The standout jockeys from the 2025 Cheltenham Festival
The 2025 Cheltenham Festival once again showcased the very best in National Hunt racing, with thrilling performances from both seasoned veterans and emerging talents.
For punters looking to analyse performances for future horse racing bets, the standout jockeys from this year’s Festival provided plenty of insight. You can check today’s race results to see how these riders continued their form beyond Prestbury Park.
Paul Townend – Top jockey once again
Crowned the Top Jockey for the fourth year in a row and the fifth time in his career, Paul Townend reaffirmed his dominance at Cheltenham. The Irish rider notched up four victories, taking his career Festival tally to 38 wins.
His week started in style with a Supreme Novices' Hurdle triumph aboard Kopek Des Bordes and a Mares’ Hurdle success on Lossiemouth.
However, it wasn’t until the final day that he added to his tally, riding Kargese to victory in the County Handicap Hurdle and Jasmin De Vaux in the Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle.
Interestingly, this was a rare Festival where Townend did not secure a win in one of the five championship races.
Mark Walsh – Championship race glory
Mark Walsh also had an exceptional week, matching Townend’s four wins but narrowly missing out on the Top Jockey title due to fewer placed finishes.
Despite this, Walsh arguably enjoyed a more prestigious Festival, landing two major victories. He guided Fact To File to success in the Ryanair Chase before securing the most coveted prize of them all—the Cheltenham Gold Cup—with Inothewayurthinkin.
Additionally, he steered Dinoblue to victory in the Mares' Chase and landed the Fred Winter Juvenile Hurdle with Puturhandstogether.
Rachael Blackmore – St. Patrick’s Day glory
The 2021 Top Jockey and trailblazing superstar Rachael Blackmore added two more Festival wins to her impressive resume.
She pulled off a shock victory in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, partnering 16/1 outsider Air Of Entitlement to a dramatic win.
Later that same afternoon, she showcased her tactical brilliance in the Stayers’ Hurdle, guiding Bob Olinger to an 8/1 triumph. Blackmore’s ability to rise to the occasion on the biggest stage remains undoubted.
Danny Gilligan – Rising star
Young Irish rider Danny Gilligan built on his breakthrough Festival success in 2024 by delivering two wins in 2025.
He first claimed victory in the Grand Annual Chase aboard Jazzy Matty for trainer Cian Collins. Then, in the final race of the week, he successfully defended his Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle crown with Wodhooh—handing Gordon Elliott his first and only win of the Festival.
Jonjo O’Neill Jr – Top of the British ranks
Flying the flag for British riders, Jonjo O’Neill Jr enjoyed a memorable Cheltenham Festival with two victories.
His first came in the Plate Handicap Chase, but the defining moment of his week was guiding 100/1 outsider Poniros to a stunning Triumph Hurdle victory.
The latter was the biggest upset of the entire Festival, highlighting O’Neill Jr’s growing reputation as a top-class jockey.
Brian Hughes – Long-awaiting Festival success
Two-time Champion Jockey Brian Hughes earns an honourable mention after securing his first Cheltenham Festival success since 2018.
The accomplished rider partnered Doddiethegreat to victory in the Pertemps Final, a moment that had long been overdue given his remarkable consistency in British racing.
