacre, won the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 2013 and 2016, and he also trained the legendary Altior to four consecutive festival victories between 2016 and 2019.
3. Paul Nicholls - 46
Paul Nicholls is one of the most successful trainers in the history of National Hunt racing. He has trained over 3,000 winners in his career, including 46 at the Cheltenham Festival. He has been crowned the leading trainer six times and has trained numerous champion horses, including Kauto Star and Denman, who won the Gold Cup in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
4. Fulke Walwyn – 40
Welsh-born Fulke Walwyn saddled 40 Cheltenham Festival winners across a 40-year stint from 1946-1986. His tally is impressive given there were fewer races to compete for in that era and his record stood until 2012 when a certain N J Henderson overtook him. Amongst his tally were four Gold Cup and two Champion Hurdles. The great Mill House won the Blue Riband in 1963 before twice finishing second to Arkle in ’64 and ’65.
5. Martin Pipe - 34
Martin Pipe is a former National Hunt jockey turned trainer who enjoyed great success at the Cheltenham Festival. He trained a record-breaking 34 winners at the festival and was crowned the leading trainer on 15 occasions. His most famous horse was probably the grey stayer, Carvill's Hill, who won the Sun Alliance Novices' Hurdle in 1991.
The Cheltenham Festival has produced many legendary trainers over the years, but these five trainers have left an indelible mark on the festival's history. From Nicky Henderson's record-breaking achievements to Willie Mullins' incredible success with Quevega, these trainers have set the bar high for future generations of trainers to follow.
