The 2025 Cheltenham Festival will be remembered for yet another display of Irish dominance. Ireland once again secured the Prestbury Cup with a resounding 20-8 victory over Britain, marking their most commanding win since the 23-5 triumph in 2021.
Despite Britain taking a narrow 4-3 lead after the opening day, Ireland rallied emphatically, winning every single race on Gold Cup Day.
The final day encapsulated the gulf in class between the two racing nations, and here’s a look at how the Irish contingent swept all seven races on the concluding day of the Festival.
Triumph Hurdle – Ponrios
The Triumph Hurdle was widely expected to be a battle between the English-trained duo of James Owens’ East India Dock and Nicky Henderson’s Lulamba. However, the race produced one of the biggest shocks in Cheltenham history, as 100/1 outsider Ponrios stormed up the famous hill to claim victory—much to the shock of those who check racing tips. Trained by Willie Mullins, Ponrios became the longest-priced winner in the race’s history, delivering a stunning start to the final day for Ireland.
County Handicap Hurdle – Kargese
The second race of the day saw a much more predictable outcome as the Mullins-trained Kargese justified 3/1 favouritism under Paul Townend. Having finished second in the Triumph Hurdle a year earlier, Kargese finally had her moment of glory, staying on powerfully to see off Ndaawi and making it two from two for the Irish on the day.
Mrs. Paddy Power Mares’ Chase – Dinoblue
The Mullins and Townend combination continued their winning streak in the Mares’ Chase, as Dinoblue finally shed her runner-up tag at the Festival.
Owned by JP McManus, Dinoblue had previously been favourite for the Grand Annual in 2023 and this very race in 2024 but had to settle for second on both occasions. This time, she made no mistake, securing a long-awaited Festival victory.
Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle – Jasmin De Vaux
Ireland’s dominance showed no signs of waning in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, as former Champion Bumper winner Jasmin De Vaux produced an authoritative performance. Despite underwhelming in his last two top-level hurdle starts, the six-year-old relished the step up in trip, securing a two-and-a-half-length win over pre-race favourite The Big Westerner.
Cheltenham Gold Cup – Inothewayurthinkin
If there were any doubts that the day was unfolding too perfectly for Mullins and Townend, they were dispelled in the Gold Cup. Galopin Des Champs’ bid for a historic third successive Gold Cup ended in disappointment, as Inothewayurthinkin delivered a spectacular six-length victory. Supplemented for £25,000 by JP McManus, the Gavin Cromwell-trained runner seized the moment to give McManus his first Gold Cup triumph since Synchronised in 2012.
St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Chase – Wonderwall
The upsets continued in the Hunters’ Chase, as 28/1 outsider Wonderwall stunned the field to provide another Irish-trained winner. The victory further cemented Ireland’s dominance, proving that success wasn’t confined to the major powerhouses of Mullins and Elliott.
Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle – Wodhooh
Gordon Elliott endured a frustrating week at Cheltenham, but he finally got off the mark in the concluding race of the Festival. Wodhooh provided Elliott with his first winner of the meeting, ensuring that Ireland completed a clean sweep on the final day in fitting fashion.
