With another Cheltenham Festival just around the corner, attention once again turns to the annual showdown between the Irish and British runners – a rivalry that’s celebrated each year through the Prestbury Cup, but what is it?
What Is The Prestbury Cup And Can You Bet On It?
If you’re wanting a longer term bet which lasts for the duration of the 2026 Cheltenham Festival, then look no further than the Prestbury Cup betting.
The downside to betting in this market is that it’s been fairly one sided over the years in favour of the Irish, and the betting reflects that. However if you do fancy Great Britain to upset those across the water, then it’s 6/1 to find out.
The likes of Dan Skelton and Nicky Henderson have strong squads this season, so it’s not out of the realm of possibility.
Prestbury Cup Odds
- Ireland @ 1/7
- Great Britain @ 6/1
- Tie @ 14/1
So let’s talk more about what exactly the Prestbury Cup is at the Cheltenham Festival…
In simple terms, it’s a contest between Irish and British-trained runners to see which side can produce the most winners across the 28 races run over the four days. The competition itself was first introduced back in 2014.
With 28 races on the Cheltenham Festival schedule, the first country to reach 15 winners at the meeting is crowned the winner – which could happen by the first race on day three (15th race) – which is the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
However, it’s highly unlikely that one country will win every race on the first two days of the festival. Not even Willie Mullins can do that!
It could be a tie as well, but that’s only happened once since the competition began and that was in 2019.
Cheltenham Festival Prestbury Cup Full Results & History Since 2014
Check out the full Prestbury Cup results since the competition came to life in 2014 where it’s been total domination for Ireland with NINE wins to Britain’s two in that time (one tie).
There’s no surprise Ireland have had such good success with the likes of JP McManus having so many good horses trained over there, but this year feels closer than ever.
| Year | Winner | Irish Wins | British Wins |
| 2025 | Ireland 🇮🇪 | 20 | 8 |
| 2024 | Ireland 🇮🇪 | 18 | 9 |
| 2023 | Ireland 🇮🇪 | 18 | 10 |
| 2022 | Ireland 🇮🇪 | 18 | 10 |
| 2021 | Ireland 🇮🇪 | 23 | 5 |
| 2020 | Ireland 🇮🇪 | 17 | 10 |
| 2019 | Tie | 14 | 14 |
| 2018 | Ireland 🇮🇪 | 17 | 11 |
| 2017 | Ireland 🇮🇪 | 19 | 9 |
| 2016 | Ireland 🇮🇪 | 15 | 13 |
| 2015 | Great Britain 🇬🇧 | 13 | 14 |
| 2014 | Great Britain 🇬🇧 | 12 | 15 |
Who Won The 2025 Prestbury Cup?
2025 seen another hugely successful year for Irish-trained horses at Cheltenham and with 20 wins, it was their second best victory over the Brits since the competition started and was headlined by a clean sweep of seven winners on the final day of the Festival.
ALL 20 Irish Cheltenham Winners In 2025
- Day One (3): Kopek Des Bordes (Supreme Novices’ Hurdle), Lossiemouth (Mares’ Hurdle), Puturhandstogether (Fred Winter)
- Day Two (6): Lecky Watson (Brown Advisory), Jimmy Du Seuil (Coral Cup), Stumptown (Cross Country), Marine Nationale (Champion Chase), Jazzy Matty (Grand Annual), Bambino Fever (Champion Bumper)
- Day Three (4): Air Of Entitlement (Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle), Fact To File (Ryanair), Bob Olinger (Stayers’ Hurdle), Daily Present (Kim Muir)
- Day Four (7): Poniros (Trimph Hurdle), Kargese (County Hurdle), Dinoblue (Mares’ Chase) , Jasmin De Vaux (Albert Bartlett), Inothewayurthinkin (Gold Cup), Wonderwall (Hunters Chase), Wodhooh (Martin Pipe)
