The Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of the horse jumping racing world. It’s where the very best jockeys strive to get to, but turning that dream into a reality is much easier said than done. For four days in March, life stops for fans of the sport, and those lucky enough to travel to the Prestbury Park racecourse can see the best equine athletes take to battle.
But why is this iconic horse racing festival so special to so many? Read on to find out more.
The Cheltenham Roar
With fans having waited for 365 days for the Cheltenham Festival to roll around again, the atmosphere at the Prestbury Park track is electric. The build-up to the four-day extravaganza seems to start earlier every year, and after much talk and speculation, when the gates open on day one there is a sense of relief in the air from racing fans the world over.
Famously, the pent-up excitement is finally let loose as the horses set off in the opening race of the meeting. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle kicks off the festival each year, and is always greeted with the now famous, ‘Cheltenham roar’.
Fans have had their selections made for the meeting for some time, and the ‘Supreme’ supplies the first piece of horse racing betting at the festival. The Supreme Novices’ Hurdle has proved to be a tight betting heat in the past, although 2023 is proving a little different as the brilliant, Constitution Hill, is seemingly unbeatable at a price of 4/11.
The Cheltenham roar has become as famous as any part of the festival each year. As the runners gather at the start for the opening race, the excitement in the stands is at its peak. Once the tapes are lifted the crowd exhales a huge roar to signal the beginning of four days of top-class racing, featuring the best racehorses in the world.
It is a sound that prompts goosebumps for all those in attendance and those watching at home and is the perfect way to get the action underway.
Gold Cup Day
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the world’s most famous and coveted horse races. Taking place on the final day of the four-day meeting, Gold Cup day gives fans one more chance to enjoy the fun of the festival and allows them to see the best that the jumps racing world has to offer up close.
Some of the greatest horses of all time have competed in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and having the opportunity to see new legends being born in person is a thrill like no other. Each year, the latest new kids on the block when it comes to jumps racing take on the wise old heads that have seen it all before.
In 2023, the group of exuberant youngsters is led by Galopin Des Champs. The beautiful equine specimen is the 7/4 favourite in the betting odds, and he will take on the likes of last year’s winner, A Plus Tard, and another young pretender, Bravemansgame, both of which are 8/1.
The Cheltenham Festival creates new memories to share and new friends to make, all the while falling in love with a special sport that is all-inclusive.
Standing at the finish line and joining the thousands of fans in attendance in cheering their horse home is an amazing feeling. Hearing the roar as the victor is led back into the winner’s enclosure is also an experience like no other.
Attending the Cheltenham Festival is definitely one for the bucket list.
This year’s Cheltenham Festival takes place between Tuesday 14 to Friday 17 March.
