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Cheltenham Festival Jockeys
With a remarkable fifteen winners in the last three years and a total of 32 wins to date, Ruby Walsh is the most successful jockey in the history of the Cheltenham Festival. He has been leading jockey at six of the last eight Festivals and in 2011 won five races, including both of the championship hurdle races with Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle and Big Buck's in the World Hurdle - a rare double only once achieved before, by John Francombe in 1981 aboard Sea Pigeon and Derring Rose.
Champion jockey Tony McCoy is now up to 25 triumphs courtesy of two more victories in 2011. He was also leading Cheltenham rider in both 1997 and 1998.
Barry Geraghty has 20 Festival wins to his name, ahead of Richard Johnson with 17 winners and Robert Thornton with 16.
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CURRENT JOCKEYS AT THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
| Winners | Jockey |
|---|---|
| 32 | Ruby Walsh |
| 25 | Tony McCoy |
| 20 | Barry Geraghty |
| 17 | Richard Johnson |
| 16 | Robert Thornton |
| 11 | Paul Carberry |
| 8 | Davy Russell |
| 8 | Timmy Murphy |
| 6 | Paddy Brennan |
| 5 | Graham Lee |
| 4 | Miss Nina Carberry |
| 3 | Andrew Thornton |
| 3 | Mr J T McNamara |
Ruby Walsh rode 5 winners in 2011, further extending his record as the leading Cheltenham Festival rider of all time, with 32 career successes.
The Leading Rider Award is a prestigious prize for the most successful jockey at each Festival and provides an added element of competition at Cheltenham in addition to the 27 top-class races. A P McCoy, Richard Johnson, Barry Geraghty, Mick FitzGerald, Robert Thornton and Graham Lee have all won the award, although it is Ruby Walsh who has dominated recently.
The previous winners of the Leading Rider Award are listed below:
| Year | Jockey | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Ruby Walsh | 5 |
| 2010 | Ruby Walsh | 3 |
| 2009 | Ruby Walsh | 7 |
| 2008 | Ruby Walsh | 3 |
| 2007 | Robert Thornton | 4 |
| 2006 | Ruby Walsh | 3 |
| 2005 | Graham Lee | 3 |
| 2004 | Ruby Walsh | 3 |
| 2003 | Barry Geraghty | 5 |
| 2002 | Richard Johnson | 2 |
| 2000 | Mick FitzGerald | 4 |
| 1999 | Mick FitzGerald | 4 |
| 1998 | Tony McCoy | 5 |
| 1997 | Tony McCoy | 3 |
| 1996 | Richard Dunwoody | 2 |
| 1995 | Norman Williamson | 4 |
| 1994 | Charlie Swan | 3 |
| 1993 | Charlie Swan | 4 |
| 1992 | Jamie Osborne | 5 |
| 1991 | Peter Scudamore | 2 |
| 1990 | Richard Dunwoody | 2 |
| 1989 | Tom Morgan | 2 |
| 1988 | Simon Sherwood | 2 |
| 1987 | Peter Scudamore | 2 |
| 1986 | Peter Scudamore | 2 |
| 1985 | Steve Smith Eccles | 3 |
| 1984 | Jonjo O'Neill | 2 |
| 1983 | Graham Bradley | 2 |
| 1982 | Jonjo O'Neill | 1 |
| 1981 | John Francome | 3 |
| 1980 | Jim Wilson | 3 |
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL JOCKEYS AT THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL SINCE 1945
Only a select band of jockeys have had ten or more Cheltenham Festival winners, although honourable mentions should go to Graham Bradley and Mark Dwyer, who both rode nine. In 2010 Ruby Walsh overtook the legendary Pat Taaffe, who rode four Gold Cup and five Champion Chase winners:
| Winners | Jockey |
|---|---|
| 32 | Ruby Walsh |
| 25 | Tony McCoy |
| 25 | Pat Taaffe |
| 20 | Barry Geraghty |
| 18 | Richard Dunwoody |
| 17 | Richard Johnson |
| 17 | Charlie Swan |
| 17 | Fred Winter |
| 16 | Robert Thornton |
| 16 | Tommy Carberry |
| 14 | Mick Fitzgerald |
| 13 | Peter Scudamore |
| 11 | Jamie Osborne |
| 11 | Norman Williamson |
| 11 | Paul Carberry |
| 10 | John Francombe |
Ruby Walsh
Weatherbys Bumper: 1998 Alexander Banquet, 2005 Missed That
Mildmay of Flete: 2002 Blowing Wind
Arkle: 2003 Azertyuiop
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded
Grand Annual: 2004 St Pirran
County Hurdle: 2004 Sporazene, 2006 Desert Quest, 2009 American Trilogy, 2011 Final Approach
Ryanair Chase: 2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis
Supreme Novices Hurdle: 2006 Noland, 2011 Al Ferof
William Hill Trophy: 2006 Dun Doire
RSA Chase: 2007 Denman, 2009 Cooldine
Gold Cup: 2007 & 2009 Kauto Star
Ballymore Properties: 2008 Fiveforthree, 2009 Mikael d'Haguenet
Triumph Hurdle: 2008 Celestial Halo
David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle: 2009, 2010 & 2011 Quevega
World Hurdle: 2009, 2010 & 2011 Big Bucks
Fred Winter Novices: 2010 Sanctuaire
Champion Hurdle: 2011 Hurricane Fly
Pat Taaffe
Broadway Novices Chase*: 1953 Coneyburrow, 1960 Solfen, 1961 Grallagh Cnoc, 1963 Arkle, 1970 Proud Tarquin
County Hurdle: 1953 Teapot 11
Cathcart: 1954 Royal Approach, 1968 Muir, 1970 Garrynagree
Gloucestershire Hurdle**: 1954 Stroller, 1964 Flyingbolt
National Hunt Handicap: 1957 Sentina, 1966 Arkloin
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 1960 & 1961 Fortria, 1964 Ben Stack, 1966 Flyingbolt, 1970 Straight Fort
Cotswold Chase***: 1961 Mountcashel King, 1963 Ben Stack, 1965 Flyingbolt
Gold Cup: 1964, 1965 & 1966 Arkle, 1968 Fort Leney
* Now known as the RSA Chase (was called the Totalisator Champion Novice Chase in 1970).
** Now known as the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Prior to 1972 it was split into separate divisions - both Taaffe's wins were in the Division 1 race.
*** Now known as the Arkle Chase (the event was given its present name in 1969 to honour three-time Gold Cup winner - ridden by Taafe!)
Tony McCoy
Grand Annual: 1996 Kibreet, 1998 Edredon Bleu
Arkle: 1997 Or Royal, 1998 Champleve, 2004 Well Chief
Champion Hurdle: 1997 Make A Stand, 2006 Brave Inca, 2010 Binocular
Gold Cup: 1997 Mr Mulligan
Pertemps Final: 1998 Unsinkable Boxer
Cathcart: 1998 Cyfor Malta, 2002 Royal Auclair
County Hurdle: 1998 Blowing Wind
Supreme Novices Hurdle: 1999 Hors La Loi III
Mildmay of Flete: 1999 Majadou
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 2000 Edredon Bleu
Weatherbys Bumper: 2003 Liberman
Centenary Chase*: 2006 Reveillez
Albert Bartlett: 2006 Black Jack Ketchum, 2007 Wichita Lineman
RSA Chase: 2008 Albertas Run
William Hill Trophy: 2009 Wichita Lineman
Ryanair Chase: 2010 & 2011 Albertas Run
Jewson Novices Chase: 2011 Noble Prince
* The Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase was formerly called the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase (not to be confused with the current Jewson Novices' Chase)
Barry Geraghty
Arkle: 2002 Moscow Flyer, 2009 Forpadydeplasterer
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 2003 & 2005 Moscow Flyer, 2010 Big Zeb
William Hill Trophy: 2003 Youlneverwalkalone
Pertemps Final: 2003 Inching Closer
Triumph Hurdle: 2003 Spectroscope, 2009 Zaynar, 2010 Soldatino
County Hurdle: 2003 Spirit Leader
World Hurdle: 2004 Iris’s Gift
Gold Cup: 2005 Kicking King
RSA Chase: 2006 Star De Mohaison
Coral Cup: 2006 Sky’s The Limit, 2010 Spirit River
Weatherbys Bumper: 2007 Cork All Star
Centenary Chase*: 2008 Finger Onthe Pulse
Champion Hurdle: 2009 Punjabi
Albert Bartlett: 2011 Bobs Worth
* The Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase was formerly called the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase (not to be confused with the current Jewson Novices' Chase)
Richard Dunwoody
William Hill Trophy: 1985 West Tip, 1990 Bigsun
Pertemps Final: 1985 Von Trappe
Grand Annual: 1987 French Union
Gold Cup: 1988 Charter Party
Triumph Hurdle: 1988 Kribensis, 1996 Paddy’s Return
Arkle: 1989 Waterloo Boy, 1991 Remittance Man, 1996 Ventana Canyon
Champion Hurdle: 1990 Kribensis
Ballymore Properties: 1992 Thetford Forest
Weatherbys Bumper: 1992 Montelado, 1997 Florida Pearl
County Hurdle: 1993 Thumbs Up, 1997 Barna Boy
RSA Chase: 1997 Hanakham, 1998 Florida Pearl
Richard Johnson
World Hurdle: 1999 Anzum
Mildmay of Flete: 2000 Dark Stranger, 2003 Young Spartacus
Gold Cup: 2000 Looks Like Trouble
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 2002 Flagship Uberalles
County Hurdle: 2002 Rooster Booster
Champion Hurdle: 2003 Rooster Booster
RSA Chase: 2003 One Knight
Cathcart: 2003 La Landiere
Coral Cup: 2004 Monkerhostin
Triumph Hurdle: 2004 Made In Japan, 2006 Detroit City
Ballymore Properties: 2007 Massini’s Maguire
Supreme Novices Hurdle: 2010 Menorah
Centenary Chase*: 2010 Copper Bleu
Arkle Chase: 2011 Captain Chris
Champion Bumper: 2011 Cheltenian
* The Centenary Novices' Handicap Chase was formerly called the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase (not to be confused with the current Jewson Novices' Chase)
Charlie Swan
World Hurdle: 1990 Trapper John, 1993 Shuil Ar Aghaidh
Supreme Novices Hurdle: 1993 Montelado, 2002 Like-A-Butterfly
Pertemps Final: 1993 Fissure Seal
Triumph Hurdle: 1993 Shawiya, 2002 Scolardy
Ballymore Properties: 1994 Danoli, 1996 Urubande, 1997 Istabraq
Coral Cup: 1994 Time For A Run
Weatherbys Bumper: 1994 Mucklemeg, 2000 Joe Cullen
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 1995 Viking Flagship
Champion Hurdle: 1998, 1999 & 2000 Istabraq
Fred Winter
Gloucestershire Hurdle*: 1951 Oukileles II, 1952 Evian
Mildmay of Flete**: 1951 Slender, 1953 Sy Oui, 1958 Caesar’s Helm
Champion Hurdle: 1955 Clair Soleil, 1959 Fare Time, 1961 Eborneezer
Spa Hurdle***: 1959 Clair Soleil
Cotswold Chase****: 1959 Flame Gun
Grand Annual: 1959 Top Twenty
Cathcart: 1959 Gallery Goddess
Gold Cup: 1961 Saffron Tartan, 1962 Mandarin
National Hunt Handicap: 1961 Ravencroft
County Hurdle: 1962 Sky Pink
Birdlip Hurdle: 1962 St Stephen
* Now known as the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Prior to 1972 it was split into separate divisions - both Winter's wins were in the Division 2 race.
** Now known as the Byrne Group Plate. His 1951 victory on Slender was a dead-heat with Canford.
*** Now known as the World Hurdle.
**** Now known as the Arkle Chase.
Winter also won the Triumph Hurdle twice (1953 Clair Soleil, 1961 Cantab) but when it was run at Hurst Park in Surrey - the race moved to the Cheltenham Festival in 1968.
Robert Thornton
Walwyn Muir: 1997 King Lucifer
Pertemps Final: 1997 Pharanear
William Hill Trophy*: 2004 Fork Lightning, 2005 Kelami, 2011 Bensalem
Triumph Hurdle: 2005 Penzance, 2007 Katchit
Albert Bartlett: 2005 Moulin Riche, 2008 Nenuphar Collonges
Arkle: 2006 Voy Por Ustedes, 2007 My Way De Solzen
World Hurdle: 2006 My Way De Solzen
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 2007 Voy Por Ustedes
Grand Annual: 2007 Andreas
Supreme Novices Hurdle: 2008 Captain Cee Bee
Champion Hurdle: 2008 Katchit
* Currently known as the Spinal Research National Hunt Chase
Tommy Carberry
Gloucestershire Hurdle*: 1962 Tripacer, 1968 L'Escargot
County Hurdle: 1963 Bahrain
Cathcart: 1966 Flying Wild, 1973 Inkslinger
Gold Cup: 1970 & 1971 L'Escargot, 1975 Ten Up
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 1973 Inkslinger
RSA Chase: 1974 Ten Up, 1976 Tied Cottage
World Hurdle: 1975 Brown Lad, 1977 Town Ship
Triumph Hurdle: 1977 Meladon
Arkle: 1980 Anaglogs Daughter, 1982 The Brockshee
* Now known as the Supreme Novices Hurdle. Prior to 1972 it was split into separate divisions - his win on Tripacer was in the Division 1 race and on L'Escargot the Division 2 race.
Mick Fitzgerald
Cathcart: 1994 Raymylette, 1999 & 2000 Stormyfairweather
William Hill Trophy: 1995 Rough Quest, 2000 Marlborough
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 1999 Call Equiname
Triumph Hurdle: 1999 Katarino
Gold Cup: 1999 See More Business
Arkle: 2000 Tiutchev
World Hurdle: 2000 Bacchanal
Coral Cup: 2003 Xenophon
RSA Chase: 2005 Trabolgan
Ryanair Chase: 2006 Fondmort
Racing Post Plate*: 2006 Non So
* The Racing Post Plate (2006-2008) was formerly called the Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase and is currently known as the Byrne Group Plate.
Peter Scudamore
William Hill Trophy: 1986 Charter Party
Triumph Hurdle: 1986 Solar Cloud
Seasons Holidays Queen Mother: 1987 Pearlyman
Cathcart: 1987 Half Free, 1991 Chatam
Champion Hurdle: 1988 Celtic Shot, 1993 Granville Again
Grand Annual: 1989 Pukka Major
Ballymore Properties: 1990 Regal Ambition
RSA Chase: 1991 Rolling Ball, 1992 Miinnehoma, 1993 Young Hustler
Coral Cup: 1993 Olympian
Jamie Osborne
Grand Annual: 1991 Aldino
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 1992 Remittance Man
Arkle: 1992 Young Pokey, 1993 Travado, 1994 Nakir
Supreme Novices Hurdle: 1992 Flown, 1997 Shadow Leader
World Hurdle: 1992 Nomadic Way, 1997 Karshi
County Hurdle: 1992 Dusty Miller
Cathcart: 1995 Coulton
Norman Williamson
Champion Hurdle: 1995 Alderbrook
Gold Cup: 1995 Master Oats
Mildmay of Flete: 1995 Kadi, 1998 Super Coin
Ballymore Properties: 1995 Putty Road, 2000 Monsignor
Triumph Hurdle: 1997 Commanche Court
William Hill Trophy: 1999 Betty’s Boy
Pertemps Final: 1999 Generosa
Grand Annual: 2000 Samakaan
Supreme Novices Hurdle: 2003 Back In Front
Paul Carberry
Weatherbys Bumper: 1993 Rhythm Section, 2006 Hairy Molly
William Hill Trophy: 1998 Unguided Missile, 2002 Frenchman’s Creek
RSA Chase: 1999 Looks Like Trouble
Supreme Novices Hurdle: 2000 Sausalito Bay, 2009 Go Native
Pertemps Final: 2005 Oulart
Grand Annual: 2005 Fota Island
Ballymore Properties: 2006 Nicanor
Fred Winter Novices: 2008 Crack Away Jack
John Francome
National Hunt Handicap: 1975 King Flame
Mildmay of Flete: 1977 Uncle Bing
Gold Cup: 1978 Midnight Court
Cathcart: 1979 Roller-Coaster, 1983 Observe
Champion Hurdle: 1981 Sea Pigeon
Stayers' Hurdle*: 1981 Derring Rose
Grand Annual: 1981 Friendly Alliance
Sun Alliance Chase: 1982 Brown Chamberlin
Coral Golden Hurdle: 1983 Canio
* Now known as the World Hurdle.
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP JOCKEYS
| Winners | Jockey | Year/Horse |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Pat Taafe | 1964, 1965 & 1966 Arkle, 1968 Fort Leney |
| 3* | Tommy Carberry | 1970 & 1971 L’Escargot, 1975 Ten Up |
| 3 | Jim Culloty | 2002, 2003 & 2004 Best Mate |
| 3 | Aubrey Brabazon | 1948, 1949 & 1950 Cottage Rake |
| 3 | Dick Rees | 1924 Red Splash, 1928 Patron Saint, 1929 Easter Hero |
* In 1980, Tommy Carberry was first past the post on Tied Cottage, who was subsequently disqualified for failing a dope test. Master Smudge was then installed as the winner.
Pat Taaffe aboard the legendary Arkle, with whom he won the Gold Cup three times
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CHAMPION HURDLE JOCKEYS
| Winners | Jockey | Year/Horse |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | Tim Molony | 1951 Hatton’s Grace, 1952, 1953 & 1954 Sir Ken |
| 3 | Tony McCoy | 1997 Make A Stand, 2006 Brave Inca, 2010 Binocular |
| 3 | Steve Smith Eccles | 1985, 1986 & 1987 See You Then |
| 3 | Ron Smyth | 1941 Seneca, 1942 Forestation, 1948 National Spirit |
| 3 | Charlie Swan | 1998, 1999 & 2000 Istabraq |
| 3 | Jimmy Uttley | 1968, 1969 & 1970 Persian War |
| 3 | Fred Winter | 1955 Clair Soleil, 1959 Fare Time, 1961 Eborneezer |
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE JOCKEYS
| Winners | Jockey | Year/Horse |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Pat Taaffe | 1960 & 1961 Fortria, 1964 Ben Stack, 1966 Flyingbolt, 1970 Straight Fort |
| 3 | Ruby Walsh | 2004 Azertyuiop, 2008 & 2009 Master Minded |
| 3 | Barry Geraghty | 2003 & 2005 Moscow Flyer, 2010 Big Zeb |
| 3 | Robert Earnshaw | 1983, 1984 & 1985 Badsworth Boy |
| 2 | Tommy Carmody | 1978 Hilly Way, 1986 Buck House |
| 2 | Dave Dick | 1962 Piperton, 1965 Dunkirk |
| 2 | Mouse Morris | 1976 & 1977 Skymas |
| 2 | Frank ‘Bonky’ Nash | 1967 & 1968 Drinny’s Double |
| 2 | Bill Smith | 1972 & 1974 Royal Relief |
THE MOST SUCCESSFUL WORLD HURDLE JOCKEYS
| Winners | Jockey | Year/Horse |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Ruby Walsh | 2009, 2010 & 2011 Big Buck's |
| 2 | Tommy Carberry | 1975 Brown Lad, 1977 Town Ship |
| 2 | Stuart Shilston | 1982 & 1986 Crimson Embers |
| 2 | Tommy Carmody | 1987 & 1988 Galmoy |
| 2 | Charlie Swan | 1990 Trapper John, 1993 Shuil Ar Aghaidh |
| 2 | Mark Perrett | 1991 King’s Curate, 1994 Balasani |
| 2 | Jamie Osborne | 1992 Nomadic Way, 1997 Karshi |
| 2 | Thierry Doumen | 2002 & 2003 Baracouda |
JOCKEYS WHO HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP AND CHAMPION HURDLE IN THE SAME YEAR
| Year | Jockey | Horses (Gold Cup / Champion Hurdle) |
|---|---|---|
| 1929 | Dick Rees | Easter Hero / Royal Falcon |
| 1930 | Tom Cullinan | Easter Hero / Brown Tony |
| 1932 | Ted Leader | Golden Miller / Insurance |
| 1933 | Bill Stott | Golden Miller / Insurance |
| 1935 | Gerry Wilson | Golden Miller / Lion Courage |
| 1949 | Aubrey Brabazon | Cottage Rake / Hatton’s Grace |
| 1950 | Aubrey Brabazon | Cottage Rake / Hatton’s Grace |
| 1953 | Tim Molony | Knock Hard / Sir Ken |
| 1961 | Fred Winter | Saffron Tartan / Eborneezer |
| 1995 | Norman Williamson | Master Oats / Alderbrook |
| 1997 | Tony McCoy | Mr Mulligan / Make A Stand |
JOCKEYS WHO HAVE BEEN SUCCESSFUL IN THE CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP AND QUEEN MOTHER CHAMPION CHASE IN THE SAME YEAR
| Year | Jockey | Horses (Gold Cup / Champion Chase) |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Pat Taafe | Arkle / Ben Stack |
| 1966 | Tom Cullinan | Arkle / Flyingbolt |
| 1989 | Simon Sherwood | Desert Orchid / Barmbrook Again |
| 1999 | Mick Fitzgerald | See More Business / Call Equiname |
| 2005 | Barry Geraghty | Kicking King / Moscow Flyer |
| 2009 | Ruby Walsh | Kauto Star / Master Minded |
Only two jockeys have done the Champion Hurdle / World Hurdle double - John Francombe in 1981 on Sea Pigeon / Derring Rose and Ruby Walsh in 2011 on Hurricane Fly / Big Buck's.
No jockey has ever ridden the winner of all four championship races at the same Festival, although Ruby Walsh came perilously close in 2009 when winning the Champion Chase (Master Minded), World Hurdle (Big Bucks) and Gold Cup (Kauto Star), whilst finishing second in the Champion Hurdle (Celestial Halo).
Ruby Walsh, Richard Johnson and Barry Geraghty are, thus far, the only jockeys to achieve a "Career Grand Slam" of winning all four Festival Championship races. Tony McCoy still needs to win the World Hurdle, whilst Robert Thornton needs to win the Gold Cup to complete the set.
