The Cheltenham Gold Cup 2027 is run on Friday 19 March 2027 at approximately 4:00pm GMT at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire, England. The Grade 1 chase is the championship race of the National Hunt jumps season and the centrepiece of Gold Cup Day, the final day of the Cheltenham Festival.
What is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase contested over 3 miles 2 furlongs and 70 yards on the New Course at Cheltenham. Horses jump 22 fences in a race that has been the most coveted prize in jumps racing for a century. The Gold Cup is restricted to horses aged five and over and carries level weights with mares receiving a 7lb allowance.
It is the championship race for staying chasers and the unofficial title of best jumps horse in training. The race is run at Cheltenham’s Festival meeting in March, the highlight of the National Hunt calendar. Total prize money for the Gold Cup typically exceeds £600,000, with the winning connections receiving the famous gold trophy.
When is the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2027?
The 2027 Cheltenham Gold Cup is run on Friday 19 March 2027 at approximately 4:00pm GMT. It is the fourth race on the day’s seven-race card, sandwiched between the earlier supporting races and the closing handicap. Gold Cup Day is the final and most prestigious day of the four-day Cheltenham Festival.
Where is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Cheltenham Racecourse sits in Prestbury Park on the outskirts of Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, in south-west England. The Gold Cup is run on the New Course, a left-handed undulating circuit with a stiff uphill finish that has long been considered the toughest test in jumps racing. The racecourse can accommodate more than 67,000 spectators on Gold Cup Day.
Key Contenders
The Cheltenham Gold Cup has been dominated by Irish-trained horses in recent years. Willie Mullins, the Closutton-based champion trainer, has saddled multiple recent winners and consistently fields the favourite. His stable star Galopin Des Champs won back-to-back Gold Cups in 2023 and 2024, joining a select group of horses to have won the race twice. Other leading Irish stables targeting the race include those of Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead.
British contenders are typically led by Paul Nicholls and Nicky Henderson, with their staying chasers preparing through the King George VI Chase and the Cotswold Chase. Top jockeys associated with the race include Paul Townend, Rachael Blackmore, Sean Bowen and Harry Cobden. Final declarations and the favourite are confirmed in the days before the race.
How to Watch
In the United Kingdom and Ireland, ITV1 broadcasts the Gold Cup live as part of its free-to-air coverage of Festival Friday. Racing TV provides full course-side coverage to subscribers. Sky Sports Racing also carries the build-up. In the United States, the race is shown on TVG and Racing TV International. In Australia, Sky Racing carries the coverage. International viewers can stream via Racing TV’s international service.
History and Records
The Cheltenham Gold Cup was first run as a chase in 1924, won by Red Splash. Golden Miller holds the record for most wins in the race with five consecutive victories between 1932 and 1936. Best Mate became the first horse since Golden Miller to win three in a row, taking the title from 2002 to 2004. Arkle, widely regarded as the greatest chaser of all time, won the Gold Cup in 1964, 1965 and 1966.
Other multiple winners include Cottage Rake (1948-50), Easter Hero (1929-30), L’Escargot (1970-71) and Al Boum Photo (2019-20). Galopin Des Champs added his name to the list with consecutive wins in 2023 and 2024 for Willie Mullins. Dawn Run remains the only horse to complete the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup double, doing so in 1986.
Tickets and Attendance
Tickets for Gold Cup Day are sold by The Jockey Club via cheltenhamfestival.co.uk. Enclosure options include the Best Mate Enclosure, Tattersalls and Club enclosures. Hospitality packages, restaurant boxes and private suites are sold separately. Gold Cup Day is the most expensive and sought-after day of the Festival, with tickets regularly selling out months in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2027 start?
Approximately 4:00pm GMT on Friday 19 March 2027.
Where is the Cheltenham Gold Cup being held?
Cheltenham Racecourse, Prestbury Park, Gloucestershire, England.
How can I watch the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
ITV1 in the UK and Ireland, Racing TV for subscribers, TVG in the United States, Sky Racing in Australia.
Who won the last Cheltenham Gold Cup?
Galopin Des Champs won the 2023 and 2024 Cheltenham Gold Cups for trainer Willie Mullins and jockey Paul Townend.
How long is the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The Gold Cup is run over 3 miles 2 furlongs and 70 yards, with horses jumping 22 fences.