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Cheltenham Festival 2025 – Leading Top Jockey, Trainer and Owner Standings

Marine Nationale, Seán Flanagan and owner/trainer Barry Connell return to the winner's enclosure after their Champion Chase success. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL NEWS: LEADING JOCKEYS, TRAINERS & OWNERS PLUS FINAL STANDINGS IN THE PRESTBURY CUP AT THE END OF GOLD CUP DAY

Leading Jockeys at The Cheltenham Festival 2025

Jockey 1st 2nd 3rd
PAUL TOWNEND 4 1 1
Mark Walsh 4 – 2
Danny Gilligan 2 1 1
Rachael Blackmore 2 – 3
Jonjo O’Neill Jr 2 – –
Nico de Boinville 1 4 –
Keith Donoghue 1 3 1
Sean Flanagan 1 1 2
Harry Skelton 1 1 2
Danny Mullins 1 1 1
Ben Jones 1 – 1
Sean O’Keeffe 1 – 1
Harry Cobden 1 – –
Brian Hughes 1 – –
Mr Robert James 1 – –
Mr Barry Stone 1 – –
Miss Jody Townend 1 – –
Patrick Wadge 1 – –
Lorcan Williams 1 – –
Jack Kennedy – 3 3
Darragh O’Keeffe – 3 1
Mr Derek O’Connor – 2 –
Brendan Powell – 2 –
Conor Stone-Walsh – 2 –
Miss Gina Andrews – 1 –
Sean Bowen – 1 –
Lewis Saunders – 1 –
Sam Twiston-Davies – 1 2
Gavin Brouder – – 1
Tom Cannon – – 1
Derek Fox – – 1
Brian Hayes – – 1
Donagh Meyler – – 1
Mr Patrick Mullins – – 1
Mr J L Scallan – – 1

Leading Trainers at The Cheltenham Festival 2025

Trainer 1st 2nd 3rd
WILLIE MULLINS IRE 10 2 6
Gavin Cromwell IRE 2 5 4
Nicky Henderson 2 4 –
Henry de Bromhead IRE 2 2 4
Gordon Elliott IRE 1 4 6
Dan Skelton 1 1 1
Barry Connell IRE 1 1 –
Lucinda Russell 1 – 1
Cian Collins IRE 1 – –
Sam Curling IRE 1 – –
Rebecca Curtis 1 – –
Oliver Greenall & Josh Guerriero 1 – –
Paul Nicholls 1 – –
Paul Nolan IRE 1 – –
Joseph O’Brien IRE 1 – –
Jeremy Scott 1 – –
Joe Tizzard – 2 –
David Budds IRE – 1 –
Tom Ellis – 1 –
John McConnell IRE – 1 –
Emmet Mullins IRE – 1 –
Olly Murphy – 1 –
Jonjo & AJ O’Neill – 1 –
James Owen – 1 2
Tom Cooper IRE – – 1
Alan King – – 1
Mouse Morris IRE – – 1
Ben Pauling – – 1

The Prestbury Cup – Final Standings

  • Ireland: 20
  • UK: 8

Leading Owners at The Cheltenham Festival 2025

Owner 1st 2nd 3rd
JP McMANUS 6 5 4
Robcour 2 2 1
Kenny Alexander 2 1 –
Barry Connell 1 1 –
Susannah Ricci 1 – 1
Tony Bloom 1 – –
Brizzle Boys 1 – –
Countrywide Park Homes 1 – –
DKCR Partnership 1 – –
Ferguson, Mason, Hales, Done & Hogarth 1 – –
Furze Bush Syndicate 1 – –
Ian Gosden 1 – –
Monabeg Investments 1 – –
Simon Munir & Isaac Souede 1 – –
O’Connell Morgan Syndicate 1 – –
J O’Leary 1 – –
Slaneyville Syndicate 1 – –
The Sundowners Partnership 1 – –
Top Man Racing Syndicate 1 – –
Wymer & Russell 1 – –
Edward Ware 1 – –
Bective Stud – 1 2
The Gredley Family – 1 2
Gigginstown House Stud – 1 1
Mrs JM Russell – 1 1
Best Of The Rest Syndicate – 1 –
John Brennan/David Flynn/Danny Kearns – 1 –
Brides Hill Syndicate – 1 –
Sean Costine – 1 –
Marie Donnelly – 1 –
Easyfix – 1 –
M K Mariga – 1 –
Pippa Ellis – 1 –
K Haughey/Kieran Byrne – 1 –
Darragh McDonagh – 1 –
O’Reilly, MacLennan et al – 1 –
John Romans & Nick Case – 1 –
Audrey Turley – 1 –
Susan & John Waterworth – 1 –
Diana Whateley – 1 –
Cheveley Park Stud – – 1
M J Hanrahan – – 1
Jolly Boys Outing – – 1
Chris Jones – – 1
Mrs H M Keaveney – – 1
Brendan Keogh – – 1
Kilbarry Farm Enterprises – – 1
KTDA Racing – – 1
Declan Landy – – 1
Ciaran Mooney – – 1
HOS Syndicate – – 1
Morrison-Bell & Russell – – 1
McNeill Family & Niall Farrell – – 1
Triple Lock Partnership – – 1
Garry Wilson – – 1

Inothewayurthinkin wins 2025 Boodles Gold Cup

Inothewayurthinkin gives J.P. McManus a second Cheltenham Gold Cup. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Inothewayurthinkin has won the Boodles Gold Cup at Cheltenham and dethroned the dual champion Galopin Des Champs.

A great week for the Cheltenham Festival’s leading all-time owner got even better as he claimed the blue riband of chasing on Friday.

Well placed throughout the race, Inothewayurthinkin is a first Gold Cup for trainer Gavin Cromwell, and is another Grade 1 this week for rider Mark Walsh.

Inothewayurthinkin is the first supplementary entry to win the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, as he was added to the field on Saturday, 8th March at a cost of £25,000.

Bred by Noreen McManus, the winner is a second victory for the Limerick owner in the Gold Cup, and his 84th Festival winner.

Inothewayurthinkin is the 20th seven-year-old to succeed and the 31st horse trained in Ireland to win the contest.

Mark Walsh, narrowly pipped for the leading rider at this year’s Cheltenham Festival by Paul Townend, said of the victory:

“I’m dancing inside! Brilliant, I can’t believe it. They went a nice gallop. He jumped well on the whole, he just missed the ditch going down the back the last time.

“In fairness to this fella, he’s done some growing up in the last year. He won here last year, but Gavin Cromwell is a genius. The way he trained him, he had him spot on for today. Brilliant. He’s a home-bred as well, which makes it extra special. Delighted.”

A shocked Gavin Cromwell admitted:

 “I don’t know what to say as it is absolutely massive. I never thought I would have a horse good enough to run in a Gold Cup, let alone win.

“It is unbelievable and it will probably take a while to sink in. I’m absolutely thrilled. I didn’t think we were travelling particularly well as just on that ground he looked to be flat out.”

The defending champion and two-time winner Galopin Des Champs (8/13 favourite) was second for Paul Townend and Willie Mullins.

The Mouse Morris-trained Gentlemansgame (40/1) was another 12 lengths away in third for Darragh O’Keffee and owners Robcour.

A sad postscript to the race was that Corbetts Cross, trained by Emmet Mullins for J.P. McManus, who fell at the last fence in the Boodles Gold Cup sadly lost his life.

Wonderwall and Wodhooh wins mean 7 Irish-trained winners today

Wonderwall and Rob James win the Foxhunters for trainer Sam Curling. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Wonderwall (28/1) and Wodhooh won races five and six on the final day at Cheltenham to complete and Irish clean weep of the card on day four.

In the Foxhunters, the Sam Curling-prepared nine-year-old son of Yeats, Wonderwall, with Rob James riding, defeated previous dual runner-up in the race Its On The Line (4/1) and Derek O’Connor.

Gordon Elliott’s Willitgoahead, owned by Bective Stud, was third at 13/2.

Wodhooh (9/2) won the final race of the festival, the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle for the same successful candidates as last year, Danny Gilligan and Gordon Elliott.

Act Of Authority (28/1) was second to the only Elliott winner of Cheltenham 2025. The runner-up for Olly Murphy, was ridden by Lewis Sanders.

Raglan Road (25/1) and Taponthego (8/1) were third and fourth for Waterford handler, Henry de Bromhead. The former was piloted by Gavin Brouder, with the latter the mount of Mikey ‘Connor.

Jasmin De Vaux becomes dual Cheltenham Festival winner

Jasmin De Vaux returns to the winner's enclosure as a dual Cheltenham festival winner. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Jasmin De Vaux (6/1), last season’s Weatherbys Bumper winner at the Cheltenham Festival, returned to the Cotswolds this afternoon to claim the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.

It continued the excellent form on Friday of both Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, as he claimed the race by two and a half lengths from the Irish-trained favourite The Big Westerner (9/2f).

The Henry de Bromhead-handled Darragh O’Keeffe-ridden runner-up was two and a half lengths adrift of the winner, with the Irish-bred Lucinda Russell-trained Derryhassen Paddy (10/1) and Derek Fox another four and a half lengths behind.

“This lad takes a bit of warming up, he’s not the most straightforward, but he’s a classy individual,” Paul Towend admitted post race.”He showed that here last year – that was a huge pick from Patrick and I said, ‘If he picked him last year, I couldn’t leave him behind this year.’

“I think a lot of it is just confidence with him and just getting into a rhythm – I thought there would be plenty go forward – and ride him for class.”

Dinoblue is easy winner of Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase

Last year's runner-up, Dinoblue, goes one place better in the 2025 Mrs Paddy Power Mares' Chase. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

The Willie Mullins bandwagon keeps rolling on at Cheltenham this afternoon, as he won the  Grade 2 Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase with Dinoblue (6/4f).

Runner-up in the race last year to Limerick Lace, both of them owned by J.P. McManus, the Doctor Dino eight-year-old was a comprehensive eight and a half length winner this time.

Gavin Cromwell’s Brides Hill (9/2) and Keith Donoghue were second, while Gordon Elliott’s Shecouldbeanything (12/1) was another five and a half lengths further back in third in an Irish-trained trifecta.

Today’s better ground was of assistance to the winning mare, according to her owner, J.P. McManus:

“She’s a much better mare on good ground. Mark said she loved it out there and loved the surface, whereas last year she found it tough. She’s been at it a while now, so her jumping should be good!”

2024 Triumph runner-up Kargese wins County Hurdle

Last year's Triumph Hurdle runner-up. Kargese, wins the County Hurdle with Paul Townend. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Willie Mullins completed a quick Gold Cup Day double when Kargese won the second race of the afternoon, the William Hill County Handicap Hurdle in the hands of Paul Townend.

Backed into 3/1 favouritism, last year’s Triumph Hurdle runner-up, led home an irish-trained 1-2-3-4.

Runner-up was Gordon Elliott’s Ndaawi (25/1) under Jack Kennedy, a length and a half behind the Closutton winner.

Mullins was also responsible for both the third and fourth, with Absurde (5/1) and Danny Mullins one a half length further back, while Ethical Diamond (16/1) and Patrick Mullins completed the Irish clean weep another three-quarters of a length behind in fourth place.

Commenting on another Cheltenham 2025 win, the successful jockey Paul Townend admitted:

“She was keen today alright! That’s her though, she has the heart of a lion. I was in front a lot sooner than I wanted. But it might have actually helped me that when I got there, she parked a little bit and gave herself a breath of air, and that meant she could repel what was coming at me at the back of the last.”

100/1 chance Poniros wins Triumph on hurdles debut

Winning connections celebrate with Poniros after his shock 100/1 win in the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

Poniros (100/1), a hurdles debutant for Willie Mullins, landed the Grade 1 JCB Triumph Hurdle on the final day of the 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

Owned by Tony Bloom, the son of Golden Horn previously ran on the flat for Ralph Beckett in England.

One of 11 representatives from Closutton in the 18-runner race, Poniros was only in sixth position as they approached the last hurdle in the straight.

East India Dock (5/4 favourite) took the lead into the final flight and was challenged by the Joe Donnelly-owned Lulamba, trained by Nicky Henderson.

Just as the James Owen-handled favourite looked to be heading for success, Poniros came with a strong drive from Jonjo O’Neill Jr to burst through for a neck win at the line.

Lulamba claimed the runner-up spot by three-quarters of a length from East India Dock under Sam Twiston-Davies, with Lady Vega Allen (14/1) and Paul Townend fourth, another length and three-quarters back.

The surprised winning handled, who had just trained the longest-priced winner in the history of the Triumph Hurdle, said:

“He’s by Golden Horn, who I think is going to make a very good sire over jumps. He’s the sort of horse you’re looking for. I didn’t expect that. Did Tony Bloom back him? If he did, it wasn’t on my advice! We were hoping he would run well and be a nice horse for next year, so he’s ahead of schedule.”

 

 

Galopin Des Champs, Willie Mullins and Paul Townend all on the brink of history

It's Boodles Gold Cup Day at Cheltenham.

Galopin Des Champs bids to win a third consecutive Boodles Gold Cup at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Owned by Audrey Turley, the nine-year-old son of Timos will have the assistance of Paul Townend in the saddle.

The Lisgoold rider will become the most successful jockey in Cheltenham Gold Cup history if his partner wins the day’s showpiece.

Townend currently has four wins – the same number as the legendary Pat Taaffe.

For trainer Willie Mullins, he will join Tom Dreaper as a five-time winner of steeplechasing’s  blue riband if the French-bred Closutton inmate claims a third crown.

First Cheltenham runner for 71-year old trainer Eleanor Broderick

Fermoy-based handler Eleanor Broderick, who won her first race inside the rails at Fairyhouse last November with Lisleigh Lad, will have her first runner at Cheltenham this afternoon.

Lisleigh Lad, who she bred with her partner Matt Slattery, will contest the ‘Foxhunters’ at 4.40pm. The seven-year-old son of Dansant will be ridden by Point-to-Point southern region jockey, Darragh Allen.

11 Mullins runners in Triumph Hurdle

Charlus, winner of three of his four flat races in France, will contest the opening JCB Triumph Hurdle at 1.20pm.

Costing a reputed €315,000 when purchase by The Why Knot Partnership, the gelded son of Churchill will be ridden by Seán O’Keeffe.

Willie Mullins, who has won the ‘Triumph’ four times in the past, will have a total of eleven horses in the 18-runner two  miles 179 yards race – Blue Lemons, Charlus, Larzac, Pappano, Poniros, Too Bossy For Us, Wille De Houelle, Lady Vega Allen, Lumiere Du Large, Place De La Nation and Sainte Lucie.

Which Teams Could Surprise in the Irish Premier League This Season?

In recent years, interest in the Irish Premier League has increased significantly. In a country where rugby and Gaelic sports traditionally prevail, soccer has taken a back seat, but the landscape is changing fast.

Growth in viewing figures and enhanced brand awareness are helping to develop the competition, while the strength of the Premier League is constantly improving.

A Brief History

The League of Ireland was formed in 1921, and it is the elite competition for football teams in the country. In 1985, 64 years after its inception, the Premier Division was founded to accommodate the best-performing clubs in the structure.

Ten teams currently play in the Premier Division. Over the course of a campaign, they will meet each other four times, so every club plays 36 games. At the end of that sequence, the team at the top of the table is crowned as champions. The bottom club is relegated to the second tier, while the team second from bottom faces a play off to decide their fate.

Certain clubs have traditionally been strong in the Irish Premier League. Shamrock Rovers are the most successful team with 21 titles since 1985, while defending champions Shelbourne won their 14th trophy in 2024. The live betting markets usually showShelbourne as the favourites due to their impressive form, it is them and St Patrick who are joint favourites to win the league this year, while Shamrock Rovers head the chasing pack.

They are favourites for a reason, but there are teams below them who could yet deliver a surprise.

Derry Regroup

Derry City haven’t won the League of Ireland title since 1997, but some expert pundits believe this could be the year that they end the drought. The Candystripes responded to a poor campaign last year by making changes to the dugout and the playing squad.

Manager Ruaidhri Higgins was replaced by Tiernan Lynch, and the new boss quickly entered the transfer market. No fewer than six new arrivals made their way to Derry, including senior Northern Ireland internationals Liam Boyce, Carl Winchester, Gavin Whyte and Shane Ferguson.

A new outlook offers hope, but Derry have started the season poorly, picking up just four points from their first five games. A new squad needs time to gel, and fans will be looking for the team to improve quickly.

Early Pacesetters

Following those first five games of the 2025 campaign, Drogheda United led the way at the top of the table. At that stage, they were one of only two unbeaten sides in the division, and Drogheda enjoyed a two-point lead over closest challengers, Waterford.

Drogheda’s squad for 2025 contains four players on loan from English football league clubs, each of whom will have a key role to play this season. While all four are set to feature, Drogs fans will hope Josh Thomas can deliver the goals that keep the club in contention.

A Welsh youth international on loan from Swansea City, Thomas scored his first goal for Drogheda in the impressive 3-0 win over Sligo Rovers.

Galway’s Solid Start

Along with Drogheda United, Galway United are also unbeaten after five games of the new Premier League season. The team has won once in that time, while four draws show that John Caulfield’s side is going to be tough to beat.

Early results suggest that the club may concede too many goals across the remainder of the campaign, but if that defence can tighten up, Galway may yet be one of the division’s surprise teams in 2025.

Beyond Survival?

As a newly promoted side, Cork City’s focus is on survival this season, but can they go beyond that target? They are considered as a ‘yo-yo team’ having just been promoted for the second timein three seasons, and clearly, that first aim is to avoid relegation.

Early results have largely been positive, and one defeat from four games leaves Cork in a respectable seventh place in the early table. A 2-1 victory over Bohemians was the highlight of those opening exchanges.

Cork have some impressive players in their squad, and if they are going to move up the table, much will depend on the goal-scoring exploits of Sean Maguire. A Republic of Ireland international, Maguire previously spent two productive seasons at Cork, scoring twenty goals in twenty-one games in 2017.

He subsequently moved across the Irish Sea to join Preston North End, but he’s now back at Turners Cross. Sean Maguire has the potential to become the most potent striker in the Irish Premier League, and if he can maintain those scoring levels, Cork may yet become this year’s surprise package.

Clearly, there is a long way to go in the new Irish Premier League season, but those early games have given us a taste of what to expect. The favourites to win the title have seen solid starts, but there is an unlikely early leader in the shape of Drogheda United.

Can the Drogs maintain that form and deliver a surprise title win, or will other unlikely teams move forward to produce a shock in Ireland’s elite league?

A first ride in Britain is a Cheltenham Festival winner for Barry Stone

Daily Present, a first ride in Britain for Barry Stone, is a Cheltenham winner. Credit: Breandán Ó hUallacháin.

It was fitting that Ireland should have four winners on St Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham, with the final winner coming via Daily Present (12/1) and Barry Stone-Walsh in the Fulke  Walwyn Kim Muir Handicap Chase.

It was a first Cheltenham Festival winner for the twenty-five year old amateur jockey on what was his first ever ride in Britain.

The Paul Nolan-trained winner had a neck to spare over the well-backed 9/2 favourite Johnnywho in the colours of J.P. McManus.

Wexford handler Nolan said:

“He is a stayer, but he was too free in the race last year. The ride that chap gave him was great as he never left the inside. He just had to try and keep on filling him. He was brilliant on him.

“I definitely thought Johnnywho was coming back, but I knew my lad would stay, however when I saw Derek (O’Connor) rallying I thought we were done.”

The winning handler was high in his praise of Stone-Walsh, saying:

“That was the lad’s first ride in England. He is a super rider that is loaded with talent, and what a pair of hands he has. I just thought he was super on him. He never put him into the race until he had to, but I was sure he was going to be second.”

 

“It is magical stuff”

The winning jockey, a brother of professional jockey Conor Stone-Walsh described the feeling of having his first Cheltenham winner:

“It is magical stuff and I’ve been dreaming of it for years growing up. Nothing will top this now I will say. It was all smooth sailing. It just got a little rough on the turn in, but he had plenty left and I was able to get him back going again.

“I never thought it would be like this, but when you get a ride on a horse with a chance you have to take it all in.”

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