The Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is the second most prestigious event in the racing calendar, with only the Grand National attracting larger crowds and prize money. It is, in fact, one of 27 races held during the four day Cheltenham Festival and it pits the skills of British and Irish racers and owners against one another for a prize. However, the Cheltenham Gold Cup hasn't always enjoyed this exceptional status and hasn't always been held in such high regard.

The Gold Cup was long seen as being a warm up for the Grand National and it was only really after Arkle sealed three consecutive victories between 1964 and 1966, following the first televising of the event, that the Cheltenham Gold Cup really won a place in the hearts of racing fans around the country. Since then, it has grown in stature and prize money especially when compared to the £685 first prize that was initially offered. The modern Festival has a combined prize fund of more than £3.5m.

Golden Miller is the most successful horse in the history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, having won five successive Cups starting in 1932. The same horse also won the Grand National in 1934 and he earned the nickname "God on four legs". The biggest price for a winner came in more recent times when Norton's Coin won at 100-1 in 1990, an achievement that will forever remain in the history of this incredible event. This was the year after a certain Desert Orchid became the last grey winner of the Cup.

Most recently, Kauto Star is one horse of particular merit not only because he is the latest dual winner but also because he is the first horse to regain the Gold Cup in 2009 having lost it in 2008. His first victory was in 2007.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the biggest sporting events in the calendar and, in horse racing terms, is beaten only by the Grand National. This year's festival starts on Tuesday March 13th and the Gold Cup will take place on Friday the 16th March, watched by millions of people all over the world including tens of thousands live from the Cheltenham race course.