The Cheltenham Festival has showcased the best of British and Irish racing for over 160 years. Trainers from both sides of the Irish Sea have dominated different eras of the meeting, declaring themselves kings of the National Hunt. Based on the leading trainers over the last 115 years, Ireland accounts for 260 Cheltenham Festival wins, compared to 473 wins for British trainers. However, that only tells half the story.
There has been a huge shift towards Irish dominance at the festival in recent years. They are frequently at the top of expert’s Cheltenham predictions. This surge is driven by powerhouse yards, top-quality bloodstock, and a focus on developing Festival-ready horses. Today, Irish trainers don’t just compete; they set the standard at Cheltenham.
Who are the leading trainers at Cheltenham Festival?
Willie Mullins is the all-time leading trainer at Cheltenham Festival. The Irish racing icon has 113 wins at the biggest National Hunt meeting in the world. His dominance at Prestbury Park has helped power Ireland’s modern resurgence at the Festival. However, he is far from the only trainer to leave a lasting mark.
Willie Mullins is top trainer at the 2021 Cheltenham Festival! pic.twitter.com/BfXKmXzkSJ
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) March 19, 2021
British legends such as Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls have also built extraordinary records, while historic names like Fulke Walwyn, Fred Winter and Tom Dreaper shaped earlier eras of the meeting. Below is a ranking of the 25 most successful trainers in Cheltenham Festival history, based on total wins at the Festival.
- Willie Mullins – Irish – 113 wins
- Nicky Henderson – British – 75 wins
- Paul Nicholls – British – 50 wins
- Gordon Elliott – Irish – 41 wins
- Fulke Walwyn – British – 40 wins
- Martin Pipe – British – 34 wins
- Fred Winter – British – 28 wins
- Fred Rimell – British – 27 wins
- Jonjo O’Neill – British – 26 wins
- Tom Dreaper – Irish – 26 wins
- Henry de Bromhead – Irish – 25 wins
- Vincent O’Brien – Irish – 23 wins
- Bob Turnell – British – 23 wins
- Ivor Anthony – British – 22 wins
- Philip Hobbs – British – 20 wins
- George Beeby – British – 19 wins
- Edward O’Grady – Irish – 18 wins
- David Nicholson – British – 17 wins
- Nigel Twiston-Davies – British – 17 wins
- Alan King – British – 15 wins
- Harry Brown – British – 15 wins
- Tom Coulthwaite – British – 15 wins
- David Pipe – British – 15 wins
- Tom Rimell – British – 15 wins
- Dan Moore – Irish – 14 wins
While the list is dominated by British trainers, making up 18 of the top 25, the modern balance of power has shifted significantly toward Ireland. Much of Britain’s numerical advantage was built during the early and mid-20th century, when Irish runners travelled less frequently, and the Festival programme was smaller.
In contrast, the last two decades have seen Irish trainers enjoy unprecedented success. They have regularly finished ahead in the annual win standings and claimed many of the Championship races. The rise of powerhouse yards, greater investment in bloodstock, and stronger depth across divisions have all contributed to Ireland’s surge.
Trainers from the Emerald Isle broke the win record in 2021 when they won a staggering 23 of 28 races at the festival. Last year marked six successive victories for the Irish. They finished with 20 wins to 8, including all seven races on the final day. Britain has not been victorious since 2015. So while British trainers still hold the historical edge in total wins among the all-time leading names, Irish dominance in the modern era tells a very different story. In fact, we can’t help but notice the similarities in other sports, such as Ireland in the Six Nations.
Irish Dominance in Championship Races
What is even more staggering about Irish trainers’ records is that they consistently show up when it matters. The Gold Cup is the richest and most illustrious non-handicap chase in Britain. The race has been won by Irish runners in all of the last seven renewals and 10 of the last 12. In addition, the Stayers’ Hurdle and Champion Chase have been owned by Irish trainers in the previous five races, and three of the last five Champion Hurdle renewals.
The market leaders with our online betting site are Irish runners in all but one of the Champion races this year. When the Festival’s blue-riband races are repeatedly heading back to Ireland, it underlines just how firm the balance of power has shifted. It’s one thing to rack up wins across the week; it’s another to control the Championship events that define Cheltenham history.
Why Are Irish Trainers So Successful at Cheltenham?
Ireland’s dominance at the Cheltenham Festival hasn’t happened by chance. The win totals tell part of the story, but the real reason behind the surge lies in how Irish National Hunt racing is structured today, specifically, their investment in it. Ireland has always been a powerhouse when it comes to breeding jump horses. The point-to-point scene acts as a conveyor belt for future stars, giving trainers access to strong, stamina-bred young horses before they even reach the big tracks.
Owners have also become more willing to invest heavily in stores and proven point-to-point winners, often buying with Cheltenham specifically in mind. That focus means many Irish horses are developed from day one as future Festival contenders.
Another key factor is how concentrated Ireland’s elite runners are in just a handful of stables. That means the concentration of Irish runners from just one stable in a single race is higher. Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott, and Henry de Bromhead don’t just have one or two good horses at Cheltenham; they often have several in the same renewal. That depth creates a powerful advantage. When one yard can field three or four genuine contenders in the same contest, it increases the likelihood of success and gives them tactical flexibility. Even if one underperforms, another can step forward.
The strength of Irish novice form has also been a major factor. In recent years, the top novice hurdles and chases run in Ireland have consistently worked out better than their British equivalents. Horses arrive at Cheltenham already tested in deep, competitive fields, rather than learning on the job. That experience often shows when the pressure rises in Championship races and Grade 1 events.
What are the Irish Runners at the Cheltenham Festival 2026?
If you are wondering how to bet on the Cheltenham Festival, looking at the top Irish runners could help. Mullins brings back the already iconic Galopin Des Champs as he has another attempt at a hat-trick of Gold Cups. However, he faces strong rivalry from his own yard. Fellow Mullins steed Fact To File leads the market for the blue riband of the National Hunt, and Gaelic Warrior completes a trifecta of quality runners from the Closutton yard. Six more entrants could still make the cut as Mullins looks for a record-levelling fifth Gold Cup win.
Gordon Elliott’s Brighterdaysahead will re-enter the Champion Hurdle on Day One with Elliott hunting for his first-ever win in the last leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling. Mullins’ Lossiemouth also runs in that race, meaning the two are set for another exciting skirmish. Teahupoo leads the horse racing betting in the Stayers’, with the chief threat coming from the same yard in the form of Elliot’s Honesty Policy. However, Hendy De Bromhead’s Bob Olinger could be there to rain on Elliot’s parade once again after upsetting favourite Teahupoo at 8/1 in this race last year.
The Champion Chase could have one of the strongest Irish contingents. Mullins’ Majborough heads the betting, but Barry Connell’s Marine Nationale is breathing down his neck. Mullins also brings Il Etait Temps back after a three-year Cheltenham absence. Expect plenty of close finishes as these Irish runners aim to continue their country’s recent dominance.
With multiple horses from top yards in nearly every major race, Irish trainers are set to make their presence felt. Their strength in depth means even the non-favourites can spring surprises, keeping punters on their toes. For bettors, tracking these key runners and their form is essential when placing Cheltenham Festival bets. Overall, Ireland’s top trainers ensure the 2026 Festival promises another thrilling showcase of National Hunt talent.
