What’s the record for most consecutive wins at the Cheltenham Festival?

The record for most consecutive wins at the Cheltenham Festival currently stands at six and was set on March 11, 2014, when the 10-year-old mare Quevega ran on gamely in the closing stages to beat stable companion Glens Melody by threequarters of a length in the OLBG Mares’ Hurdle. In so doing, Quevega broke the previous record set by ‘Steeplechaser of the Century’ Golden Miller, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup five years running between 1932 and 1936.

Bred and originally trained in France, Quevega joined Co. Carlow trainer Willie Mullins, as a 4-year-old, in January, 2008, but did not make her first appearance at the Cheltenham Festival until March, 2009. When she did, she made an immediate impact, justifying favouritism in the David Nicholson Mares’ Hurdle, as the race is officially registered, with an impressive 14-length win.

Indeed, she would start favourite for the same race for the next five years running and, with the possible exception of 2013 – when she was left with plenty to do after being hampered on the home turn – barely gave her supporters an anxious moment. Even on that occasion, she recovered to lead inside the final hundred yards to win going away. Rightly inducted into the Hall of Fame at Cheltenham Racecourse in 2016, she was hailed by Ruby Walsh, who rode her to all six victories, as a ‘great mare’.