The top trainers in Cheltenham Festival history

The Prestbury Cup is always an exciting side-note to Cheltenham Festival as the best of the British horses take on the best of the Irish. The winning side are usually aided by having the leading trainer at the Festival with that title going to Willie Mullins in five of the last seven years. Gordon Elliott broke his dominance in 2017 and won the award again in 2018 before Mullins’ four winners last year proved enough to reclaim the crown.

Mullins is the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history with 65 winners to his name but Nicky Henderson is just one back with 64 winners and that pair have many brilliant chances once again. Elliott is also in the mix to be the leading trainer and will be keen to retake the title he last claimed with a record-equalling eight winners in 2018.

Below is a list of the trainers who have won the leading trainer award at each Festival since 1980 (number of wins in brackets):

2019 - Willie Mullins (4)

2018 - Gordon Elliott (8)

2017 - Gordon Elliott (6)

2016 - Willie Mullins (7)

2015 - Willie Mullins (8)

2014 - Willie Mullins (4)

2013 - Willie Mullins (5)

2012 - Nicky Henderson (6)

2011 - Willie Mullins (4)

2010 - Nicky Henderson (3)

2009 - Paul Nicholls (5)