The Cheltenham Festival is not only the pinnacle of National Hunt racing – and a huge deal in the UK – it attracts the best horses, trainers, and jockeys from all over the world… sometimes even the US.
Obviously, the festival is generally dominated by the British and Irish – but there have been a handful of American trainers, horses, and jockeys that have made an impact on the event. Although US-based horses don’t usually compete at Cheltenham because of the various differences in racing styles and conditions, there have been some standout American names that have enjoyed success.
With that being said – and what with the festival looming and the latest Gold Cup betting odds being released, let’s take a look at some of the most successful Americans ever at the Cheltenham Festival.
Charlie Whittingham – The Pathfinder
One of the first ever American trainers to send a horse to the Cheltenham Festival was Charlie Whittingham, a legendary US-based trainer who’s more associated with flat racing than jumps. Although he never actually enjoyed a Cheltenham victory, it was his pioneering effort that paved the way for the future of America in the festival.
Fulke Walwyn – A Training Legend
Although he’s generally associated with British racing, Fulke Walwyn was actually born in the US – and he went on to become one of the most successful trainers in Cheltenham history ever, with an incredible 40 Festival winners during his career. He trained four Gold Cup winners, including Fort Leney in 1968 and dominated the Festival in the 1950s and 1960s with lots of high-profile wins.
He may have spent most of his life in Britain, but thanks to his American birthplace, we can technically name him as one of the most successful US-born players in Cheltenham history.
George Sloan – An American Amateur at Cheltenham
There aren’t many American jockeys to make a mark at Cheltenham – but one such man was George Sloan, an amateur jockey who competed in the festival during the 1970s. He was an accomplished steeplechase jockey in the US and brought his talents to the UK to try and take on Cheltenham’s famous fences.
He might not have managed any high-profile victories, but his participation in itself was historic.
The American-Owned Horse That Conquered Cheltenham
There are also some US-owned horses that have enjoyed some success – with one of the most notable examples being Don Poli. Don Poli was owned by Gigginstown House Stud, had American investment behind him – and won the RSA Chase in 2015. This led to more US investment in Cheltenham – and more US-based owners are starting to support trainers in Ireland and Britain.
Why Aren’t More Americans Successful at Cheltenham?
Sure, there have been a few names worth mentioning – but why is it that, despite the serious talent and wealth in American racing, there are still very few American horses, trainers, and jockeys that have enjoyed success at Cheltenham?
- Different Racing Styles: Well, firstly, jump racing is usually run on flat turf courses, while Cheltenham is run over undulating terrain and has big fences.
- Distance: Then, there’s the obvious. The whole process of transporting a horse from the US to the UK is incredibly expensive and can be hugely disruptive to its training routine.
- Lack of Interest in Jumps Racing: What’s more, lots of American horse racing fans and owners prefer flat racing as opposed to steeplechasing.
- Stronger UK & Irish Competition: Finally British and Irish trainers dominate National Hunt racing in general, so it’s just incredibly difficult for an outsider to break through.
The Future of America at Cheltenham
Whilst there are serious challenges, American involvement in Cheltenham is definitely growing. There are trainers like Keri Brion who are ready to lead the charge – and more American owners are starting to invest in top-class horses – so it’s looking better for US participation.
Although there hasn’t yet been a US-trained Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, with the ever-growing interest in the US, it could be something we see in the coming years.
