The Cheltenham Festival: An event like no other in horse racing

For sporting enthusiasts, and especially fans of horseracing, there’s no event quite like Cheltenham Festival to get the adrenaline pumping and feel the buzz from the stands.

If you are making the trip to the four-day event this year, you are in for a treat as the hospitality at Cheltenham is considered one of the most sought-after experiences in horse racing. A highlight for many of their sporting and social calendars, we take a look at what makes this event so special.

Great views of the action

With sold-out crowds of over 70,000 spectators every day at Cheltenham, finding the best view to watch the racing is vital, especially if you’re hoping to watch your chosen horse make it in first. In the hospitality areas, you will get a fantastic vantage point to see each of the day’s seven races across your afternoon, all while enjoying the best of the event when it comes to food, drink and services.

This is even more special if you are in attendance on Gold Cup Day, the biggest day of the week. Galopin Des Champs goes into the race this year as the 6/4 favourite in the Cheltenham betting markets. If you are lucky enough to be there to see Willie Mullins’ runner in action in his toughest test yet, you may see the chaser produce something special in the blue riband event.

As you can see from the horse racing results today, the Irish horse has had a faultless campaign this season, winning both of his two races. He comes into the Cheltenham Festival on the back of success at the Dublin Racing Festival where he won the Irish Gold Cup. He has the potential to be one of the best chasers in modern history, so make sure you have the best view to take in the action here.

Food and drink

As much as the day is about the racing, the food and drink at Cheltenham are equally as important when it comes to enjoying the day as a whole. To make the event truly special and memorable, book out a private box, dining room or suite area and enjoy a six-course tasting menu, afternoon tea, and a full range of drinks at the racecourse.

There are a total of 12 restaurants at the course, should you want to book a table in one of those areas and they all offer world-class menus, including at Chez Roux Restaurant, founded by Michelin-starred chefs Albert Roux and Michael Roux Jr.

All of the restaurants at Cheltenham use local produce to cook their award-winning dishes and promise a range of delectable treats to dine on, so rest assured, your fine dining experience will be of the highest standard, regardless of which hospitality package you choose to book.

Dress to impress

Although there is no official dress code at the Cheltenham Festival, many racegoers enjoy dressing up for the occasion and showing off their favourite outfits and designers at this event. When dressing for the event, it is worth bearing in mind that the weather can be unpredictable, with high winds and rain often sweeping the racecourse in March.

Fortunately, once you are at the course, you will not have to navigate around the racecourse as the facilities you will need will be in your indoor hospitality area, and this is where you will want to impress with your choice of outfit.

In 2022, tweed was one of the common themes among racegoers and it is predicted that this will be the case again in 2023. If you want to follow that trend, you can arrange your outfit and hat accordingly, but, equally, you can go against the crowd if you’d like to showcase your individuality and wear something that stands out.