Paul Townend won the Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey award in 2026, riding four winners across the four-day meeting to secure his fifth consecutive leading jockey title.
The award recognises the jockey who rides the most winners at the Cheltenham Festival, one of the most competitive meetings in National Hunt racing. Britain’s and Ireland’s leading riders compete across 28 races, including the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Townend’s partnership with trainer Willie Mullins has dominated the award in recent seasons, while Ruby Walsh remains the most successful jockey in Cheltenham Festival history.
The Top Jockey betting market gives racing followers an opportunity to predict which rider will finish the Festival with the most victories.
This page covers the latest result, historical winners, records, leading contenders and the factors that influence the betting market.
Who Won the Cheltenham Top Jockey Award in 2026?
Paul Townend finished as the leading jockey at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival with four winners.
The meeting took place from Tuesday 10 March to Friday 13 March 2026.
Townend’s four victories included three of the Festival’s championship races:
- Champion Hurdle: Lossiemouth
- Queen Mother Champion Chase: Il Etait Temps
- Turners Novices’ Hurdle: King Rasko Grey
- Cheltenham Gold Cup: Gaelic Warrior
His Gold Cup victory aboard Gaelic Warrior was particularly significant.
It was Townend’s fifth success in the race, making him the most successful jockey in Cheltenham Gold Cup history, ahead of Pat Taaffe.
Townend also became the first jockey to win the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup at the same Festival.
The result underlined the strength of Willie Mullins’ stable and Townend’s position as its principal jockey.
Cheltenham Top Jockey Standings 2026
| Position | Jockey | Winners | Seconds | Thirds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Paul Townend | 4 | 3 | 1 |
| 2 | Harry Skelton | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| 3 | James Bowen | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 4 | Nico de Boinville | 1 | 3 | 2 |
| 5 | Mark Walsh | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| 6 | Jack Kennedy | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| 7 | Harry Cobden | 1 | 1 | 2 |
Townend finished two winners clear of his nearest challengers.
Harry Skelton finished ahead of James Bowen among the riders with two victories because he recorded more placed finishes.
Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey Winners
The Cheltenham Festival Leading Jockey award has been dominated by several outstanding National Hunt riders.
Ruby Walsh established an exceptional record during his career, while Paul Townend has become the leading figure in recent seasons.
The following table lists the leading jockeys from 2012 to 2026.
| Year | Leading Jockey | Winners |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | Paul Townend | 4 |
| 2025 | Paul Townend | 4 |
| 2024 | Paul Townend | 6 |
| 2023 | Paul Townend | 5 |
| 2022 | Paul Townend | 5 |
| 2021 | Rachael Blackmore | 6 |
| 2020 | Paul Townend | 5 |
| 2019 | Nico de Boinville | 3 |
| 2018 | Davy Russell | 4 |
| 2017 | Ruby Walsh | 4 |
| 2016 | Ruby Walsh | 7 |
| 2015 | Ruby Walsh | 4 |
| 2014 | Ruby Walsh | 3 |
| 2013 | Ruby Walsh | 4 |
| 2012 | Barry Geraghty | 5 |
Paul Townend’s Recent Dominance
Paul Townend has won the award in every year from 2022 to 2026.
He also finished as the leading jockey in 2020.
His success reflects his association with Willie Mullins, whose stable regularly supplies leading contenders for the Festival’s most valuable races.
Townend’s record includes victories aboard outstanding horses such as Galopin Des Champs, Lossiemouth and Gaelic Warrior.
The combination of a powerful stable, strong championship-race mounts and an experienced jockey is particularly important in the Top Jockey market.
Rachael Blackmore’s Historic 2021 Victory
Rachael Blackmore won the 2021 Cheltenham Festival Leading Jockey award with six winners.
Her achievement was a landmark moment for National Hunt racing.
She became the first female jockey to finish as the Festival’s leading rider.
Her victories included the Champion Hurdle aboard Honeysuckle, one of the defining partnerships of modern jump racing.
Ruby Walsh’s Cheltenham Record
Ruby Walsh remains the most successful jockey in Cheltenham Festival history.
He rode 59 Festival winners and collected the leading jockey award on 11 occasions.
Walsh’s record was built through his partnerships with Willie Mullins and Paul Nicholls, two of the most successful trainers in National Hunt racing.
His Festival winners included some of the sport’s most celebrated horses, and his ability to secure multiple victories during a single meeting made him a regular favourite in the Top Jockey market.
Which Jockey Has Won the Most Races at the Cheltenham Festival?
Ruby Walsh holds the record for the most Cheltenham Festival winners, with 59 victories.
He also holds the record for the most Leading Jockey awards, winning the title 11 times.
His dominance extended across championship races, novice events and handicaps.
Walsh was particularly successful during the period when Willie Mullins’ stable became the dominant force at the Festival.
Most Winners at One Cheltenham Festival
The record for the most winners ridden by one jockey at a single Cheltenham Festival is seven.
Ruby Walsh achieved this total twice:
- 2009: Seven winners
- 2016: Seven winners
No jockey has exceeded seven victories at one Festival.
The achievement is particularly impressive because jockeys can only ride one horse in each race, and even the strongest riders may have limited opportunities in certain contests.
How Is the Cheltenham Top Jockey Decided?
The Leading Jockey award goes to the rider who records the most winners across the four days of the Cheltenham Festival.
All 28 races count towards the award.
A winner in a handicap carries the same weight as a winner in the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The award is based on the number of victories, not the total prize money earned or the prestige of the races won.
What Happens If Two Jockeys Have the Same Number of Winners?
If jockeys finish level on winners, placed finishes determine the final standings.
Second-place finishes are considered first, followed by third-place finishes where necessary.
This can be significant in a closely contested year.
A jockey with two winners and several seconds can finish ahead of another rider with two winners but fewer placed horses.
Do Amateur Jockeys Count?
Yes.
All winning rides in the Festival’s 28 races contribute towards the Leading Jockey standings.
This includes races restricted to amateur riders.
However, the leading professional jockeys generally have more opportunities across the programme.
Cheltenham Top Jockey Betting
The Cheltenham Top Jockey market allows customers to bet on which rider will record the most winners during the Festival.
Bookmakers normally offer prices in the build-up to the meeting.
The market can change as horses are declared, jockey bookings are confirmed and the strength of each rider’s likely mounts becomes clearer.
A jockey with several short-priced favourites may be prominent in the betting, but the award is rarely decided by one horse.
The strength and number of rides across all four days are important.
How Do Cheltenham Top Jockey Odds Work?
Top Jockey betting uses standard fractional or decimal odds.
For example, a jockey priced at 2/1 would return £20 profit from a successful £10 bet, plus the original £10 stake.
At 4/1, a successful £10 bet would produce £40 profit, plus the stake.
The odds represent the bookmaker’s assessment of each jockey’s chances, including its margin.
Our horse racing betting odds guide explains how fractional prices work.
When Is the Best Time to Bet on Top Jockey?
The market is usually available before the Festival begins.
Early prices may change substantially as the meeting approaches.
A jockey who appears to have several strong rides months in advance may lose opportunities through injuries, changes in race plans or horses failing to run.
Waiting until declarations are clearer provides more information, although the odds may have shortened.
There is no universally best time to place a bet.
The important consideration is whether the available price accurately reflects the jockey’s chance of winning the award.
Can You Bet During the Festival?
Some bookmakers may offer an updated Leading Jockey market during the four-day meeting.
Availability depends on the bookmaker and the state of the competition.
A jockey who wins several races on the opening day may become a strong favourite, while another rider may still have important mounts remaining later in the week.
Customers should check the current market and settlement rules before betting.
Cheltenham Top Jockey Contenders for 2027
The next Cheltenham Festival takes place in March 2027.
The strongest Top Jockey candidates will become clearer as the National Hunt season develops and the leading stables establish their Festival teams.
Several jockeys have the experience, stable connections and records to feature prominently.
Paul Townend
Paul Townend will be a central figure in the market if he retains a strong selection of Willie Mullins-trained horses.
His five consecutive Leading Jockey awards demonstrate the advantage of riding for a stable with multiple championship contenders.
Townend has shown that he can win the award through a combination of championship-race victories and success in novice events.
His potential rides will be one of the most important factors in the 2027 market.
Harry Skelton
Harry Skelton is one of Britain’s leading National Hunt jockeys.
His association with trainer Dan Skelton gives him opportunities across championship races, novice contests and handicaps.
He finished the 2026 Festival with two winners and several placed rides.
The number of strong Festival runners from the Skelton stable will influence his chances of challenging for the award.
Nico de Boinville
Nico de Boinville has an excellent Cheltenham Festival record and won the Leading Jockey award in 2019.
He is closely associated with Nicky Henderson’s stable, which has produced numerous Festival champions.
De Boinville’s prospects depend heavily on the strength of Henderson’s leading horses and the number of competitive rides available to him.
Jack Kennedy
Jack Kennedy has established himself as one of Ireland’s leading jump jockeys.
His association with Gordon Elliott gives him access to a substantial team of National Hunt horses.
Elliott frequently sends a large number of runners to Cheltenham, creating opportunities across different race types.
Kennedy’s fitness, bookings and likely mounts will be important when assessing his Top Jockey prospects.
Mark Walsh
Mark Walsh is another rider capable of making an impact at the Festival.
His association with leading owner JP McManus provides opportunities on horses trained by several prominent yards.
Unlike riders attached primarily to one stable, Walsh can benefit from a range of trainers.
His final Festival bookings can be particularly important in assessing his prospects.
James Bowen
James Bowen rode two winners at the 2026 Cheltenham Festival.
His performance demonstrated his ability to compete successfully at the highest level.
Further opportunities on leading Festival contenders could bring him into consideration in future Leading Jockey markets.
What Makes a Strong Cheltenham Top Jockey Selection?
The best way to analyse this market is to assess the quality and quantity of each jockey’s likely rides.
A rider with one outstanding championship favourite may have a better chance of winning a major race than a rival, but that does not automatically make them the strongest candidate for the Leading Jockey award.
Number of Likely Rides
Jockeys with more competitive rides have more opportunities to win.
The number of runners supplied by their principal stable is an important consideration.
However, the quality of those runners matters more than the raw total.
A jockey with ten outsiders may have a weaker overall chance than one with six leading contenders.
Strength of the Trainer
Trainer performance is closely linked to the Leading Jockey market.
Willie Mullins has been particularly influential because his stable supplies runners across nearly every category of Festival race.
Other major trainers, including Gordon Elliott, Nicky Henderson and Dan Skelton, can also provide several winning opportunities.
Championship-Race Mounts
The Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup are important races for the market.
They often feature horses with established form and relatively concentrated betting markets.
A jockey with several strong championship mounts can make rapid progress in the standings.
However, each race counts as only one victory.
Novice Races
Novice hurdles and chases can provide important opportunities for leading riders.
The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle, Turners Novices’ Hurdle and Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase regularly feature horses from the strongest British and Irish yards.
A stable with a particularly strong group of novice horses can influence the Top Jockey market.
Handicap Opportunities
Handicaps are more difficult to predict because they generally contain larger, more competitive fields.
Nevertheless, victories in these races can determine the Leading Jockey award.
Jockeys attached to trainers with strong handicap teams may have opportunities beyond the major Grade 1 races.
Previous Cheltenham Form
Experience at Cheltenham is useful, particularly on the Festival’s demanding New Course and Old Course.
However, past success alone does not guarantee future winners.
The horse’s ability, jumping, stamina, ground preferences and race conditions remain essential.
Jockey Availability
Injuries and suspensions can affect the market.
A jockey expected to have several leading rides may become unavailable, changing the distribution of mounts among other riders.
This is one reason the Top Jockey market can move significantly between the early season and the Festival.
Why Have Irish Jockeys Dominated the Award?
Irish-trained horses have enjoyed sustained success at the Cheltenham Festival.
The strength of Willie Mullins’ and Gordon Elliott’s stables has provided Irish jockeys with a large number of competitive rides.
Ruby Walsh, Paul Townend, Rachael Blackmore and Davy Russell have all won the Leading Jockey award during the period covered by our historical results.
However, British jockeys remain capable of challenging.
Nico de Boinville won the award in 2019, and Harry Skelton finished among the leading riders in 2026.
The balance between British and Irish runners changes from season to season.
The Leading Jockey market should be assessed using current horses and likely rides rather than nationality alone.
Cheltenham Top Jockey Betting Sites
Several established bookmakers offer markets on the Cheltenham Festival Leading Jockey.
Availability and prices can differ between bookmakers, particularly before final declarations.
British Racecourses covers the following approved bookmakers:
- bet365 horse racing
- Betfred horse racing
- Coral horse racing
- Ladbrokes horse racing
- William Hill horse racing
- BetVictor horse racing
- BoyleSports horse racing
Not every bookmaker will offer the market at the same time.
Customers should compare available odds and check the settlement rules before placing a bet.
For broader bookmaker comparisons, visit our best horse racing betting sites page.
Cheltenham Top Jockey vs Top Trainer Betting
The Leading Jockey and Leading Trainer markets are closely related.
A trainer with several winners often provides rides for a successful jockey.
However, the two awards do not always go to members of the same stable.
Top Jockey
The Top Jockey award counts the number of winners ridden by an individual jockey.
Top Trainer
The Top Trainer award counts the number of winners trained by an individual trainer.
A trainer can use several jockeys across their Festival runners.
For example, Willie Mullins can train winners ridden by Paul Townend, Danny Mullins, Mark Walsh or amateur jockeys.
This means the leading trainer may record considerably more winners than any individual jockey.
The distinction is important when comparing the two betting markets.
Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey Records
| Record | Jockey | Achievement |
|---|---|---|
| Most Festival winners | Ruby Walsh | 59 |
| Most Leading Jockey awards | Ruby Walsh | 11 |
| Most wins at one Festival | Ruby Walsh | 7 in 2009 and 2016 |
| First female Leading Jockey | Rachael Blackmore | 2021 |
| Most consecutive recent titles | Paul Townend | Five, 2022–2026 |
| Most Cheltenham Gold Cup wins by a jockey | Paul Townend | Five, achieved in 2026 |
These records demonstrate the influence of a small number of outstanding riders on the Festival’s history.
They also show how the Leading Jockey market has evolved as major National Hunt stables have become increasingly successful.
Cheltenham Top Jockey FAQs
Who won Cheltenham Top Jockey in 2026?
Paul Townend won the 2026 Cheltenham Festival Leading Jockey award with four winners.
How many times has Paul Townend won Cheltenham Top Jockey?
Paul Townend has won the award six times, including five consecutive titles from 2022 to 2026.
Who has won the most Cheltenham Top Jockey awards?
Ruby Walsh holds the record with 11 Leading Jockey awards.
Who has ridden the most winners at the Cheltenham Festival?
Ruby Walsh holds the overall record with 59 winners.
What is the record for most winners at one Cheltenham Festival?
Ruby Walsh rode seven winners in both 2009 and 2016.
Who was the first female Cheltenham Top Jockey?
Rachael Blackmore became the first female Leading Jockey in 2021, riding six winners.
Who won the Cheltenham Top Jockey award in 2025?
Paul Townend won the 2025 award with four winners.
Who won the Cheltenham Top Jockey award in 2024?
Paul Townend won the 2024 award with six winners.
How is Cheltenham Top Jockey decided?
The jockey who rides the most winners across the 28 Festival races wins the award.
What happens if jockeys finish level on winners?
Placed finishes are used to separate them, with second places considered before third places.
Do handicap winners count towards Top Jockey?
Yes. Every Festival race counts equally towards the number of winners.
Does the Cheltenham Gold Cup count more than other races?
No. A Gold Cup victory counts as one winner, just like a victory in any other Festival race.
Can you bet on Cheltenham Top Jockey?
Yes. Selected bookmakers offer a Leading Jockey market before and sometimes during the Festival.
Who is favourite for Cheltenham Top Jockey in 2027?
The favourite will depend on current bookmaker prices and the likely rides available to each jockey. Paul Townend’s recent record makes him an important contender, but a current market price should be checked before making a selection.
Does the same jockey usually win Top Jockey and Top Trainer awards?
The awards are separate. A leading trainer can have winners ridden by several different jockeys.
When is the 2027 Cheltenham Festival?
The 2027 Cheltenham Festival is scheduled for Tuesday 16 March to Friday 19 March.
Cheltenham Top Jockey Summary
Paul Townend won the Cheltenham Festival Leading Jockey award in 2026 with four winners, securing his fifth consecutive title.
His success included victories in the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Ruby Walsh remains the most successful Festival jockey in history, with 59 winners and 11 Leading Jockey awards.
The Top Jockey market is influenced by the strength of each rider’s likely mounts, trainer form, championship-race opportunities and the number of competitive rides available across the meeting.
Paul Townend, Harry Skelton, Nico de Boinville, Jack Kennedy and other leading riders will be among those assessed ahead of the 2027 Festival.
For further information about the meeting, explore our Cheltenham Festival guide and individual race-day coverage:
- Cheltenham Festival Day 1 races
- Cheltenham Festival Day 2 races
- Cheltenham Festival Day 3 races
- Cheltenham Festival Day 4 races
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