Cheltenham is the home of jump racing and at the heart of almost every aspect of Jump racing. This is the place where owners, trainers, jockeys, stable staff and breeders dream of having winners. It’s the place where the most important races are run. This is where many stars of the future go through the sale ring. But most of all, this is the place where the equine and human champions forge their reputations.
As always, there is much to look forward to in the season, with 16 exciting days of top class Jump racing. Hundreds of thousands of racing fans come to Cheltenham every year, but you don’t need to be an expert to make lasting memories.
The wide variety of experiences range from the relaxed feel of the meetings in October and April, to the heady excitement of The November Meeting and the family fun of New Year’s Day.
However, the focus of any jumping season is always The Festival. The Festival at Cheltenham is the shining jewel in Jump racing’s crown. It is four days of magic, magnificence and madness, played out on a stage framed by the breathtaking vista of the Cotswold Hills. It features a cast of the best horses, jockeys and trainers playing to an audience of 260,000 people, all of whom are determined to have the time of their lives.
For fixture dates, tickets and more information visit – http://cheltenham.thejockeyclub.co.uk
Chris Organ, Berkhamsted
We come to the Gold Cup every year, my wife and my brother, for about 20 years. The joy of it is that it hasn’t changed at all. We do exactly the same thing, we go to the same hotel, the Clarence Court, who look after us very nicely, we always come to the Champagne Bar, we try to get these particular seats. It hasn’t changed apart from the facilities, which have been developed. Although this place holds 60,000 people, it doesn’t feel like it. It has an intimacy that is up there with the smaller courses. There was a young girl as we were coming in who greeted us with a beaming smile and said, enjoy your day. It’s lovely, it really is. I’m a traditionalist, I like to go down and give the bookies my money instead of a faceless app. I don’t win as much as I used to. These are big fields and I personally don’t back outsiders. The price of everything has gone up, theatre tickets or football. You’ve got everyone here from the working man to royalty but I can see how some people can’t afford it