As the Cheltenham Festival approaches in 2025, racing enthusiasts prepare for an exciting showdown between the finest British and Irish-trained horses. This prestigious event brings together the best in National Hunt racing, with top trainers like Nicky Henderson and Willie Mullins regularly battling it out. Both trainers have become synonymous with Cheltenham, thanks to their impressive track records in both graded and handicap races.
However, many British fans are hoping—rather than expecting—that this year will see more victories for their homegrown talent.
In recent years, Britain's dominance at Cheltenham has significantly declined. The Irish horses, fueled by superior breeding and often funded by British owners, have consistently outperformed their counterparts. As we approach the 2025 Festival, many are left wondering if the hosts can reclaim their former glory on home turf.
Cheltenham 2025: UK vs Ireland, or UK vs Mullins?
While the rivalry between Britain and Ireland is the Festival’s main narrative, it often feels like the competition is really between British trainers and the formidable Willie Mullins.
Throughout his career, Mullins has racked up an astonishing 94 Festival wins, including three Gold Cup victories with stars like Galopin Des Champs and Al Boum Photo. In 2023, he was crowned the Leading Trainer at the event, and his string of champions—El Fabiolo, Lossiemouth, and Energumene, to name a few—are expected to make their mark again this year.
Mullins vs the UK Contingent
Willie Mullins represents perhaps the greatest challenge to Britain’s hopes of success at Cheltenham. Some betting markets even suggest there’s a near 50/50 chance that Mullins will secure more wins than the entire British contingent combined.
This might sound exaggerated, but there’s good reason for this belief. Despite a glimmer of hope for the British trainers, who claimed 10 victories out of 28 races over the last two years, Ireland—led by Mullins—has transformed the Prestbury Cup into a near one-sided contest.
Mullins’ unparalleled success in 2022, where he secured 10 victories, including a remarkable five-timer on the Festival’s final day, has earned him respect from fans on both sides of the Irish Sea.
Does Britain Stand a Chance?
With 94 festival victories under his belt and six wins from last year alone, Mullins continues to be a dominant force. This year, his squad looks even stronger, led by defending Gold Cup champion Galopin Des Champs and Champion Chase favourite El Fabiolo. British hopes, however, could hinge on whether Constitution Hill recovers in time for the Champion Hurdle, where Mullins’ State Man is poised to pounce should he falter.
But could Mullins be so dominant that he surpasses the combined efforts of British stars like Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, and Dan Skelton?
A British Drought at Cheltenham
For the British trainers, the Festival has been a tough battleground in recent years. Though horses like Constitution Hill and Sir Gino are leading the charge in races like the Champion Hurdle and the Triumph Hurdle, their success is far from guaranteed. Fergal O’Brien’s Dysart Enos is heavily favoured in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, and Ginny’s Destiny is a top contender in the Turners’ Novices’ Chase, but overall, the British team has struggled to reclaim past victories.
In fact, the last time Britain outright defeated Ireland at the Festival was back in 2015. A 14-14 tie in 2019 was the best outcome in recent years, while 2021 saw a lopsided 23-5 victory for Ireland. Compare that to 15 years ago, when Paul Nicholls last held the title of top trainer at Cheltenham, and it’s clear that the landscape has shifted dramatically.
Paul Nicholls, known for his success with horses like Kauto Star and Denman, remains a key player in British racing. His tally of 48 wins at the Cheltenham Festival is impressive, and he heads into this year’s event with high hopes. Stay Away Fay and Stage Star were two of his standout runners last year, and he only needs two more wins to reach the milestone of 50 Festival victories.
Britain’s Uphill Battle
Even if Britain’s top horses, including Constitution Hill, perform at their peak, the odds suggest that the home team will face an uphill battle to reach double digits in wins over the course of the four-day Festival. Meanwhile, Mullins is favoured to once again eclipse Britain’s National Hunt racing efforts.
That said, for most racegoers, the nationality of the winning horse won’t be their main concern—what matters most is whether they’ve backed a winner. Britain has not ruled the Festival since 2016, yet fans continue to return, eager for the excitement and drama that Cheltenham brings.
In a broader sense, the real victors may be the French breeders who supply many of the top horses, content to sell their prized bloodstock to the highest bidder—whether British or Irish.