Horseracing has a long and memorable history. In fact, it has been practiced around the world for hundreds of years. It first became fashionable in ancient civilisations, with chariot racing popular across ancient Rome and Greece.
Today, horse racing remains one of the most popular sports in the world. However, we rarely see chariot racing anymore. Instead, countries have established their own unique variations of the sport.
In some parts of the world, horses are raced for a sporting challenge. These types of horse racing events are extremely popular as not only do observers get the enjoyment of watching horses run around a course, but they also have the opportunity to bet on their favourites too.
One example of an excellent horseracing event that takes place in the UK is the Cheltenham Festival. Keep reading below to find out everything you need to know about Prestbury Park’s iconic horse race:
When was the First Cheltenham Festival?
The Cheltenham Festival, originally known as the Grand National Hunt Meeting, was first held in 1860. Since then, it has been held yearly, apart from during the COVID-19 pandemic.
What is the Cheltenham Festival?
The Cheltenham Festival at Prestbury Park is a four-day world-class jump racing event that takes place in the stunning spa town of Cheltenham, UK. Over the course of four days, 28 races take place over four days for people to enjoy and bet on.
The good news for horse racing fans who want to place a bet is that betting online is becoming much safer than it once was. In fact, there are now lots of new legit sports betting sites to try.
When does the Cheltenham Festival Take Place?
Each year over 260,000 spectators attend the Cheltenham Festival, but when does it take place? In 2023, The Cheltenham Festival will take place between Tuesday 14th, March and Friday 17th March. During this time, racegoers will have the opportunity to watch some world-class horses and jockeys race.
The Cheltenham Festival Course
The Cheltenham Festival 2023 will take place in two parts:
- The first two days – on these days, horses and jockeys will get the opportunity to race on the original track. The Queen Mother Champion Chase and the Champion Hurdle and will take place on these two days.
- On the final two days – competitors on these days will run on the new course. The Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Stayers’ Hurdle will occur on days three and four.
While both courses are rigid in nature and left-handed, there are a few differences that can prove vital:
- The original course – this has a marginally shorter run-in than the new course. To win races on this course, jockeys and horses need to be fast.
- The new course – unlike the original course, where jockeys and their horses must be fast, the new course requires horses to have stamina.
The Dress Code for the Festival
Though the Cheltenham Festival is comparable to a racing event with Glorious Goodwood and Royal Ascot, unlike many other horse racing events, Cheltenham doesn’t have a specific racegoer dress code. This is because Cheltenham Festival has an agricultural background of National Hunt Racing. So, what should racegoers wear?
When attending Cheltenham Festival, racegoers are advised to dress for the weather. As the Festival is held in March, this is likely to mean thick winter coats, flat caps, and long boots.
Getting Tickets for the Festival
If you’re a horse racing fan hoping to attend Cheltenham Festival this year, the bad news is that you’re likely too late to purchase a pre-bookable ticket. This is because tickets for the Cheltenham festival are in high demand, with many people purchasing them up to a year in advance.
However, the good news is that tickets are usually available on the day. You simply need to turn up and try your luck.
As well as the beautiful scenery, well-maintained Georgian architecture, and stunning parks, Cheltenham also has other amazing things to offer its visitors. One of these things is Cheltenham Festival. This Festival is any horse lover’s dream. If you love horses or the thrill of watching horses race, why not plan a visit to the Cheltenham Festival this year?
