Cheltenham Festival 2026 Rich List: Billionaire Ex-Man Utd Shareholder Tops the Pack
Some of the most prominent names in global sports are set to descend upon the Cheltenham Festival this week, with football legends like Sir Alex Ferguson and Michael Owen becoming regular fixtures on the racing scene. However, neither of these sporting icons ranks among the wealthiest horse owners attending one of racing's most prestigious meetings.
Since its inaugural running in 1860, the Cheltenham Festival has evolved into the most significant four days of the jumps calendar. The principal races include 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, eagerly anticipating cup success.
5. Rich Ricci (£100 million)
The 61-year-old American-Brit, Rich Ricci, is a former chief executive at Barclays who accumulated the majority of his wealth through a £43 million settlement when he departed the bank in 2013. He has emerged as one of horse racing's most colourful personalities, once describing himself as the "maddest f***er on the planet".
Ricci's selected horses include Lossiemouth, Gaelic Warrior, and Love Sign D'Aunou. Cheltenham Festival-winning stars for Ricci have included Douvan, Annie Power, Faugheen, and Vroum Vroum Mag, with him maintaining a close partnership with leading trainer Willie Mullins.
4. Joe Donnelly (£139 million)
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. His selected horses include Lulamba, Kitzbuhel, and Macho Man.
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, showcasing their success in the racing world.
3. Michael O'Leary (£850 million)
Michael O'Leary, proprietor of Gigginstown House Stud and boss of Ryanair, has poured substantial funds into horse racing, with investments proving worthwhile. He secured the Gold Cup with War Of Attrition and Don Cossack. His selected horses include Brighterdaysahead, Ballyfad, and Favori De Champdou.
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.
2. Tony Bloom (£1.3 billion)
Tony 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. His selected horses include Poniros, Energumene, and Bunting.
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.
1. John P McManus (£1.8 billion)
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. A former shareholder of Manchester United, he splashed out over £562,000 on Jonbon, who has triumphed in 20 of his 27 races.
Known for placing hefty bets and having a track record of multiple winning entries at the Festival, McManus is expected to do so again. His selected horses include The New Lion, Majborough, Fact To File, and Inothewayurthinkin, with the latter having secured victory in the 2025 Gold Cup.
