{"id":7135,"date":"2025-03-07T14:41:20","date_gmt":"2025-03-07T14:41:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/highbet.co.uk\/blog\/?p=7135"},"modified":"2025-03-07T14:43:30","modified_gmt":"2025-03-07T14:43:30","slug":"cheltenham-festival-top-trainers","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/cheltenham-festival-top-trainers\/","title":{"rendered":"Cheltenham Festival&#8217;s Top Trainers"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious events in horse racing, attracting the best trainers, jockeys, and horses from across the UK and Ireland.<\/span><b> Over the years, several trainers have dominated the festival<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, showcasing their expertise and ability to prepare horses for success on the biggest stage. Here\u2019s a look at some of the <\/span><b>top trainers who have left their mark on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/racing\/match\/upcoming\/HorseRacing\">Cheltenham<\/a><\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, with<\/span><b> many of them expected to feature prominently again in 2025.<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h2><b>Willie Mullins<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-7137\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Willie-Mullins-1024x597.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"466\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Willie-Mullins-1024x597.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Willie-Mullins-300x175.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Willie-Mullins-768x448.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Willie-Mullins.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Willie Mullins is <\/span><b>the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, having surpassed previous records with an incredible tally of winners. <\/span><b>Since claiming his first Festival victory in 1995<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the Irish trainer has consistently dominated, producing top-class horses that have excelled in races such as the <\/span><b>Champion Hurdle, Stayers&#8217; Hurdle, and the Gold Cup.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> His dominance is further highlighted by his numerous victories in the Supreme Novices&#8217; Hurdle and the Mares\u2019 Hurdle. With <\/span><b>decades of success and an ever-growing list of winners<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Mullins remains a formidable force at Cheltenham.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h2><b>Nicky Henderson<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7143\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Nicky-Henderson-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"711\" height=\"447\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Nicky-Henderson-1.jpg 711w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Nicky-Henderson-1-300x189.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 711px) 100vw, 711px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>A true legend of British racing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Nicky Henderson has been one of the standout trainers at the Cheltenham Festival for decades. Since securing his first Festival winner in 1985, he has amassed an impressive tally of victories, including multiple Champion Hurdle wins and a strong record in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Henderson has trained some of the sport\u2019s greatest hor<\/span><b>ses, such as Sprinter Sacre, Altior, and Buveur d\u2019Air. With over 70 Festival winners to his name<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, his <\/span><b>expertise in training hurdlers and chasers <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">ensures he remains a key player at the festival every year.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h2><b>Paul Nicholls<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-7139\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Paul-Nicholls-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Paul-Nicholls-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Paul-Nicholls-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Paul-Nicholls-768x432.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Paul-Nicholls-1536x864.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Paul-Nicholls.jpg 1800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>With over 45 Festival winners<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Paul Nicholls is another Cheltenham Festival great. With his first victory in 1999, he has since built an impressive record, including <\/span><b>multiple Cheltenham Gold Cup wins<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with legendary horses like<\/span><b> Kauto Star, who claimed victory in 2007 and 2009, and Denman, who triumphed in 2008<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Nicholls has also dominated races such as the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the RSA Chase.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h2><b>Fulke Walwyn<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7140\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fulke-Walwyn.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"700\" height=\"400\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fulke-Walwyn.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Fulke-Walwyn-300x171.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 700px) 100vw, 700px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>A historical figure in National Hunt racing<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, Fulke Walwyn was a dominant trainer in the <\/span><b>mid-20th century<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From his first Cheltenham Festival winner in 1946 to his final triumph in 1986, he amassed a remarkable <\/span><b>40 festival victories<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. His standout successes include <\/span><b>four Cheltenham Gold Cup wins<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, notably with Mill House in 1963. Renowned for his expertise in long-distance chases and hurdle races, Walwyn&#8217;s legacy lives on as one of the all-time great trainers in Cheltenham history.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-level=\"1\">\n<h2><b>Gordon Elliott<\/b><\/h2>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-7141\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gordon-Elliott.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"960\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gordon-Elliott.jpg 960w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gordon-Elliott-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/03\/Gordon-Elliott-768x512.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 960px) 100vw, 960px\" \/><\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gordon Elliott has established himself as <\/span><b>one of the leading trainers in recent years<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, consistently challenging the dominance of Willie Mullins. Since claiming his<\/span><b> first Cheltenham Festival winner in 2011<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> with Chicago Grey in the National Hunt Chase, he has gone on to train multiple festival champions. His standout successes include Tiger Roll, who won the Cross Country Chase in<\/span><b> 2018<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> and<\/span><b> 2019<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before securing back-to-back Grand National victories. Elliott\u2019s ability to bring horses to peak form for the festival makes him <\/span><b>a serious contender year after year.<\/b><\/p>\n<h2><b>Current Top Cheltenham Trainers<\/b><\/h2>\n<p><b>As we approach the 2025 Cheltenham Festival<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, the landscape of top trainers remains competitive. Willie Mullins continues to dominate the standings, but<\/span><b> trainers like Nicky Henderson, Paul Nicholls, and Gordon Elliott remain strong challengers.<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Other emerging names in the training ranks, such as<\/span><b> Dan Skelton and Henry de Bromhead<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, are also making significant strides in major Cheltenham races.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Looking ahead to the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, the favourite trainers to watch include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Willie Mullins<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: the festival\u2019s most successful trainer,<\/span><b> likely to extend his record with a formidable team<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Expect <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Al Boum Photo<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (two-time Gold Cup winner), <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Gaillard du Mesnil<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the staying chase, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Facile Vega<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in the Supreme Novices&#8217; Hurdle.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Gordon Elliott<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: likely to bring another <\/span><b>well-prepared string of runners.<\/b> <i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Galvin<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a Gold Cup contender, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Fakiera<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could compete in staying chases or novice hurdles.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Nicky Henderson<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: a master of <\/span><b>hurdlers and chasers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, always a key player in championship races. <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Constitution Hill<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a favourite for the Champion Hurdle, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Shishkin<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> might feature in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Paul Nicholls<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: a powerhouse in<\/span><b> staying chases. <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Bravemansgame<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a strong Gold Cup contender, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Greaneteen<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could challenge in the Queen Mother Champion Chase.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Henry de Bromhead<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: known for success in the <\/span><b>Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle. <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Minella Indo<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> aims for another Gold Cup win, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Honeysuckle<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will defend her Champion Hurdle title.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Dan Skelton<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: <\/span><b>a rising force at Cheltenham. <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Protektorat<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a Gold Cup contender, and <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Roksana<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> could be a key challenger in the Mares&#8217; Hurdle.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>With a host of talented trainers<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> gearing up their horses for one of the year\u2019s biggest racing events, <\/span><b>Cheltenham 2025 is set to deliver an exciting showdown<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. From the seasoned veterans to the emerging stars, the competition for festival glory will be intense.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<table>\n<tbody>\n<tr>\n<td><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For those looking to make the most of the action, don\u2019t miss the opportunity to<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/\"><b> place your bets on the Cheltenham Festival at Highbet<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">With great odds, a wide range of betting options, and special promotions for racing events, Highbet provides a fantastic platform to get in on the excitement of Cheltenham!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/racing\"><b>BET ON THE RACES WITH HIGHBET<\/b><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/racing\/match\/upcoming\/HorseRacing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-large wp-image-7115\" src=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/welcome-to-highbet-2-1024x167.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"800\" height=\"130\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/welcome-to-highbet-2-1024x167.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/welcome-to-highbet-2-300x49.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/welcome-to-highbet-2-768x125.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/welcome-to-highbet-2.jpg 1409w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most prestigious events in horse racing, attracting the best trainers, jockeys, and horses from across the UK and Ireland. Over the years, several trainers have dominated the festival, showcasing their expertise and ability to prepare horses for success on the biggest stage. Here\u2019s a look at some of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":7136,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7135","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-sports"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7135","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/5"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7135"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7135\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7144,"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7135\/revisions\/7144"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7136"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7135"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7135"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.highbet.co.uk\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7135"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}