As the National Hunt Racing season reapproaches, the iconic Cheltenham Festival has made the headlines. An annual favourite for those who bet on horse racing, there have been some major changes to the 2025 Festival’s schedule—with the conditions of several races changed to make for more competitive fields.
One race they will likely never touch is the Gold Cup. Arguably the most prestigious contest of the entire jumps racing calendar, the Grade 1 is the race that every owner, trainer, and jockey wants to win the most each year.
In recent times, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend have dominated the Gold Cup. Mullins had never won the lucrative contest until Al Boum Photo lifted his curse in 2019, and the Irish handler has gone to win it four times in the last six years—interrupted only twice by his fellow countryman Henry de Bromhead.
Al Boum Photo had the chance to write his name in the history books in 2021 as he went into the behind-closed-doors Festival seeking a third successive triumph in the Gold Cup. However, the dual winner could fare no better than third as Minella Indo won the top prize under a young Jack Kennedy.
The dream of winning a third Gold Cup slipped further away from Al Boum Photo the following year, as he was back in sixth as De Bromhead retained his crown—this time with Rachael Blackmore guiding Al Plus Tard home to become the first female rider to win the Grade 1 contest.
Fast forward to today, though, and Mullins is once again on the quest for a three-peat. Galopin Des Champs has followed in his predecessor’s hoofs and won the Gold Cup for the last two years in a row, beating Bravemansgame and Gerri Colombe gamely at Prestbury Park.
Can the eight-year-old do what just a handful of previous thoroughbreds have achieved in the Gold Cup’s entire history? Well, the bookies certainly think so, as Galopin Des Champs is the ante-post favourite to win the race for the third time in succession.
However, that will come as no surprise given his record in the Gold Cup. What’s also unquestionable is the horse’s ability. He has an incredible record of nine victories in 13 attempts over fences, with his infamous fall when well clear in the 2022 Turners Novices’ Chase and three defeats to Fastorslow his blemishes.
Many might wonder then if Fastorslow can push Galopin Des Champs close at Cheltenham. You’ll remember from this year that the Martin Brassil-trained horse was in touch with the leaders when unseating JJ Slevin at the 16th fence, but while we’ll truly never know, it’s unlikely he was catching Galopin Des Champs given the manner in which he finished.
Fastorslow is on course to give the Gold Cup another go this season, but Galopin Des Champs’ main rival in the race could be a lot closer to home. Fellow Mullins-trained horse Fact To File is hot on his heels in the market after going 3-4 over fences last season—including winning the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at Cheltenham.
A regular recipient of the Leading Trainer award at Prestbury Park each March, McManus has lifted the Gold Cup only once thanks to Synchronised in 2012. The Irish billionaire will be very keen to double his tally this year, and Mullins will have him more than prepared despite what’s on the line for Galopin Des Champs.
It’s very early to tell because we don’t know the true extent of Fact To File’s ability over fences as he was only a novice last campaign. However, we can assume he is going to be very good, while we also don’t know how Galopin Des Champs is going to perform.
What we can say, however, is that Galopin Des Champs has all the making of being a three-time Gold Cup winner and he has every chance of etching his name in racing folklore in March.
