CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL
PREVIEW MAGAZINE 2025
WELCOME
It is both an honour and a pleasure to introduce our Preview magazine, as we gear up to the greatest jumps Festival in the world, now only two weeks away!
This year will be my first Festival where I transition from being an enthusiastic racegoer to having the privilege of leading this incredible event and racecourse. Having recently moved from running Lord’s Cricket Ground to Cheltenham Racecourse, I am struck both by the similarities of what we need to achieve in delivering brilliant experiences for you but also the differences; not only in the sport itself but in the size and scale of the operation. Over the course of the four days, we will welcome over 200,000 racegoers from all over the world, watch 28 exhilarating races, invest in the equivalent of 17 football pitches’ worth of trackway for car parks and prepare 40,000 covers in our hospitality areas.
Over the last month, I have been lucky enough to visit some of our leading trainers, including Willie Mullins and Nicky Henderson; two of the most accomplished, competitive and nicest men you could ever hope to meet. Walking around their yards, talking to their brilliant teams and families and seeing horses such as Galopin Des Champs and Constitution Hill at close quarters really brought home to me the enormous sense of anticipation and competition which we are about to witness. The Festival is often referred to as the Olympics of our sport and it very much felt like that to me.
In the pages ahead you can read about Nicky’s Champion Hurdle story, 25 years on from his first win, and racing’s own sibling rivalry with Sean and James Bowen, as well as practical information to ensure you have a great day out and don’t miss a thing.
In the Autumn 2024, The Jockey Club announced a number of key improvements that will be made for the Cheltenham Festival 2025. These changes were introduced as the beginning of a multi-million-pound investment following feedback after last year’s event from racegoers, fans, owners, trainers and the media. Whether you’re ticking us off the bucket list or have been coming for years, we want your experience with us to be unforgettable for the right reasons. From more trackway being laid than ever before in our car parks, to upgraded bar facilities, we want the Cheltenham Festival to be world class on and off the track.
Finally, I wanted to emphasise our total commitment to making sure your visit, whether that be for one or four days, is the very best that it can be. All of our team are ready to welcome to you to one of the greatest sporting events on the planet and make sure you have a brilliant time. I can hardly wait to hear the Cheltenham roar!
Regards,
GUY LAVENDER | CHIEF EXECUTIVE CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE
PLAN YOUR DAY
WHAT TO WEAR:
Whilst we have no formal dress code, we appreciate many do like to dress up for The Festival. We do however recommend suitable footwear and keeping an eye on the weather so you can dress appropriately to feel your best. During the Cheltenham Festival, fancy dress is not permitted in hospitality, restaurant facilities or in the Club Enclosure.
DOWNLOAD THE APP:
Make sure you download our official app to make the most of your day and be guided around the course by our interactive map.
TUNE INTO:
Cheltenham Radio on 87.7fm or on line via the app from 10.30am each day of The Festival. Listen for regular travel updates, live race coverage and insider news each day of The Festival
THE RACING REALM:
At last, here’s your chance to ride around Cheltenham’s famous racecourse! Slip on the silks of your Festival favourite, don a VR headset, hop on a mechanical horse and line up in the Race.Ride.Cheltenham Champion Steeplechase. It is as close to the real experience as most of us will ever (want to) get!
Located in The Plaza, featuring a replica weighing room, there’s also a Riding for the Disabled pony who loves a pat, our World Racing Map Competition where you can win a trip for two to the Pardubice, and the HorsePWR team, who will be on hand to provide you with facts and stats about the life of thoroughbred.
GETTING THERE:
We have a new Park & Ride, coaches from National Express from over 20 locations, more shuttle buses from the train station and over 17 football pitches worth of trackway for parking. You must have a car parking pass to park at The Festival.
ESSENTIAL
TIMINGS: Gates Open at 10:30 each day. First race at 13:20 Last race at 17:20
TUESDAY 11TH MARCH
ON THE RACECOURSE:
The Unibet Champion Hurdle at 4pm.
IN THE CENTAUR:
Unibet Panel Live
A panel of industry experts discuss the day’s racing.
IN THE PARADE RING:
12:15 – The Preview Show part 1 Special Guests and racing chat with our Racecourse Presenters.
12:30 – Retraining of Racehorses Parade. Equine legends return.
12:45 – The Preview Show part 2. Guests take a look at the day’s races including the Punter’s Panel with tips of where to place your bets. Straight afterwards, soprano Laura Wright takes to the Podium for a one-off collaboration with members of The Urban Soul Orchestra..
MUSIC Daytime and Post Racing
THE GUINNESS VILLAGE: LAMPA, performing Irish favourites and crowd classics.
TATTERSALLS SALES ARENA:
Richard James playing covers of feel-good favourites.
THE CHAMPAGNE BAR:
High on Heels, DJ, singer and sax trio.
QUEVEGA’S BAR: Luke Gittins and Ash Smith with pop covers.
THE CENTAUR: Tommy and The Fuse play an acoustic set. POST RACING ONLY
BEST MATE ENCLOSURE: The Sirens playing rock and pop covers DAYTIME ONLY
DAILY HIGHLIGHTS:
WEDNESDAY 12TH MARCH
ON THE RACECOURSE:
The Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase at 4pm.
IN THE CENTAUR:
The BetMGM Panel Live
A look at the day’s racing and prizes throughout the day from “The Vegas Vault” where you can win a trip to Vegas!
IN THE PARADE RING:
1225 - The Preview Show
Our own racecourse presenters discuss the day’s action with racing legends and special guests.
MUSIC Daytime and Post Racing
THE GUINNESS VILLAGE: The Wickermen, playing rock hits.
TATTERSALLS SALES ARENA:
The Sirens playing rock and pop covers.
THE CHAMPAGNE BAR: The Toni James Band performing feel good classics
QUEVEGA’S BAR: The Cinelli Brothers playing Rock ‘n’ Roll and Blues inspired covers POST RACING ONLY
THE CENTAUR: MOJO’s acoustic set, mellow tunes and happy vibes. POST RACING
BEST MATE ENCLOSURE:
Tommy and The Fuse – DAYTIME ONLY
THURSDAY 13TH MARCH
ON THE RACECOURSE:
The Ryanair Chase at 3.20pm.
IN THE CENTAUR:
The Paddy Power Panel Live
A look at the day’s racing and then throughout the day, the Paddy Power Fan Zone where you can take part in Paddy Power activities and win prizes.
IN THE PARADE RING:
1225 – The Preview Show
Racecourse presenters discuss the day’s action with racing legends and special guests.
After Racing – Tattersalls Cheltenham Festival Sale. Past graduates include Geri Colombe, The Big Westerner and Stellar Story.
MUSIC Daytime and Post Racing (Performances in Quevegas’ Bar and The Guinness Village may be subject to change due to Tattersalls Sale)
THE GUINNESS VILLAGE:
LAMPA performing Irish favourites and crowd classics
TATTERSALLS SALES ARENA:
The Mark Walby band playing pop/rock favourites.
THE CHAMPAGNE BAR: High on Heels, DJ, singer and sax trio
QUEVEGA’S BAR: Tommy and the Fuse with pop/rock covers. POST RACING ONLY
THE CENTAUR: The AfterParty’s acoustic set. Mellow tunes and happy vibes. POST RACING ONLY
BEST MATE ENCLOSURE: The Wickermen DAYTIME ONLY
FRIDAY 14TH MARCH
ON THE RACECOURSE:
The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup at 4pm.
IN THE CENTAUR:
The William Hill Panel Live
A panel of industry experts discuss the day’s racing in the morning followed by opportunities to win prizes throughout the day.
IN THE PARADE RING: 1225 - The Preview Show
Our own racecourse presenters discuss the day’s action with racing legends and special guests. Straight afterwards Soprano Laura Wright will perform with The Ultimate Dancers.
MUSIC Daytime and Post Racing
THE GUINNESS VILLAGE: The Mark Walby Band playing Rock & Pop favourites.
TATTERSALLS SALES ARENA: Richard James playing covers of feel-good favourites.
THE CHAMPAGNE BAR: High on Heels, DJ, singer and sax trio.
QUEVEGA’S BAR: Luke Gittins and Ash Smith performing covers of popular songs - POST RACING ONLY
THE CENTAUR: The AfterParty’s acoustic set. Mellow tunes and happy vibes. POST RACING ONLY
BEST MATE ENCLOSURE:
LAMPA, performing Irish favourites and crowd classics. Timings
HORSE WELFARE
The Jockey Club is backing an enhanced equine welfare education programme for racing staff in the first programme of its kind in Britain.
The Jockey Club announced a new partnership with leading Irish equine education provider Equi-Ed to fund 100 places for racing staff across Britain to receive enhanced racehorse welfare training for the athletes they look after, the first time such a scheme has supported by a British racecourse group.
The news comes following a successful pilot at Cheltenham earlier this month, when five staff from Fergal O’Brien Racing undertook a one-day course to help them boost their scientific and physiological understanding of the thoroughbred as well as specific processes to help them in the ongoing care of the horses they look after.
Topics included stride length analysis, palpation (physical examination) and skeletal instruction to equip the staff with specialist knowledge to help them monitor their horses’
physical condition and wellbeing on an ongoing basis.
Following the pilot, which forms part of The Jockey Club’s ongoing commitment to equine welfare, it has been confirmed today that Britain’s largest racecourse group will partner with Equi-Ed to develop a bespoke training course and fund 100 places for racing staff across Britain to receive the training in 2025.
Jon Pullin, Head of Racing and Clerk of the Course at Cheltenham Racecourse, said: “We know the exceptional level of care that racing staff provide to their horses all too well, but this course will equip them with some really useful additional skills, as well as helping them in their own professional development.”
Therese Murphy, Owner and Founder of Equi-Ed, said: “We are thrilled to be working with The Jockey Club in expanding our
racehorse specific training programs into British racing.
Having been well received in Ireland, our courses provide racing staff with access to cutting-edge scientific research and veterinary advancements.
Our commitment is to ensure that industry professionals receive practical, evidencebased training that directly benefits both the horses in their care and the future of racing.”
Bowen versus Bowen
BY GRAHAM CLARK
They might be arch-rivals on the racetrack in the pursuit of success, but the bond between brothers James and Sean Bowen is as strong as they come.
Growing up in West Wales the pair have done pretty much everything together their whole life from going pony racing through to sharing the weighing room on a daily basis.
For some the thought of working alongside a sibling day-in, day-out would be enough to drive them up the wall, however both James and Sean wouldn’t have it any other way.
And although both lads are riding at the top of their game a career in racing was not initially on the agenda for Sean, despite their dad Peter running a successful jumps yard.
Sean said: “I actually used to hate coming home and seeing
the racing channel on as that is all that would ever be on.
Horse racing wasn’t for me for a good while as I was more into football until I was about 11 as I was a big Chelsea fan, but our older brother Mickey was into it from an early stage.
I suppose me and James started getting into it through our two cousins Peter and Josh Bryan as they were into their ponies and they used to bring them down to ours in the holidays.”
Scoring the winning goal in front of 40,000 fans at Stamford Bridge might have been more of an early dream for Sean instead of winning the Cheltenham Gold Cup, but for his
younger brother James there was an inkling a career in the sport could materialise.
James said: “I did enjoy any sport, but I wasn’t ever good enough to do anything else. I was into a game called G1 Jockey on my PlayStation.
I was once champion jockey five times in one day, and I wouldn’t be the jockey I am today without that!
We got into the ponies when our cousins came down and we then had a pony called Striker.
We used to time ourselves who could go fastest around the round gallop on him. Sean would always beat me as he was stronger back then!”
This season has already seen the pair create headlines at the track when becoming the first brothers to dead-heat in a race in the Triumph Hurdle Trial held at Cheltenham’s Christmas Meeting, something 27-year-old Sean was proud to play a part in.
Sean added: “When we pulled up James said well done as
he thought he had got nailed and he was fuming. He wouldn’t say anything to me at the top of the hill as he thought he got caught.
It was some buzz when they called the dead-heat. It is crazy to see a dead-heat, let alone two brothers doing it. I didn’t have a clue as we were so far apart, but James was certain that I had won it.
We got a lot of attention after it and a lot of people were speaking about it. Things like this are good for the sport if it gets people watching it.”
Having initially thought he had been chinned by his older brother, James, 23, was relieved to hear the outcome of a dead-heat awarded.
James said: “The chances of dead-heating are slim and to be honest I thought I lost the race.
It was quite a relief when it was called a dead-heat, but it was quite exciting to know that Sean was the other one as it would have been harder to share it with someone else.
“It is crazy to see a dead-heat, let alone two brothers doing it”
It was quite a big moment and exciting to be part of it.”
For all the camaraderie that goes on in the weighing room life on the inside of those four walls can be a tough place such is the nature of the sport.
However, James admits that knowing his brother always has his back is a big comfort in sport that takes no prisoners.
James said: “It is quite nice having him in the weighing room and having those same interests.
I wouldn’t want to be without my brother in there as we speak to each other a lot and we speak to each other mostly about racing.
If someone heard us talking about racing they would think we are geeks as we go into fine details.
We are very competitive, but I would always give more help to Sean over anyone else in the weighing room whether that is down the start or if he is shouting for room.”
And although James looks up to his older brother that feeling of having a familiar face to talk things through is reciprocated.
Sean added: “I spend a lot of time on the phone to James as we don’t live together and he rides out at different places to where I do.
If he has given one a bad ride, or if I have given one a bad ride, we tell each other. Equally if we give one a good ride we do the same. It is quite nice you can talk things through with each other.
If I can’t win, the first person I want to see win is James. I get probably more excited when he
wins and more nervous when he is riding. I love my family doing well.”
Granted an injury free run to the end of the campaign it should see Sean lift the coveted Jump Jockeys’ Championship for the first time. And while there will be plenty to give him a congratulatory slap on the back when that moment finally arrives first in the queue will be James.
James said: “I think Sean has been riding well for a long time, but there are a lot of horses he is winning on that others just wouldn’t win on.
There is no one riding better in my opinion. He has worked extremely hard and it takes a lot of work to do that. If he was to be champion jockey it would be an amazing achievement.”
One thing missing from the CV of both boys is riding a winner at The Festival. Unfortunately, it won’t be in 2025 that James secures a first success as a riding suspension means he will be absent from The Festival. Sean added: “The main ambition is to win the title and it has been for a while and hopefully I can get it done this season.
The Festival is one place I want to get a winner and something I need to do fairly sharpish before I lose all my hair! I don’t know all my rides yet, but I suppose Haiti Couleurs would have a real chance in the National Hunt Novices’ Handicap Chase.
We have had plenty of placed horses there in the past, but nothing good enough to win.
Hopefully we can both do it this year, but it would be nice to do it in a race before James does it!”
See You Then, 40 years on…
BY GRAHAM CLARK
For some 1985 marks the year of their wedding day or arrival of a first child, but for trainer Nicky Henderson it will only be remembered for one thing – his breakthrough success at the Cheltenham Festival.
Up until that moment in time Henderson, who is now the second most successful trainer at The Festival with 73 victories, had found himself out of luck at jump racing’s most prestigious meeting since taking out a licence in 1978.
But that was all to change on the afternoon of Tuesday, March 12th, 1985, when the talented, but fragile, See You Then stormed to the first of three successive victories in the Champion Hurdle at odds of 16-1 to help Henderson on the journey to the upper echelons of the sport.
This year marks the 40th anniversary of that landmark
success and while Henderson has gone on to be one of the most feared men at The Festival his recollections of that memorable day remain as vivid as ever.
Henderson, picking up the story, said: “See You Then joined us from Con Collins about three weeks before the 1984 Triumph Hurdle which he ended up finishing second in before going and winning the Italian equivalent. He returned back to his owners at Stype Wood Stud and we were asked to get him ready to go back to Italy. However, we realised in the autumn just how good he was and we managed to get his owners to keep him in England for a season.
NICKY HENDERSON
He was beaten in the Gerry Feilden first time out, then he won at Ascot before he was beaten in the Christmas Hurdle. He then won at Doncaster before the Champion Hurdle. He wasn’t favourite for the race by any stretch of the imagination (16-1), but John Francome was going to ride him as he had been riding him. Just like Tommy Carmody did in the Triumph Hurdle he was going to drop him out, but I wasn’t so sure he wanted to be ridden that way.”
More often than not the best laid plans are thrown out of the window in racing. And with less than an hour before the tapes were set to go up in the Champion Hurdle, Henderson soon found himself in a predicament with Francome suffering an untimely injury.
Henderson added: “John was riding The Reject in the Arkle and the horse fell and John got hung up in the stirrup and he couldn’t get out, but the long and the short of it was that he couldn’t ride in the next race which was the Champion Hurdle. I go to the weighing room and in those days you would have
20 runners in the race and there was only one jockey in the weighing room that hadn’t got a ride and that was my old mucker Steve Smith-Eccles, who by this time we already had the first of our three divorces!
I said, ‘Come on Steve you better put these colours on’ and the rest to be fair is history. Around he went and off he went. Browne’s Gazette whipped around at the start and that was the end of that so the favourite was out. Steve gave him a beautiful ride and produced him there at the last hurdle. Every year the picture was the same where he is jumping the last a neck down before going away.”
While Henderson is now a master at giving professional post-race interviews back then it was something he was still yet to fine tune, but despite his lack of finesse in front of the camera it failed to take away what he had just achieved.
He said: “Sophie (Henderson) found this interview with the BBC and all I can say is what a wally I was. We hadn’t got a clue what we were doing and I’m doing this ridiculous
“Without those people his story, and legacy he created, wouldn’t have been possible”
interview afterwards as if I knew what I was doing. It was hysterical. It did sound as if I came straight out of Eton!
It was a very special win and my dad (Johnny) was alive then. He was very kind, and he supported me wholeheartedly, but I don’t think he ever thought this would happen.
There was a bit of satisfaction in that it could be done and dad was there to see it all happen.”
As his career went on See You Then was given the nickname of See You When due to his litany of tendon issues which restricted his racecourse appearances. And while Henderson has taken the plaudits for saddling him to further Champion Hurdle wins in 1986 and 1987, he acknowledges his legacy wouldn’t have happened without the assistance of three key individuals.
Henderson added: “There were three important people throughout the whole thing and that was Frank Mahon the vet, Glyn Foster, who looked after him, and Corky Browne, my old head lad. Glyn was the only man who could be in his stable. He respected Glyn and vice versa. I’ve got jerseys with holes in them everywhere where he used to rip bits out as he was a savage in the stable! Equally important was Corky, who was brilliant with legs and he did all the swimming with him. Without those people his story, and legacy he created, wouldn’t have been possible.”
Fast forward to the present day and Henderson will be looking to secure a record-extending win number 10 in the race he has made his own at The Festival with jump racing’s poster boy Constitution Hill.
And after a setback ruled the eight-year-old out of last year’s race he is once again the horse to beat in the opening day feature
following the successful defence of his Christmas Hurdle title at Kempton Park and victory in the Unibet Hurdle on Festival Trials Day at Cheltenham in January.
Henderson added “From last year, where he was all forgotten about, he is now the poster boy of Jump racing.
He is not the glamour puss that Sprinter Sacre was. He was all James Bond if you like as he was so good looking, and swanky, and he knew it. But you get the feeling now Constitution Hill is starting to get the hang of this look at me a bit as the crowd are playing a game with him and he quite likes it.
It has been wonderful seeing him back this season as it was a bitter disappointment not having him around at a crucial time last season, but he seems back to his best.
I tried to thank all the racegoers after the Unibet Hurdle as we will need them all come the Champion Hurdle because the enemy is coming and we are going to need all the support we can get, but this is what it is all about.”
And while Henderson believes Constitution Hill, who is unbeaten in all 10 starts under Rules, shares a striking similarity with See You Then, he refuses to put extra pressure on him becoming the first horse to win four Champion Hurdles. He added: “The common denominator between all those lovely Champion Hurdle winners we have been lucky enough to have, with the exception of Punjabi as he wasn’t a clever hurdler, is that they were electric over their hurdles. As for Constitution Hill it might be hard for him to win the Champion Hurdle four times as he has missed a year, but let’s just see what happens this time before we think any further ahead.”
OPEN-AIR SYMPHONY
Clear skies, endless roads, and the purest connection between driver and machine.
The Golden Touch
BY LUCY FRY
The Turley’s treasured star Galopin Des Champs, ahead of a historic third Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup bid.
Last year marked the 100th anniversary of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, a century defined by a pantheon of greats. Still, only four horses have achieved the remarkable feat of winning three consecutive Gold Cups: Golden Miller, Cottage Rake, Arkle and Best Mate.
To coincide with the centenary of the world’s
most-coveted steeplechase, official sponsor Boodles unveiled their ‘Lucky’ collection. Equine-inspired, it represented the pinnacle of luxury and glamour, evoking the same elegance and grace that racing fans had come to associate with Galopin Des Champs. Is there a more fitting piece for the timeless romantics of our sport? The very essence of the collection, a leaping horse necklace,
seemed almost to pay homage to a horse not dissimilar to Galopin Des Champs. Now, standing on the cusp of greatness, Galopin Des Champs is poised to join an exclusive club of equine excellence. You could say that Galopin Des Champs’ owners, Greg and Audrey Turley, have been blessed with that unique luck so often yearned for in this sport. Burning Victory truly
epitomised this when clinching the Triumph Hurdle following the fall of runaway leader Goshen. Subsequently, the Turley’s taste of top-level success spurred them to engage talent-spotting supremo Harold Kirk to find their next superstar – que Galopin Des Champs.
“People go a lifetime without finding one good horse to win at The Festival, and we’ve been blessed to have two. It’s just unbelievable and incredibly special.”
In a sport dominated by the animals themselves, The Turley’s connection with Galopin Des Champs goes beyond mere ownership. When they talk about him, their eyes light up with pride, describing him as a
horse who is as kind as he is brave.
Galopin Des Champs’s achievements are as much a testament to his ability as his unflappable temperament. At Closutton, he is not flashy, not exuberant, and certainly nothing extraordinary, but he transforms on a racecourse; he’s bold, brave, and quite simply brilliant.
The first Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup victory was nothing short of elation for his adoring owners, especially after the heartache of the previous year when Galopin Des Champs was set to win the Turners Novices’ Chase only to come down at the last.
Able to fulfil an abundance of promise and with stamina in spades, he brushed aside
two former winners of the Gold Cup to come home in splendid isolation.
The weight of expectation turned into relief when he successfully returned to defend his crown. In another remorseless display of jumping and galloping, seen to devastating effect up the Prestbury Park Hill, jockey Paul Townend was once again moved to an animated celebration crossing the line. Riding the horse of a lifetime, he relished every minute.
Not only was Paul Townend riding the horse of a lifetime, he was riding the crest of a wave not seen for 94 years. In winning the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Unibet Champion Hurdle, and shortly to come,
“People go a lifetime without finding one good horse to win at The Festival, and we’ve been blessed to have two”
“To be here with a live chance of emulating one of the most decorated horses of all time is phenomenal,”
the Randox Health Grand National, these accomplishments echoed the achievements of Tommy Cullinan in 1930.
In keeping with the spirit of excellence, Boodles has continued to solidify its deep connection with the sport by taking on the special design role of the Randox Grand National trophy. This year’s design reflects the challenges of the iconic Grand National course, incorporating elements like a molecular structure and DNA helix to symbolise the sixteen jumps. The green malachite base ties to Boodles’ roots, while delicate diamonds add signature elegance.
Back to the immediate, and when Galopin Des Champs steps onto the racecourse, Audrey Turley ensures she is wearing her own Boodles showpiece, a necklace she was gifted after his Gold Cup triumph. Her relationship with Boodles is a natural extension of her connection to racing. The necklace, with its exquisite detailing, reflects the beauty of the sport while also serving as a reminder of her journey with the horse.
Audrey and her husband, Greg, are deeply
grateful to those involved in writing this chapter. They are quick to credit Adam Connolley, who has a tremendous rapport with the horse, having looked after and ridden him since day one, and of course Paul Townend, “a match made in heaven”.
Trainer Willie Mullins, needs little introduction as one of the most decorated trainers of the modern era, but he is on the cusp of writing his chapter in the sport should Galopin Des Champs return victorious in March. One more Gold Cup success would put the County Carlow handler on a record-equalling total of five, alongside Arkle’s trainer, Tom Dreaper. Having handled horses like Florida Pearl, Al Boum Photo, State Man, Hurricane Fly, and Faugheen, this could be, in his words, the “best horse he has trained” – a defining moment in an already fabulous career.
As the 2025 Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup approaches, the Turleys remain cautiously optimistic. They know how fortunate they are.
“We are just so grateful to have a horse like him. It’s a pinch me moment.” Whatever
the outcome, the most important thing is that he comes home safely. Ready to emulate the greats of the past, Audrey’s thoughts drift back to her first memory of horse racing – watching Arkle’s third Gold Cup victory aboard a rocking horse. To now be in a position of possibly witnessing her horse achieve the same feat is nothing short of surreal. “To be here with a live chance of emulating one of the most decorated horses of all time is phenomenal,”
One thing the Turleys will be looking for is a rainbow in the sky. For the last two years, one has been present on the morning of the Gold Cup.
Should the stars align, whether by fate or design, Galopin Des Champs could join an exclusive club of equine icons. In this pursuit, Boodles, a brand synonymous with impeccable craftsmanship, quality, and excellence, perfectly mirrors the essence of this journey. It will be an extraordinary, rare, and treasured moment that lifts the sport to unparalleled heights, a once-in-a-generation story of greatness.
Cheltenham Boutique Dowdeswell Park, London Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 6UT
Bicester Village Boutique Unit 141, Bicester Village, Oxfordshire, OX26 6WD
NEW FOR 2025
Discover some of the improvements at the Cheltenham Festival as well as the latest offerings from onsite hospitality.
TRAVEL
The new Park & Ride at Arle Court, off Junction 11 of the M5, will run every 15 mins direct to the Cheltenham Festival. Tickets can be purchased in advance at £15 per car. We’ve doubled the number of National Express coaches running in 2025, from over 20 locations. And the Stagecoach Raceday Shuttle will run continuously between the train station, the town centre and the Racecourse. Tickets £10. See thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival/ plan-your-day/travel/ Customers wishing to park on The Festival site must have pre-purchased a car parking pass. Please do not come without a valid parking pass or you will be turned away.
THE CROSS COUNTRY COURSE
Access to the centre of the course for The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase is back (subject to weather and ground
conditions). Get up close to the action in this unique race.
RACEMAKERS
We’re introducing a new team of ‘Racemakers’ - dedicated individuals trained to help you make the most of your day, wherever you need guidance and help.
MEAL DEALS
To help racegoers find food and beverages at all price points while on site, a ‘Meal Deal’ concept has been introduced. There will be a selection of hot and cold food options accompanied with a drink available across our retail outlets and a cold meal deal at our coffee shops.
EVENT MOBILITY
There are now two Event Mobility pick-up locations. The North Car Park has been joined by a new site at the Taxi Rank by the Main Entrance so now you can collect
your Scooter from the location that suits you best. For details on booking please go to eventmobility.org.uk/book-your-scooter/ CHELTENHAM-THE-FESTIVAL
UPGRADING BAR FACILITIES
To enhance the experience, we have invested in several bars, offering more seating and options. Make sure you visit the new Winning Post, Home Straight and Sales Arena Bars.
MOVE AROUND WITH YOUR DRINK
We’ve made changes to our existing policy to make it easier for you to enjoy drinks on the go and in a wider variety of places, so you never miss a moment of the action. Click here to
RESTAURANT SPOTLIGHT
CORE ON COURSE
The epitome of fine dining, the best tasting experience on offer while watching the best racing. Embrace the Roar of the Cheltenham Festival while enjoying elegant stylish dishes with an emphasis on good, natural food surrounded by the rolling hills of Gloucestershire.
Clare Smyth MBE is the first and only British female chef to be awarded three Michelin stars for her restaurant Core by Clare Smyth in Notting Hill, London, and is only the second chef in history to hold three hats at the same time for her restaurant Oncore by Clare Smyth in Sydney, Australia. She has received numerous awards including the title of the World’s Best Female Chef by the World’s 50 Best Restaurants and catered for the private wedding reception of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. She brings her unique style to the Cheltenham Festival in this fabulous restaurant overlooking the course as it begins the final ascent to the winning post.
Prices start at £1,635 pp and include:
• Dom Perignon Reception
• Stunning 6 course tasting menu
• 3 wines to pair with your tasting experience
• Afternoon snacks & treats
• Premium beers, wines and soft drinks (excludes Champagne & spirits)
• Full upgrade wine, Champagnes and spirits list available to purchase on the day
• In person appearance with Clare Smyth
• Club admission ticket
• Preferential reserved parking space
• Official Racecard
• TV racing coverage
• Tote betting service
• Hospitality team to ensure the smooth running of your day
• WORLD’S BEST FEMALE CHEF BY THE WORLD’S 50 BEST RESTAURANTS • 3 MICHELIN STAR CHEF
• BEST IN FOOD AND JUMP RACING • ELEGANT FINE DINING
FINAL FENCE
This elegant, modern restaurant is situated at the heart of The Village, next to the buzzing Guinness Village. You are just a short walk from the Parade Ring but you might never want to leave as your every need is catered for in this popular restaurant. As its name suggests, it overlooks the final fence as horses jump before racing up the hill to the Winning Post.
Prices start at £900 pp and include:
• Club admission ticket
• Champagne reception
• Morning coffee and biscuits on arrival
• 4 course grand buffet
• Afternoon Tea
• Official Racecard
• Complimentary bar inc. house wine, beers, spirits and soft drinks (excludes Champagne)
• TV racing coverage throughout the day
• Tote betting service
• Car parking is available upon request
• INCREDIBLE VIEWS OF THE FINAL FENCE • CHAMPAGNE RECEPTION • FIRST CLASS SERVICE
• HEART OF THE ATMOSHERE IN THE VILLAGE
To book this or view other Hospitality Experiences at the Cheltenham Festival, please visit our website: thejockeyclub.co.uk/cheltenham-festival/dining-and-hospitality/
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CHAMPION DAY
Step into the magic of Champion Day, the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival, where the roar of the crowd, the thunder of hooves, and the spirit of true racing legends sets the pace of what’s to come.
This day is a celebration of the finest horses and jockeys, who converge on the hallowed grounds of Cheltenham Racecourse to battle for glory. The highlight of the day is the prestigious Champion Hurdle, a Grade 1 race over 2 miles, featuring the most skilled hurdlers in the world. Feel the drama unfold as horses surge towards the finish line, with every stride steeped in tradition and adrenaline. Champion Day is a real experience. The Supreme and Arkle back-to-back really kick start the week with a bang. Each race builds a story, every cheer creates a memory. Whether you’re a racing purist or simply love the thrill of the sport, the atmosphere on Champion Day is electric. From the prestigious club enclosure, which includes the Orchard experience, to the vibrant atmosphere of Best Mate, Cheltenham offers something for everyone because, truly, nothing feels like Cheltenham.
Seven races are scheduled for Day One of the Cheltenham Festival. The feature race of the day is the Unibet Champion Hurdle, a 2 mile Grade 1 race. This takes place at 16:00.
13:20 The Michael O’Sullivan Supreme Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
14:00 The My Pension Expert Arkle Challenge Trophy Steeple Chase (Grade 1) abt
14:40 The Ultima Handicap Chase (Premier Handicap)
15:20 The Close Brothers Mares’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
16:00 The Unibet Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
16:40 The Hallgarten and Novum Wines Juvenile Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap)
17:20 The Princess Royal National Hunt Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase) (Class 2)
THE HORSES
The best week in Jump racing kicks off with the Cheltenham “Roar” from the Grandstands when the season’s speediest novice hurdlers set off at 13.20. Won in the past by the likes of Altior and Douvan, this year’s favourite will likely be Willie Mullins’s Kopek Des Bordes, who comes here off the back of a spectacular win at the recent Dublin Racing Festival. At 16.00 Constitution Hill returns to the scene of his dominant 2023 Champion Hurdle win, and attempts to consolidate his position as one of the greats of the sport, in a rematch with Ireland’s State Man in the Unibet Champion Hurdle. *Please note the timings are subject to change.
LEADING THE RACE FOR 80 YEARS
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL 11 - 14 MARCH 2025
STYLE
WEDNESDAY
On Style Wednesday, the elegance and glamour of Cheltenham Festival comes alive, in a day that celebrates both the thrill of racing and the art of fashion
While the horses and jockeys battle it out on the track, the spectators dazzle in their finest attire, turning the grandstands into a parade of style and sophistication. The Slow Fashion Awards add an extra layer of excitement, and a feeling of being part of something extraordinary. From the sheer pace of the Queen Mother Champion Chase to the rugged endurance of the Cross Country Chase, every race on Style Wednesday is infused with the electric atmosphere of the crowd, who bring their own unique flair and spectacle to the day. Whether you’re sipping champagne in a private box or enjoying the vibe from the grandstands, there’s a place for every style at Cheltenham. Nothing feels like the blend of elegance and excitement on Style Wednesday at Cheltenham.
On the second day, the highlight is the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase. Runners in this Grade 1 event jump over 12 fences over the course of 2 miles. It is the highlight of the traditionally known ladies’ day and is off at 16:00.
13:20 The Turners Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
14:00 The Brown Advisory Novices’ Steeple Chase
14:40 The Coral Cup Hurdle (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Premier Handicap)
15:20 The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeple Chase
16:00 The BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase (Grade 1) Abt 2m
16:40 The Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Steeple Chase Challenge Cup (Premier Handicap) abt 2m
17.20 The Weatherbys Champion Bumper (A Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) 2m abt ½f
*Please note the timings are subject to change. TIMES RACE
THE HORSES - Jonbon’s extraordinary race record reads 11/11121/111211/11211-111 but doesn’t yet include a Festival win. Is today the day, at 4pm in the BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase?
THE SLOW FASHION AWARDS - Style Wednesday is all about Fast Horses, Slow Fashion. After the success of the inaugural Slow Fashion Style Awards in 2024, the awards will once again celebrate vintage and borrowed items, as well as investment pieces that can be passed down through generations. The awards run from 10:30am-2:30pm; to enter, simply head to the photography zone located in The Plaza by North Entrance (Club and Tattersalls Enclosure) to have your photo taken. Photos will be judged by our panel of Rosie Tapner, Katie Nicholl and Frankie Foster and winner’s prizes will include a £4,000 necklace from our own luxury jewellery brand partners, Boodles.
KATIE NICHOLL – ROYAL CORRESPONDENT, VANITY FAIR and SLOW FASHION AWARDS JUDGE
“For me it’s all about standing out from the crowd in the right way. I’ll be looking for elegance and sophistication, but I also love a bit of playfulness so great hats and accessories will be on my radar. Colour that pops always catches my eye, and I love seeing the myriad of colour and pattern among the crowds at Cheltenham.
“It doesn’t always have to be designer clothes, anyone that turns High Street fashion into something special will be getting a commend for me. As a race and fashion lover I’m thrilled to be one of the style judges. Now I just need to plan my own outfit!”
Jockey Club Sustainability Message
The Jockey Club is a signatory to the UN Sports for Climate Action Framework and is committed to being Net Zero by 2040. We’ve been running our award-winning “Going Green” engagement programme since 2012 to engage our people in our sustainability targets. We have reduced our energy consumption by 34% and send zero waste direct to landfill. Our focus remains to continue to reduce our environmental impact, and we are currently running projects relating to carbon sequestration, biodiversity, waste and water conservation.
B R A V E 2 9 . 0 4 . 2 5 03.05.25
ST. PATRICK’S
THURSDAY
St. Patrick’s Thursday is where the spirit of Cheltenham meets the soul of Ireland, creating an unmatched festival atmosphere that’s both joyous and fiercely competitive.
The day is a celebration of all things Irish, from the exhilarating cheers that echo from the stands to the thrilling races that unfold on the course. Feel the passion as the horses with Irish roots vie for glory, and witness the fervour of Irish racing fans, whose energy turns the racecourse into a sea of green and gold. At the centre of it all is the Ryanair Chase and the Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle, two of the festival’s most anticipated events, where unforgettable performances and moments of glory are etched into Cheltenham history. St. Patrick’s Thursday offers an experience filled with Irish music, dance, and camaraderie. From the lively atmosphere of the Guinness Village to the more exclusive settings of the hospitality suites, every moment is drenched in the unique blend of fun and tradition that only St. Patrick’s Day at Cheltenham can offer. Nothing feels like Cheltenham.
The championship races today are the Ryanair Steeple Chase at 15:20 & Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle at 16:00.
13:20 The Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle (Grade 2)
14:40 The Pertemps Network Final (A Handicap Hurdle Race) (Listed) (Premier Handicap) abt
15:20 The Ryanair Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
16:00 The Paddy Power Stayers’ Hurdle (Grade 1) abt 3m
16:40 The TrustATrader Plate (A Handicap Steeple Chase) (Premier Handicap)
17:20 The Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup Handicap Steeple Chase (0-145) 3m abt 2f
*Please note the timings are subject to change.
THE HORSES
Two Championship races today, one for the best staying hurdlers and one for chasers whose optimum trip falls somewhere between the Gold Cup and the Champion Chase. The list of previous winners of The Ryanair Chase is sprinkled with stars, including Un De Sceaux, Vautour, Frodon and Cue Card. This year Protektorat, part owned by the late John Hales, would prove an emotional victory.
The Paddy Power Stayer’s Hurdle was once the kingdom of Big Buck’s, victorious in this race four times from 2009-2012. Last year’s winner Teahupoo could be favourite again today.
GOLD CUP DAY
Where legends are made and dreams come true.
Nothing feels like the tension in the air as the iconic Cheltenham Gold Cup race draws near—a contest that has crowned the greatest champions in jump racing history. Today, the stakes are at their highest. The roar of the crowd, the power of the horses, and the intensity of the racing all combine for an unforgettable spectacle. With a lineup of other top-tier races like the JCB Triumph Hurdle and the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle, Gold Cup Day is a relentless parade of top-class action. For those who crave the ultimate racing experience, Gold Cup Day offers more than just thrilling races; it’s a chance to be part of an epic sporting occasion. At Cheltenham, nothing feels like the culmination of the Festival on Gold Cup Day. The focus of the day will be The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. Over three miles and two furlongs long, this is the premier race of the event. It will begin at 16:00, and the winner will take home the Gold Cup.
13:20 The JCB Triumph Hurdle (Grade 1)
14:00 The William Hill County Handicap Hurdle Race (Premier Handicap)
14:40 The Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase (Grade 2)
15:20 The Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle Race (Grade 1)
16:00 The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase (Grade 1)
16:40 The St. James’s Place Festival Challenge Cup Hunters Chase
17:20 The Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle (0-145)
*Please note the timings are subject to change.
THE HORSES – All eyes will be on Galopin Des Champs in the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup at 4pm. Winner of the last two runnings of this, the “World Cup” for elite staying chasers, he stands on the brink of history as he attempts to emulate the greatest of them all, Arkle, and win for a third time. If he does, get to the Parade Ring to see him come in and be part of an atmosphere like few others in sport.
THE CRYSTAL CUP
And The Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase
20 THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW:
1
The first cross country race run at Cheltenham was in 1995. It was won by McGregor The Third, trained by Gordon Richards and ridden by Brian Harding.
2
The first winner of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase was Spot Thedifference ridden by JT McNamara and trained by Enda Bolger.
3 Two of Cheltenham’s cross country races, the events run in December and at The Festival, are part of an international series of cross country races, collectively called The Crystal Cup.
4The Crystal Cup series runs between August and May and as well as the two races at Cheltenham, the series visits Belgium, France, Italy, Pardubice in Czechia, Poland and Ireland.
5 The Crystal Cup is a points series that rewards owner, trainer, jockey, horse and breeder on their performances across all races, with bonus points if horses participate outside of their native country. Prize money ranges from 40,000 Euros to 100,000 Euros.
6
The current leading trainer in The Crystal Cup is Josef Vana Junior from Czechia. He leads Frenchman Patrice Quinton.
7
British trainer Nick Williams and UK-born jockey James Reveley have twice been series winners (2012 and 2013) thanks to cross country expert, Maljimar.
8 Maljimar won cross country races at Lion d’ Angers, Compiegne and Fontainebleau and also ran in the gruelling Pardubice but he never won a cross country at Cheltenham despite multiple attempts. He was second to Wichita Lineman at The Festival in 2009, in the race often celebrated for being AP McCoy’s finest ride.
9
Punchestown is the most recent addition to the Crystal Cup joining in 2024.Discussions are taking place to try and incorporate Bad Herzberg in Germany into the series where the hoses are expected to swim as well as jump.
10
The only winner of the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase from mainland Europe was Easysland, ridden by Jonathan Plouganou and trained by David Cottin in 2020.
11
Joint winning-most trainer is Enda Bolger who dominated the race in its early years, winning it on five occasions.
12
Garde Champetre hit the headlines when sold by the Million In Mind Racing Syndicate for 530,000 Guineas in 2004 to JP McManus. He partly repaid his price tag by winning the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase in 2008 and 2009.
13
Gordon Elliott also won the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase five times. His first winner was Cause of Causes in 2017 and most recently Delta Work in 2023.
14
The dual Randox Health Grand National winner Tiger Roll won three times, in 2018, 2019 and 2021 but missed a fourth win, finishing second to his stablemate Delta Work in 2022 by just ¾ length.
15
Jockeys Nina Carberry and Keith Donoghue have won the race four times each.
16
The only UK-based trainer to win is Philip Hobbs. His hugely popular Balthazar King won in 2012 and 2014.
17
Minella Indo became the first Boodles Gold Cup winner to take on the cross-country course when in 2023 he carried topweight of 12-stone under Rachael Blackmore, to finish 4th.
18
The centre of the course was opened up for viewing for the first time since 2020 in 2024/25 season. It was estimated nearly 2,000 people made their way “over to the middle” to watch the French runner, Sweet David win in a dramatic race.
19
The most experienced cross-country horse in the UK in recent years is Back On The Lash, trained by Martin Keighley. From seven attempts he has two wins.
20
There are 16 different kinds of fence in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Steeplechase, including a row of Glenfarclas whisky barrels, and the Cheese Wedges where horses jump on and off banks.
A TASTE OF THE Cheltenham Festival
There’s no need to search far for an incredible variety of food and drink at the Cheltenham Festival, no matter your Enclosure.
From woodfired pizzas to champagne to luxury coffee, there’s something to satisfy every taste. Regardless of what enclosure you are in during your visit to the Cheltenham Festival, there is an array of food and drink options for you to enjoy.
We are pleased to say that at every retail point across the Cheltenham Festival, there will be either a warm or cold meal deal option consisting of a main, side and a drink. Not forgetting, there are several food and beverage temporary units situated throughout our venue where you can grab a quick bite to eat on the go.
BEST MATE
The Best Mate Pavilion is home to the biggest temporary bar in the United Kingdom, standing at an impressive 80 meters long you will be able to get a drink of your choice easily and enjoy the live music in between the races. Kerb returns for another year, think street food vendors offering casual, diverse and innovative food with bold flavours and culinary creativity in a vibrant atmospheric marquee, only a short walk from the home straight. From calamari to dirty fries, there is something to suit everyone’s taste.
TATTERSALLS
The Tattersalls enclosure is the perfect middle ground between the Club and Best
Mate Enclosure. Be close up to the Winner’s Enclosure, stand by the Winning Post and get stunning views from the Tattersalls grandstand viewing steps, whilst enjoying an array of fantastic food and drink on offer and being able to soak up the infamous Guinness Village atmosphere.
FEED ROOM
Introduced at last year’s Cheltenham Festival, the Feed Room is a must-visit for Club and Tattersalls ticket holders. Situated in the heart of the Tented Village, this authentic food court is inspired by a traditional stable’s feed room, offering a relaxed space to sit and unwind between races. Enjoy a variety of street food crafted by our talented culinary team alongside a bar serving a wide selection of drinks. Food options include bao buns, tacos, pizzas, Indian street food, a deli with warm beverages, and even a crumble station.
VILLAGE CHAMPAGNE BAR
Right outside the Feed Room, you’ll find the newly refurbished Village Champagne Bar which stocks Mini Moet’s that you can enjoy overlooking the Best Mate Plaza and is a great spot to watch the horses go down to post for a race.
This year there are three new bars that you must pay a visit, all of these can be found in the Tattersalls enclosure and are in close proximity to each other. The Winning Post Bar
(previously Persian War) has the best view of the winning post, the Home Straight Bar (previously Winged Ox) is right in the heart of the action and the Sales Arena Bar is where you can go to get your live music fix between races.
CLUB
If pouring your very own pint is more your thing, look no further than Cottage Rake. Here you’ll find our self-serve taps where you can follow the instructions on screen and pour the perfect pint yourself before heading back to the racing action.
Quevega’s is a great spot to get out of the hustle and bustle of the Festival, offering a range of drinks including locally brewed beers, champagnes and cocktails. You can also find sustainably sourced burgers and sides, along with Aroma Coffee by Nero Roasting Co.
The Mandarin is our very own gastro pub on the ground floor of the main grandstand, offering a cosy Cotswolds pub feel, and its food offering is equally as impressive with pub favourites such as traditional Scotch Eggs and the Local Burger. Tables are available for 2-8 people and for all days of the Festival there are two sittings per day and reservations are required by visiting our website.
Hoping for more local success
BY GRAHAM CLARK
Every winner at the Cheltenham Festival is greeted by raucous celebrations. However, those volume levels are always raised a decibel, or two when the triumphant horse happens to be locally trained.
In recent seasons, the meeting has been a happy hunting ground for raiders from Ireland thanks to the likes of Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead, but over the past two years results suggest those training in Gloucestershire have started to fightback.
While those steps might be small at this stage they are nonetheless important ones for both the participants supplying the winners and for the area which has a rich heritage within the sport of Jump racing.
Among those leading the local resurgence is Ben Pauling, who 12 months ago saddled Shakem Up’arry to glory in the TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase, to register Festival winner number four. And the 41-year-old knows what having a winner at the meeting means, not just for personal gain, but in terms of attracting future investment in the sport into the region.
Pauling said: “It is huge when we have a winner at Cheltenham. No matter which way you look at it is the heart of the jumps industry and we are proud it is our local track.
For the majority of people, it means more to have a winner there than most other places.
The local area is very affluent and it attracts owners.
Understandably a lot of their hopes and dreams revolve around having a Cheltenham horse, and when you get the horse to that point it means an awful lot to them.
Not only do people want to be at a yard where they compete at the big tracks, they want to be able to see you do it at the highest level.
I had some friends around for lunch recently who follow racing, but they have found since they have moved to the area how much it absorbs you. People buy into that and that is what makes The Festival what it is.
Everyone wants success at the highest level, and undoubtedly there is a situation when you do have success at The Festival in that it takes things to the next level.”
This year Pauling will be sending a smaller team to the meeting than in previous seasons gone, but it is a squad he
believes will still be competitive on the track. He added: “We should have seven or eight nice ones to go there.
I’m still very much in the camp that Diva Luna is as good as she ever was, as I don’t think she has had an opportunity to shine this season.
Hopefully, she will come alive in the Grade Two Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle, as she seems a totally different filly to the one we have been training all season.
Henry’s Friend goes for the Ultima, and off 145 you would like to think he has a fair chance. He is improving and going the right way and is definitely thriving.”
Unlike Pauling, fellow Gloucestershire handler Fergal O’Brien, despite enjoying plenty of notable successes, is yet to taste victory at the meeting since taking out a training licence.
However, he knows what it feels like to be involved in a locally trained winner at The Festival during his days as assistant to Nigel Twiston-Davies and the levels of excitement it creates.
O’Brien said: “Winning the Gold Cup, and other races, when I was at Naunton was fantastic.
You can one million per cent tell the difference when a winner at The Festival is trained locally. People are up in
the stands cheering you on and the congratulations down the walkway are something else. There is not much you can compare it to.
It is fantastic to walk back in with a horse that is trained locally. I’m very good friends with Mat Nicholls and Kim Bailey and they have had a couple of Festival winners recently. Not only has it really made their seasons, but it gives them, and the area a real boost.
It is fantastic when a Gloucestershire trainer has a winner there and hopefully this year our name will be on that list.”
And the horse that could help make O’Brien’s dream come true is recent course winner Sixmilebridge in the Grade One Turners Novices’ Hurdle.
O’Brien added: “I love this time of year as people always remind me I’ve not trained a Festival winner yet, but it is not for the lack of effort, and hopefully one will get over the line.
I would say we would have a fairly small team for the meeting this season.
There will be Sixmilebridge in the Turners, Dysart Enos in the Mares’ Hurdle, Crambo in the Stayers’ Hurdle and Mister Cessna in the Fred Winter, if he gets in.
Sixmilebridge is the one with the course form, but if some of
“We are very fortunate to be in such a great area, and it is nice to see the locals taking a really strong interest”
those big ones swerve the Mares’ Hurdle I wouldn’t put you off Dysart Enos if we get her back to that Greatwood Hurdle form.”
A glance back through the results of Festivals gone by would show the name Jonjo O’Neill celebrating plenty of success at the meeting, both as a jockey, and latterly as a trainer.
This year O’Neill will not be alone in chasing more glory at the meeting, with son AJ now operating on the license alongside him.
And having watched, and listened to the tales of his dad’s exploits, he is keen to sample a slice of the action himself.
He said: “I’ve always been excited about the Cheltenham Festival to be honest. Growing up in the local area and growing up around horses feels like the whole year revolves around it.
We are very fortunate to be in such a great area where there is so much horse racing, and other equestrian sports, and it is nice to see the locals taking a really strong interest in it all.
Sky Pirate was the yard’s last winner at the meeting in the 2021 Grand Annual, but it was during Covid so the celebrations had to be somewhat limited.
However, on social media people were very supportive, despite us being in lockdown, which goes to show how well a locally trained winner at the meeting is received.”
Like both Pauling and O’Brien, the O’Neill team will be adopting a quality over quantity approach to The Festival.
But as a glass half full type of guy, AJ is excited about those bidding to bring further Festival glory back to Jackdaws Castle.
He added: “Springwell Bay will definitely be going there after his win on New Year’s Day, although in which race I’m not quite sure just yet as he is now rated 154.
Bill Joyce has been a great horse for us this season. Although we haven’t tried three miles on track, everything about him suggests that he would stay further than what he has so far run over. He could be Albert Bartlett bound, but we will keep all options open.
Peaky Boy, who we purchased recently at Doncaster, is likely to go there. He holds an entry in the Brown Advisory. He certainly looks to like Cheltenham so far and hopefully he can keep on doing so.
As I’m the eternal optimist I will be going there with a positive mindset about them all and hope one can do the business for us.”
The Golden Miller Racing Chronograph
The Jockey Club is proud to announce an exclusive collaboration with Brooklands Watch Company, the luxury British watchmaker
This unique partnership marks the first time that The Jockey Club has created a limited edition watch,The Golden Miller Racing Chronograph, a tribute to the legendary racehorse Golden Miller, the most successful horse in the history of the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
The limited-edition timepiece, produced in collaboration with Brooklands Watch Company, is a celebration of both the horse racing world and the legacy of Golden Miller, whose name is synonymous with the sport’s most prestigious steeplechase. The Golden Miller Racing Chronograph features several distinctive elements that make it a truly one-of-a-kind collectible for horology enthusiasts and racing fans alike.
EXCLUSIVE DESIGN FEATURES:
• Each watch will be numbered, with only 100 limited pieces being made available.
• A unique buckle for the watch strap will be made from one of Golden Miller’s actual horseshoes, ensuring every piece carries a direct link to the history of the legendary horse.
• Sapphires in Golden Miller’s iconic racing colours will be integrated
into the design of the watch, paying homage to the champion racehorse’s signature colours.
• A bespoke piece of art will accompany each watch, crafted in the style of a 1930s tobacco card, offering a stunning visual tribute to Golden Miller’s remarkable achievements.
• Additionally, a 1930-period bronze race badge, evoking the golden era of steeplechase racing, will be included as part of the exclusive collection.
This collaboration holds special significance due to the deep connection between Dorothy Paget, the passionate owner of Golden Miller, and the Brooklands’ heritage. Paget was an influential figure in both the world of horse racing and motor racing, particularly at Brooklands, the historic British racing circuit. Her interest in both fields, and her commitment to excellence, created a natural bridge for the coming together of Brooklands Watch Company and The Jockey Club. This partnership celebrates not only Paget’s legacy but also the rich, intertwined histories of horse racing and motoring that both Paget and Brooklands Watches represent.
ABOUT BROOKLANDS WATCHES: Brooklands Watches is a luxury British watchmaker that draws inspiration from the legacy of Brooklands, the world’s first purpose-built motor racing circuit. Founded by passionate watchmakers with a deep appreciation for history and precision, Brooklands Watches brings a perfect blend of traditional craftsmanship and innovative design.
The Golden Miller Triple Four will be available exclusively for sale at The Orchard during the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and Brooklands Watches’ online shop at brooklandswatches.com @ British Luxury Watches | Swiss Made | Motorsport Watches
A strong book of rides in 2025
BY GRAHAM CLARK
Plenty of those making their annual pilgrimage to the Cheltenham Festival will take a keen interest in the competitive rides of jockey Keith Donoghue when it comes to finding a winner or two.
With the backing of The Festival’s leading trainer, Willie Mullins, and several red-hot favourites to look forward to, the Grade One-winning jockey is likely to be the man to beat when it comes to the leading rider at the meeting.
However, Townend is not the only Irish rider that has a good reason to be more excited than most with his weighing room colleague Keith Donoghue appearing to have arguably his strongest ever book of rides at the meeting.
Standing at six feet tall, Donoghue has constantly had to battle with the scales throughout his career, but heading to The Festival with several lively contenders is something that makes those hard days seem all the more worthwhile.
Donoghue said: “Looking at it as we stand it looks like I’m going to have some very good rides, but as the days get closer, you just hope that they all get there.
They are all in competitive races so we are going to need a bit of luck, and they will all have to be on their A game, but it is nice to be going over to the meeting with what looks like a good book of rides.
This is why we do the struggles on a daily basis to be riding on the bigger days.
When you have rides like the ones I’m set to have at The Festival it gives you more motivation to be strict on the diet but the older I’ve got the easier it has become.”
But before looking ahead to this year’s meeting, Donoghue already has plenty of fond Festival memories thanks in large to
“It is nice to be going over to the meeting with what looks like a good book of rides”
dual Grand National winner Tiger Roll, who he steered to Glenfarclas Cross Cross Country Chase glory in 2018, 2019 and 2021.
He added: “He was a serious horse around Cheltenham and people really loved him. He would be going down the chute before the start of the race and people would be cheering him going out on to the track.
The first one was probably a relief just to get a Festival winner and then the second and third ones were very enjoyable.
The second time I won on him, he was probably the Irish banker. There was a good bit of pressure on me, but it was great to win on him.”
And the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase could again turn out to be a source of success for Donoghue, who will bid to follow up his win around the course aboard Stumptown in December in the extended three miles five furlongs test.
He added: “After winning over the banks at Punchestown twice, it was good to see him act around the Cross Country course at Cheltenham as well as he did at Punchestown.
With it now being a handicap he is likely to be near the head of the weights, which is a bit of a negative, but he has taken well to these fences and he would be one of my best chances.
The fact he has the experience over these fences, and that he likes the track, could put him at an advantage over some of the others despite his weight.”
“Donoghue could have… a horse capable of taking the Grade One prize back to Ireland”
Donghue’s sole victory at last year’s Festival came aboard Limerick Lace in the Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase.
And while it will be a late decision as to what he rides in that Grade Two, he believes at the same level Sixandahalf represents his best chance of another moment centre stage at The Festival in the Ryanair Mares Novices’ Hurdle.
Donoghue said: “You have Maughreen in it and Paul Nicholls’ mare Jubilee Alpha has done little wrong as well.
We are going into the race on the back of one run, the same as Maughreen, but she has plenty of experience from the flat and she jumped great the last day.
We do think she is one of our strongest chances going to the meeting, if not our best chance.
She did everything right in her last race at Fairyhouse so you have to be delighted with her.
I would say the experience from the Flat will come into play and the hardness as she has from running in plenty of big handicaps which will serve her well.”
In recent seasons the JCB Triumph Hurdle has eluded British-trained
runners with Pentland Hills back in 2019 the last winner not to hail from an Irish yard.
Although both Lulamba and East India Dock will be doing their best to keep the prize on English soil, Donoghue could have, in the unbeaten Hello Neighbour, a horse capable of taking the Grade One prize back over to Ireland once again.
He added: “Hello Neighbour has done nothing wrong over hurdles and he has already won a Grade Two and a Grade One.
He did more things right on his last start, and he jumped much better, so with natural progression hopefully he will improve again.
He is still improving, but we don’t have a line through the English and Irish form so it is all opinions.
I think a true run race in the Triumph Hurdle will suit our lad so hopefully he is good enough.
All in all, with several others I will be riding in the handicaps, I’d like to think that I could hit the target at least once at this year’s meeting.”
THE PREVIEW SHOW
Be sure not to miss The Preview Show live from The Parade Ring every morning before racing.
Join our fabulous team of presenters, Aly Vance, Martin Kelly and Hayley Moore at 12:15 on Tuesday and 12:25 on Wednesday, Thursday & Friday, from The Parade Ring for a lively look at the day’s proceedings. They will be discussing the big races and big stories upcoming that day, suggestions for where your bets might be well placed and behind-the-scenes information that you won’t hear anywhere else! Each day they will have three guest slots; racing “Greats”, connections of fancied horses and top jockeys who will give you their take on how the drama might unfold. On Festival Trials Day, Nicky Henderson and Nico de Boinville chatted all things Sevenbarrows, and the Festival line up promises to be equally as compelling. If you can’t be by The Parade Ring in person, you can catch it on the Big Screens around the course.
CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE GIFT
SHOP
– A MUST-VISIT FOR EVERY RACEGOER!
No trip to Cheltenham Racecourse is complete without a visit to our fantastic gift shop! We proudly stock an exclusive range of Champions waterproof jackets, hoodies, t-shirts, and sweatshirts to keep you stylish and comfortable whatever the weather. For younger race fans, our adorable Cheltenham or Festival cuddly horse is always a hit, along with our delicious Cheltenham Fudge.
Browse fridge magnets and playing cards featuring legendary Festival winners or our iconic bobble hats designed in famous racing silks, and for this year’s Festival, we are thrilled to introduce a limited-edition hat celebrating the reigning Gold Cup champion, Galopin Des Champs.
Our World Racing Map Tea Towel is a firm favourite, and new for the Festival is a tea towel featuring self-portraits of jockeys past and present—let’s just say, they should definitely stick to riding!
Book lovers will enjoy our range of racing books, special second-hand titles, racecards, and memorabilia.
All proceeds from these sales go towards the Gold Cup Centenary Community Fund, supporting great causes within the local community.
Gold Cup Centenary Community Fund: A Lasting Legacy for Cheltenham
The Cheltenham Gold Cup Centenary Community Fund initiative ensures that the centenary of Cheltenham Racecourse’s most prestigious event, The Gold Cup, leaves a lasting legacy of support for those who live and work around the course.
The fund is a collaborative effort between Gloucestershire Community Foundation, the Rotary Clubs of Cheltenham, and Cheltenham Racecourse with their combined passion for community impact.
In December 2023, the first grants were distributed, marking the beginning of an ongoing commitment to the community and so far the fund has raised over £70,000. Grants are available for organisations working within Cheltenham Borough, helping to foster a vibrant, supportive, and thriving local environment.
The Gold Cup Centenary Community Fund is dedicated to supporting:
Registered charities
Community groups that promote sport, arts, music, and well-being
Schools and playgroups
Sporting, art, or music societies
With priority given to:
Organisations working with young people
Groups based within 3 miles and 2 furlongs of Cheltenham Racecourse—the very distance of the Cheltenham Gold Cup itself!
The Feed Room
A vibrant dining destination at Cheltenham Festival
Back by popular demand, The Feed Room returns this year, better than ever. Available to Club and Tattersalls ticket holders, The Feed Room is located in the heart of the Tented Village in M8, directly opposite the Shopping Village. This vibrant food destination offers a variety of contemporary and diverse street food —perfect for refuelling between races.
Designed to reflect a traditional horse stable feed room, this unique food court combined with exceptional food offerings and live entertainment makes it a must-visit dining destination at the Cheltenham Festival.
For early arrivals looking to kick-start their day, The Feed Room offers a hearty
breakfast menu that is served from the moment the gates open. Whether you’re after a classic breakfast roll or a Danish pastry from our deli accompanied by a range of warm drinks or simply a comfortable spot
to sit and study the form ahead of the day’s racing, this makes the perfect place to begin your race day experience.
At the heart of The Feed Room lies a large central bar, stocked with an extensive range of beverages. Whether you fancy a perfectly poured pint of Guinness, a crisp glass of Champagne, or a non-alcoholic option, you’ll find something to suit your taste. For those preferring a soft drink option, the adjacent deli serves a variety of warm and soft drinks, along with an enticing selection of freshly made sandwiches, pastries, and light snacks.
Cheltenham’s expert culinary team has curated various pop-up stations that celebrate seasonal ingredients and bring
It is more than a place to grab a quick bite, it’s an essential part of The Festival
together innovative flavours. You can find bao buns in three different flavours that are accompanied by gyozas, tacos and jalapeno peppers, margherita and pepperoni pizza, and a range of curries with sides including pilau rice, naan breads and onion bhajis.
Inclusivity is a key feature of The Feed Room, ensuring that there is something for everyone. Each station offers at least one vegetarian option, guaranteeing that all guests can enjoy a delicious meal, no matter
their dietary requirements. Please don’t hesitate to ask a member of our staff if you have any questions.
Why not finish with a sweet treat? One of the pop-ups is a crumble station where you can build your own crumble, firstly you decide on your fruit of either apple & cinnamon or mixed berries, topped with shortbread crumble and finished with a choice of either vanilla custard or whipped cream and dehydrated raspberries.
With its unbeatable location, diverse menus, abundance of seating and welcoming atmosphere, The Feed Room is more than just a place to grab a quick bite – it’s an essential part of the Cheltenham Festival experience. Whether you’re stopping by for a morning coffee, something for lunch, or even an afternoon sugar fix, The Feed Room is the ultimate destination for racegoers looking to indulge in great food and drink during the four days.
THE ORCHARD
Visit The Orchard where you can relax and discover the pick of the crop
Back in 2018, a small team went to the Melbourne Cup and came back enthusing about their “Birdcage”, a premium enclosure that had become an exclusive party destination on racedays. “The Orchard” came to life the following year and our vision was to create a focus point for luxury brands, allowing partners to build an activation in their own brand identity within the Festival environment to engage with racegoers in the Club and hospitality enclosure. We have built a sales setting for complementary brands to collaborate, entertain and network together, while also enhancing
BOTTLEGREEN
There is 35 years’ expertise in bottlegreen’s adult-inspired soft drinks, each one crafted using specialist processes traditionally employed by winemakers, ensuring flavour is central to the brand. All bottlegreen variants are made with Cotswold spring water drawn from an on-site spring and are free from artificial flavours, colours, sweeteners and preservatives. Come and visit our bottlegreen bar at The Orchard, serving extraordinary cocktails and delicious soft drinks. Step into our world of bottlegreen to relax & indulge. bottlegreendrinks.com
BOODLES
Since 1798, Boodles has represented the epitome of fine British jewellery. Still a privately-owned family business, Boodles stands for the very best in creative design; the highest quality diamonds and gemstones; and the fusion of traditional craft skills with innovation.
the racegoers’ experience because it is fun, a touch of Bond Street, and the place to be seen. We always aim to have a surprise element; in the past we have had a helicopter, a DJ playing in a Sunseeker, and even a vintage tractor positioned over the entrance. People can take time between races to socialise in a sophisticated setting, it has become a natural social destination – so natural that even the apple trees are real!
CAREY WEEKS DIRECTOR OF PARTNERSHIPS
Every piece of Boodles’ jewellery is designed and hand finished in Britain. There is an emphasis at Boodles on provenance: we take pride in being able to trace our diamonds all the way back to source, and on using gold of a Single Mine Origin. At once classic and contemporary – and always distinctive – Boodles is perhaps best known for Raindance; the iconic ring which was recognised by the V&A Museum and entered into its permanent collection. This year the Raindance collection celebrates its 25th year, and to commemorate this, Boodles will be launching ‘Raindance 25’. In 2023 – the year of our 225th anniversary – Boodles was named by the UK’s luxury sector body, Walpole, as Best British Luxury Brand of the Year. boodles.com
ASTON MARTIN
Forged in competition, every Aston Martin is created with a will to win. Born into a racing bloodline, connecting the driver with an unrivalled intensity of experience. Visit the Aston Martin showroom in The Orchard™ to experience the apex of British luxury, the flagship Vanquish, alongside the thrilling new open-top Vantage Roadster and the ‘supercar of SUVs’, DBX707. astonmartin.com/en-gb
GAUCHO
NYETIMBER
A Gaucho is not a gaucho without their horse… and, while the Argentinian pampas is a world away from the track, Gaucho will be bringing their trademark Latin hospitality back to Cheltenham for the second year running. Choose from a two- or three-course dining experience, where you can enjoy signature Gaucho dishes like 100% Argentinian Tira de Ancho rump steak, or the lean tender Lomo fillet, along with new flavour-packed plates. Accompanied by an Argentinian Malbec from their extensive list, and rounded off with a Salted Dulce de Leche cheesecake laced with Chantilly cream and hazelnuts, Gaucho are poised to elevate your day at the races. Join for an early lunch between 11.30 and 12.15 to hear tips and tricks for the racing day ahead from legends Matt Chapman and Barry Geraghty.
GLENFARCLAS DISTILLERY
Established in 1836 and, having been taken over by the Grant family in 1865, Glenfarclas is currently in its fifth generation of family ownership. Glenfarclas are dedicated to the art of taking time: resulting in some of the finest Highland Single Malt Whisky. Glenfarclas provides The Orchard at The Cheltenham Festival with a cocktail bar, offering a variety of whisky cocktails available to Club Enclosure racegoers. glenfarclas.com
For a glass of world-renowned English sparkling wine, make Nyetimber’s beautifully reimagined 1968 Routemaster Bus a mustvisit destination at Cheltenham Festival. Stop by and enjoy the range of sparkling wines on the top deck of the bus overlooking The Orchard, or relax in the landscaped garden area below.
A true pioneer, Nyetimber was the first producer of English sparkling wine to exclusively grow the three celebrated grape varieties. Regarded by many as England’s finest sparkling wine, Nyetimber has 11 vineyards spanning 425 hectares in West Sussex, Hampshire, and Kent, and is made from one hundred percent estate-grown grapes.
The Nyetimber Bus promises to be the perfect spot to enjoy the action at one of the most highly anticipated events of the Jump racing calendar. nyetimber.com
BROOKLANDS
A Watch Company that has created a limited-edition racing chronograph celebrating the achievements of Thoroughbred racehorse Golden Miller. Owners of the Swiss-made Golden Miller chronograph will wear a piece of racing history: its buckle is made from an aluminium alloy from an original horseshoe worn by the champion steeplechaser in 1934. The caseback displays lucky seven blue and yellow sapphires – the racing colours of Golden Miller’s singular owner Dorothy Paget. The watch presentation box includes an invitation from The Jockey Club to the Cheltenham Gold Cup 2026.
A partnership with The Jockey Club, limited to just 100 watches, The Golden Miller Racing Chronograph is displayed in the Orchard throughout this year’s Cheltenham Festival and on sale from 9am on 11th March, exclusively from brooklandswatches.com
STILL TO COME
THIS SEASON AT CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE
Look forward
to
two exhilarating events that will keep the excitement of racing at Cheltenham in full flow as the season draws to a close.
THE APRIL MEETING
FESTIVAL FEVER CONTINUES
The April Meeting is a wonderful two-day event on Wednesday 16 and Thursday 17 April at the Home of Jump Racing. The sunshine over the famous Cleeve Hill and hallowed Cheltenham turf is sure to put a spring in your step and provide a brilliant day out with highquality racing.
Entertainment and a relaxed atmosphere make it a fabulous afternoon to bring along a friend who has never experienced the buzz of a Cheltenham Raceday.
Throughout the two-day meeting, there is live music from The Quevega’s Stage, the perfect place for refreshments and entertainment between races.
Under 18’s race free.
RACE NIGHT
CHELTENHAM’S SEASON FINALE
The curtain comes down on the 2024/25 season with Cheltenham’s only evening fixture on Friday 2 May 2025.
The evening has a fabulously fun vibe from start to finish. You can feel the party atmosphere as soon as you walk through the gates onto the sacred grounds of Cheltenham Racecourse.
It’s a meeting that allows amateur riders and trainers to compete for the ultimate dream of winning at Jump Racing’s HQ, with seven fiercely fought Hunter chases.
Under 18’s race free and must be accompanied by a responsible adult (over 18).
CHELTENHAM | LONDON | DUBLIN
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Beautiful handmade hats for races & weddings ~Bespoke available~ See our collections at The Cheltenham Festival Stand 16 ~ The Shopping Village
Jessica & Caroline Rowles Nicholson www.jessicamarydesign.co.uk 07950 026 305 Appointments available at our London Atelier, SW11
Stevenson Brothers, Bethersden, Ashford, Kent. TN26 3AP 01233 820363 07966443197 sue@stevensonbros.com www.stevensonbros.com stevensonrockinghorses stevensonbrothers
The Rocking Horse Makers
