Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026 Prize Money: How much the winner gets, how to watch the Cheltenham Festival, distance, jumps, runners, latest odds
One of the year's biggest horse racing events is set to take place this week.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup was first run in 1924, switching to its current ‘New Course’ location in 1959, and has been won by some famous names over the years, including Kauto Star, Arkle, Best Mate and Denman.
Last year saw 15/2 outsider Inothewayurthinkin - owned by former Manchester United owner J. P. McManus, trained by Gavin Cromwell and ridden by Mark Walsh - run home the winner.
It meant that second placed Galopin Des Champs was denied a hattrick of wins having triumphed in both 2023 and 2024.
This year over 70,000 racing fans are expected to pack into the racecourse, with millions watching on television at home to see whether Inothewayurthinkin can defend his title.
Here’s what you need to know about the Blue Riband of jump racing in 2026.
When is the Cheltenham Festival?
The Festival takes place from March 10-13, with seven races each day making it the biggest horse racing meeting of the year.
The first race of each day takes place at 1.20pm with the final starting at 5.20pm. A champion race is held each day at 4pm, starting with the Unibet Champion Hurdle on the first day and finishing with the Boodles Gold Cup on day four.
When is the Gold Cup?
This Gold Cup takes place on the last day of the four-day Festival. This year that’s on Friday, March 13.
The race is scheduled to start at 4pm.
What's the prize money for the Cheltenham Gold Cup?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the the most valuable events in the British racing calendar with a total prize fund of £625,000 and the winner getting a £351,688 payday.
The owner receives 75 per cent of the prize money, with the remaining 25 per cent split between the trainer, the jockey, and stable staff.
Can I watch the Gold Cup on television?
The Cheltenham Gold Cup will be shown live on ITV and STV – including the ITVX streaming platform – with buildup to the race starting at 12.45pm.
It will also be broadcast live on Racing TV which is available to Sky and Virgin Media customers.
Can I watch the rest of the Cheltenham Festival on television?
STV will be broadcasting live coverage of the first five races of each day of the festival from 12.45pm to 5pm.
How long is the race and how many fences do the horses jump?
The race is run over three miles and two furlongs and features 22 fences. A furlong is roughly 200 metres.
What horses are running and what are their odds?
There are 11 horses preparing to take on the Gold Cup course. The latest odds are as follows:
- Gaelic Warrier - 11/4
- The Jukebox Man - 10/3
- Jango Baie - 7/2
- Haiti Couleurs - 6/1
- Inothewayurthinkin - 9/1
- Grey Dawning
- Spillanes Tower - 16/1
- Firefox - 25/1
- Envoi Allen - 40/1
- LHomme Presse - 50/1
- Gold Tweet - 110/1
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