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Cheltenham Racecourse: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 51°55′13″N 2°3′28″W / 51.92028°N 2.05778°W / 51.92028; -2.05778
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'''Cheltenham Racecourse''' at Prestbury Park, near [[Cheltenham]], [[Gloucestershire]], England, hosts [[National Hunt]] [[horse racing]]. Racing at Cheltenham took place in 1815, but comprised only minor flat races on Nottingham Hill. The first racing on Cleeve Hill was on Tuesday 25 August 1818 when the opening race was won by Miss Tidmarsh, owned by Mr E Jones. It was a year later when the results were printed in the Racing Calendar when a programme of flat racing was watched by the Duke of Gloucester who donated 100 Guineas to the prize fund. By 1831 races were being staged at Prestbury, although not on the present day course. In 1834 the Grand Annual Steeplechase was run for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sluser |first=John |title=Cheltenham Racecourse |url=http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Cheltenham%20Racecourse%20History.html |url-status=live |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=Greyhound Derby}}</ref> In 1839 Lottery won the Grand Annual having previously won the first Aintree Grand National. In 1840 the meeting transferred to Andoversford for a brief period, only to return to Prestbury in 1847. 1902 was a notable year in that racing moved to the present course at Prestbury Park. The new stands were completed in 1914 and the present day Festival races, as we know them, began to take shape. The Cheltenham Gold Cup, over 3 ¼ miles, was run for the first time in 1924, with the Champion Hurdle following in 1927. <ref>www.greyhoundderby.com/Cheltenham Racecourse History.html</ref>
'''Cheltenham Racecourse''' at Prestbury Park, near [[Cheltenham]], [[Gloucestershire]], England, hosts [[National Hunt]] [[horse racing]]. Racing at Cheltenham took place in 1815, but comprised only minor flat races on Nottingham Hill. The first racing on Cleeve Hill was on Tuesday 25 August 1818 when the opening race was won by Miss Tidmarsh, owned by Mr E Jones. It was a year later when the results were printed in the Racing Calendar when a programme of flat racing was watched by the Duke of Gloucester who donated 100 Guineas to the prize fund. By 1831 races were being staged at Prestbury, although not on the present day course. In 1834 the Grand Annual Steeplechase was run for the first time.<ref name="Cheltenham">{{Cite web |last=Sluser |first=John |title=Cheltenham Racecourse |url=http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Cheltenham%20Racecourse%20History.html |access-date=4 March 2023 |website=Greyhound Derby}}</ref> In 1839 Lottery won the Grand Annual having previously won the first Aintree Grand National. In 1840 the meeting transferred to Andoversford for a brief period, only to return to Prestbury in 1847. 1902 was a notable year in that racing moved to the present course at Prestbury Park. The new stands were completed in 1914 and the present day Festival races, as we know them, began to take shape. The Cheltenham Gold Cup, over 3 ¼ miles, was run for the first time in 1924, with the Champion Hurdle following in 1927.<ref name="Cheltenham" />


The course's most prestigious meeting is the [[Cheltenham Festival]], held in March, which features several Grade I races including the [[Cheltenham Gold Cup]], [[Champion Hurdle]], [[Queen Mother Champion Chase]], [[Ryanair Chase]] and the [[Stayers' Hurdle]].
The course's most prestigious meeting is the [[Cheltenham Festival]], held in March, which features several Grade I races including the [[Cheltenham Gold Cup]], [[Champion Hurdle]], [[Queen Mother Champion Chase]], [[Ryanair Chase]] and the [[Stayers' Hurdle]].
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The racecourse is the home of The Centaur, one of the largest auditoria in the [[South West of England]]. This multiple-use complex seats over 2,000 people for conferences and around 4,000 standing for concerts.{{Ref|bbccent}} It is also home to the [[British Steeplechasing Hall of Fame|Steeplechasing Hall of Fame]]. From 1999 to 2013, the racecourse was the venue for the annual [[Greenbelt festival]] and remains the venue for the [[Wychwood Music Festival]]. The [[University of Gloucestershire]] holds its graduation ceremony and summer ball at the racecourse.
The racecourse is the home of The Centaur, one of the largest auditoria in the [[South West of England]]. This multiple-use complex seats over 2,000 people for conferences and around 4,000 standing for concerts.{{Ref|bbccent}} It is also home to the [[British Steeplechasing Hall of Fame|Steeplechasing Hall of Fame]]. From 1999 to 2013, the racecourse was the venue for the annual [[Greenbelt festival]] and remains the venue for the [[Wychwood Music Festival]]. The [[University of Gloucestershire]] holds its graduation ceremony and summer ball at the racecourse.

In 2001 during the [[2001 United Kingdom foot-and-mouth outbreak]], the 2001 Cheltenham Festival was cancelled for the first time since 1943 due to [[World War II]].


From 2008, the racecourse and The Jockey Club were in talks with [[Cheltenham Town F.C.]] about a possible move to the racecourse. This would have meant the building of a new stadium with a double-sided stand, one side in the stadium and the other for watching the races. In 2011, Cheltenham Town F.C. decided against the move for financial reasons.
From 2008, the racecourse and The Jockey Club were in talks with [[Cheltenham Town F.C.]] about a possible move to the racecourse. This would have meant the building of a new stadium with a double-sided stand, one side in the stadium and the other for watching the races. In 2011, Cheltenham Town F.C. decided against the move for financial reasons.


In 2015, Cheltenham Racecourse opened the £45m 6,500-capacity Princess Royal Stand,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robertslimbrick.com/portfolio/cheltenham-racecourse-new-grandstand/|title=The Redevelopment of Cheltenham Racecourse -|access-date=2017-04-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402081355/http://www.robertslimbrick.com/portfolio/cheltenham-racecourse-new-grandstand/|archive-date=2017-04-02|url-status=dead}}</ref> which completed the redevelopment of the course.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/about/history/|title=History|website=Cheltenham Racecourse|access-date=2019-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416170422/https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/about/history/|archive-date=2019-04-16|url-status=live}}</ref>
In 2015, Cheltenham Racecourse opened the £45m 6,500-capacity Princess Royal Stand,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.robertslimbrick.com/portfolio/cheltenham-racecourse-new-grandstand/| title=The Redevelopment of Cheltenham Racecourse | access-date=2017-04-01| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170402081355/http://www.robertslimbrick.com/portfolio/cheltenham-racecourse-new-grandstand/|archive-date=2017-04-02| url-status=dead}}</ref> which completed the redevelopment of the course.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/about/history/|title=History|website=Cheltenham Racecourse|access-date=2019-07-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190416170422/https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham/about/history/|archive-date=2019-04-16|url-status=live}}</ref>


== Notable races ==
== Notable races ==
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| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4124|2m 4f 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|2|4½}}
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
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| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Hcap
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Hcap
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4225|2m 5f }}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|2|4½|}}
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
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| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|5130|3m 1f 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|3|1½}}
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
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| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4828|3m }}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|3}}
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
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| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4124|2m 4f 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|2|4½}}
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|9|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|9|January}}
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Trials
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
⚫
| [[International Hurdle]]
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
⚫
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|2|1}}
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |New
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
⚫
|-
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|10|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
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| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|10|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|11|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
| [[Festival Trophy Handicap Chase]]
| [[Festival Trophy Handicap Chase|Ultima Business Solutions Hcap Chase]]
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Handicap
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Handicap
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4929|3m 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|3|½}}
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|11|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|12|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
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| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|12|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|13|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
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| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|3319|2m 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|2|½}}
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|13|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|14|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
| [[David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle]]
| [[David Nicholson Mares' Hurdle|Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle]]
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
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| style="text-align:center" |4yo + m
| style="text-align:center" |4yo + m
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|14|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|15|March}}
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
| style="text-align:center" |Tuesday
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| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Wednesday
| style="text-align:center" |Wednesday
| [[Neptune Investment Management Novices' Hurdle]]
| [[Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle]]
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4225|2m 5f }}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|2|5|}}
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
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| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4929|3m 80y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|3||80}}
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
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| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Wednesday
| style="text-align:center" |Wednesday
| [[Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle]]
| [[Fred Winter Juvenile Novices' Handicap Hurdle|Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle]]
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Handicap
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Handicap
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| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Thursday
| style="text-align:center" |Thursday
| [[JLT Novices' Chase]]
| [[Golden Miller Novices' Chase|Turners Novices' Chase]]
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
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| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Thursday
| style="text-align:center" |Thursday
| [[Paddy Power Plate Handicap Chase]]
| [[Magners Plate Handicap Chase]]
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Handicap
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Handicap
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| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| [[CGA Foxhunter Chase]]
| [[St James's Place Festival Hunter Chase]]
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Conditions
| style="text-align:center" | Conditions
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| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Festival
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| [[Spa Novices' Hurdle]]
| [[Spa Novices' Hurdle|Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle]]
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 1
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|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|36|April}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|36|April}}
| style="text-align:center" |April Meeting
| style="text-align:center" |April
| style="text-align:center" |Wednesday
| style="text-align:center" |Wednesday
| [[Silver Trophy Chase]]
| [[Silver Trophy Handicap Chase]]
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
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| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
| style="text-align:center" |5yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|37|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|37|October}}
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Showcase
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
⚫
| [[Sharp Novices' Hurdle]]
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
⚫
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|3319|2m 110y}}
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Old
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
⚫
|-
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|38|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
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| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|38|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|39|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
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| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|39|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|40|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Sunday
| [[Jewson Handicap Chase]]
| [[Holland Cooper Handicap Chase]]
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" |Chase
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Handicap
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Handicap
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|5532|3m 3f 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{hrd|3|3|½}}
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|40|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|41|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[Prestbury Juvenile Novices' Hurdle]]
| [[Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle]]
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
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| style="text-align:center" |3yo only
| style="text-align:center" |3yo only
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|41|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|42|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[Karndean Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race|Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race]]
| [[Karndean Designflooring Mares' Open National Hunt Flat Race|Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race]]
| style="text-align:center" |Flat
| style="text-align:center" |Flat
| style="text-align:center" | Listed
| style="text-align:center" | Listed
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| style="text-align:center" |4-6yo m
| style="text-align:center" |4-6yo m
|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|42|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|43|November}}
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |November
| style="text-align:center" |Sunday
| style="text-align:center" |Sunday
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| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|3219|2m }}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|3219|2m }}
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Old
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
⚫
|-
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|43|November}}
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |November
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Sunday
⚫
| [[Sharp Novices' Hurdle]]
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
⚫
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|3319|2m 110y}}
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |Old
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
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|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|45|December}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|45|December}}
| style="text-align:center" |International
| style="text-align:center" |Christmas
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| style="text-align:center" |Friday
| [[Dahlbury Handicap Chase]]
| [[Dahlbury Handicap Chase]]
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|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|46|December}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|46|December}}
| style="text-align:center" |International
| style="text-align:center" |Christmas
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[Bristol Novices' Hurdle]]
| [[Bristol Novices' Hurdle]]
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|-
|-
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|47|December}}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|47|December}}
| style="text-align:center" |International
| style="text-align:center" |Christmas
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
| [[December Gold Cup]]
| [[December Gold Cup]]
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| style="text-align:center" | Premier Handicap
| style="text-align:center" | Premier Handicap
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4225|2m 5f }}
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|4225|2m 5f }}
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |New
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
⚫
|-
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|48|December}}
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |International
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Saturday
⚫
| [[International Hurdle]]
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |Hurdle
⚫
| style="text-align:center" | Grade 2
⚫
| style="text-align:center" |{{Sort|3420|2m 1f }}
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |New
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
| style="text-align:center" |4yo +
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==References==
==References==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}
* {{note|bbcsent}} [[BBC]] (2011). ''[https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16262693 Cheltenham Town decide against racecourse move]''
* {{note|bbcsent}} [[BBC]] (2011). {{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/16262693 |title=Cheltenham Town decide against racecourse move|access-date=4 March 2023}}
* {{note|bbcsent}} [[BBC]] (2005). ''[https://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/sport/2004/03/racecourse_development.shtml New developments at Cheltenham Racecourse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050906201237/http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/sport/2004/03/racecourse_development.shtml |date=2005-09-06 }}''. Retrieved November 14, 2005.
* {{note|bbcsent}} [[BBC]] (2005). ''[https://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/sport/2004/03/racecourse_development.shtml New developments at Cheltenham Racecourse] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050906201237/http://www.bbc.co.uk/gloucestershire/sport/2004/03/racecourse_development.shtml |date=2005-09-06 }}''. Retrieved November 14, 2005.


Latest revision as of 11:52, 15 November 2024

This article is about the racecourse in the United Kingdom. For the racecourse in Australia, see Cheltenham Park Racecourse.

Cheltenham Racecourse
Handicap chase, 2014
LocationCheltenham, Gloucestershire
Owned byJockey Club Racecourses
Screened onRacing TV, ITV (TV network)
Course typeNational Hunt
Official website

Cheltenham Racecourse at Prestbury Park, near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, England, hosts National Hunt horse racing. Racing at Cheltenham took place in 1815, but comprised only minor flat races on Nottingham Hill. The first racing on Cleeve Hill was on Tuesday 25 August 1818 when the opening race was won by Miss Tidmarsh, owned by Mr E Jones. It was a year later when the results were printed in the Racing Calendar when a programme of flat racing was watched by the Duke of Gloucester who donated 100 Guineas to the prize fund. By 1831 races were being staged at Prestbury, although not on the present day course. In 1834 the Grand Annual Steeplechase was run for the first time.[1] In 1839 Lottery won the Grand Annual having previously won the first Aintree Grand National. In 1840 the meeting transferred to Andoversford for a brief period, only to return to Prestbury in 1847. 1902 was a notable year in that racing moved to the present course at Prestbury Park. The new stands were completed in 1914 and the present day Festival races, as we know them, began to take shape. The Cheltenham Gold Cup, over 3 ¼ miles, was run for the first time in 1924, with the Champion Hurdle following in 1927.[1]

The course's most prestigious meeting is the Cheltenham Festival, held in March, which features several Grade I races including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Ryanair Chase and the Stayers' Hurdle.

The racecourse has a scenic location in a natural amphitheatre, just below the escarpment of the Cotswold Hills at Cleeve Hill, with a capacity of 67,500 spectators. Cheltenham Racecourse railway station no longer connects to the national rail network, but is the southern terminus of the preserved Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway.

The Racecourse, seen from Cleeve Hill

The main racecourse has two separate courses alongside each other, the Old Course and the New Course. The New Course has a tricky downhill fence and a longer run-in for steeplechases than the Old Course. Hurdle races over two miles on the New Course also have a slight peculiarity in that most of the hurdles are jumped early on in the race with only two hurdles being jumped in the last seven furlongs. The Old Course is the racecourse used for The Showcase, The November Meeting and the first two days of the Cheltenham Festival.[2] There is also a cross-country course which is laid out inside the main racecourse and is used for cross-country steeplechases.

The racecourse is the home of The Centaur, one of the largest auditoria in the South West of England. This multiple-use complex seats over 2,000 people for conferences and around 4,000 standing for concerts.[1] It is also home to the Steeplechasing Hall of Fame. From 1999 to 2013, the racecourse was the venue for the annual Greenbelt festival and remains the venue for the Wychwood Music Festival. The University of Gloucestershire holds its graduation ceremony and summer ball at the racecourse.

In 2001 during the 2001 United Kingdom foot-and-mouth outbreak, the 2001 Cheltenham Festival was cancelled for the first time since 1943 due to World War II.

From 2008, the racecourse and The Jockey Club were in talks with Cheltenham Town F.C. about a possible move to the racecourse. This would have meant the building of a new stadium with a double-sided stand, one side in the stadium and the other for watching the races. In 2011, Cheltenham Town F.C. decided against the move for financial reasons.

In 2015, Cheltenham Racecourse opened the £45m 6,500-capacity Princess Royal Stand,[3] which completed the redevelopment of the course.[4]

Notable races

[edit]
Month Meeting DOW Race name Type Grade Distance Course Age/Sex
January New Year 1st Fairlawne Handicap Chase Chase Premier Handicap 2m 5f New 5yo +
January New Year 1st Dipper Novices' Chase Chase Grade 2 2m 5f New 5yo +
January New Year 1st Relkeel Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 2m 4½f New 4yo +
January Trials Saturday Finesse Juvenile Novices' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 2m 1f New 4yo only
January Trials Saturday Paddy Power Cheltenham Countdown Podcast Handicap Chase Chase Premier Hcap 2m 4½f New 5yo +
January Trials Saturday Cotswold Chase Chase Grade 2 3m 1½f New 5yo +
January Trials Saturday Cleeve Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 3m New 5yo +
January Trials Saturday Classic Novices' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 2m 4½f New 4yo +
January Trials Saturday International Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 2m 1f New 4yo +
March Festival Tuesday Arkle Challenge Trophy Chase Grade 1 2m Old 5yo +
March Festival Tuesday Ultima Business Solutions Hcap Chase Chase Premier Handicap 3m ½f Old 5yo +
March Festival Tuesday National Hunt Chase Challenge Cup Chase Grade 2 3m 6f Old 5yo +
March Festival Tuesday Supreme Novices' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 1 2m ½f Old 4yo +
March Festival Tuesday Close Brothers Mares' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 1 2m 4f Old 4yo + m
March Festival Tuesday Champion Hurdle Hurdle Grade 1 2m 110y Old 4yo +
March Festival Wednesday Glenfarclas Cross Country Handicap Chase Chase Handicap 3m 7f Cross 5yo +
March Festival Wednesday Baring Bingham Novices' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 1 2m 5f Old 4yo +
March Festival Wednesday Coral Cup Hurdle Premier Handicap 2m 5f Old 4yo +
March Festival Wednesday Brown Advisory Novices' Chase Chase Grade 1 3m 80y Old 5yo +
March Festival Wednesday Champion Bumper N H Flat Grade 1 2m 110y Old 4yo-6yo
March Festival Wednesday Queen Mother Champion Chase Chase Grade 1 2m Old 5yo +
March Festival Wednesday Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Hurdle Premier Handicap 2m 110y Old 4yo only
March Festival Thursday Pertemps Final Hurdle Premier Handicap 3m New 5yo +
March Festival Thursday Stayers' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 1 3m New 4yo +
March Festival Thursday Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Chase Handicap 3m 1f 110y New 5yo +
March Festival Thursday Turners Novices' Chase Chase Grade 1 2m 4f New 5yo +
March Festival Thursday Ryanair Chase Chase Grade 1 2m 5f New 5yo +
March Festival Thursday Magners Plate Handicap Chase Chase Premier Handicap 2m 4f New 5yo +
March Festival Friday St James's Place Festival Hunter Chase Chase Conditions 3m 2f 110y New 5yo +
March Festival Friday Triumph Hurdle Hurdle Grade 1 2m 1f New 4yo only
March Festival Friday County Handicap Hurdle Hurdle Premier Handicap 2m 1f New 5yo +
March Festival Friday Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle Hurdle Handicap 2m 4f 110y New 4yo +
March Festival Friday Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 1 3m New 4yo +
March Festival Friday Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase Grade 1 3m 2f 110y New 5yo +
March Festival Friday Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Chase Chase Premier Handicap 2m 110y New 5yo +
April April Wednesday Silver Trophy Handicap Chase Chase Grade 2 2m 5f New 5yo +
October Showcase Friday Sharp Novices' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 2m 110y Old 4yo +
November November Friday Hyde Novices' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 2m 5f Old 4yo +
November November Saturday Paddy Power Gold Cup Chase Premier Handicap 2m 4f 110y Old 4yo +
November November Sunday Holland Cooper Handicap Chase Chase Premier Handicap 3m 3f ½y Old 4yo +
November November Saturday Prestbury Juvenile Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 2m 110y Old 3yo only
November November Saturday Mares' Standard Open NH Flat Race Flat Listed 2m 87y Old 4-6yo m
November November Sunday November Novices' Chase Chase Grade 2 2m Old 4yo +
November November Sunday Greatwood Hurdle Hurdle Premier Handicap 2m 110y Old 4yo +
December Christmas Friday Dahlbury Handicap Chase Chase Premier Handicap 3m 1f 110y New 4yo +
December Christmas Saturday Bristol Novices' Hurdle Hurdle Grade 2 3m New 4yo +
December Christmas Saturday December Gold Cup Chase Premier Handicap 2m 5f New 4yo +

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Sluser, John. "Cheltenham Racecourse". Greyhound Derby. Retrieved 4 March 2023.
  2. ^ "Cheltenham Racecourse Guide". British Racecourses. 27 January 2020. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  3. ^ "The Redevelopment of Cheltenham Racecourse". Archived from the original on 2 April 2017. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
  4. ^ "History". Cheltenham Racecourse. Archived from the original on 16 April 2019. Retrieved 13 July 2019.
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