Cheltenham Festival 2026 rich list as former Man Utd shareholder worth billions leads the way

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Some of sport's biggest names will descend upon the Cheltenham Festival this week. Football luminaries such as Sir Alex Ferguson and Michael Owen have become regular fixtures on the racing scene and are expected to attend.

However, neither ranks among the wealthiest horse owners set to appear at one of racing's most prestigious meetings. Since its inaugural running in 1860, the Festival has evolved into the most significant four days of the jumps calendar.

The principal races are the Champion Hurdle on Tuesday, the Champion Chase on Wednesday, Thursday's Stayers' Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday. While the horses and jockeys will command attention on the track, numerous recognisable faces with substantial wealth will occupy the stands, eager for cup success. Mirror Sport examines the Festival's richest individuals.

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Horses (selected) : Lossiemouth, Gaelic Warrior, Love Sign D'Aunou

The 61-year-old American-Brit is a former chief executive at Barclays. He accumulated the majority of his wealth through a £43million settlement when he departed the bank in 2013.

He has emerged as one of horse racing's most colourful personalities and once described himself as the "maddest f***er on the planet". Douvan, Annie Power, Faugheen, and Vroum Vroum Mag have been among the Cheltenham Festival-winning stars for Ricci, who has maintained a close partnership with leading trainer Willie Mullins .

Horses (selected) : Lulamba, Kitzbuhel, Macho Man

In the early 2010s, Joe and Marie Donnelly moved to France after making a fortune from selling a property on Paris' Champs-Élysées. Joe started out as a bookmaker before amassing millions and investing in art.

State Man is a multiple Grade 1 victor for Joe and Marie Donnelly and came second to the formidable Constitution Hill in the 2023 Champion Hurdle.

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Horses (selected): Brighterdaysahead, Ballyfad, Favori De Champdou

Michael O'Leary, proprietor of Gigginstown House Stud and boss of Ryanair , has poured substantial funds into horse racing . The investment has proved worthwhile, having secured the Gold Cup with War Of Attrition and Don Cossack.

In October 2019, O'Leary revealed plans to scale back his horse racing interests, signalling that he would eventually have no runners at Cheltenham. However, he retains an interest, both as an owner and a sponsor of two races on St Patrick's Day.

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Horses (selected) : Poniros, Energumene, Bunting

Bloom is a familiar name in football as the majority shareholder of Brighton & Hove Albion and a minority shareholder in Hearts. The 55-year-old built his fortune through sports betting and poker, on top of being a shrewd businessman.

Bloom is a recognised figure in racing as a prominent owner who has enjoyed multiple successes on the track. The Willie Mullins-trained Energumene was bought by Bloom in 2019 and has subsequently claimed several Grade 1 victories.

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Horses (selected) : The New Lion, Majborough, Fact To File, Inothewayurthinkin

JP McManus amassed his considerable wealth, mainly through betting, currency trading and property ventures. Alongside his business associate, Celtic majority shareholder Dermot Desmond, McManus established himself as one of Ireland's biggest private currency traders.