We’ll be taking a look at Gold Cup winners over the last 25 years to see just how much a placing horse can expect to earn nowadays.
The Gold Cup is regarded as the main event at Cheltenham. It is one of the most prestigious races on the British racing calendar, with many of its past winners going down in history for their performances. So, given its status, it’s no wonder that the Gold Cup boasts the biggest prize pot of any non-handicap race in Britain – but just how much do the winners earn?
Read on for our full breakdown of the Gold Cup prize money, from the past to the present!
What is the Gold Cup prize pot for Cheltenham 2026?
The 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup prize money is expected to total £625,000, the same as in 2025. While the full details haven’t been released yet, we can look at the 2025 purse to get an idea of how the prize money will be split between the top competitors:
Place | Prize |
1st | £363,999 |
2nd | £137,139 |
3rd | £68,634 |
4th | £34,285 |
5th | £17,207 |
6th | £8,603 |
7th | £4,269 |
8th | £2,199 |
What was the prize money for the Gold Cup in 2025?
As shown above, the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup prize money equalled a total of around £625,000. The winning horse, Inothewayurthinkin, earned £364,313.57 for his owner, jockey, and trainer. This makes it the most valuable non-handicap race in the United Kingdom.
How has the Cheltenham Gold Cup prize money changed over time?
Over the last 25 years, the total prize money awarded in the Cheltenham Gold Cup has more than doubled. Here’s how much money was on offer for each race of the 21st century so far:
Year | Winning horse | First-place prize money | Total prize money |
2025 | Inothewayurthinkin | £364,313.57 | £625,000 |
2024 | Galopin Des Champs | £352,729.16 | £625,000 |
2023 | Galopin Des Champs | £351,991.08 | £625,000 |
2022 | A Plus Tard | £351,687.50 | £625,000 |
2021 | Minella Indo | £263,765.62 | £468,750 |
2020 | Al Boum Photo | £351,687.50 | £625,000 |
2019 | Al Boum Photo | £351,687.50 | £625,000 |
2018 | Native River | £369,821.92 | £625,000 |
2017 | Sizing John | £327,462.50 | £575,000 |
2016 | Don Cossack | £327,462.50 | £575,000 |
2015 | Coneygree | £313,225 | £550,000 |
2014 | Lord Windemere | £327,325.82 | £550,000 |
2013 | Bobs Worth | £313,225 | £550,000 |
2012 | Synchronised | £284,750 | £500,000 |
2011 | Long Run | £285,050 | £500,000 |
2010 | Imperial Commander | £270,797.50 | £475,000 |
2009 | Kauto Star | £270,797.50 | £475,000 |
2008 | Denman | £268,279.10 | £450,000 |
2007 | Kauto Star | £242,335 | £421,141 |
2006 | War of Attrition | £228,080 | £400,000 |
2005 | Kicking King | £212,268.40 | £350,000 |
2004 | Best Mate | £203,000 | £350,000 |
2003 | Best Mate | £203,000 | £350,000 |
2002 | Best Mate | £174,000 | £300,000 |
2001 | Cheltenham Festival didn’t take place in 2001 |
| |
2000 | Looks Like Trouble | £162,400 | £280,000 |
Predicting the future Cheltenham Gold Cup prize money
Given how much the prize money for the Cheltenham Gold Cup has increased since 2000, there’s every chance that jockeys could earn increasing amounts for placing at the event in the coming years. We’ve crunched the numbers to find out how much the Gold Cup winners could earn in the future. Here’s what we found:
Year | Predicted Gold Cup Prize Money |
2030 | £419,796 |
2035 | £459,289 |
2045 | £538,273 |
2055 | £617,257 |
2065 | £696,242 |
2075 | £775,226 |
If current inflation rates continue, then a first-place finish could earn more than half a million by 2045, and, by 2075, Gold Cup winners could earn more than double the money that they do now – a staggering £775,000!
Incidentally, the only year-on-year decrease in Gold Cup prize money in recent times came in 2021, when the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the festival’s finances. Otherwise, it looks like we’re in for a steady rise in winnings over the next few decades.
Looking to keep up with all the action at the Cheltenham festival this year? Check out all the latest Cheltenham betting odds page to see all the favourites to win in the biggest races of the year! You can also read the latest Cheltenham news for more handy guides, betting picks, and racing news.
