The History of Cheltenham Racecourse
Cheltenham doesn’t just stage jump racing—it judges it. Horses arrive with reputations and leave with legends, because that stiff climb to the line exposes everything: stamina, jumping ability, nerve, and whether the crowd’s roar was deserved. The uphill finish from the final fence has decided championships for nearly 200 years, separating genuine champions from pretenders in the closing strides.
Long before the Festival became a four-day pilgrimage for 280,000 spectators, this sport survived arson, moral outrage, war cancellations, and national disease outbreaks. It kept growing. The 2022 Festival generated £274 million for the local economy. The natural amphitheatre at Prestbury Park, nestled below Cleeve Hill in the Cotswolds, has witnessed Golden Miller’s five Gold Cups, Arkle’s 30-length demolition, Dawn Run’s impossible double, and Desert Orchid fighting back like a tiger through heavy ground.
This is the story of how a piece of Gloucestershire farmland became the cathedral of National Hunt racing—just as Ascot became the home of flat racing royalty and Aintree the home of the Grand National. While Aintree’s Ladies Day celebrates Liverpool style, Cheltenham’s Festival is pure racing obsession.
Contents
- Early Years (1815-1831)
- Foundation Period (1834-1898)
- The Stayers’ Hurdle and Early Championships (1912-1924)
- The Champion Hurdle and Pre-War Era (1927-1939)
- World War II and Post-War Recovery (1939-1960)
- The Queen Mother Champion Chase Inaugurated (1959)
- The Arkle Era and 1960s Glory (1964-1970)
- The 1970s-1980s: Continued Excellence
- Dawn Run, Desert Orchid, and the 1990s
- 2001 Foot-and-Mouth Crisis
- Best Mate Era and 2000s Development
- Irish Dominance and Modern Excellence (2010-2020)
- Recent Years and Breaking Barriers (2018-Present)
- The Festival Experience Today
- Looking Forward
- Sources
Early Years (1815-1831)
First Racing at Cheltenham (1815-1818)
Flat racing came to Cheltenham in 1815 on Nottingham Hill. This early venture brought horses to a town already fashionable as a Regency spa destination. Wealthy visitors came for healing waters discovered in the 18th century. The races provided entertainment.
Racing moved to Cleeve Hill on 25 August 1818. The opening race was won by Miss Tidmarsh, owned by Mr E Jones. Cleeve Hill sits below the highest point in the Cotswolds at 330 metres. The natural amphitheatre would become Cheltenham’s defining feature.
By 1819, results appeared in the Racing Calendar—the official record of British racing established in 1773. The Duke of Gloucester attended and donated 100 Guineas to the prize fund. This elevated Cheltenham’s status and attracted better horses.
Religious Opposition and the Fire (1829-1831)
Success brought opposition. In 1829, Reverend Francis Close—Cheltenham’s Parish Priest—preached against horseracing from the pulpit. He considered it morally corrupting, encouraging gambling and drinking. Close wielded enormous influence over his congregation.
His sermons aroused strong feeling. The 1830 race meeting was disrupted by protesters. Before the 1831 meeting, the grandstand was burnt to the ground. The perpetrators were never identified, but the fire clearly linked to Close’s campaign.
Organisers made a decisive move. They relocated the racecourse to Prestbury Park, two miles north of the town centre, in 1831. This removed racing from Close’s immediate sphere of influence. What began as forced exile became the foundation for Cheltenham’s future.
By 1831, races were being staged at Prestbury, though not initially on the present configuration. The relocation secured racing’s survival in Cheltenham. Today’s Cheltenham Racecourse at Prestbury Park stands on the land chosen after that 1831 relocation.
Foundation Period (1834-1898)
The Grand Annual Steeplechase (1834)
The Grand Annual Steeplechase was first run in 1834. This race predated the Gold Cup by 90 years. It remains the oldest National Hunt chase still in existence. The Grand Annual transformed Cheltenham from a flat racing venue into a centre for jump racing.
A notable moment came in 1839 when Lottery won the race. This mattered because Lottery had already won the first official Grand National at Aintree on 26 February 1839. His victory at both venues demonstrated the quality of competition the Grand Annual attracted.
The establishment coincided with steeplechasing’s development as organised sport. Early steeplechasing evolved from informal matches between gentlemen riders across natural countryside—”from steeple to steeple”. The Grand Annual formalised this with defined rules, a designated course, and regular annual running.
Period of Movement (1840-1847)
In 1840, racing briefly transferred to Andoversford, a village five miles east of Cheltenham. The reasons remain unclear—likely facilities, land availability, or finances. This period shows the instability of early racecourse development before permanent ownership.
Racing returned permanently to Prestbury in 1847. This marked the beginning of continuous racing at Prestbury Park that has continued for over 175 years. The permanent establishment allowed investment in facilities and relationships with trainers, owners, and spectators.
Development of Steeplechasing (1847-1898)
Following the return to Prestbury in 1847, both flat racing and steeplechasing continued. Jump racing was growing in prominence. The mid-Victorian period saw steeplechasing develop from informal sport into organised racing with proper rules and handicapping.
The pivotal moment came in 1898. Steeplechasing moved to the present course at Prestbury Park. This established the modern configuration with two distinct circuits—the Old Course and the New Course—both designed specifically for National Hunt racing.
The 1898 development included viewing facilities, fences built to championship standards, and infrastructure for larger crowds. The natural amphitheatre provided excellent sightlines. The undulating terrain with its uphill finish created a unique test that became Cheltenham’s signature challenge.
The uphill finish became the judgment that separated pretenders from champions.
The Stayers’ Hurdle and Early Championships (1912-1924)
1912: Stayers’ Hurdle Inaugurated
The Stayers’ Hurdle was first run in 1912. Run over three miles, it tested stamina and hurdling technique. The original prize money of £100 represented significant wealth in 1912. The race attracted quality horses from across Britain and Ireland.
The Stayers’ Hurdle marked Cheltenham’s emergence as a venue for championship National Hunt racing. Earlier races had been competitive, but the Stayers’ Hurdle was positioned from inception as a definitive test. This showed Cheltenham’s ambition to host races determining champions.
Railway Station Opens (1912)
Cheltenham Race Course railway station opened in 1912, the same year as the Stayers’ Hurdle. The station sat directly at the racecourse. Passengers arrived at the venue itself. Previously, spectators travelled to Cheltenham Spa station, then made onward journey to Prestbury Park.
The railway transformed attendance. Special services brought spectators from London, Birmingham, and Bristol. Trainers could transport horses more efficiently. The improved infrastructure supported larger fields and higher quality competition. The railway remained crucial until 1976 when it closed following a derailment at Winchcombe.
World War I Impact (1916-1919)
The First World War disrupted British racing significantly. The Stayers’ Hurdle did not run from 1916 to 1919. Resources, horses, and personnel went to the war effort. Many jockeys and stable staff enlisted. Horses were requisitioned. Racecourses faced restrictions.
Racing continued at some venues during the war, but on reduced scale. Cheltenham saw dramatically reduced activity. The impact extended beyond cancelled races—breeding programmes were disrupted, training facilities were limited, and the entire infrastructure diminished.
The post-war resumption in 1919 saw gradual recovery, but it took years to return to pre-war standards.
1924: The Gold Cup Arrives
The first Cheltenham Gold Cup was run in 1924. Red Splash won, ridden by Dick Rees and trained by Fred Withington for owner Major Humphrey Wyndham. This created what would become the most prestigious steeplechase in National Hunt racing.
The original Gold Cup trophy consisted of 644 grams of 9-carat gold plated in 18-carat gold. This trophy was awarded to winners for nearly five decades before being changed in 1972. The original trophy spent years in a bank vault before being reunited with the racecourse in 2018 as a perpetual trophy.
Prize money for the first Gold Cup significantly exceeded earlier races at Cheltenham. The race was run over 3 miles 2 furlongs on the New Course, with 22 fences testing jumping alongside stamina.
The Gold Cup gave Cheltenham its first true championship race. The race quickly gained status, attracting leading trainers and owners who recognised victory here as the ultimate achievement in steeplechasing.
The Champion Hurdle and Pre-War Era (1927-1939)
1927: Champion Hurdle Inaugurated
The Champion Hurdle was first run in 1927. Blaris won, receiving £365 in prize money. This race completed Cheltenham’s transformation into the championship venue for National Hunt racing. The Gold Cup tested staying chasers. The Champion Hurdle tested two-mile hurdlers—the fastest horses over obstacles.
The Champion Hurdle was positioned as the definitive test for hurdlers. Quality of the inaugural field demonstrated immediate prestige. The race was run on the Old Course over two miles with eight hurdles. Speed, agility, and jumping precision mattered more than stamina.
The 1927 addition gave Cheltenham two championship races. This dual offering—Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle—began attracting trainers to prepare specifically for Cheltenham. The Festival meeting concept started forming, though it wouldn’t be called “The Festival” for decades.
Building Toward the Festival
Between 1927 and 1939, Cheltenham’s March meeting grew in importance. The concentration of championship races attracted better horses. The meeting became a pilgrimage for serious racing enthusiasts. Prize money increased. Media coverage expanded.
The uphill finish tested horses severely. Many won elsewhere but failed at Cheltenham. The unique examination separated champions from good horses. This reputation reinforced itself—winning at Cheltenham carried more prestige because the test was harder.
Three horses won the Champion Hurdle three consecutive times during this era: Hatton’s Grace would later achieve this (1949-51), followed by Sir Ken (1952-54), Persian War (1968-70), See You Then (1985-87), and Istabraq (1998-2000). This established a tradition of Champion Hurdle legends.
Golden Miller: The First Legend (1932-1936)
Golden Miller won the Cheltenham Gold Cup five consecutive times from 1932 to 1936. No horse has matched this record. The achievement established Golden Miller as the first true Cheltenham legend. His dominance was absolute—he won by margins that left rivals struggling.
In 1934, Golden Miller won both the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Aintree Grand National in the same season. This remains the only time any horse achieved this double in the same year. The Grand National is run over four miles and 514 yards with 30 famous Aintree fences. Golden Miller carried 12 stone to victory. The combination of Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in one season has never been repeated.
The 1934 achievement demonstrated Golden Miller’s versatility and stamina. The Grand National demands different qualities than the Gold Cup—greater endurance, precise jumping of unique fences like Becher’s Brook and The Chair at Aintree, ability to handle huge fields and the Aintree marathon.
Golden Miller’s five Gold Cups established Cheltenham’s championship as the ultimate prize. His record created the template for measuring greatness in National Hunt racing.
World War II and Post-War Recovery (1939-1960)
World War II Cancellations (1941-1945)
The Cheltenham Festival did not run between 1941 and 1945. World War II halted British racing almost entirely. The Stayers’ Hurdle was cancelled from 1939 to 1945. The Festival was completely abandoned in 1943 and 1944.
Resources were diverted to war effort. Many horses were requisitioned by military. Jockeys, trainers, and stable staff enlisted. Racecourses faced restrictions on usage and travel. The national emergency overrode sporting considerations entirely.
The cancellations represented Cheltenham’s darkest period. Five years without the Festival broke continuity. Horses in their prime missed championship opportunities. When peace arrived, rebuilding required years.
Post-War Resumption (1946-1949)
Racing resumed in 1946. The first post-war Festival attracted enthusiastic crowds. Spectators had endured six years without the spectacle. The return symbolised normalcy. Betting recommenced. The roar returned.
Initial post-war Festivals operated with limited resources. Prize money was lower than pre-war levels. Some races weren’t immediately restored. Fields were smaller as breeding and training recovered from wartime disruption.
By 1949, Cheltenham was approaching pre-war standards. Prize funds increased. Fields strengthened. The Festival regained prominence.
Hatton’s Grace Era (1949-1951)
Hatton’s Grace won the Champion Hurdle three consecutive times from 1949 to 1951. This matched the achievement of the pre-war champions and re-established the Champion Hurdle’s prestige after the war years.
Trained by Vincent O’Brien—who would become one of racing’s greatest trainers—Hatton’s Grace demonstrated dominance. His victories showed quality National Hunt racing had recovered from war disruption.
The 1949-1951 triple established Vincent O’Brien as major force in National Hunt training. O’Brien later transitioned to flat racing with equal success, but his Champion Hurdle victories cemented his reputation.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase Inaugurated (1959)
The National Hunt Two-Mile Champion Chase was first run in 1959, completing the set of the Festival’s four principal championship events.
The inaugural race was won by Quita Que.
The race was designed as the definitive test for the fastest two-mile chasers, rewarding speed and precision jumping.
This addition meant the Festival now had top-tier championship races for both speed chasers and staying chasers, alongside the two major hurdle championships.
The race was renamed the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1980 to honour Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother, whose love of National Hunt racing was legendary. Her passion for jump racing matched the Royal Family’s association with flat racing at Ascot, where she enjoyed many victories as an owner.
1950s Development
The 1950s saw gradual modernisation. Facilities improved. Prize money increased steadily. Media coverage expanded with television broadcasts beginning. The Festival became more accessible to casual fans.
Sir Ken won three consecutive Champion Hurdles from 1952 to 1954, continuing the tradition of Champion Hurdle legends. This decade reinforced Cheltenham’s position as championship venue.
The infrastructure developed. Better viewing areas were constructed. Betting facilities expanded. The meeting attracted larger crowds each year—though still smaller than Royal Ascot’s capacity, which remained flat racing’s pinnacle event.
By 1960, the Festival was firmly established as the most important week in National Hunt racing.
The Arkle Era and 1960s Glory (1964-1970)
Arkle: The Greatest (1964-1966)
Arkle won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three consecutive times: 1964, 1965, and 1966. Many still consider him the finest steeplechaser in racing history. His performances transcended sport into legend.
The 1964 Gold Cup saw Arkle beat Mill House. Mill House was reigning champion and taller, bigger, stronger. The betting suggested Mill House’s superiority. Arkle proved otherwise. He beat Mill House by five lengths, establishing dominance that would define an era.
The 1965 Gold Cup remains the most devastating performance in Festival history. Arkle annihilated the field by 30 lengths. He didn’t just win—he made championship-class horses look ordinary. The margin was absurd. Jockey Pat Taaffe barely moved. Arkle was cantering while rivals laboured.
The uphill finish exposed his rivals completely. Where other horses tire, Arkle accelerated. The crowd witnessed perfection. Commentators struggled for words. This was dominance beyond measurement.
Timeform rated Arkle at 212 pounds—the highest rating ever assigned to a steeplechaser. Only Flyingbolt (also trained by Tom Dreaper) came close at 210 pounds. Modern champions like Sprinter Sacre (192) and Kauto Star (191) fall significantly short. For comparison, Frankel achieved Timeform’s highest ever flat racing rating of 147, demonstrating how both codes have produced horses of exceptional brilliance.
The 1966 victory completed the treble. Arkle was giving weight to every rival under handicap conditions, yet still won comfortably. His superiority forced handicappers to unprecedented levels.
Arkle’s career ended in December 1966 when he fractured a pedal bone at Kempton Park. He never raced again. He was retired to Duchess of Westminster’s estate in Ireland, where he lived until 1970. His death was announced on BBC news—rare honour for a racehorse.
Arkle made Cheltenham the theatre for witnessing the impossible.
Growing Festival Prestige (1967-1970)
The late 1960s saw the Festival consolidate as three-day championship meeting. Arkle’s dominance attracted unprecedented attention. Television coverage expanded. Crowds grew.
New races were added. The quality of competition increased across all races, not just the big four championships. Trainers began preparing horses specifically for Cheltenham months in advance.
Persian War won the Champion Hurdle three consecutive times (1968-1970), demonstrating Champion Hurdle traditions continuing alongside Gold Cup legends.
The decade established Cheltenham as destination requiring no explanation. “Cheltenham” meant one thing to racing enthusiasts: the championships in March.
The 1970s-1980s: Continued Excellence
Diverse Champions
The 1970s brought variety rather than sustained dominance. Different horses won Gold Cups. L’Escargot (1970, 1971) started the decade. Captain Christy (1974), Ten Up (1975), Royal Frolic (1976) each won once. This spread demonstrated depth of competition.
Midnight Court won the 1978 Gold Cup, then Alverton in 1979. No horse dominated like Arkle or Golden Miller. This reflected increased competition quality—more trainers fielding championship-calibre horses.
Night Nurse and Monksfield Rivalry (1976-1979)
The Champion Hurdle produced memorable rivalry. Night Nurse won in 1976 and 1977. Monksfield won in 1978 and 1979. The four years featured intense competition between these two outstanding hurdlers.
Night Nurse was trained by Peter Easterby and ridden by Paddy Broderick. Monksfield was trained by Des McDonogh in Ireland. Their battles captivated spectators. The uphill finish decided these contests in closing strides.
This rivalry demonstrated the Champion Hurdle could produce drama matching the Gold Cup. Television coverage brought these battles to larger audiences.
See You Then’s Triple (1985-1987)
See You Then won the Champion Hurdle three consecutive times from 1985 to 1987. This matched achievements of Hatton’s Grace, Sir Ken, and Persian War. Trained by Nicky Henderson and ridden by Steve Smith Eccles, See You Then was brilliant but fragile—leg problems limited his career.
The 1985 victory surprised many. See You Then was 16/1. By 1986 and 1987, he started favourite and delivered. His jumping was spectacular—quick, precise, economical. He won by outjumping rivals as much as outrunning them.
See You Then’s fragility made his achievements more remarkable. He raced sparingly due to injury concerns. Henderson managed him carefully to peak for Cheltenham each March.
Dawn Run: The Impossible Double (1984-1986)
Dawn Run was a mare owned by Charmian Hill. In 1984, she won the Champion Hurdle at 4/1. This made her the first mare to win the race. She was trained by Paddy Mullins in Ireland and ridden by Jonjo O’Neill.
In 1986, Dawn Run won the Cheltenham Gold Cup. She remains the only horse ever to win both the Champion Hurdle and Gold Cup. No other horse has achieved this double. The different demands—speed and agility for the Champion Hurdle versus stamina and jumping for the Gold Cup—make the double exceptionally difficult.
The 1986 Gold Cup provided one of Cheltenham’s most dramatic finishes. Dawn Run looked beaten on the final climb. Wayward Lad and Run And Skip were ahead. Jonjo O’Neill drove Dawn Run at the hill. She found stamina from somewhere impossible to measure. She fought back. At the line, she won by a length.
The crowd’s roar could be heard across the Cotswolds. Dawn Run made history. She was the first mare to win the Gold Cup. The achievement remains unmatched. She died in a fall at Auteuil in France four months later, aged just eight.
Dawn Run’s double represents Cheltenham’s romantic capacity—where the impossible becomes reality through courage up the final hill.
Dawn Run, Desert Orchid, and the 1990s
Desert Orchid’s Gold Cup (1989)
Desert Orchid—”Dessie” to his legion of fans—was a grey gelding who became a national treasure. He won the King George VI Chase at Kempton four times, won the Irish Grand National, captured hearts everywhere. But the Cheltenham Gold Cup eluded him.
The 1989 Gold Cup was run on heavy ground. Desert Orchid hated soft ground. He preferred fast ground where his speed could dominate. The going on 16 March 1989 was bottomless mud. Trainer David Elsworth considered withdrawing him.
Owner Richard Burridge insisted on running. Jockey Simon Sherwood knew this was Dessie’s toughest assignment. The favourite was Yahoo, a horse who relished mud.
Down the final hill, Yahoo took the lead. Desert Orchid was struggling in the ground. At the bottom of the slope, Yahoo held two lengths advantage. The uphill finish loomed.
Sherwood asked Dessie for everything. The grey horse responded. Yahoo was tiring in front. Desert Orchid closed the gap, stride by agonising stride, through mud that dragged at every footfall.
At the line, Desert Orchid won by one and a half lengths. The crowd erupted. Grown men cried. Desert Orchid had conquered the race that didn’t suit him, on ground he hated, through sheer courage. Simon Sherwood later said Dessie “fought back like a tiger.”
This victory transcended racing. Desert Orchid became the people’s champion. The courage to win when everything was against him embodied what Cheltenham celebrated—the same spirit that draws crowds to witness the Grand National’s unique challenge at Aintree every April.
Norton’s Coin at 100/1 (1990)
The 1990 Gold Cup produced one of racing’s greatest upsets. Norton’s Coin won at 100/1 odds. He was trained in a tiny yard in Carmarthenshire, Wales, by permit holder Sirrell Griffiths. This wasn’t a major stable. Norton’s Coin was a farmer’s horse.
Desert Orchid started favourite to defend his crown. The race was expected to be between established stars. Norton’s Coin wasn’t considered a serious contender.
Jockey Graham McCourt rode a perfect race. Norton’s Coin stayed out of trouble, jumped accurately, and travelled smoothly. Coming to the final fence, he was in contention. Up the hill, he kept finding more.
Norton’s Coin won by three-quarters of a length from Toby Tobias, with Desert Orchid third. The crowd was stunned. The bookmakers were relieved. Norton’s Coin’s victory represented everything romantic about jump racing—the small trainer, the unfancied horse, the perfect ride.
Sirrell Griffiths trained from a small farm. His wife brought Norton’s Coin to Cheltenham in a trailer. This Gold Cup victory remains the biggest upset in the race’s history—demonstrating that British racecourses can still produce fairytale stories where the underdog triumphs.
Michael Dickinson’s 1-2-3-4-5 (1983)
Before the 1990s began, Michael Dickinson achieved something never repeated. In the 1983 Gold Cup, Dickinson trained the first five horses to finish: Bregawn won, Captain John second, Wayward Lad third, Silver Buck fourth, Ashley House fifth.
All five horses came from the same yard. Dickinson’s training mastery was complete. This feat is considered one of the greatest training achievements in racing history. No trainer has matched it.
1990s: Irish Resurgence
The 1990s saw increasing Irish success at Cheltenham. Trainers like Aidan O’Brien, Noel Meade, and Willie Mullins emerged. Irish-trained horses began winning more races. The Festival became a fierce battle between Britain and Ireland for the unofficial Prestbury Cup.
Istabraq won the Champion Hurdle three consecutive times (1998-2000), trained by Aidan O’Brien. He was odds-on favourite for an unprecedented fourth win in 2001 when the Festival was cancelled due to foot-and-mouth disease.
The decade featured facility improvements. Prize money increased significantly. The Festival expanded its reach globally.
2001 Foot-and-Mouth Crisis
The Cancellation
The 2001 Cheltenham Festival was initially postponed to April due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak across Britain. Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals—cattle, sheep, pigs, and potentially horses.
When a case was confirmed locally in Gloucestershire, the Festival was cancelled entirely. This was the first cancellation since World War II. The decision devastated the racing community and local economy. The Grand National at Aintree was also affected by the outbreak, though it managed to run that year.
Impact
Istabraq never ran again. He was nine years old and at his peak. Trainers had prepared horses all season specifically for Cheltenham. Those preparations were wasted. Horses aged, some never raced at championship level again.
The local economic impact was severe. Hotels, restaurants, and businesses rely on Festival week for significant annual income. The £100 million economic boost evaporated.
The 2001 cancellation reinforced how much Cheltenham matters. The absence highlighted the Festival’s significance to the sport, the community, and British cultural calendar.
Return (2002)
The 2002 Festival returned with enormous enthusiasm. Crowds were huge. The relief was palpable. Best Mate won his first Gold Cup, beginning a new era of excellence.
Best Mate Era and 2000s Development (2002-2004)
Best Mate’s Triple (2002-2004)
Best Mate won the Cheltenham Gold Cup three consecutive times: 2002, 2003, and 2004. He was the first horse since Arkle to achieve this. Trained by Henrietta Knight and ridden by Jim Culloty, Best Mate was a beautiful dark bay gelding with white markings.
The 2002 Gold Cup victory came at 7/1. Best Mate jumped brilliantly and stayed on strongly up the hill. The victory followed the 2001 cancellation, making it especially emotional.
The 2003 Gold Cup saw Best Mate win at odds-on (13/8 favourite). He was now established as the dominant staying chaser. He won by 10 lengths, demonstrating superiority. The uphill finish suited his relentless galloping style.
The 2004 Gold Cup completed the treble. Best Mate started 5/4 favourite. He won by seven lengths from Sir Rembrandt. This equalled Arkle’s achievement. Best Mate became a household name. His fan club was enormous.
Best Mate died suddenly in November 2005 while racing at Exeter. He suffered a suspected heart attack during the Haldon Gold Cup. The racing world mourned. He was only 10 years old.
Best Mate revived the Gold Cup legend tradition. After Arkle and before Kauto Star, Best Mate reminded everyone what Cheltenham greatness looked like—the kind of sustained excellence Red Rum achieved at Aintree with three Grand National victories.
Festival Expansion to Four Days (2005)
In 2005, the Festival expanded from three days to four days. This was a major development. The structure changed:
Tuesday (Day 1): Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, Arkle Challenge Trophy, Champion Hurdle, Mares’ Hurdle
Wednesday (Day 2): Champion Chase, along with other quality races
Thursday (Day 3): Stayers’ Hurdle, Ryanair Chase, and Thursday’s championship races
Friday (Day 4): Cheltenham Gold Cup, along with supporting races
The expansion provided symmetry—one championship race each day. More races meant more betting opportunities. The four-day format allowed all 28 races adequate prominence.
Attendance increased. The Festival became even more of a week-long celebration. Local businesses had four days of economic benefit instead of three.
2000s Modernisation
The decade saw significant investment. Prize money increased dramatically. The 2007 Earl of Derby and Lord Sefton stands opened with modern architecture featuring zinc and larch cladding.
The 2008 grandstand development added 10,000 capacity. Previously used at the 2006 Ryder Cup, the stand was installed at Cheltenham. Facilities improved throughout the course.
Television coverage expanded. Broadcasting deals brought Cheltenham to global audiences. The Festival reached estimated 500 million viewers worldwide—matching the global reach of Royal Ascot, British racing’s other iconic week.
The Centaur—one of the largest auditoria in South West England—hosted events year-round. Cheltenham became a conference and events venue beyond racing.
Irish Dominance and Modern Excellence (2010-2020)
Kauto Star’s Return (2009)
Kauto Star won the Cheltenham Gold Cup in 2007. He then finished second in 2008. In 2009, he won again, becoming the first horse to regain the Gold Cup. This achievement was historic—no previous winner had lost and then won again.
Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, Kauto Star was one of the finest chasers of the modern era. Timeform rated him 191 pounds. His 2009 victory demonstrated exceptional ability and management.
The regained Gold Cup showed Kauto Star’s class endured. He competed at highest level for years, winning five King George VI Chases at Kempton alongside his Cheltenham achievements.
Quevega’s Record (2009-2014)
Quevega won the Mares’ Hurdle six consecutive times from 2009 to 2014. This remains the record for most consecutive wins in any Festival race. No horse has matched this achievement.
Trained by Willie Mullins in Ireland and ridden by Ruby Walsh, Quevega was a mare of exceptional consistency. She returned to Cheltenham every March and won. The streak seemed unbreakable.
The sixth victory in 2014 established a record that may never be surpassed. Quevega’s dominance in the Mares’ Hurdle matched Golden Miller’s Gold Cup record for sustained excellence.
Big Buck’s Four Stayers’ Hurdles (2009-2012)
Big Buck’s won the Stayers’ Hurdle four consecutive times from 2009 to 2012. Trained by Paul Nicholls and ridden by Ruby Walsh, Big Buck’s was part of an unprecedented winning streak across all his races—18 consecutive victories.
The Stayers’ Hurdle tests stamina over three miles. Big Buck’s made the test look simple. His jumping was accurate, his stamina limitless, his consistency remarkable.
The 2012 victory completed the fourth win. No horse has won the Stayers’ Hurdle more than four times. Big Buck’s joined the pantheon of Cheltenham legends.
Ruby Walsh’s Dominance
Ruby Walsh became the most successful Festival jockey in history with 59 victories before retirement in 2019. He won on legends like Kauto Star, Quevega, Big Buck’s, Hurricane Fly, Faugheen, and many more.
Walsh understood Cheltenham. He judged pace perfectly. He knew when to wait and when to attack the uphill finish. His partnership with trainer Willie Mullins produced extraordinary results.
Walsh’s Festival record may stand for generations. His 59 wins surpassed all previous jockeys. His retirement in 2019 ended an era.
Willie Mullins Takes Over
Willie Mullins became the most successful trainer in Cheltenham Festival history. His wins exceeded previous records set by trainers like Nicky Henderson and Paul Nicholls.
Mullins’ Irish yard sends huge teams to Cheltenham. He wins races across all divisions—novices, handicaps, championships. His success transformed the Festival into a fierce Britain vs Ireland battle.
The Prestbury Cup—awarded to the nation (Britain or Ireland) winning most races—became hotly contested. Ireland’s dominance in recent years reflects Mullins’ success alongside other Irish trainers like Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead.
Prize Money Surge
Total Festival prize money exceeded £5.2 million in 2018—the highest of any jump racing festival in the world. Individual races saw significant increases:
Gold Cup: £625,000 (winner receives over £350,000)
Champion Hurdle: £450,000
Queen Mother Champion Chase: £280,000+
Stayers’ Hurdle: £320,000+
The increased prize funds attracted better horses. Owners were willing to invest more in horses aimed at Cheltenham because financial rewards justified the cost. This mirrored developments across all major UK racecourses, where prize money has increased significantly in recent decades.
Recent Years and Breaking Barriers (2018-Present)
Women in Grade 1 Victories (2018-2019)
Katie Walsh became the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 race at the Festival in 2018. She won the Weatherby’s Champion Bumper (a flat race for National Hunt horses). This broke a significant barrier.
In 2019, both Bryony Frost and Rachael Blackmore won Grade 1 races at the Festival. Frost’s victory was particularly emotional—she rode Frodon with visible joy. Blackmore’s success foreshadowed her future achievements, including becoming the first female jockey to win the Grand National in 2021.
These victories demonstrated women’s increasing prominence in National Hunt racing. The Festival—historically male-dominated—was changing. This mirrored developments in flat racing, where female jockeys have made significant strides at venues like Royal Ascot.
Record Attendance (2022)
The 2022 Festival welcomed a record 280,627 spectators over four days. This surpassed all previous attendance records. The crowds returned enthusiastically after COVID-19 disruptions.
The economic impact reached £274 million for the local Gloucestershire economy—nearly triple the £100 million figure from 2016. The Festival’s importance to the region had grown enormously.
Facilities and Experience (2019-2023)
The Horse & Groom pub opened in 2019, overlooking the final two fences. This on-site pub became a fan favourite, offering real ales and British food.
The Orchard premium experience launched in 2019 for Club enclosure holders. Luxury brand partnerships and top-class entertainment enhanced the hospitality offering.
Core on Course by three-Michelin-star chef Clare Smyth debuted in 2023—the first and only three-Michelin-star concept in sport. Chez Roux Restaurant, hosted by Michel Roux Jr., offered fine dining during the Festival. These additions elevated the Festival experience beyond pure racing into a complete entertainment destination—similar to how Royal Ascot combines world-class racing with exceptional hospitality.
2025: Golden Ace Shocks at 25/1
The 2025 Champion Hurdle saw Golden Ace win at 25/1 odds. Trained by Jeremy Scott, Golden Ace wasn’t considered a serious contender. His victory demonstrated Cheltenham’s capacity for surprises.
The uphill finish tested the favourites. Golden Ace stayed on strongest when others tired. This shock reminded everyone that Cheltenham judges horses without sentiment.
The Festival Experience Today
The Roar
The “Cheltenham roar” occurs when the starter raises the tape for the first race of the Festival—the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Tuesday. The sound from 67,500 spectators is one of the most recognisable in sport.
The roar represents anticipation, excitement, and the culmination of months of preparation. Horses that handle the roar cope better with Festival pressure. Visiting Cheltenham during the Festival means experiencing this moment firsthand—an unforgettable rush of sound that defines British jump racing.
Britain vs Ireland
The Prestbury Cup competition between Britain and Ireland adds edge to every race. Irish trainers—particularly Willie Mullins—have dominated recently. British trainers fight to reclaim supremacy.
This rivalry intensifies the Festival. Every winner contributes to national pride. The final tally determines bragging rights for the year.
Four Days, 28 Races, Four Championships
The modern Festival structure provides clear championship days:
Tuesday: Champion Hurdle (two-mile hurdle championship)
Wednesday: Queen Mother Champion Chase (two-mile chase championship)
Thursday: Stayers’ Hurdle (staying hurdle championship)
Friday: Cheltenham Gold Cup (staying chase championship, blue riband event)
Each day builds toward its championship race. The Gold Cup on Friday remains the ultimate prize.
The Uphill Finish
From the final fence, horses face approximately 450 yards to the winning post with a stiff uphill gradient. This climb is where Cheltenham separates champions from good horses.
Horses that have led comfortably can tire on the hill. Horses held up for late runs can power through. The uphill finish rewards stamina, courage, and tactical riding.
The hill doesn’t lie. It exposes weaknesses and reveals greatness.
Looking Forward
Cheltenham faces ongoing challenges around horse welfare and safety. The sport has implemented reforms—fence modifications, veterinary protocols, injury prevention measures. The debate continues between tradition and modernisation.
Attendance records suggest demand remains strong. The 2022 record of 280,627 spectators over four days exceeded expectations. Economic impact of £274 million justifies continued investment.
Prize money has reached record levels. The 2018 total of £5.2 million attracted global attention. Owners worldwide target Cheltenham as the championship venue.
The Festival expands its global reach through broadcasting. Estimated 500 million viewers in over 100 countries watch coverage. Cheltenham’s reputation extends far beyond Britain and Ireland, standing alongside Britain’s other iconic racecourses as a global sporting destination.
The racecourse continues modernising facilities while respecting heritage. Recent developments balance contemporary expectations with the natural amphitheatre’s character.
From the 1815 flat races on Nottingham Hill through religious opposition and arson, from the establishment of the Grand Annual in 1834 to Golden Miller’s five Gold Cups, from Arkle’s 30-length demolition to Dawn Run’s impossible double, from Desert Orchid fighting back like a tiger to Best Mate’s treble, from Kauto Star’s return to Quevega’s record streak—Cheltenham has been the stage where legends are made.
The uphill finish continues to judge horses as it has for nearly 200 years. And that roar still echoes across the Cotswolds every March.
Explore more about British racing’s greatest venues at StableBet, where we cover the stories, statistics, and spectacle that make UK racing unforgettable.
FAQ
Cheltenham Racecourse was founded in 1815 with flat racing on Nottingham Hill. Racing moved to Cleeve Hill in 1818, then permanently relocated to Prestbury Park in 1831 after the grandstand was burnt down following religious opposition from Reverend Francis Close.
Arkle is widely considered the greatest Cheltenham horse. He won three consecutive Gold Cups (1964-1966) with a Timeform rating of 212—the highest ever for a steeplechaser. His 1965 victory by 30 lengths remains the most dominant Festival performance in history.
The Cheltenham roar is the enormous sound from 67,500 spectators when the starter raises the tape for the first race of the Festival—the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle on Tuesday. It’s one of the most recognisable sounds in British sport.
The first Cheltenham Gold Cup was run in 1924, won by Red Splash ridden by Dick Rees and trained by Fred Withington. The race quickly became the most prestigious steeplechase in National Hunt racing.
Golden Miller won the Cheltenham Gold Cup five consecutive times from 1932 to 1936—a record that has never been matched. In 1934, he also won the Grand National, the only horse to achieve both in the same season.
The 2001 Festival was cancelled due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak across Britain. When a case was confirmed locally in Gloucestershire, the Festival was cancelled entirely—the first cancellation since World War II.
Best Mate won three consecutive Gold Cups (2002-2004), equalling Arkle’s achievement. Tragically, he died suddenly in November 2005 while racing at Exeter, suffering a suspected heart attack during the Haldon Gold Cup at just 10 years old.
The Festival expanded from three days to four days in 2005. This provided symmetry with one championship race each day and allowed all 28 races adequate prominence while increasing attendance and economic impact.
The 2022 Cheltenham Festival generated £274 million for the local Gloucestershire economy—nearly triple the £100 million figure from 2016. The Festival welcomes over 280,000 spectators across four days.
Katie Walsh became the first female jockey to win a Grade 1 race at the Festival in 2018, winning the Weatherby’s Champion Bumper. Bryony Frost and Rachael Blackmore both won Grade 1 races in 2019.
Sources
This history draws on the following sources:
- British Horseracing Authority (BHA) historical records
- Racing Post archives and race records
- Cheltenham Racecourse official history (Jockey Club Racecourses)
- Wikipedia: Cheltenham Racecourse & Cheltenham Festival entries
- Timeform ratings and historical analysis
- Economic impact studies: Cheltenham Festival 2016 & 2022 (Gloucestershire County Council)
- BBC Sport racing archives
- Guardian and Telegraph racing coverage
- “Champions: Full Gallop” documentary series (ITV 2024-2025)
- Official race results and statistics from the Jockey Club
- Historical racing publications and Racing Calendar archives
Specific statistical claims (attendance figures, prize money totals, economic impact assessments, Timeform ratings) are documented in these sources.
This article is part of StableBet’s comprehensive coverage of UK racing, providing factual, engaging guides to Britain’s racecourses.
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