Ireland’s dominance at the Cheltenham Festival has been well documented over the past decade, particularly in the annual Prestbury Cup, where they notably triumphed 23-5 over Britain in the 2021 behind-closed-doors meeting. One race that has particularly showcased Ireland’s strength is the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup. As the pinnacle of the National Hunt racing season, the Gold Cup attracts extensive attention in horse racing betting markets each year.
But while the betting public awaits another British winner, the Irish have maintained a stronghold on the race, marking six years since Britain’s last victory with Native River in 2018.
Irish-trained horses have won every Gold Cup since 2019, and with the top four favourites in the 2025 ante-post market all hailing from the Emerald Isle, this streak seems poised to continue. Here’s a look at the remarkable recent Irish-trained champions of Cheltenham’s feature race.
2023 & 2024 – Galopin Des Champs
Galopin Des Champs has firmly established himself as a modern legend with back-to-back victories in the 2023 and 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cups. In his first Gold Cup appearance in 2023, he outclassed Bravemansgame, Britain’s leading hope, by a commanding seven lengths.
He then returned in 2024 to see off old rival Gerri Colombe, winning by just over three lengths in an impressive display of stamina and speed. Now aiming for a historic hat-trick, Galopin Des Champs remains the horse to beat as he targets an unprecedented third consecutive Gold Cup victory.
2022 – A Plus Tard
A Plus Tard’s triumph in the 2022 Gold Cup marked a historic moment for both the sport and jockey Rachael Blackmore. Already renowned for her Grand National victory aboard Minella Times in 2021, Blackmore became the first female jockey to win the Gold Cup.
A Plus Tard was also the second consecutive winner of the race for trainer Henry De Bromhead, who had a Gold Cup double after Minella Indo’s success the previous year. This victory cemented Blackmore’s legacy in National Hunt racing, and A Plus Tard’s dominance in 2022 is fondly remembered as one of the highlights of recent Cheltenham history.
2021 – Minella Indo
In 2021, Minella Indo caused a surprise in the Gold Cup with his 9/1 win under jockey Jack Kennedy. With Rachael Blackmore and A Plus Tard aiming to make history, Minella Indo denied them the title in an impressive performance.
At just 18, Kennedy became the youngest jockey in the modern era to win the race. Trainer De Bromhead was delighted to have the first and second place, while Al Boum Photo, going for his own hat-trick, could manage only third.
2019 & 2020 – Al Boum Photo
Willie Mullins, a leading figure in Irish racing, finally broke his Gold Cup drought with Al Boum Photo, who won back-to-back titles in 2019 and 2020. In 2019, the Joe Donnelly-owned horse overcame the odds as a 12/1 outsider.
Al Boum Photo then returned the following year to defend his title, fighting off British rival Santini to claim a narrow victory, joining an elite group of horses to win consecutive Gold Cups. His dual victories also highlighted Mullins’ skill and consistency as a trainer at the highest level of National Hunt racing.