The Cheltenham Gold Cup has long been the holy grail of National Hunt racing, a gruelling 3m21⁄2f test that separates the extraordinary from the merely excellent. But as we prepare for the 2025 edition, it’s impossible to ignore the widening chasm between the state of jump racing in Ireland and Britain.

On one side, we have Willie Mullins, whose Closutton empire has produced an embarrassment of riches, including the reigning champion and odds-on favourite Galopin Des Champs. On the other, a British contingent scrambling to remain competitive, haunted by dwindling entries, a fragmented racing programme, and a breeding industry under siege.

This year’s field of 19 entries, including only five British-trained horses, offers more than a race: it’s a microcosm of the sport’s growing imbalance. For owners and breeders who love the sport, the question isn’t just who will win the Gold Cup – it’s whether British jump racing can rise to the occasion or whether we’re witnessing a long-term slide into mediocrity.

It’s no exaggeration to say that Irish trainers have turned the Cheltenham Gold Cup into a fortress. Willie Mullins, the maestro who finally broke his Gold Cup duck with Al Boum Photo in 2019, now towers over the competition. His charge, Galopin Des Champs, is already a two-time winner of the race and is heavily favoured to join the ranks of three-time champions like Best Mate. His dominant victory in the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas reaffirmed his position as the one to beat.

But Mullins’ arsenal doesn’t end there. Fact To File, his  next-generation star, has shown he can mix it with the best, defeating Galopin Des Champs earlier in the season before succumbing to him in their latest clash. At 4-1, he represents the most credible threat to the reigning champ. Add in Embassy Gardens, Monty’s Star, and Grangeclare West, and Mullins’ hand is as stacked as ever.

Beyond Closutton, Ireland boasts an impressive supporting cast. Joseph O’Brien’s Banbridge, fresh off his King George victory, offers an intriguing wildcard, though questions remain about his stamina over the extra furlongs and Cheltenham’s punishing hill. Gordon Elliott’s Gerri Colombe, who chased home Galopin Des Champs last year, will need to find another gear to upset his rival. Monty’s Star, trained by Henry de bromhead has already shown his liking for Cheltenham, finishing second to Fact To File in last years’ Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase.

This strength in depth isn’t a coincidence. It’s the result of a carefully curated ecosystem where prize-money, breeding, and a cohesive racing programme create a pipeline of elite horses. The Leopardstown Christmas Festival and Dublin Racing Festival provide ideal preps, ensuring Ireland’s horses arrive at Cheltenham battle-hardened.

A crisis of confidence

In stark contrast, Britain’s representation in the Gold Cup feels threadbare. Just five runners have been entered, and not one is priced below 20-1. This is a far cry from as recently as 2011, when Britain accounted for 29 of the 34 entries.

The Dan Skelton-trained Grey Dawning, a rare British Grade 1 winner last year, carries the hopes of a nation but has yet to prove he can mix it with the Irish heavyweights. His trainer remains bullish, but after a Betfair Chase defeat to Royal Pagaille and a 2 calamitous first-fence error in the King George, the jury is out. L’Homme Presse, a solid performer for Venetia Williams, appears more likely to drop back to the Ryanair Chase, while stablemate Royal Pagaille is a soft-ground specialist unlikely to threaten on spring turf.

Elsewhere, Ahoy Senor, the mercurial star from Lucinda Russell’s yard, has shown flashes of brilliance but remains maddeningly inconsistent. And then there’s The Real Whacker, a Cheltenham Festival winner in 2023, but one who has struggled to reproduce that form since.

What’s gone wrong?

The decline of British-trained three-mile chasers is symptomatic of deeper issues within the sport. For starters, the UK racing programme offers limited opportunities for developing top-class stayers. While Ireland has a well-defined pipeline of high-quality races, Britain’s calendar is fragmented. The Betfair Chase, King George VI Chase and Cotswold Chase operate as isolated tests rather than part of a cohesive progression.

Moreover, the erosion of British breeding is becoming impossible to ignore. Once a powerhouse, the UK’s National Hunt breeding industry now lags behind Ireland’s, where the emphasis on quality bloodlines and robust stock has created a conveyor belt of talent. Irish breeders dominate the sales ring, and British trainers are often left to pick from what remains.

The economic disparity between the two nations only exacerbates the problem. Ireland’s racing industry benefits from significant government support and a thriving rural economy. By contrast, Britain’s stagnating economy, coupled with rising costs for owners and trainers, has created a less hospitable environment for investment in the sport.

The breeding divide

The journey to Cheltenham begins not at the Festival but in the breeding shed, and it is here that Ireland has established an almost insurmountable advantage.

Ireland’s roster of National Hunt sires is unmatched. Proven names like Flemensfirth, Walk In The Park and Yeats have built dynasties of staying chasers. Walk In the Park, in particular, has become synonymous with producing elite talent, including Douvan, Minella Indo and Jonbon. Emerging sires like Crystal Ocean and Getaway ensure that the Irish pipeline remains robust for years to come.

The backbone of Irish breeding lies in its mares. Breeders retain mares with stamina, soundness, and jumping ability, ensuring that National Hunt bloodlines are not diluted. Over 60% of mares covered by Irish stallions in 2023 were selected specifically for staying races, compared to less than 40% in Britain.

Ireland has embraced genetic profiling and biomechanical analysis to optimise stallion-mare pairings. Advanced testing identifies stamina markers and conformation traits that enhance durability and jumping efficiency, giving Irish-bred horses a competitive edge.

In addition, many of the top French-bred jumpers, like Galopin Des Champs, last year’s Champion Hurdle victor State Man and latest star Anzadam, end up in Ireland.

Britain, by contrast, has struggled to maintain its focus on stamina-oriented breeding.

The passing of Kayf Tara, Presenting and Midnight Legend has left a void in Britain’s stallion roster. Many British studs have turned to dual-purpose or Flat-bred sires, whose progeny often lack the stamina and robustness required for elite three-mile chasers.

Economic pressures have led to the sale of Britain’s best mares and foals to Irish buyers. In 2023, over 65% of National Hunt foals exported from Britain were destined for Irish studs or trainers.

While genetic testing is gaining traction in Flat racing, it remains underutilised in Britain’s National Hunt sector. This  reluctance to adopt cutting-edge methods has left British breeders trailing behind their Irish counterparts.

The heart of the matter

For owners, the allure of Ireland is undeniable. The Mullins operation has become a magnet for those seeking the best chance of Cheltenham glory. JP McManus, once a stalwart of British yards, now places many of his best horses across the Irish Sea. Cheveley Park Stud has followed suit, as have numerous smaller owners lured by Ireland’s success.

British trainers, meanwhile, face an uphill battle to retain owners. Syndication has provided some respite, with innovative models like those employed by Dan Skelton and Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerriero proving popular. But even these efforts pale in comparison to the resources and results available in Ireland.

Breeders, too, must shoulder some responsibility. The UK’s focus on Flat racing has diverted attention and resources away from National Hunt breeding, leaving gaps that Ireland has exploited. A lack of incentives for British breeders has further eroded their competitive edge, with many opting to sell their best stock to Irish buyers.

While the current picture looks bleak, all is not lost. The British Horseracing Authority earmarked £3.8 million for prize-money at the top end of the sport in 2024, a step in the right direction. Proposed changes to the racing programme, including better scheduling of staying chases, could help nurture future Gold Cup contenders.

Breeders, too, are beginning to adapt. Boutique operations focused on quality over quantity are emerging, offering hope that  British-bred stayers might one day reclaim their place among the elite.

For owners, the challenge is to resist the temptation of instant success in Ireland and instead invest in rebuilding Britain’s long-term prospects. Syndicates and grassroots initiatives can play a crucial role in this effort, bringing new blood into the sport and revitalising the owner-trainer-breeder ecosystem.

The 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup is shaping up to be another Irish-dominated affair, but for British racing, the stakes go far beyond a single race. Owners and breeders who truly love the sport must take a long-term view, investing not just in horses but in the infrastructure that supports them.

For the BHA, the task is clear: create a programme that rewards excellence, supports breeders, and offers owners a reason to stay loyal. For trainers, the challenge is to be more proactive in sourcing talent and to embrace innovation in how they operate.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup may remain out of reach for now, but with coordinated action, there’s no insurmountable reason why Britain cannot reclaim its place at the top of the National Hunt  hierarchy. Until then, let’s celebrate the remarkable horses and people who make this sport what it is including Willie, Henry de Bromhead and Gordon Elliott – and keep dreaming of the day  when the Gold Cup comes back home.