The 2014 event was one of the most hyped and heavily promoted Cheltenham festivals of all time, with the press whipping up a frenzy around the 4 day spectacle. Fans were not disappointed either, as there was plenty of drama to keep people glued to the action.
Not all of it was welcome though.
The good weather had created very fast conditions, and many horses seemed to be struggling to stay the pace, which is potentially why four horses lost their lives at the 2014 festival.
The jockeys didn’t get away unharmed either. On Wednesday, Bryan Cooper suffered what the onsite doctor called “the worst fracture I have ever seen on a lower limb”, and on Friday, first Ruby Walsh went off in an ambulance with a compound fracture to the elbow, and then Daryl Jacob was thrown to the ground when his horse got spooked on the way to the start. He landed on concrete and ended up with a broken knee, leg, and elbow.
Happier scenes saw Quevega win her sixth consecutive Mares’ Hurdle, a record number of wins in the same race at the festival, beating Golden Miller’s five Gold Cups way back in the 1930s; and Sire De Grugy took the Queen Mother Champion Chase in a career highlight win for jockey, Jamie Moore.
Although the British won the day with 15 winners to 12, it was two Irishmen that won top trainer and top jockey. Unsurprisingly, these were Willie Mullins with 4 wins, and Ruby Walsh with 3 – Walsh winning despite not being able to complete day four due to his injury.
We also saw a retirement after the World Hurdle (now Stayers). One of Paul Nicholls’ most successful horses, Big Buck’s, had another shot at the race he had won four times previously, dominating from 2009 – 2012, but could only manage fifth place against the younger horses. His retirement was announced immediately, with the horse getting a lap of the parade ring in recognition of his incredible career.
11th March 2014 – Day One (Champion Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | Supreme Novices' Hurdle | Vautour | 7/2 J |
J: Ruby Walsh
T: W P Mullins
|
| 14:05 | Arkle Challenge Trophy | Western Warhorse | 33/1 |
J: Tom Scudamore
T: D Pipe
|
| 14:40 | Festival Trophy Handicap Chase | Holywell | 10/1 |
J: Richie McLernon
T: Jonjo O'Neill
|
| 15:20 | The Champion Hurdle | Jezki | 9/1 |
J: Barry Geraghty
T: Mrs John Harrington
|
| 16:00 | Mares' Hurdle | Quevega | 8/11 F |
J: Ruby Walsh
T: W P Mullins
|
| 16:40 | National Hunt Chase | Midnight Prayer | 8/1 |
J: Mr Joshua Newman
T: A King
|
| 17:15 | Novices' Handicap Chase | Present View | 8/1 |
J: Brendan Powell
T: Jamie Snowden
|
12th March 2014 – Day Two (Ladies’ Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | Ballymore Novices' Hurdle | Faugheen | 6/4 F |
J: Ruby Walsh
T: W P Mullins
|
| 14:05 | Brown Advisory Novices' Chase | O'Faolains Boy | 12/1 |
J: Barry Geraghty
T: Rebecca Curtis
|
| 14:40 | BetMGM Cup | Whisper | 14/1 |
J: N de Boinville
T: N J Henderson
|
| 15:20 | Queen Mother Champion Chase | Sire De Grugy | 11/4 F |
J: Jamie Moore
T: Gary Moore
|
| 16:00 | Cross Country Chase | Balthazar King | 4/1 |
J: Richard Johnson
T: Philip Hobbs
|
| 16:40 | Juvenile Novices' Hurdle | Hawk High | 33/1 |
J: Brian Hughes
T: T Easterby
|
| 17:15 | Champion Bumper | Silver Concorde | 16/1 |
J: Robbie McNamara
T: D K Weld
|
13th March 2014 – Day Three (St. Patrick’s Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | Golden Miller Novices' Chase | Taquin Du Seuil | 7/1 |
J: A P McCoy
T: Jonjo O'Neill
|
| 14:05 | Pertemps Final Handicap Hurdle | Fingal Bay | 9/2 F |
J: Richard Johnson
T: Philip Hobbs
|
| 14:40 | Ryanair Chase | Dynaste | 3/1 F |
J: Tom Scudamore
T: D Pipe
|
| 15:20 | The Stayers' Hurdle | More Of That | 15/2 |
J: Barry Geraghty
T: Jonjo O'Neill
|
| 16:00 | Plate Handicap Chase | Ballynagour | 12/1 |
J: Tom Scudamore
T: D Pipe
|
| 17:15 | Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup | Spring Heeled | 12/1 |
J: Robbie McNamara
T: J H Culloty
|
14th March 2014 – Day Four (Gold Cup Day)
| Time | Race | Winner | Odds | Jockey / Trainer |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13:30 | JCB Triumph Hurdle | Tiger Roll | 10/1 |
J: Davy Russell
T: G Elliott
|
| 14:05 | County Handicap Hurdle | Lac Fontana | 11/1 |
J: Daryl Jacob
T: P F Nicholls
|
| 14:40 | Spa Novices' Hurdle | Very Wood | 33/1 |
J: Ms N Carberry
T: N Meade
|
| 15:20 | The Cheltenham Gold Cup | Lord Windermere | 20/1 |
J: Davy Russell
T: J H Culloty
|
| 16:00 | Foxhunter Challenge Cup | Tammys Hill | 15/2 |
J: Mr J J Smythe
T: Liam Lennon
|
| 16:40 | Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle | Don Poli | 12/1 |
J: M P Fogarty
T: W P Mullins
|
| 17:15 | Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase | Savello | 16/1 |
J: Davy Russell
T: A J Martin
|