Burglars steal Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Cheltenham Gold Cup horseracing trophy was stolen this morning from a former winner's home.

The trophy was one of three taken from the house of racehorse owner Raymond Mould in Wormington, Gloucestershire, at 6.50am.

Mr Mould won at Cheltenham with Charter Party in 1988. A new Gold Cup is cast every year.

Nigel Twiston-Davies, who won the 2010 Gold Cup with Imperial Commander and owns horses with Mr Mould, said: "I'm afraid it is Charter Party's Gold Cup that has been stolen. I've been sitting with him at lunch today."

Charter Party was trained by the late David Nicholson and was ridden to Gold Cup success by Richard Dunwoody. Sent off at 10-1, the gelding beat Cavvies Clown by six lengths in the colours of Claire Smith and Mr Mould's late wife, Jenny.

Dunwoody said the theft was a "big blow" and added: "The Gold Cup is the pinnacle of our sport. It is arguably the most prestigious race in our sport.

"It doesn't personally affect me but I am disappointed and it must be a huge disappointment to Raymond to have lost these trophies."

A Challenge Cup trophy and a Britannia Handicap Cup trophy were also stolen, as well as bronze and silver ornaments, a wooden and gold clock, two smaller trophies and a cigarette case. The total haul in the burglary was £150,000, Gloucestershire police said.

Anyone with any information about the burglary is asked to contact Gloucestershire Constabulary on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident number 38 of July 14 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.