Whether you’re a once-in-a-while spectator or a seasoned bettor, the beginning of the horse racing season always brings a sense of excitement. This is particularly true in the UK, thanks to the sheer number of fantastic horse racing events, including the Royal Ascot and Aintree Grand National.
Another unique horse racing event that isn’t spoken about as often is the Cheltenham Festival. If you want to learn more about this horse racing event, keep reading below.
The History of Cheltenham Festival
Racing in the Cheltenham area dates back to 1815, with the first race being held on Nottingham Hill. However, the Cheltenham festival only took place here once. After that, it moved to Cleeve Hill. The Cleeve Hill race was much more popular than the first event. So much so that the organisers built a grandstand for spectators and laid a proper course.
Just one year after this, in 1819, the event was increased to three days. The main attraction of this three-day event was the Cheltenham Gold Cup. This was a three-mile flat race for horses aged over three years.
Over the next ten years, the event soared in popularity, with crowds of up to 50,000 attending each day. Unfortunately, while the event was popular with horse racing enthusiasts, it also attracted negative attention from people like Reverend Francis Close, who preached about the evils of horse racing.
Thanks to the negative attention it received in the area, organisers moved the event to its current home of Prestbury Park one year later. And although there are still some negative opinions on the sport, this event has gone from strength to strength over the years.
Winners of the Cheltenham Festival
Like all other years, in 2022, horse racing enthusiasts enjoyed a fantastic four-day action-packed event in Gloucestershire. But who were the winners in 2022?
The star of the Cheltenham Festival 2022 was Rachel Blackmore. She not only won the Champion Hurdle on her horse Honeysuckle, but she also managed to claim victory in The Gold Cup and the showpiece race on her horse A Plus Tard.
Other noteworthy winners include Paul Townsend with his horse Energumen in the Champions Chase and Danny Mullins with his horse Flooring Porter in the Stayer’s Hurdle.
However, these aren’t the only winners. Here are some of the other winners of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival:
- Constitution Hill with jockey Nico De Boinville – won the Supreme Novices Hurdle.
- Edwardstone, with jockey Tom Cannon – won the Arkle Novice’s Chase.
- Corach Rambler, with jockey D R Fox – won the Ultimate Handicap Chase.
- Marie’s Rock with jockey Nico De Boinville – won the Mare’s Hurdle.
- Brazil, with jockey M P Walsh – won the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle.
- Startled with jockey Mr P W Mullins – won the National Hunt Novice’s Chase.
- Commander of Fleet with jockey Shane Fitzgerald – won the Coral Cup.
- …and many more!
While it is impossible to predict who will be the winners of the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, many of last year's winners hope to be victorious again. The good news for people who enjoy placing bets but aren’t sure which horses to back is that this year there are many Cheltenham free bet offers.
Schedule for Cheltenham Festival 2023
During the 2023 Cheltenham Festival, 28 races will occur over four consecutive days. Here’s what you can look forward to:
Tuesday 14th March is known as Champions Day. On this day, spectators see many unique races, including the National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup, the Juvenile Handicap Hurdle, the Mare’s Hurdle, the Champions Challenge Hurdle Trophy, the Handicap Steeple Chase, the Arkle Challenge Trophy and the Supreme Novices Hurdle. These races will take place between 1.30 pm and 5.30 pm.
Ladies Day takes place on Wednesday 15th March. Like Champions Day, races will occur between 1.30 pm and 5.30 pm. Some of the races you can enjoy on this day include the Champion Bumper, the Grand Annual Handicap Race, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Coral Cup Hurdle.
Thursday 16th March is known as St Patrick’s Thursday. Like the first two days, there are seven races for spectators to enjoy on this day. These include races like the Country Plate Chase, The Ryanair Chase, the Pertemps Network Final, and the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup.
The final day of the Cheltenham Festival is Friday, 17th March. This day is called Gold Cup Day. On this day, fans can watch the Mare’s Chase, the Triumph Hurdle Jump, The Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase and the Country’s Handicap Hurdle. The final race to be held is the Conditional Jockey’s Handicap Hurdle.
Facts About the Festival
Cheltenham Festival is a popular event with thousands of people attending each year. However, not all attendees know everything about the festival. Here are some facts you may not know:
- The Cheltenham Festival was initially called the National Hunt Meeting.
- Frederick Cathcart is the person responsible for making Cheltenham the headquarters of jump racing.
- The record prize money for the festival was over £4,590,000.
- The most wins by a jockey at the festival is 7. Ruby Walsh accomplished this.
- Over 71,000 people attend the Cheltenham festival each year.
Horse racing has been around for hundreds of years, with the first recorded horse racing event occurring in Ancient Greece and Rome. However, since its invention, it has come a long way. We no longer see chariots racing around a track; instead, we see well-planned horse races. The Cheltenham Festival is one of the best horse racing events in the UK. If you’re a horse racing fan, why not check this festival out?
