The race now known as the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup has been a fixture at the Cheltenham Festival since 1946. It was originally called, simply, the Kim Muir Amateur Riders’ Steeplechase, in memory of Lieutenant Ian Kay ‘Kim’ Muir, of the 10th Royal Hussars, who was killed in action during World War II.
However, the name of Fulke Walwyn was added to the race title in 1991, following the death of the celebrated National Hunt trainer, at the age of 80, the previous month. All in all, Walwyn trained over 2,000 winners, including 40 at the Cheltenham Festival, and won the National Hunt Trainers’ Championship five times.
His major successes included the Cheltenham Gold Cup four times, in 1952, 1962, 1963 and 1973, and the Champion Hurdle twice, in 1962 and 1965. Perhaps his most famous horse ever was Mill House, a.k.a. “The Big Horse”, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 1963 and attempted, unsuccessfully, to defend his crown against Arkle the following year. Mill House, ridden by Willie Robinson, attempted to make all the running and jumped the second last in front, but was headed by Arkle between the last two and eventually finished second, beaten 5 lengths.
Fulke Walwyn saddled his last runner in 1991, but his record of 40 winners at the Cheltenham Festival wasn’t surpassed until 2012. Even today, 27 years after his death, Walwyn lies fourth in the list of the most successful trainers of all time at the Cheltenham Festival; only Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls – all of whom are still training – have saddled more winners.
