FEATURE THE CRYSTAL CUP
10 The only winner of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase from mainland Europe was Easysland, ridden by Jonathan Plouganou and trained by David Cottin in 2020. 11 Joint winning-most trainer is Enda Bolger who dominated the race in its early years, winning it on five occasions. 12 Garde Champetre hit the headlines when sold by the Million In Mind Racing Syndicate for 530,000 Guineas in 2004 to JP McManus. He partly repaid his price tag by winning the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase in 2008 and 2009. 13 Gordon Elliott also won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase five times. His first winner was Cause of Causes in 2017 and most recently Delta Work in 2023. 14 The dual Randox Health Grand National winner Tiger Roll won three times, in 2018, 2019 and 2021 but missed a fourth win, finishing second to his stablemate Delta Work in 2022 by just ¾ length. 15 Jockeys Nina Carberry and Keith Donoghue have won the race four times each.
16 The only UK-based trainer to win is Philip Hobbs. His hugely popular Balthazar King won in 2012 and 2014. 17 Minella Indo became the first Boodles Gold Cup winner to take on the cross-country course when in 2023 he carried topweight of 12-stone under Rachael Blackmore, to finish 4th. 18 The centre of the course was opened up for viewing for the first time since 2020 in 2024/25 season. It was estimated nearly 2,000 people made their way “over to the middle” to watch the French runner, Sweet David win in a dramatic race. 19 The most experienced cross-country horse in the UK in recent years is Back On The Lash, trained by Martin Keighley. From seven attempts he has two wins. 20 There are 16 different kinds of fence in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase, including a row of Glenfarclas whisky barrels, and the Cheese Wedges where horses jump on and off banks.
Click here to watch McGregor The Third win in 1995
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