Celebrating the annual challenge between Great Britain and Ireland for Festival winners
RESULT AFTER GOLD CUP DAY FRIDAY 17 MARCH 2023
The Festival at Cheltenham Racecourse has seen a great rivalry between the home team of British-trained runners and those crossing the Irish Sea for many years.
To celebrate this rivalry, the competition between the two countries is officially titled The Prestbury Cup.
The Prestbury Cup runs from the first race of the four-day meeting from the first race on Day One through until either country has 14 winners or more.
There are a total of 28 races during The Festival.
The Prestbury Cup, named after the nearest village to Cheltenham Racecourse, will be presented to jockeys and trainers from Ireland or Britain once the winning country is confirmed. The Cup itself has been sealed with some hallowed Cheltenham turf, so the winning country will be taking a little bit of Cheltenham with them.
Best of luck, or as they say in Ireland, Is fearr de luck!
Leading Jockey, Owner and Trainer
Leading Jockey
Irish Champion Jump Jockey Paul Townend retained his Craft Irish Whiskey Leading Jockey title at this year's Festival with 5 winners across the four days, including winning the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup on Galopin Des Champ and the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase on Energumene for the second year running.
Leading Owner
For most owners to have a runner at The Festival is a dream come true and to have a winner, is nothing short of amazing, but to land Leading Owner at The Festival is something quite incredible. The 2023 leading owner was JP McManus who had 4 winners across the Festival including Sire Du Berlais winning the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle and A Dream To Share taking the Weatherbys Champion Bumper.
Leading Trainer
Willie Mullins is an easy winner of the Craft Irish Whiskey Leading Trainer again in 2023 with 6 winners including being victorious in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup and training the first 3 horses past the post in the JCB Triumph Hurdle. He is now only 6 winners off achieving his century of Cheltenham Festival winners, can he achieve this in 2024 when we celebrate the centenary year of the Gold Cup.