The 2025 Cheltenham Festival has come and gone and in this post we recap all the action, taking a look at the big winners, losers and unforgettable moments.
Biggest Winners of Cheltenham 2025
Inothewayurthinkin – Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner
The Cheltenham Gold Cup saw a sensational performance from Inothewayurthinkin , trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Mark Walsh . Sent off at odds of 15/2 , the horse stormed to victory, winning by six lengths over two-time champion Galopin Des Champs .
What made this triumph even more remarkable was that Inothewayurthinkin had only been added to the race as a supplementary entry six days earlier at a cost of £25,000 . The gamble paid off handsomely, with nearly £280,000 going to the winning owner. Despite jumping right on occasions, the horse proved far too strong for its competitors.
The horse had been the 3/1 favourite for the Aintree Grand National , but connections have decided not to compete for the national where he had the chance to become only the second horse after Golden Miller in 1934 to complete the Gold Cup and Grand National double in the same season.
Ireland’s Dominance
Once again, Ireland asserted its superiority over Britain in the Prestbury Cup , securing a 20-8 victory. Last year’s margin was 18-9 , but this time, Ireland’s dominance was even more pronounced.
After Britain led 4-3 following the opening day on Tuesday, Ireland took full control and never looked back. In a staggering display of strength, they completed a clean sweep on the final day , winning all seven races. This marked the biggest margin of victory since Ireland’s record 23-5 win in 2021 .
Willie Mullins – A Cheltenham Legend
It was another record-breaking festival for Willie Mullins , who was crowned Leading Trainer for the 12th time after securing 10 victories . Despite a relatively quiet Thursday , when Fact To File was his only winner in the Ryanair Chase , Mullins’ dominance was clear across the week.
His achievements reached historic levels as he became the first trainer to surpass 100 all-time wins at the Cheltenham Festival . While Galopin Des Champs failed to defend his Gold Cup title , Mullins once again demonstrated why he remains the king of National Hunt racing.
Biggest Losers of Cheltenham 2025
Galopin Des Champs
Aiming to make history as a three-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner , Galopin Des Champs was heavily backed to complete the hat trick. The Willie Mullins-trained star was the overwhelming odds-on favourite , widely tipped as the banker of the week . Many believed the race was his to lose, with no clear challenger in the field.
However, in a shocking twist, Inothewayurthinkin delivered a dominant performance, relegating Galopin Des Champs to second place. Some pointed to the firmer ground conditions as a factor, but regardless, the horse never truly looked like the dominant force seen in previous years at Cheltenham.
A Tough Week for Favourite Backers
Cheltenham 2025 was a nightmare for favourite backers . In previous years, punters had enjoyed considerable success backing the market leaders, but this time, things took a turn for the worse.
Among the biggest shocks was the defeat of Galopin Des Champs in the Gold Cup, Constitution Hill in the Champion Hurdle , and Jonbon in the Champion Chase . These short-priced favourites failing to deliver left many punters reeling and bookmakers celebrating a hugely profitable festival.
Unforgettable Moments
Poniros Provides a 100/1 Shock
One of the most astonishing moments of the festival came in the JCB Triumph Hurdle , where Poniros delivered a 100/1 shock victory.
Trained by Willie Mullins , Poniros was one of 11 horses he entered in the race, including three that had never previously run over hurdles. Poniros was one of these debutants, and against all expectations, he surged through the field to claim an unlikely victory. The result made him the longest odds winner in the history of the JCB Triumph Hurdle .
Golden Ace Wins Dramatic Champion Hurdle
The Unibet Champion Hurdle delivered one of the most dramatic finishes in recent memory. The race was expected to be dominated by Constitution Hill and State Man , but both came to grief in stunning circumstances.
Constitution Hill , the 2023 Champion Hurdle winner trained by Nicky Henderson , fell early in the race, leaving his trainer in visible shock in the grandstand. Then, with State Man seemingly cruising to victory, he crashed out at the final hurdle, throwing the race wide open.
Seizing the opportunity, Golden Ace , a 25/1 outsider , stormed home to snatch a remarkable victory. In another incredible twist, 66/1 shot Burdett Road finished second, marking one of the most unlikely one-two finishes in recent history.
Final Thoughts
Cheltenham 2025 once again delivered a festival filled with unpredictable drama, historic milestones, and memorable performances. While some favourites faltered, new stars emerged, ensuring that this year’s festival will be remembered for years to come.
As the racing world now turns its attention to the Grand National , all eyes will be on Aintree. Meanwhile, punters will be hoping for a return to form for the favourites after a bruising week at Cheltenham.
One thing is certain: National Hunt racing remains as thrilling and unpredictable as ever.
Bet on Horse Racing odds at BoyleSports
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.
