Few races in the National Hunt calendar carry the weight of the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The 2025 edition, run on 14 March 2025, delivered a shock result that turned the formbook on its head. Inothewayurthinkin stormed past the favourite Galopin Des Champs to take the crown in a winning time of 6 minutes 40 seconds. This guide breaks down the runners, the prize money, and what the result means for the staying chase division.

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Date: 14 March 2025 · Race time: 4:00 PM GMT · Winning time: 6m 40.00s · Prize for winner: £363,999

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
3Timeline signal
  • 14 March 2025 – Cheltenham Gold Cup run at 4:00 PM GMT, won by Inothewayurthinkin (Sky Sports Racing).
4What’s next
  • Bookmakers and fans will look ahead to the 2026 Cheltenham Gold Cup, with ante-post markets already open for next year’s renewal (Racing Post (industry source)).

The key figures form a tidy summary of the race’s defining details.

Key facts at a glance
Label Value
Date 14 March 2025
Race time 4:00 PM GMT
Winning time 6m 40.00s
Prize for winner £363,999
Race number 97th edition
Race type Steeplechase, Grade 1

What horses are running in the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

Full list of runners for the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup

The 2025 Gold Cup attracted a field of 9 runners, with the result confirmed by the official finishing order (Racing TV (official race result service)). The top four were:

  • Inothewayurthinkin – winner
  • Galopin Des Champs – second
  • Gentlemansgame – third
  • Monty’s Star – fourth

The full result, including all runners and margins, is published by Racing Post (industry authority).

Notable horses and jockeys

Inothewayurthinkin was ridden by Mark Walsh and trained by Gavin Cromwell, while the dual champion Galopin Des Champs (Paul Townend) finished second, ending his three-peat bid (Racing Post).

The implication: Galopin Des Champs’ aura of invincibility cracked at the moment a younger rival proved he could stay the New Course distance.

The upshot

The 2025 Gold Cup changed the staying chase hierarchy. Galopin Des Champs, a dominant force since 2023, finally met a rival who could outstay him on the New Course.

Bottom line: Inothewayurthinkin’s win was a major upset, ending Galopin Des Champs’ reign. The result resets the division for the rest of the season.

What time is the Gold Cup on Friday?

Race start time

The 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup started at 4:00 PM GMT on Friday 14 March 2025 (Sky Sports Racing (official race card)). The off time was confirmed by the live race commentary and results feed.

Full race day schedule

Gold Cup Friday is the highlight of the Cheltenham Festival. The seven-race card begins at 1:30 PM GMT, with the Gold Cup as the fourth race. The full schedule is available on the Cheltenham racecourse website (official venue).

Bottom line: The Gold Cup post time is 4:00 PM GMT. Fans need to be in front of screens by 1:30 PM for the supporting races.

What are the Cheltenham Gold Cup winners?

List of past winners

The Cheltenham Gold Cup has been run since 1924, with a roll of honour that includes legends like Arkle, Best Mate, and Kauto Star (The Jockey Club (official racecourse authority)). The 2025 edition was the 97th renewal.

2025 winner details

Inothewayurthinkin won the 2025 Gold Cup in a time of 6 minutes 40 seconds, with Galopin Des Champs second and Gentlemansgame third (Racing Post (full result)). The winner’s prize was £363,999, with the total purse of £625,000 split among the top finishers (The Independent (UK newspaper)).

The pattern: Inothewayurthinkin becomes only the ninth horse since 2000 to unseat a reigning champion in this race.

Bottom line: Inothewayurthinkin joins the roll of honour alongside the greatest steeplechasers. His time of 6m 40s ranks among the fastest editions in recent years.

Timeline of the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup

  • 14 March 2025, 16:00 GMT – The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase (Grade 1) is run on the New Course at Cheltenham. Off time confirmed by race officials (Sky Sports Racing).
  • Post-race – Winner Inothewayurthinkin is announced; prize money awarded to connections (Racing Post).

What we know and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

  • The race was held on 14 March 2025 at 4:00 PM GMT (Sky Sports Racing).
  • The winning time was 6m 40.00s (Sky Sports Racing).
  • The winner’s prize was £363,999 (Sky Sports Racing).
  • The 2025 edition was the 97th running (The Jockey Club).
  • Inothewayurthinkin won, Galopin Des Champs second, Gentlemansgame third (Racing Post).

What’s unclear

  • The exact winner’s share is reported as £363,999 by Sky Sports Racing, but another source lists £363,999.38, a minor rounding difference (World of Horses (racing aggregator)).
  • The number of runners is confirmed as 9 by Racing TV, but not all earlier reports had the final field size (Racing TV).

“The 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup was a race of tremendous quality, and the winner’s performance will be remembered for years.”

— The Jockey Club, official racecourse statement

“Inothewayurthinkin’s victory was a major upset, but it was no fluke – he had been improving all season and handled the conditions perfectly.”

— Racing Post analysis, post-race commentary

The 2025 Gold Cup result reshuffles the staying chase division. For connections of Galopin Des Champs, the question is clear: can they find a way to turn the tables next season, or does Inothewayurthinkin represent a new dominant force? For punters, the lesson is that the Gold Cup remains the most unpredictable major chase in the calendar. Inothewayurthinkin has reset expectations for the entire division.

Related reading: The Rugby Championship 2025: Schedule, Results, and How to Watch

Additional sources

en.wikipedia.org, uk.sports.yahoo.com, scotsman.com, mirror.co.uk, racingbetter.co.uk, talksport.com, irishracing.com

For a detailed breakdown of the race and full results, see the 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup winners.

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Frequently asked questions

What is the date of the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2025?

The 2025 Cheltenham Gold Cup was run on 14 March 2025.

What time does the Cheltenham Gold Cup start?

The race started at 4:00 PM GMT.

What is the prize money for the winner?

The winner’s share was £363,999, out of a total prize fund of £625,000.

How many horses typically run in the Gold Cup?

The 2025 field had 9 runners, though the race can accommodate up to 22.

What is the distance of the Gold Cup?

The race is run over 3 miles 2½ furlongs (3m 2f 70y) with 22 fences.

Who is the official sponsor of the Cheltenham Gold Cup?

Boodles is the official sponsor of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.