December Gold Cup 2024

The December Gold Cup, established as a premier handicap National Hunt steeplechase in 2023, is a prominent race at Cheltenham Racecourse. It is open to horses aged four and older and is run on the New Course over a challenging 2 miles and 4½ furlongs, with 17 fences to navigate. As a highly competitive handicap race, it is scheduled annually in December, with a notable first prize of nearly £75,000.

December Gold Cup Overview

Held each December, the December Gold Cup has been a mainstay of the racing calendar since 1963, originally known as the Massey Ferguson Gold Cup until 1980. Course familiarity and experience are often advantageous for horses in this race. Middle-distance chasers frequently use this event as a stepping stone for their season, with many going on to compete in similar handicaps, including the New Year’s Day Handicap Chase on the same course.

The race has seen notable winners who have gone on to further success. Frodon, for instance, won in 2016 and 2018 and subsequently claimed titles in the Pendle Novices’ Chase at Kempton and the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham. Other winners, like Coole Cody and Poquelin, have also achieved significant victories following their December Gold Cup wins.

December Gold Cup Betting Trends and Statistics

Paul Nicholls has dominated as the top trainer over the past two decades, securing five wins in the December Gold Cup with horses like Poquelin (2009 & 2010), Unioniste (2012), and Frodon (2016 & 2018). Other successful trainers include Nicky Henderson (3), David Pipe (2), and Philip Hobbs (2). In contrast, Alan King has entered ten horses in the race without a win.

Among jockeys, Sam Twiston-Davies leads with two victories aboard Double Ross (2013) and Frodon (2016). Gavin Sheehan, Adam Wedge, and Bryony Frost have each recorded wins as well and aim to build on their success. Meanwhile, Harry Skelton has yet to win this race, despite seven attempts.

December Gold Cup History

The event, first held in 1963, was initially known as the Massey Ferguson Gold Cup, thanks to sponsorship by Massey Ferguson. This title remained until 1980, after which the race saw various sponsors and name changes. In 2005, it was named the Robin Cook Memorial Gold Cup to honour former Foreign Secretary Robin Cook (1946–2005), an avid racing fan. Boylesports sponsored the race from 2006 to 2009, during which it was called the Boylesports.com Gold Cup.

In 2010, the event became the Vote AP Gold Cup as part of a campaign to encourage votes for jockey Tony McCoy in the BBC Sports Personality of the Year award. Starting in 2011, racehorse owner Andy Stewart sponsored the race to promote Spinal Research, inspired by a spinal injury his son Paul suffered in 2008. This period saw the race named the Spinal Research The Atlantic 4 Gold Cup in 2011, the Paul Stewart IronSpine Charity Challenge Gold Cup in 2012, and the Stewart Family Thank You Gold Cup in 2013.

From 2014 to 2020, the race was held as the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup and in 2021 it was titled the Racing Post Gold Cup. The media began referring to it as the December Gold Cup, and in 2022, AIS became the sponsor, officially including “December” in its title. Virgin Bet took over sponsorship in 2023.

The race was awarded Grade 3 status in 1989 following revisions to the National Hunt Pattern and was reclassified as a Premier Handicap in 2022 when the British Horseracing Authority rebranded Grade 3 status.

December Gold Cup Winners