Paul Townend etched his name into the annals of Cheltenham history during the 2024 Festival. Riding Galopin Des Champs, he secured back-to-back victories in the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup, making him just the ninth horse to achieve this feat. The Gold Cup, celebrating its 100th anniversary, witnessed Townend’s masterful performance as he steered the overwhelming favorite to a confident win over the three-mile course, finishing three-and-a-half lengths ahead of Gerri Colombe.

This triumph was the pinnacle of a remarkable week for both trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend. Mullins, with a total of nine winners, including three on Friday, emerged as the leading trainer. Meanwhile, Townend’s Gold Cup victory allowed him to draw level with the legendary Pat Taaffe, who also claimed four Gold Cup wins. Taaffe’s victories came aboard Arkle (1964, 1965, 1966) and Fort Leney (1968).

Better Days Ahead (5-1) brings the Festival to a rousing conclusion in the Martin Pipe! 💫

Hats off to @DannyGilligan8 and @gelliott_racing 🫡 pic.twitter.com/fDEk8XR0ar

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) March 15, 2024

Leading Jockeys

Paul Townend 6 - -

Harry Skelton 4 1 -

Rachael Blackmore 2 4 1
Mark Walsh 2 3 1
Mr Derek O’Connor 2 1 -
Jack Kennedy 1 4 4
Keith Donoghue 1 2 1
Harry Cobden 1 2 -
Mr Patrick Mullins 1 1 1
JJ Slevin 1 - 1
Sam Ewing 1 - -
David Bass 1 - -
Lorcan Williams 1 - -
Ben Jones 1 - -
Mr John Dawson 1 - -
Charlie Deutsch - 1 2
Danny Mullins - 1 2
Danny Gilligan - 1 -
TP Harney - 1 -
Beau Morgan - 1 -
Sean O’Keeffe - 1 -
Jonjo O’Neill jnr - 1 -
Mr Will Biddick - 1 -
Kielan Woods - 1 -
Miss Gina Andrews - - 1
James Bowen - - 1
Derek Fox - - 1
Stephen Mulqueen - - 1
Darragh O’Keeffe - - 1
Michael O’Sullivan - - 2
Sam Twiston-Davies - - 1
Sean Houlihan - - 1
Mr J Gleeson - - 1
Gavin Sheehan - - 1
Danny Gilligan - - 1
Mr Toby McCain-Mitchell - - 1
Ciaran Gethings - - 1