INSIDER TIPS
Read up on how to get the most out of your visit to Cheltenham Racecourse.
HEROES
Horse racing has both human and equine heroes and you can get really close to them at Cheltenham Racecourse, arriving early when gates open, might even mean you are able to spot jockeys and trainers as they arrive at the racecourse.
THE PRE-PARADE RING
The pre-parade ring is the calm before the storm. The equine stars walk around, whilst they wait for their trainer to come and saddle them. The saddling boxes are open, so you can watch your favourite horses being saddled, to get the best view, get here 20 minutes before the race starts.
THE PARADE RING
The parade ring is where the jockeys get their final instructions before going to battle in the hope of making history and becoming a Cheltenham winner. The parade ring can also be a good place for celeb spotting, so look closely because amongst all the people you never know who you might see.
THE RACE
There are lots of places to watch the races at Cheltenham, but one thing is for sure, you definitely want to watch at least one race live from the stands or area in front of the course. This is where you will really feel the adrenaline, buzz, and excitement of the race. Watch the victorious horse and jockey walk back and join in the cheers and clapping.
If you are joining us for Tuesday, Day 1 of The Festival, make sure you are out on the concourse for the spine-tingling roar that starts racing at The Festival. You will never experience a feeling like it….
GET YOUR LUCKY SPOT
Did you know that lots of owners and trainers have a lucky spot that they like to watch their horses charge up the Cheltenham hill from? Gordon Elliott watches his from the centre of the course. Why don’t you find your favourite and lucky spot and when you do take a ‘Chelfie’ tagging Cheltenham Racecourse and use the hashtag #cheltenhamluckyspot.
Socials
We love seeing racegoers enjoying themselves and sharing it with the world, so they can see how much fun there is to be had at Cheltenham Racecourse – tag us in your selfies for the chance for your pictures to be shared on our social channels.
ARKLE, DAWN RUN, BEST MATE AND SIR ANTHONY MCCOY
Four racing greats are honored with statues at the Home of Jump Racing, can you find all four statues? Why not take a selfie at each one and tag Cheltenham Racecourse with the hashtag #TheGreats
THE WINNERS ENCLOSURE
Join in the jubilations of the winning connections, watch live people achieving their ultimate dream and soak up some of the experience. Even the most frequent visitors to the Cheltenham Winners’ Enclosure, don’t tire of the magical feeling of having a winner at the Home of Jump Racing, so join in the cheers and festivities and welcome back the latest Cheltenham heroes.
THE HALL OF FAME
The Hall of Fame is a must visit, it is treasure chest of Cheltenham history, from the silks of every Gold Cup winner from 1924 to the present day, to the wonderful cabinets full of racing artifacts. Why not pick out a few of your favorite colours or horse names from days gone by and give them a google and see if there are any interesting stories about them. For instance, find out which Gold Cup winner was trained by a Welsh Dairy Farmer and won at 80/1?!
There is an illustrious list of racing greats inducted into the Cheltenham Hall of Fame, both equine and human. Each of the racing legends below have a statue or a bar or restaurant named after them, see if you can spot them around the racecourse and find out what their accolade is?
Racing Legends:
Golden Miller, Arkle, Dawn Run, AP McCoy, Best Mate, Istabraq, Quevega and Big Bucks
TATTERSALLS CHELTENHAM SALES
If you thought the high-octane excitement is reserved for the racetrack – you are wrong! When you come to a Cheltenham race meeting, have a look to see if there is a Tattersalls Cheltenham sale on after racing. If so, make you way to the sale ring opposite The Centaur and watch National Hunt powerhouses battle it in the auction ring, to secure the next champion, often for 100’s of thousands of pounds.
WHAT ARE THE ODDS?
A great way to get your child thinking about maths is to have some fun with odds. Go to the parade ring to see the horses before they go out to race. Their betting odds will be up on the big screen, there are a few games you can play and questions you can ask to engage young racegoers.
Before the race:
- Looking at the odds which horse has the best chance of winning?
- Looking at the horses which one do you think has the best chance of winning? The grey? The one with the pretty colors? The one ridden by your favourite jockey?
- Looking at the odds which horse has the least chance of winning?
- If you put £1 pound on the horse with the best chance of winning – how much would you win?
- If you put £1 pound on the horse with the least chance of winning – how much would you win?
After the race
- If you put £1 on the winner- how much would you have won?
- Did any of the horses with the big odds come in the first three, if so, how much would you have won if you put £1 on?
- Which worked better, following the odds, or looking at the horses?
