2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup: Discover This Year’s Horse Entries

Jordan Hartwell

Published: January 24, 2026 8:24 AM ET

The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup is a prestigious steeplechase race, taking place during the Cheltenham Festival from March 10 to 13, 2026. This race carries a prize pot of £625,000 and has seen legendary winners such as Golden Miller, Arkle, and Desert Orchid throughout its 101-year history.

2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup: Discover This Year’s Horse Entries

The initial longlist of potential entries for the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup was unveiled in early January. A total of 33 horses are competing for a chance to race, with the final lineup being announced just two days prior to the event on March 11.

Confirmed Entries and Key Contenders

Inothewayurthinkin – Defending champion ridden by Mark Walsh and trained by Gavin Cromwell.
Galopin Des Champs – Dual champion from Willie Mullins’ stable, previously ridden by Paul Townend.
The Jukebox Man – Trained by Ben Pauling and an impressive winner of the King George VI Chase.
Jango Baie – Finished closely behind The Jukebox Man and trained by Nicky Henderson.

Of the 33 entries, 23 are from Ireland, highlighting their dominance in the sport. Notable British contenders also include Grey Dawning, trained by Dan Skelton, and Haiti Couleurs, the Welsh Grand National winner trained by Rebecca Curtis. Myretown, trained by Lucinda Russell and Michael Scudamore, could represent Scotland.

Ante-Post Betting Overview

Currently, Galopin Des Champs leads the betting market for the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup. He aims to reclaim his title after being bested by Inothewayurthinkin in 2025. Other favorites include Jango Baie and The Jukebox Man, who are expected to perform well.

Historical Context and Notable Records

The Cheltenham Gold Cup has a rich history, with Red Splash winning the inaugural race in 1924. Golden Miller holds the record for the most wins at five. Jockeys Paul Townend and Pat Taaffe jointly hold the record for the most victories with four each.

Rachael Blackmore made headlines in 2022 as the first female jockey to win this prestigious race, riding A Plus Tard.

Final Thoughts

The 2026 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup promises to be an exhilarating event. With a mix of seasoned champions and up-and-coming contenders, excitement is building as the race day approaches.