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Cheltenham Festival Jockeys
With a remarkable seven winners in 2009, and a total of 24 wins to date, Ruby Walsh is the most successful current jockey at the Cheltenham Festival. He has been leading jockey at four of the last six Festivals and last year won three of the four Championship races. In fact, he only just missed out on the clean sweep, finishing second in the Champion Hurdle aboard Celestial Halo. He is now just one short of Pat Taaffe's record of 25 Festival winners.
Tony McCoy is the second most successful current Festival jockey. His 21 wins include a rare big-race double aboard Make A Stand in the Champion Hurdle and Mr Mulligan in the Gold Cup two days later in 1997. He was also leading rider in both 1997 and 1998 and has ridden a winner at every subsequent Festival except in 2005, when he surprisingly drew a blank.
Barry Geraghty had 3 wins in 2009 and moved to 16 Festival wins, ahead of Robert Thornton who has 15 winners to his name.THE MOST SUCCESSFUL CURRENT JOCKEYS AT THE CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
| Winners | Jockey |
|---|---|
| 24 | Ruby Walsh |
| 21 | Tony McCoy |
| 16 | Barry Geraghty |
| 15 | Robert Thornton |
| 13 | Richard Johnson |
| 11 | Paul Carberry |
| 8 | Timmy Murphy |
| 7 | Carl Llewellyn |
| 5 | Davy Russell |
| 4 | Graham Lee |
| 4 | Paddy Brennan |
| 4 | Miss Nina Carberry |
| 3 | Andrew Thornton |
| 3 | Mr J T McNamara |
Ruby Walsh needs one more Festival winner to equal Pat Taaffe
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 26 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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. The list is headed by the legendary Pat Taaffe, who rode four Gold Cup and five Champion Chase winners:
| Winners | Jockey |
|---|---|
| 25 | Pat Taaffe |
| 24 | Ruby Walsh |
| 21 | Tony McCoy |
| 18 | Richard Dunwoody |
| 17 | Charlie Swan |
| 17 | Fred Winter |
| 16 | Barry Geraghty |
| 16 | Tommy Carberry |
| 15 | Robert Thornton |
| 14 | Mick Fitzgerald |
| 13 | Richard Johnson |
| 13 | Peter Scudamore |
| 11 | Jamie Osborne |
| 11 | Norman Williamson |
| 11 | Paul Carberry |
Pat Taaffe
RSA 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
Supreme Novices 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
Arkle***: 1961 Mountcashel King, 1963 Ben Stack, 1965 Flyingbolt
Gold Cup: 1964, 1965 & 1966 Arkle, 1968 Fort Leney
* Known as the Broadway Novices' Chase at the time of his first four wins and the Totalisator Champion Novice Chase in 1970.
** Known at the time as the Gloucestershire Hurdle. Prior to 1972 it was split into separate divisions - both Taaffe's wins were in the Division 1 race.
*** Known at the time as the Cotswold Chase (the event was given its present name in 1969 to honour three-time Gold Cup winner - ridden by Taafe!)
Ruby Walsh
Weatherbys Bumper: 1998 Alexander Banquet, 2005 Missed That
Racing Post Plate: 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
Ryanair: 2005 Thisthatandtother, 2007 Taranis
Supreme Novices Hurdle: 2006 Noland
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 Quevega
World Hurdle: 2009 Big Bucks
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
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
Racing Post Plate: 1999 Majadou
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 2000 Edredon Bleu
Weatherbys Bumper: 2003 Liberman
Jewson: 2006 Reveillez
Albert Bartlett: 2006 Black Jack Ketchum, 2007 Wichita Lineman
RSA Chase: 2008 Albertas Run
William Hill Trophy: 2009 Wichita Lineman
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
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
Supreme Novices Hurdle*: 1951 Oukileles II, 1952 Evian
Racing Post Plate**: 1951 Slender, 1953 Sy Oui, 1958 Caesar’s Helm
Champion Hurdle: 1955 Clair Soleil, 1959 Fare Time, 1961 Eborneezer
World Hurdle***: 1959 Clair Soleil
Arkle****: 1959 Flame Gun
Grand Annual: 1959 Top Twenty
Gold Cup: 1961 Saffron Tartan, 1962 Mandarin
National Hunt Handicap: 1961 Ravencroft
* Known at the time as the Gloucestershire Hurdle. Prior to 1972 it was split into separate divisions - both Winter's wins were in the Division 2 race.
** Known at the time as the Mildmay of Flete Handicap Chase.
*** Known at the time as the Spa Hurdle.
**** Known at the time as the Cotswold Chase.
Winter also won the Triumph Hurdle twice (1953 Clair Soleil, 1961 Cantab) but when it was run at Hurst Park - the race moved to the Cheltenham Festival in 1968.
Barry Geraghty
Arkle: 2002 Moscow Flyer, 2009 Forpadydeplasterer
Queen Mother Champion Chase: 2003 & 2005 Moscow Flyer
William Hill Trophy: 2003 Youlneverwalkalone
Pertemps Final: 2003 Inching Closer
Triumph Hurdle: 2003 Spectroscope, 2009 Zaynar
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
Weatherbys Bumper: 2007 Cork All Star
Jewson Novices: 2008 Finger Onthe Pulse
Champion Hurdle: 2009 Punjabi
Tommy Carberry
Supreme Novices 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
* Known at the time as the Gloucestershire 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.
Robert Thornton
Walwyn Muir: 1997 King Lucifer
Pertemps Final: 1997 Pharanear
William Hill Trophy: 2004 Fork Lightning, 2005 Kelami
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
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
Richard Johnson
World Hurdle: 1999 Anzum
Racing Post Plate: 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
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
Racing Post Plate: 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
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 | 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 | Robert Earnshaw | 1983, 1984 & 1985 Badsworth Boy |
| 2 | Barry Geraghty | 2003 & 2005 Moscow Flyer |
| 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 |
|---|---|---|
| 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 one jockey has done the Champion Hurdle / World Hurdle double - John Francombe in 1981 on Sea Pigeon / Derring Rose.
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).
Richard Johnson and Barry Geraghty are, thus far, the only jockeys to achieve a "Career Grand Slam" of winning all four Festival Championship races. Ruby Walsh still needs to win the Champion Hurdle to emulate this feat, Tony McCoy could do it by winning the World Hurdle, whilst Robert Thornton needs to win the Gold Cup to complete the set.