Quality rather than quantity has always been the hallmark of Venetia Williams’s training philosophy, and her golden run continued on Saturday with a thrilling victory in the December Gold Cup at Cheltenham. The race, the feature event of the Christmas meeting, saw Gemirande hold off the late charge of Madara, the favourite, to secure a hard-fought win.
This marked Williams’s 17th success of the current season, which officially began in early May, and her sixth victory in a race worth £40,000 or more to the winner since November. Central to this achievement was Charlie Deutsch, the stable’s jockey, whose determination played a vital role in Gemirande’s triumph. Deutsch had not weighed out at 10st 2lb since New Year’s Day, but he made the effort to shed the weight for this particular ride. His sacrifice paid off as Gemirande produced a gutsy performance, finding extra in the final stages to hold off Madara, who had appeared to be the likely winner approaching the last. The margin of victory was a length, which in racing terms is generally considered equivalent to a pound.
Deutsch’s commitment to making the weight was not without its challenges. Williams remarked that she wasn’t sure how he would manage it, joking that Deutsch could have taken an easier route at Doncaster. But the jockey’s resolve to ride Gemirande was unwavering, and his belief in the horse’s potential was clear. Williams herself had always thought Gemirande had more to offer, and Deutsch’s ride confirmed that. Despite being closely challenged, Deutsch could not use his whip in the final stretch due to the proximity of Madara, but Gemirande’s natural determination saw him through. Williams noted that the horse’s genuine nature ensured he was giving his all, even without the extra encouragement.
The December Gold Cup victory was a testament to the partnership between horse and jockey, as well as to Williams’s ability to get her horses in peak form for these major races. The win also marked another chapter in the successful collaboration between Deutsch and Williams, with the jockey having been a key figure in many of the trainer’s big-race successes.
In addition to the Gold Cup, the Cheltenham card featured the Grade Two Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, where the French-trained Jet Blue claimed a smooth six-and-a-half-length victory. The horse, trained by David Cottin, had been sent over to Cheltenham by owner Professor Caroline Tisdall, who was celebrating her 79th birthday. The win was only the second for jockey James Reveley at the venue, with the first coming nearly 16 years ago. Reveley’s triumph was particularly poignant for Tisdall, who expressed her joy by calling it a “birthday present” and admitting she was overwhelmed with emotion. Jet Blue, a smaller horse compared to the typical British chasing types, proved to be a tough competitor, earning praise for his resilience and determination.
Looking ahead, Jet Blue has now been introduced into the betting markets for the Grade One Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March. The horse was initially priced at around 20-1 for the race but has since seen his odds shorten following this impressive victory.
Another horse making waves at Cheltenham was Majborough, last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner. The five-year-old produced an impressive debut over fences at Fairyhouse, where he quickened away to beat the useful Tullyhill by six and a half lengths. Majborough’s performance caught the attention of bookmakers, with his odds for the Arkle Trophy Novice Chase at the Cheltenham Festival shortening dramatically from 12-1 to 6-1. If he were to win the Arkle, he would become the first five-year-old to do so since Voy Por Ustedes in 2009, adding to the excitement surrounding his potential.
The weekend’s racing at Cheltenham not only highlighted the strength of Williams’s stable but also underscored the depth of talent in the broader racing community. As the season progresses, all eyes will be on these rising stars, with the Cheltenham Festival in March set to be a thrilling climax to the winter racing calendar.
