Who is one of the most successful trainers in Cheltenham Festival history taking to compete this year?
Nicky Henderson, a titan of British National Hunt racing, has cemented his place as one of the most successful trainers in Cheltenham Festival history, with 73 victories to his name.
Second only to Willie Mullins in total Festival wins, Henderson’s career, which began in 1978, is studded with iconic moments, including three consecutive Champion Hurdle triumphs with See You Then (1985–1987), Gold Cup successes with Long Run (2011) and Bobs Worth (2013), and six Queen Mother Champion Chase victories, courtesy of legends like Sprinter Sacre and Altior.
Despite never winning the Grand National, Henderson’s remarkable record at Cheltenham and across England and Ireland underscores his status as a training maestro.
As the 2025 Festival approaches, his stable is primed to add to this illustrious legacy.
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Nicky Henderson Cheltenham Festival Horses
Henderson’s entries for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, running from March 11 to 14, showcase his depth of talent.
Day 1 Notable Entries:
On Champion Day, Jango Baie is a contender in the Arkle Challenge Trophy, while Constitution Hill headlines the Unibet Champion Hurdle as the overwhelming favourite.
Day 2 Notable Entries:
Style Wednesday features Jonbon, the leading hope in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
Day 3 Notable Entries:
St. Patrick’s Thursday sees Lucky Place in the Paddy Power Stayers' Hurdle.
Day 4 Notable Entries:
Gold Cup Day includes Lulamba and Palladium in the JCB Triumph Hurdle, with Nativehill entered in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.
Nicky Henderson Best Cheltenham Chances
Constitution Hill
Constitution Hill, a seven-year-old hurdler with a Timeform rating of 177, is Henderson’s standout prospect for 2025.
After winning the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle in 2022 and the Champion Hurdle in 2023, he remains unbeaten, with recent victories at Kempton and Cheltenham reinforcing his dominance.
His latest performances, including a commanding win in the Unibet Hurdle in January 2025, make him the horse to beat in the Champion Hurdle.
Jonbon
Jonbon, a nine-year-old chaser, is another key contender, particularly in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.
After missing last year’s Festival due to a stable bug, Jonbon has returned in top form, with wins in the Shloer Chase, Tingle Creek, and Clarence House Chase.
His consistent performances, including a standout victory at Aintree in 2024, position him as a strong favourite to claim the two-mile chasing crown.
Nicky Henderson’s Cheltenham Festival Record
With 73 wins at the Cheltenham Festival, Henderson is second only to Willie Mullins in the all-time list.
Over the past five years, Henderson’s horses have won 13% of their 1,746 Cheltenham runs, with 27.7% placing in the top four, earning over £13.9 million.
In the current jumps season, his hurdle runners have a 19% win rate, while chase runners stand at 33%.
With Constitution Hill and Jonbon leading the charge, Henderson is poised to enhance his Cheltenham legacy in 2025.
