Trophy for Cheltenham Festival's oldest race stolen in Sheffield burglary

Ben Pauling has pleaded for the return of the trophy for the Cheltenham Festival's Grand Annual Challenge Cup after it was stolen from a silversmiths in Sheffield.

The trophy for the two-mile contest, which the trainer won with Global Citizen last year, was being worked on in preparation for next month's meeting.

It was one of a number of items taken in a  burglary at Camelot Silverware. South Yorkshire Police are appealing for witnesses.

The Grand Annual is the oldest of the 28 races at the Cheltenham Festival. It was first run in 1834 and has been part of the festival programme for 110 years. This is not the first time the trophy has been stolen as it was taken along with the Cheltenham Gold Cup in a raid on the home of Charter Party's owner Raymond Mould in 2010.

A statement from South Yorkshire Police read: "Investigators in Sheffield have launched an urgent appeal for information after a famous and valuable trophy was stolen in a commercial burglary.

"At around 6.10pm on Thursday, February 2, police were called to reports of a burglary at Camelot Silverware on Gibraltar Street. Several items of silverware were taken during the burglary, including the famous and distinctive Grand Annual Steeple Chase Cheltenham trophy, which was being worked on ahead of the Cheltenham Festival in March.

"Officers are keen to hear from anyone who may have witnessed the burglary or has information about those responsible. Get in touch with us via webchat, our online portal or by calling 101 quoting incident number 775 of February 2, 2023."

Pauling said: "It's devastating news, it was in my office not long ago. The Megsons [owners of Global Citizen] had a replica made of it and we had it on show in our owners' room. It's a fabulous trophy and I really hope they're able to get it back."

The race is on March 15 and Pauling said: "We'll be trying our best to win it again with Global Citizen and possibly Shakem Up'Arry. We've got a few who could be suitable for it."

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