Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner 2024: Who won last year's race?

Some of the most illustrious horses have triumphed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, though only a handful have done so more than once. 

Four-time Festival winning jockey Aidan Coleman says winning the biggest race today will secure the legacy of Galopin Des Champs alongside three-time winners Arkle, Best Mate, Cottage Rake and five-time winner Golden Miller (1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, 1936).

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is widely regarded as the crown jewel of National Hunt racing, drawing elite competitors. But who won the race in 2024?

Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner 2024

Galopin Des Champs justified his status as the pre-race favourite to win the 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cup. His victory etched his name into the record books as only the eighth horse in the race’s century-long history to secure multiple victories. 

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With Jack Kennedy in the saddle, Gerri Colombe finished second, 3½ lengths behind the winner. Listed as the third-favourite in the betting, he exceeded expectations by taking the runner-up spot. Although he hadn’t competed in 2024 before the Gold Cup, he previously placed second to Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown and won at Down Royal.

Four horses — Monkfish, Gentlemansgame, Nassalam and The Real Whacker — were pulled up in the 2024 Gold Cup, while Fastorslow unseated its rider.

Going into the race, Fastorslow - the only horse to defeat Galopin Des Champs since the 2023 Cheltenham Gold Cup - was seen as the biggest threat but faltered early, botching a jump and unseating jockey JJ Slevin. 

This opened the door for Gerri Colombe and Corach Rambler to challenge the frontrunner, though neither could prevent Galopin Des Champs from cruising to a convincing win.

Key Runners to Watch in 2025 Gold Cup

There are some key runners to keep an eye on for the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup, including a few familiar names:

Galopin Des Champs

Under Willie Mullins’ guidance, Galopin Des Champs boasts an enviable record, winning nine of his 10 left-handed chase starts — his only blemish being a fall at the last fence in the 2022 Turners Novices’ Chase. He won the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle in 2021 and has claimed the past two Gold Cups. Despite a loss in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown this season, he roared back with Grade 1 victories at Leopardstown.

Banbridge

After winning the Grade 1 Champion Chase at Punchestown last season, Banbridge proved his versatility by outrunning Il Est Francais in the King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day. He’s likely to thrive on firmer ground at this year’s Festival, having struggled on softer going in last term’s Ryanair Chase.

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The winner of last year’s Kim Muir Handicap Chase at the Festival, this horse was entered into the Gold Cup at a £25,000 supplement by owner JP McManus, signalling strong belief in his potential. A Grade 1 winner at Aintree last season, he faltered in his first two runs this term before finishing fourth, 7¼ lengths off Galopin Des Champs in the Irish Gold Cup.

Monty’s Star

With only two victories from ten starts under rules, Monty’s Star took second in last season’s Brown Advisory Chase at Cheltenham and was runner-up in the Champion Novice Chase at Punchestown. After a disappointing return at Tramore as the odds-on favourite, he finished fifth in the Irish Gold Cup, 7¾ lengths behind Galopin Des Champs.

Corbetts Cross

A commanding 17-length winner of last season’s National Hunt Chase, Corbetts Cross followed up with a third-place finish in the Aintree Bowl as a novice. He’s yet to recapture that form this season, but a longer distance and a return to Cheltenham might reignite his spark.

The Real Whacker

Trained by Patrick Neville, this nine-year-old won the 2023 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase and regained his stride with a Grade 2 Charlie Hall Chase win at Wetherby in November. However, he placed fourth in the King George (17½ lengths behind Banbridge) and faces a steep challenge after pulling up in last year’s Gold Cup.

Betting Trends for the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup

Of the last 25 winners, 24 were aged seven to nine, and 22 had run in 12 or fewer chases. Nine of the past 11 victors were trained in Ireland, with four of the last six under Willie Mullins. Worryingly for Galopin Des Champs’ rivals, four of the last five favourites to win the race have done so.

Cheltenham Gold Cup Winners

Since 1924, the Cheltenham Gold Cup has run annually - with the exception of just five years due to various circumstances. A full breakdown of the history winners can be found in the table below: