Cheltenham Gold Cup 2022

The 2022 Cheltenham Gold Cup, once again, featured the first three home in the 2021 renewal, namely Minella Indo and A Plus Tard, trained by Henry de Bromhead, and Al Boum Photo, trained by Willie Mullins. Indeed, the first-named pair, once again, dominated the finish, although A Plus Tard reversed the 2021 form with his stable companion to the tune of 16¼ lengths.

Ridden by Rachael Blackmore, as he had been in 2021, A Plus Tard led over the final fence and was ridden clear on the run-in, staying on strongly to win by 15 lengths. Defending champion Minella Indo, in the hands of Robbie Power, led over the third last and attempted to make the best of his way home, but was headed at the final fence and soon left behind by the winner. The third horse home, Protekorat, did himself no favours by blundering at the last, but kept on finish 2½ lengths behind Minella Indo and just a short-head in front of the well-fancied Galvin, in fourth place.

Victory for A Plus Tard made Rachael Blackmore the first female jockey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The accolade was just the latest for the pioneering jockey who, in 2021, became the first woman to win the Champion Hurdle, the Ruby Walsh Trophy, presented to the leading jockey at the Cheltenham Festival, and the Grand National. Reflecting on her string of history-making successes, Blackmore said, “I’ve had so many special days. I wouldn’t swap the Grand National for anything but this is the Gold Cup.”