The Cheltenham Gold Cup takes place on Friday, March 14, 2025, at approximately 4 PM, and the spotlight falls directly on Galopin Des Champs as he aims for his place in history. The reigning champion, trained by Willie Mullins, is set to compete against eight other rivals, all of whom are eager to dethrone him. A victory this year would make Galopin Des Champs the first horse since Best Mate to achieve three consecutive wins—a record many horse racing enthusiasts are excited to witness.
Having already established his superiority by winning the Savills Chase and the Paddy Power Irish Gold Cup earlier this season, Galopin Des Champs rides high on confidence. According to one unnamed betting expert, "We’re running out of superlatives for him, it’s time to just admire his brilliance." His form suggests he is the one to beat, and jockey Paul Townend is again hoping to lead him to victory.
Among Galopin Des Champs' competitors is Banbridge, trained by Joseph Patrick O'Brien, who poses as one of his strongest challengers. Banbridge is coming off his impressive win at the King George VI Chase over the Christmas period, making this his opportunity to shine on the biggest stage of them all. O'Brien has adeptly managed Banbridge’s campaign and is particularly confident about his chances this Friday.
Adding to the field of contenders is Monty’s Star, trained by Henry de Bromhead, who aims to impress after recently finishing fifth behind Galopin Des Champs at Leopardstown. Rachael Blackmore will be riding Monty’s Star, and with the right conditions, he could very well surprise the frontrunners. With the Gold Cup's competitive nature, each of these horses brings unique strengths to the race, which only adds to the excitement surrounding this storied event.
Besides Galopin Des Champs, Banbridge, and Monty’s Star, the race features other noteworthy participants including Ahoy Senor, Royale Pagaille, and Corbetts Cross. Each horse is weighed at 11st 10lbs, ensuring competitive balance as they face the challenging course at Cheltenham. This race is laden with historical significance, and approximately £625,000 is at stake—the winner can take home £351,688, becoming part of the Cheltenham Gold Cup legacy.
Overall, the Gold Cup serves not only as the pinnacle of the Cheltenham Festival but also as one of the most prestigious events on the horse racing calendar. Enthusiastic fans are expected to fill the stands at Prestbury Park this Friday, eager to see if Galopin Des Champs can reinforce his status as one of the all-time greatest chasers. Aside from live coverage on ITV and streaming options available via ITVX, millions will tune in to witness the thrilling action.
With the starting signal waiting to be fired, the anticipation builds for what promises to be yet another unforgettable chapter of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. Will Galopin Des Champs achieve greatness once again, or will another horse rise to the occasion to make history of their own? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure—the race results will resonate throughout the sport for years to come.