A festival where legends are made, rivalries settled, and where the best shine brightest. Four days of world-class jumps racing at the Cheltenham Festival is an unmissable spectacle, and in 2025, it promises to deliver even more unforgettable moments. From the spine-tingling roar as the tapes rise for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle to the ultimate test of skill and stamina in the Gold Cup, the festival showcases the pinnacle of the National Hunt season.
Champion Day
Thousands of racegoers descend upon Prestbury Park for the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. The day kicks off with the famous “Cheltenham Roar” as the runners are sent on their way for the opening race, the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle. A race littered with champions in the past, it truly is an incredible benchmark for the races to follow. Just a short time after, runners head to post for the Arkle Challenge Trophy where the best two-mile novice chasers go for glory on the biggest stage of all. Won so effortlessly by Gaelic Warrior last year, who will take the spoils in 2025?
The day continues with the highlight, the iconic Champion Hurdle. One of the most prestigious races in National Hunt racing. With a history of legendary winners like Istabraq, Hurricane Fly and more recently, Constitution Hill and State Man, the race that promises so much, never fails to deliver.
Style Wednesday
The second day of the festival perfectly blends high fashion with top class racing. Known for its elegance, the day sees racegoers in their finest attire. The atmosphere at Prestbury Park is electric, with crowds of fashionable spectators enjoying the thrill of the racing while also competing for the prestigious title of best-dressed.
The feature race of the day is the Queen Mother Champion Chase, one of the biggest races in the National Hunt calendar. Fast and furious for this two-mile contest often features the classiest horses in the sport with previous winners like Altior and Sprinter Sacre capturing the imagination of fans. It is a race where speed, stamina, and tactical brilliance come together in a thrilling race that never disappoints.
A further highlight to the action on Style Wednesday is the Cross Country Chase. An event that tests the stamina of both horse and jockey, only the bravest will conquer. Watching horses soar over the Grand National fences makes for scintillating viewing, won by legends in the past including the infamous Tiger Roll.
St Patrick’s Thursday
Thursday at the Cheltenham Festival is a day where the spirit of Ireland truly takes centre stage, with many racegoers donning green attire in honour of St. Patrick’s Day, adding to the lively vibe that sweeps across Prestbury Park. The racing on Thursday is no less thrilling, with the feature event being the Ryanair Chase, a fast and fiercely contested race that draws top-class two-and-a-half-mile chasers. Protektorat was a memorable winner for Dan Skelton last year, taking the scalp of Envoi Allen in a thrilling tussle up the famous Cheltenham hill.
The other main event will see horses go to post for the Stayers’ Hurdle, a true test of stamina for the finest long-distance hurdlers. With horses like Big Buck's and Paisley Park having made their mark in this race previously, Teahupoo became the new king of the staying division in 2024, much to the delight of the punters who roared him home.
Gold Cup Day
The final day of the Cheltenham Festival is the pinnacle of the four-day spectacle. The atmosphere remains electric as thousands descend onto the track for the fourth and final time. The action revolves around the blue-ribbon event, the Gold Cup. Only the best will suffice in a race that has been graced by legends including Arkle, Best Mate, Dawn Run and more recently, Galopin Des Champs looks to bid for his third successive victory in the race in 2025 but his opponents will be snapping at his heels. A race which is talked about for months, comes down to a matter of minutes. Who will be crowned the champion?
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