The Cheltenham results Festival 2025 wrapped up on March 14, leaving horse racing fans buzzing with excitement, shock, and a few broken betting slips. This four-day extravaganza at Prestbury Park delivered unforgettable moments, jaw-dropping upsets, and a showcase of equine brilliance. From the roar of the crowd on Champion Day to the nail-biting finish of the Gold Cup, the festival proved once again why it reigns as the crown jewel of National Hunt racing. Let’s dive into the highlights, the winners, and the stories that made this year’s event one for the history books.
Day One: Champion Day Kicks Off with Drama
The festival exploded into life on Tuesday, March 11, with Champion Day setting the tone for a rollercoaster week. Fans packed the stands, their cheers echoing through the Cotswolds as the first race, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, launched the action. Kopek Des Bordes, trained by Willie Mullins, stormed to victory, delighting punters who backed the highly rated novice. The win marked an early triumph for Mullins, a trainer whose name would dominate headlines all week.
Next up, the Arkle Challenge Trophy brought more thrills. Marine Nationale, ridden by Sean Flanagan, carried emotional weight after the passing of jockey Michael O’Sullivan, who had guided the horse to a Supreme Novices’ Hurdle win in 2023. Flanagan steered the horse to a gutsy victory, honoring O’Sullivan’s legacy and sending the crowd into a frenzy. However, the day’s biggest shock came in the Unibet Champion Hurdle. Golden Ace, a 25-1 outsider trained by Jeremy Scott, stunned everyone by galloping home after favorites Constitution Hill and State Man crashed out in dramatic fashion. Lorcan Williams, the jockey, could hardly believe his luck as he celebrated a career-defining moment.
The day wrapped up with handicaps and more Irish success, but Golden Ace’s win stole the show. Sir Alex Ferguson, watching his horses compete, left disappointed as his runners failed to fire. Still, the unpredictability of Champion Day hooked fans from the start, promising more twists to come.
Day Two: Jon Bon Falls, Irish Eyes Smile
Wednesday, March 12, brought Ladies Day and a packed schedule headlined by the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Nicky Henderson’s Jonbon, returning after missing 2024, carried high hopes but couldn’t deliver. Marine Nationale, fresh off his Arkle win, powered past Jonbon to claim the top prize, cementing his status as a festival superstar. Sean Flanagan beamed with pride, dedicating the win to O’Sullivan once more.
Elsewhere, Willie Mullins kept the wins flowing. His horses dominated the novice races, with Fact To File catching eyes in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase. The Irish trainer’s relentless success sparked chatter about another record-breaking week. Meanwhile, the Coral Cup and Grand Annual Chase offered punters a chance to cash in, with outsider Our Champ landing at 28-1 for those brave enough to back him each way.
The day wasn’t without heartache. Galvin, a fan favorite, pulled up in the Cross Country Chase and faced a vet check, though he walked into the ambulance—a small relief amid the tension. By the end of Day Two, Ireland’s trainers held a firm grip on the leaderboard, leaving British hopefuls scrambling to catch up.
Day Three: St Patrick’s Thursday Shines Bright
Thursday, March 13, dubbed St Patrick’s Thursday, turned the festival into a green-tinted celebration. Rachael Blackmore stole the spotlight, riding Bob Olinger to a stunning victory in the Stayers’ Hurdle. Earlier, she triumphed in the Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, proving her mastery at Prestbury Park. The crowd roared as Blackmore waved to the stands, her double victory lighting up the day.
Fact To File returned in the Ryanair Chase, delivering another win for Mullins and cementing his reputation as a rising star. However, tragedy struck in the Jack Richards Novices’ Handicap Chase. Springwell Bay fell and suffered a fatal injury, a somber moment that reminded everyone of racing’s risks. Cheltenham officials expressed their condolences, and the mood briefly dipped.
Still, the Irish contingent rallied. The Pertemps Network Final and Festival Plate kept the wins coming, with Haiti Couleurs and Famous Bridge rewarding savvy bettors at 4-1 and 20-1. By dusk, the Irish sweep looked unstoppable, and Gordon Elliott, still winless, felt the pressure mounting.
Day Four: Gold Cup Glory and Unexpected Heroes
Friday, March 14, brought the grand finale: Gold Cup Day. The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, worth £625,000, loomed as the week’s pinnacle. Galopin Des Champs, aiming for a historic third straight win, entered as the odds-on favorite. Paul Townend guided the horse with confidence, but Inothewayurthinkin, trained by Sam Curling, had other plans. In a breathtaking upset, the underdog surged ahead, denying Galopin Des Champs a place alongside legends like Arkle and Best Mate. The crowd gasped, then erupted as Mark Walsh celebrated a monumental win.
Earlier, the JCB Triumph Hurdle delivered the week’s biggest shock. Poniros, a 100-1 longshot, stormed to victory, leaving bookmakers grinning and punters stunned. Jasmin De Vaux followed with a win in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, giving Mullins yet another notch on his belt. Sadly, the Gold Cup saw tragedy too—Corbetts Cross fell fatally, casting a shadow over the celebrations.
The day closed with Gordon Elliott finally breaking his duck. Wodhooh powered home in the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, completing an Irish sweep of Friday’s races. Wonderwall’s 28-1 win in the Hunters’ Chase added a final flourish, sending fans home with tales of triumph and heartbreak.
FAQs
Who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2025, and how did it happen?
Inothewayurthinkin, trained by Sam Curling and ridden by Mark Walsh, clinched the 2025 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. The horse pulled off a stunning upset, overtaking the heavily favored Galopin Des Champs, who aimed for a third straight win. The race unfolded with high drama, as Inothewayurthinkin surged late to claim the £625,000 prize on March 14.
Which trainer had the most winners at the festival?
Willie Mullins topped the charts with 10 winners across the four days. His victories included Kopek Des Bordes in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Fact To File in the Brown Advisory and Ryanair Chase, and Jasmin De Vaux in the Albert Bartlett. His dominance underscored his reputation as the festival’s most successful trainer.
What was the biggest upset of Cheltenham 2025?
Poniros shocked the racing world by winning the JCB Triumph Hurdle at 100-1 odds on Day Four. The longshot beat favorites East India Dock and Lulamba, delivering a massive payout for daring bettors. This victory on March 14 stood out as the festival’s most jaw-dropping result.
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