If you’re into horse racing or just an avid sports fan and/or bettor, the name Cheltenham Festival should be familiar to you. It’s one of the most prestigious events in the world of horse racing, set to gallop into our views once again. The 2024 Cheltenham Festival (also known in the horse racing world as just the Festival™) will take place between the 12th and 15th of March, at the prominent Cheltenham Race Course, on the edge of the Cotswolds, England.
Grab your fancy hats and binoculars as we embark on a journey to cover the festival’s history, and schedule for 2024, discuss main events, list favourites, as well as other interesting facts.
About the Cheltenham festival – history & overview
The Cheltenham Festival is a standout and a so-called marquee event in the world of jump racing. It has a rich history that dates back all the way to 1860. It began as the Grand National Hunt Meeting, initially held at a different location, before finding its permanent home at Prestbury Park, Cheltenham.
Over the years, the festival has evolved from a two-day meeting to an exhilarating four-day spectacle, drawing over a quarter of a million spectators and bettors annually. It’s a highlight in the British sporting calendar, featuring 28 races, including the prestigious Gold Cup Day.
Despite some hurdles, the Cheltenham Festival continues to be a celebration of top-level horse racing, blending excellence in sportsmanship with centuries-long tradition.
The schedule & main events of Cheltenham 2024
The festival has been labelled as a four-day-long equestrian extravaganza. The schedule opens up at 10:30 AM each day, with the first race at 1:30 PM and the last race usually setting off at 5:30 PM. This means a whole day of non-stop action and excitement. Each day of the festival has a name and a theme.
- Day 1 is Champion Day (March 12) – the Cheltenham Festival 2024 kicks off with the Champion Hurdle, a grade 1* race that sets the tone for the coming days. Races like the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Arkle Challenge Trophy add to the excitement and promise heart-pounding racing.
- Day 2 is Style Wednesday (March 13) – Wednesday is not just about the races. Style Wednesday celebrates fashion, with the Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase as the highlight. This Grade 1 event sees runners jumping over 12 fences across 2 miles.
- Day 3 is St Patrick’s Thursday (March 14) – the Irish spirit is embraced with key championship races like the Ryanair Steeple Chase and Stayers’ Hurdle, adding a touch of green to the festivities.
- Day 4 is Gold Cup Day (March 15) – The so-called grand finale. It features The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, a test of stamina and speed over three miles and two furlongs. It’s widely considered the Festival’s main event, where legends are made and champions crowned.
*a grade 1 race is the highest tier of competition in racing with only 30 of these class events throughout the whole season.
Favourites and interesting facts
Legendary Irish racehorse trainer Willie Mullins is eyeing his sixth consecutive win. That would make him the winningest trainer with the most wins at the festival.
Also worth mentioning are Jockey Paul Townend, a standout in past festivals, and Rachael Blackmore, a rapidly rising star – the first female jockey to win the Grand National in 182 years of racing. They are among the ones to watch this year.
One interesting item on the agenda that adds to the allure of The Festival™ is the famous Cheltenham Roar. It’s a very unique tradition where spectators cheer as the first race starts. Some other interesting facts
- The festival’s canteens and restaurants serve over 8000 gallons of tea and coffee during the 4 days
- There are 250 rails bookmakers on site
- Ruby Walsh has the record for most wins in one festival – 7
- Irish jockeys and trainers seem to be the gold standard when it comes to horse racing as the horses that they trained won the Gold Cup 25 times
- The Cheltenham Gold Cup prize purse totals £625,000
How to watch the Cheltenham Festival and how to get tickets?
You can visit the festival yourself or watch it live on your screen.
For those looking to experience the thrill live, tickets are available on-site, at different enclosures, with options to suit every preference and budget. Or you can buy them online at the festival’s website. Ticket prices usually start from around £57 but depend on seating, event, etc.
Even if you can’t make it to the races there are live broadcasts on British ITV, and full coverage on Racing TV for subscribers. Your betting site may also do live coverage, so check it out.