It’s nearly time for the 2024 Cheltenham Festival. The so-called “World Cup of Jump Racing” brings the world’s finest steeplechasers, National Hunt jockeys and trainers to this picturesque corner of Gloucestershire for a week of first-class racing.

With punters already scouring the form books and racecards for sure-fire winners this year, it’s important to look back through the history books to determine just how easy it is for the world’s best jump horses to win frequently at the Cheltenham Festival.

In the modern era of the Cheltenham Festival, only Al Boum Photo and Best Mate have won back-to-back Gold Cups. Even so, the latest Cheltenham odds for Galopin Des Champs suggest the sportsbooks feel he has every chance of replicating the feat in 2024.

There is in fact one horse which stands out as arguably the finest in Cheltenham Festival history. That’s because he managed to win the gruelling Cheltenham Gold Cup five times. In fact, he didn’t just win it five times in his career, he won it five years in succession.

Introducing Golden Miller: Our pick as Cheltenham Festival’s all-time great

Golden Miller remains one of the most legendary horses in the history of National Hunt horse racing, let alone the Cheltenham Festival. Born in 1927, this remarkable steeplechaser became a five-time Gold Cup winner between 1932 and 1936. Trained by Basil Briscoe and ridden by jockey, Gerry Wilson, Golden Miller’s dominance captivated jumps racing enthusiasts.

His inaugural triumph at the festival came in 1932, showcasing exceptional speed, agility and endurance on the challenging and undulating Cheltenham course. The following year was arguably the most impressive of the lot. He went on to storm home in the Cheltenham Gold Cup by a whopping 10 lengths, leaving his rivals trailing in his wake. The victory looked even better weeks later as rival Kellsboro' Jack would go on to land the Aintree Grand National in April 1933.

Speaking of the Aintree Grand National, this was also a primary target for Golden Miller’s connections. In 1934, this was his big shot at Grand National glory. He arrived at Aintree Racecourse fresh from winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup for a third straight year. His 1934 Gold Cup success was another fine achievement, overcoming the likes of El Hadjar and Avenger. The former of which received plenty of betting support in the lead up to the race.

With Golden Miller in fine fettle, he was entered into the 1934 Aintree Grand National. Carrying 12st 2lbs, Golden Miller became the first horse to win both the Gold Cup and the Grand National. A record-breaking crowd of 250,000-plus was at Aintree to witness history, as he defeated Delaneige and long-time rival, Thomond II, with the latter only able to finish a distant third, 10 lengths back. Golden Miller is still the only horse to win the Grand National and the Gold Cup today.

In the 1935 Cheltenham Gold Cup, Golden Miller was once again the heavy pre-race favourite. He went off at 1/2 and he enjoyed the fast gallop on the good ground, which is likely to be the polar opposite in 2024, with soft ground predicted. Once again, it was him and Thomond II who had pulled clear of the rest of the field. It was a battle of wills in the home straight, with Golden Miller once again showing the heart of a true champion to pip Thomond II to win his fourth consecutive Gold Cup in what many considered was the toughest race of his career.

12 months later, Golden Miller was then under the tutelage of Owen Anthony. He was ridden by Gerry Wilson for the 1936 Gold Cup. Thomond II was missing from the entries this year, which many believed aided his cause. Golden Miller once again showed his class to win by 12 lengths.

The 1938 Gold Cup was his next attempt due to the cancellation of the 1937 festival. The veteran continued to look imperious but was eventually outpaced by the much younger Morse Code. Only then did his connections accept his time was up, but Golden Miller left a legacy that still inspires many within the world of National Hunt racing today.