Cheltenham's December Gold Cup on Saturday to be renamed in honour of John Hunt and his family

Cheltenham has announced that Saturday's December Gold Cup, the feature race of the two-day December meeting, will be renamed in honour of racing commentator John Hunt and his family.

The £125,000 contest will be staged as the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup this season to get behind the initiative established by John and his daughter Amy in memory of Carol (John’s wife and Amy’s mother), Hannah and Louise Hunt (John’s daughters and Amy’s sisters), who were killed in July 2024.

Amy Hunt said: "Cheltenham have been so supportive to both Dad and myself, and to run Saturday’s big race in honour of Mum and my sisters, acknowledging their amazing lives as well as driving forward the support for women of all ages, is a wonderful gesture. 

"Dad has been coming to Cheltenham all of his adult life; he loves the place and will be commentating on the race for BBC Radio 5 Live. It'll be an honour for us all to be there to present the prizes for such a fantastic race."

The fund has been created to raise money for charities that help and inspire young women, and Cheltenham is also staging a fundraising event for the family – the Carol, Hannah and Louise’s Winter Wonderland Fundraiser – on Thursday.

Money raised on the night will go towards the fund, while a silent auction has also started and will close on Thursday evening. Bids can be placed here.

Cheltenham chief Guy Lavender added: "John and Amy Hunt are two outstanding people, and how they have faced the world with such courage, dignity and resilience since the tragic events of July last year is truly humbling. 

"The team at Cheltenham wanted to assist The Hunt Family Fund in any way possible and hopefully by running the feature race of the Christmas meeting as the Support The Hunt Family Fund December Gold Cup in 2025, we can help to highlight the important causes which the fund is helping and also provide a fitting tribute to another three outstanding people – Carol, Hannah and Louise Hunt."