Prestbury Park was awash with excitement on March 13, 2026, as the Cheltenham Gold Cup delivered another unforgettable chapter in racing history. Gaelic Warrior, the 11-4 joint-favourite and sole representative for trainer Willie Mullins, produced a commanding performance to clinch the Gold Cup by a remarkable eight-length margin, capping off a sensational week for his connections.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup, the crown jewel of the National Hunt calendar, was set to be a fiercely contested affair. With defending champion Inothewayurthinkin and jockey Mark Walsh aiming to repeat last year’s heroics, and the likes of Jango Baie, The Jukebox Man, and Haiti Couleurs in the mix, anticipation was sky-high. Yet, it was Gaelic Warrior, guided by the ever-cool Paul Townend, who stole the show, leaving his rivals trailing in his wake.
From the outset, Rebecca Curtis’ Haiti Couleurs took up the running, setting a brisk pace for Wales and giving her backers hope of a fairytale finish. Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp’s The Jukebox Man, fresh from success in the King George VI, traveled sweetly for much of the race, sparking dreams of Gold Cup glory for his famous footballing owner. But as the field turned for home, both leaders began to tire, and the complexion of the race changed dramatically.
It was at this crucial juncture that Gaelic Warrior made his move. Tracking the pace with poise, Townend waited patiently before unleashing his mount’s full potential. With two fences to jump, Gaelic Warrior surged to the front, clearing the obstacles with precision and stretching effortlessly clear up the famous Cheltenham hill. Jango Baie, trained by Nicky Henderson, gave chase but could never lay a glove on the winner, finishing a distant second. Last year’s champion, Inothewayurthinkin, ran a brave race to claim third, unable to repeat his 2025 heroics but proving his class once more.
For Willie Mullins, this victory marked his fifth Gold Cup triumph, adding to his previous successes with Al Boum Photo and Galopin Des Champs. The latter, a dual winner in 2023 and 2024, was ruled out of this year’s race, forcing a late reshuffle in the Mullins camp. Originally, Paul Townend was set to partner Galopin Des Champs, but with his withdrawal, the ride on Gaelic Warrior fell to the accomplished jockey. Reflecting on the switch, Townend remarked, “We were dealt a big blow with Galopin Des Champs coming out. For this last to be coming along, Patrick was convinced he was the horse for the race. Hard luck on Patrick. I was just the fortunate one to be on his back today.”
Mullins was effusive in his praise for both horse and rider after the race. “He’s such a cool jockey and a superb horse, it was a hell of a performance. Rich [Ricci, owner] has already won the Champion Hurdle this week and Paul won that and the Champion Chase, it’s incredible,” Mullins said. “It was an extraordinary performance and I’m delighted for the Riccis, I think they are the first owners to win the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup in the same season. I’m delighted for Paul, he was so cool on him. Could you imagine what was going through his head going to the last fence, I can only tell you what was going through mine, but we won’t talk about that now! We’ve had so many last-fence mishaps here. The way he did it was spectacular, very dominant. He can be keen, but Paul got everything right and the horse put in a tremendous round of jumping. When you pair that with his ability it’s fantastic for owner and jockey.”
The Ricci family, with Rich and his wife Susannah at the helm, enjoyed a historic double at the Festival, having celebrated Champion Hurdle glory with Lossiemouth just days earlier. For Rich Ricci, the Gold Cup win was the culmination of more than two decades of dreams and near-misses. “I’ve been trying to win this race for 21 years, it’s brilliant, magic. These people are so lovely to me,” Ricci confessed. “It was a great ride by Paul. I haven’t seen the race, but I’ve heard it was! It’s been a great week, incredible, great racing, great winners, a good race today. I’m pleased for the horse. We try to buy Gold Cup winners, but we’ve never managed it before today. We’ve reached the mountain, but I love the game, it’s kept me involved all these years, the passion of the people. They take me as they find me, I’m not the easiest man, I’m an American, I’m loud, obnoxious, this that and the other, but the people have been good to me and long may it last.”
For Harry Redknapp and The Jukebox Man, there was disappointment but no bitterness. The horse had traveled well for much of the contest before fading up the hill, eventually finishing eighth. Redknapp was philosophical in defeat, saying, “We thought he travelled well, which he did until two out. I was looking at Gaelic Warrior behind him and he was going well as well and the two of them turned for home. The winner was fantastic, wasn’t he? Really impressive in the end. I think he’s [The Jukebox Man] got a little wind problem that we need to sort out, Ben came back and said that after. But the winner was impressive. No excuses.” Jockey Ben Jones echoed those sentiments, noting that The Jukebox Man “did not quicken up the hill.”
Among the other notable performances, Haiti Couleurs set a strong early pace before fading, while the likes of Grey Dawning, Firefox, L’Homme Presse, Gold Tweet, and Cheltenham veteran Envoi Allen all took their chances in a competitive 11-horse field. One late change saw Spillane’s Tower declared a non-runner, trimming the field but not the drama.
The 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup was broadcast live to millions, with ITV1 and Racing TV providing comprehensive coverage and live streaming options for fans in the UK and beyond. The Festival’s final day once again captured the imagination of racing enthusiasts, with punters and celebrities alike reveling in the drama and spectacle that only Cheltenham can deliver.
As the dust settles on this year’s Festival, Gaelic Warrior’s dominant display stands out as a performance for the ages. For Mullins, Townend, and the Ricci family, it’s a week that will live long in the memory, their names now etched even deeper into Cheltenham folklore. The Gold Cup has a new champion, and what a champion he is.