2021 Cheltenham Festival – How Many Irish-Trained Winners?

Irish Winners - Cheltenham Festival

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2021 Cheltenham Festival – How Many Irish-Trained Winners?

With the presence of the Irish-trained horses increasing by the year at the Cheltenham Festival then ‘How Many Irish Trained Winners’ is another popular market in the build-up, and even in-play during the four-days action.

Irish-trained runners, and those stabled in Britain, fight it out each year over the four days for the Prestbury Cup. Whoever wins the most races takes the prize, a draw (14-14) and the honours are shared – it’s as simple as that!

If we look back over recent festivals, we’ll see that in 2013 the Irish had a record 14 winners from the 27 races (52%), while in 2014 they weren’t far behind with 12 Cheltenham Festival successes, while in 2015 and 2016 they fired in 13 winners each year.

However, it was in 2017 that they recorded their biggest ever haul after winning 19 of the 28 races! That meant a staggering 68% of all 2017 Cheltenham Festival races went to an Irish-trained runner!

In 2018 it was pretty much more of the same too as the Irish-trained horses landed 17 of the 28 races, with the British runners grabbing 11.

However, the UK-based runners fought back in 2019, winning 14 of the 28 races, with the Irish mopping-up the other 14 – meaning a draw for the first time since 2013.

But it was back to ‘business as usual’ for the Irish in 2020 as they mopped-up 17 of the 28 races, with the UK-yards grabbing 10 and France one, after Easysland landed the Cross Country.

Recent Prestbury Cup Winners

2020 – Ireland (17 wins)

2019 – Tie (14 wins each)

2018 – Ireland (17 wins)

2017 – Ireland (19 wins)

2016 – Ireland (15 wins)

2015 (27 races) – Great Britain (13 wins)

2014 (27 races) – Great Britain (12 wins)

Things are set up for another fascinating clash over the four days – but with the Irish firepower once again looking unreal, then it will be a huge shock if the yards from across the Irish Sea aren’t winning this prize again.

Yes, we’ve all the horrific issues before Cheltenham surrounding the Gordon Elliott yard – we don’t want to go into all that – but the ‘good news’ is that some of his star names can run having been switched to other yards.

The bad news for the UK trainers though is the likes of Envoi Allen and Quilixios will head to the Henry de Bromhead yard, while Willie Mullins will pick up some big names too – including Sir Gerhard.

With that in mind, the betting on the Prestbury Park is another way to have an interest in EVERY race over the four-day Cheltenham Festival.

However, it does look a pretty one-sided affair – The current betting sees Ireland around 1/5, GB are on offer around 9/2, with the draw 13/2. (odds subject to change).

Here are some of the main challengers for both the Irish and the UK-based handlers that are heading to the 2021 Cheltenham Festival.

Key Irish 2021 Cheltenham Festival runners:
Appreciate It (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle)
Energumene (Arkle Novices’ Chase)
Honeysuckle (Champion Hurdle)
Concertista (Mares’ Hurdle)
Gaillard Du Mesnil (Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle)
Monkfish (Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase)
Chacun Pour Soi (Champion Chase)
Kilcruit and Sir Gerhard (Champion Bumper)
Envoi Allen (Marsh)
Allaho and Min (Ryanair Chase)
Zanahiyr and Quilixios (Triumph)
Al Boum Photo (Gold Cup)
A Plus Tard (Gold Cup)
Elimay (Mares Chase_

Key British 2021 Cheltenham Festival runners:
Shishkin (Arkle Novices’ Chase)
Epatante (Champion Hurdle)
Goshen (Champion Hurdle)
Roksana (Mares’ Hurdle)
Imperial Aura (Ryanair Chase)
Altior (Champion Chase)
Nube Negra (Champion Chase)
Frodon (Gold Cup)
Champ (Gold Cup)
Bravemansgame (Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle)
Royale Pagaille (NH Chase)
Paisley Park (Stayers’ Hurdle)
Thyme Hill (Stayers’ Hurdle)
Tritonic (Triumph Hurdle)

Cheltenham Festival – Irish-trained Winners (Since 2005)

2020 (17): Put The Kettle On, Honeysuckle, Ravenhill, Envoi Allen, Aramax, Ferny Hollow, Samcro, Sire Du Berlais, Min, Concertista, Milan Native, Burning Victory, Saint Roi, Monkfish, Al Boum Photo, It Came To Pass, Chosen Mate,

2019 (14): Klassical Dream, Duc Des Genievres, Espoir D’Allen, A Plus Tard, City Island, Tiger Roll, Band Of Outlaws, Envoi Allen, Sire Du Berlais, Eglantine Du Seuil, Any Second Now, Minella Indo, Al Boum Photo, Early Doors

2018 (17): Footpad, Benie Des Dieux, Rathvinden, Samcro, Presenting Percy, Bleu Berry, Tiger Roll, Veneer Of Charm, Relegate, Shattered Love, Delta Work, Balko Des Flos, Penhill, The Storyteller, Laurina, Farclas, Blow By Blow

2017 (19): Labaik, Apple’s Jade, Tiger Roll, Tully East, Supasundae, Special Tiara, Cause Of Causes, Fayonagh, Yorkhill, Presenting Percy, Un de Sceaux, Nichols Canyon, Road To Respect, Let’s Dance, Arctic Fire, Penhill, Sizing John, Champagne Classic, Rock The World

2016 (13): Ivanovich Gorbatov, Don Cossack, On The Fringe, Black Hercules, Mall Dini, Vautour, Empire Of Dirt, Limini, Cause of Causes, Yorkhill, Douvan, Annie Power, Vroum Vroum Mag,

2015 (13): Douvan, Un De Sceaux, Faugheen, Glens Melody, Cause of Causes, Windsor Park, Don Poli, Rivage D’Or, Vautour, Wicklow Brave, Martello Tower, On The Fringe, Killultagh Vic

2014 (12): Vautour, Jezki, Quevega, Faugheen, Silver Concorde, Spring Heeled, Tiger Roll, Very Wood, Lord Windermere, Tammys Hill, Don Poli, Savello,

2013 (14): Quevega, Champagne Fever, Hurricane Fly, Back In Focus, Briar Hill, Lord Windermere, Flaxen Flare, Benefficient, Solwhit, Big Shu, Our Conor, Ted Veale, Salsify, Alderwood

2012 (5): Quevega, Champagne Fever, Sir Des Champs, Alderwood, and Salsify

2011 (13): Hurricane Fly, Sizing Australia, Quevega, Chicago Grey, First Lieutenant, Bostons Angel, Sizing Europe, Carlito Brigante, What A Charm, Noble Prince, Final Approach, Zemsky, Sir Des Champs

2010 (7): Sizing Europe, A New Story, Quevega, Waepon’s Amnesty, Big Zeb, Thousand Stars, Berties Dream

2009 (9): Go Native, Forpadydeplasterer, Garde Champetre, Quevega, Quevega, Mikael D’Haguenet, Cooldine, Ninetieth Minute, Dunguib, Weapon’s Amnestry

2008 (7): Captain Cee Bee, Garde Champetre, Fiveforthree, Cousin Vinny, Finger On the Pulse, Tiger Cr, Silver Jaro

2007 (5): Ebaziyan, Sublimity, Heads On the Ground, Cork All Star, Pedrobob

2006 (10): Brave Inca, Dun Doire, Native Jack, Nicanor, Newmill, Sky’s The Limit, Hairy Molly, Kadoun, War Of Attrition, Whyso Mayo

2005 (9): Hardy Eustace, Spot Thedifference, Dabiroun, Moscow Flyer, Missed That, Another Rum, Oulart, Kicking King, Fota Island

Cheltenham Festival – Championship Races

Champion Hurdle – 23 Year Trends

13/23 – Irish-trained winners
10/23 – British-trained winners
Willie Mullins (Ire) has trained 4 of the last 10 winners
Nicky Henderson (UK) has trained 5 of the last 12 winners

Champion Chase – 23 Year Trends

17/23 – British-trained winners
6/23 – Irish-trained winners
Willie Mullins (Ire) is yet to train the winner
Nicky Henderson (UK) has trained 5 of the last 9 winners (won the race 6 times in total)
Paul Nicholls (UK) has trained 6 of the last 21 winners
Henry de Bromhead (Ire) has trained 2 of the last 10 winners
Jessica Harrington (Ire) has trained 2 of the last 18 winners

Stayers Hurdle – 23 Year Trends

18/23 – British-trained winners
2/23 – French-trained winners
3/23 – Irish-trained winners
Willie Mullins (Ire) has trained just two recent winners of the race (2018, Penhill, 2017, Nichols Canyon)
Nicky Henderson (UK) has trained just 1 winner of the race (2000, Bacchanal)
Paul Nicholls (UK) has trained 4 of the last 12 winners
Jonjo O’Neill (UK has trained 2 of the last 17 winners

Cheltenham Gold Cup – 23 Year Trends

16/23 – British-trained winners
7/23 – Irish-trained winners (3 of last 5 though)
Willie Mullins (Ire) has trained just two winners (2020, 2019)
Nicky Henderson (UK) has trained 2 of the last 10 winners
Paul Nicholls (UK) has trained 3 of the last 14 winners (4 in total)