Equine events are often held in the grandest of locations, and the Ocala World Equestrian Center set to open in 2021 is no exception. But one of the grandest, and oldest is the Cheltenham Racecourse, which showcases some of the very best National Hunt racing in the UK and attracts crowds of up to 68,000 spectators.
Since racing began at the course in 1815 the highlight has always been the stylish Cheltenham Festival which has featured female jockeys and takes place every year in March. It’s the most popular National Hunt meeting in the world with every owner, jockey and trainer dreaming of riding a winner. So, to celebrate this momentous racecourse, let’s cover some of the major races happening at Cheltenham throughout the year.
Champion Hurdle
This Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race is the feature race during the first day of the Cheltenham Festival in March. Established in 1927 it’s run on the Old Course over a distance of just over two miles with eight hurdles to be jumped. The race is also the last leg of the Triple Crown of Hurdling and is the most prestigious hurdling event on the calendar. Last year’s prize purse was £450,000 ($589,457) with £263,215 ($344,786) going to the race winner. Last year’s winner was Espoir d’Allen with a starting price of 16/1 and a time of 3:59.07. Traditionally run on a Tuesday since 1980, the Champion Hurdle featured several well-known names including See You Then and Persian War.
Caspian Caviar Gold Cup
The Gold Cup at Cheltenham takes place every December and is a Grade 3 steeplechase run over a course of just over 2.5 miles. The race is often run by horses who have ran in the BetVictor Gold Cup. Last year’s purse was £130,000 ($170,223) and was won by Warthog and his jockey David Noonan. bwin details how Warthog was one of the favorites to win last year’s Caspian Caviar Gold Cup after coming back from a 249-day layoff. Inaugurated in 1963, the race has gone through a number of title changes according to the different sponsors, this year it was Caspian Caviar.
BetVictor Gold Cup
Established in 1960, the BetVictor Gold Cup was initially known as the Mackeson Gold Cup and has since gone through various sponsors and title changes. Similar to the December Gold Cup, this steeplechase takes place in November every year and is the most valuable and competitive event of the winter campaign with a total prize purse of £160,000 ($209,584) and £90,032 ($117,993) going to the winner. This year’s winner was Happy Diva and her jockey Richard Patrick, getting a second chance in the BetVictor Gold Cup after last 2018’s unfortunate exit as fourth-last. Run over a similar distance to the Caspian Caviar Gold Cup, the BetVictor Gold Cup is run on the Old Course at Cheltenham.
Cheltenham Gold Cup
As the pinnacle of the National Hunt season, the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the feature race of the final day of the Festival. Traditionally held in the middle of March, the race is run over a 3.2-mile course with 22 fences to be jumped. It is seen as the Blue Riband of jump-racing and its honor roll includes chasers like Arkle, Golden Miller, and Mill House amongst others. With a prize purse of £625,000 ($818,690) and £351,688 ($460,677) for 1st place, it is the most valuable non-handicap chase in Britain. The BBC highlighted last year’s winner who was Al Boum Photo and his jockey Paul Townend, who raced away to win by two-and-a-half lengths.
