Records come, records go.
When you look at the Cheltenham Gold Cup history books, those heady days of Dorothy Paget and Basil Briscoe seem a very long time ago. Golden Miller won his first Gold Cup in 1932. In a handful of years, we will be pretty much be talking about 100 years ago. Literally a lifetime for man or beast.
I guess jockeys, those tough guys of National Hunt, who have mostly lost their teeth, don’t need to pay for a mudpack and have spent far too much time inside an ambulance, are the poor relation to the horse they ride.
For example, I know of Golden Miller, but couldn’t recall his winning jockeys: Ted Leader, Billy Stott, Gerry Wilson or Evan Williams. I had more chance of recalling his eccentric owner the Hon. Dorothy Paget.
Not to take anything away from jockeys.
It’s just the way of the world.
The Gold Cup is considered the true championship for staying chasers. This left-handed turf course over 3m 2f 70y. The race has seen many changes since its inauguration in 1924. In the last few decades its prominance has gathered pace.
We are talking blue ribbon.
Red Splash won the first race at odds of 5/1 for trainer Fred Withington for owner Major Humphey Wyndham and jockey Dick Rees.
The New Course (rather than the Old Course) started in 1959.
There have been far too many suprerstars horses to mention: Golden Miller, Arkle, to modern-day heros such as Dawn Run, Desert Orchid, Best Mate, Kauto Star, Denman, Al Boum Photo & Galopin Des Champs.
The last two titans are important to the context of this article and for the merit of not only trainer Willie Mullins but jockey Paul Townend. For he has the chance of breaking a longstanding record to become the leading jockey of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. In truth, he could well be odds-on to take the title at the cheltenham festival.
The record is held by Pat Taaffe (1964-68). It is particularly important because this record relates to the best chase horses in the history of racing. Because, three of those four wins came via Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966). In 1968, Taaffe won a fourth time on Fort Leney. Those successes came quick and fast.
In a similar fashion, it is fitting to consider Paul Townend. Until 2019, the Irishman from Lisgoold in County Cork could only imagine winning this coveted race. However, Al Boum Photo (2019,2020) and Galopin Des Champs (2023, 2024) have brought about a timely challenge to a record which is over 50-years old.
It is fitting that Galopin Des Champs, trained by Willie Mullins, in the ownership of Mrs Audrey Turley heads back to Cheltenham to retain his title for the third time in succession. This would mirror the great Arkle.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is scheduled for the 14th March, at 4pm.
The record could well go to Townend as Galopin Des Champs is priced even money to retain his crown.
In this racing game, it doesn’t pays to count your chickens so I’m sure connections will only rejoice in their triumphs if/when they happen.
But for the Cheltenham crowd and all those Irish raiders, this year’s Boodle’s Gold Cup may have even more to offer for jockey and horse.
Good luck to all.
