Jumps racing is one of the most demanding sports on the planet, where bravery, skill, and endurance collide in pursuit of glory.
While the equine athletes rightly steal the spotlight, the role of the jockey cannot be overstated. These fearless riders push themselves to their physical limits, facing punishing conditions and risking serious injury every time they take to the track.
For these jockeys, the Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of the sport—their very own Olympics. It’s the stage where legends are made, careers are defined, and dreams are realised.
Each March, the best riders from the United Kingdom and Ireland descend upon the hallowed turf of Prestbury Park with one goal in mind — Victory.
With another thrilling Festival starting to appear on the horizon, we take a closer look at four jockeys who could light up Cheltenham in 2025.
Paul Townend
A serial winner in Gloucestershire, Paul Townend has amassed a fantastic 34 Festival winners as the No.1 rider for the esteemed trainer Willie Mullins—who surpassed 100 Cheltenham victories at last year’s meeting.
The County Cork native notably holds the joint-record for the most wins in the Gold Cup alongside the legendary Pat Taaffe with four, but could pass the man most famous for guiding Arkle to three Gold Cups if he wins the showpiece for a third time on Galopin Des Champs in March.
Townend will have plenty of opportunities to add to his tally this year, with Salvator Mundi in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Ballyburn in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase, and Fact To File in the Ryanair Chase, alongside Galopin Des Champs, favoured in the horse racing tips.
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy has been incredibly unlucky in recent seasons, suffering from a string of unfortunate injuries, but thankfully, that hasn’t stopped Gordon Elliott’s stable jockey from adding to his ever-growing list of winners at the Cheltenham Festival.
The 25-year-old has 12 winners at Prestbury Park to his name, including a victory aboard Minella Indo in the 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup—becoming the youngest rider of the modern era to win the showpiece contest at just 21.
Currently sidelined with the sixth broken leg of his career, Kennedy has missed on several high-profile wins for the in-form Elliott.
However, he’ll have ample opportunities to make up for lost time at the Festival with the likes of Brighterdaysahead, Teauhpoo, The Yellow Clay, and Romeo Coolio.
Nico de Boinville
You couldn’t help but feel sorry for Nico de Boinville and Nicky Henderson last March. A virus ripped through Seven Barrows, wiping out the majority of their runners and hampering those who did make it to Prestbury Park.
It cost the operation millions in potential prize money, while De Boinville—who has ridden more Grade 1 winners than any other currently active British jockey—was unable to add to his list of 16 Cheltenham Festival winners.
The 35-year-old doesn’t show up as often on a daily basis throughout the course of the season anymore, but he’s lethal at the big meetings and could easily ride at least four winners this year on Jonbon, Constitution Hill, Sir Gino, and Lulamba.
Harry Skelton
Brothers Dan and Harry Skelton are growing in stature with each passing season, with trainer Dan agonisingly pipped to his maiden British Trainers’ Championship title last season by a late run from Mullins.
Nevertheless, the Warwickshire duo enjoyed their best Cheltenham Festivals to date—picking up four winners across the week, including the Grade 1 Golden Miller Novices’ Chase with Grey Dawning and their first Championship contest via Protektorat in the Ryanair Chase.
Back on course for the trainers’ title, Dan leads the way going into the spring meetings and he will be hoping Harry can provide more memorable Festival moments on the likes of The New Lion, the aforementioned Protektorat, L’Eau du Sud, and Take No Chances.
