If you are a die-hard fan of horse racing, then you might know how it feels to see a beautiful green field with horses ready to race under a bright sky. But if you are new to horse racing and want to feel that excitement, the 2025 Cheltenham Festival is the perfect opportunity. This Cheltenham Festival is about horse racing, stories, dreams, and the special bond between horses and their riders. Every race is an exciting moment, and the festival is a tribute to chasing dreams and overcoming challenges. Let the races begin!
In the United Kingdom, the Cheltenham Festival is one of the major horse racing events. It is well-known for its high prize money and is second only to the Grand National. The festival generally happens every March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire. The meeting showcases multiple Grade I races, such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Stayers’ Hurdle.
That week saw an enormous betting volume, with hundreds of millions of pounds wagered. The Grand National Hunt began in 1860 with Market Harborough’s first National Hunt Chase. Initially, the meeting occurred in various places before settling in Cheltenham at the turn of the 20th century. Until 2005, the festival had traditionally been held over three days, but this changed when a fourth day was introduced. One championship race was held daily, climaxing with the Gold Cup on Friday.
This 2025 Cheltenham will occur from March 11 -14, 2025, in Cheltenham, England. You can always count on excellence, whether you join for Champion Day on Tuesday, Style Wednesday, St. Patrick’s Day on Thursday, or Gold Cup Day on Friday. Each day brings its unique charm, making four days of extraordinary experiences waiting for you. This guide will discuss the upcoming 2025 Cheltenham Festival, from schedule to streaming details, so you never miss this fantastic event. For more sports updates and predictions, visit our website.
2024 Cheltenham Festival Recap
The Cheltenham Festival began in Ireland, with a strong performance in the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and a win in the Martin Pipe. Willie Mullins displayed his skill by training all top-five finishers in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle. Irish trainers, led by Mullins with 75 entries and Gordon Elliott with 51, were particularly impressive, making up more than 34% of the 367 runners.
Day 1 Recap
Mullins won 97 Festival races, including State Man and Gaelic Warrior. State Man narrowly defeated Irish Point in the Champion Hurdle. Henderson withdrew top horses due to health concerns, resulting in a disappointing week for his 16 runners despite a strong finish.
Day 2 Recap
Guinness, trained by Henry De Bromhead, capitalized on El Fabiolo’s error in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase despite the race being canceled due to a waterlogged course. Mullins, who had three favorites, also won, while Langer Dan secured a second Coral Cup win. The British rally began with wins from Grey Dawning, Monmiral, and Protektorat, highlighting the event’s success.
Day 3 Recap
Gordon Elliott and Skelton secured prize-money winnings in the trainers’ championship at Cheltenham, UK. British victories included Shakem Up’Arry and Golden Ace, while Inothewayurthinkin triumphed in the Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir. Rain affected the centenary Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup, with Galopin Des Champs defending his title and now a 3/1 favorite to win a third Gold Cup.
Day 4 Recap
Willie Mullins predicted that Galopin Des Champs’ season might not be over yet, as he has the odds of winning the Grand National three times, a feat last achieved by Best Mate. Corach Rambler, who won the Grand National, came in third.
The Most Cheltenham Festival wins
| Jockey | Wins |
| Ruby Walsh | 59 |
| Barry Geraghty | 43 |
| Sir AP McCoy | 31 |
| Pat Taaffe | 25 |
| Richard Johnson | 23 |
2025 Cheltenham Festival: Event Details
Date: March 11, 2025 – March 14, 2025
Venue: Cheltenham Racecourse, Evesham Road, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
2025 Cheltenham Festival: Race schedule
Champion Day – Tuesday, March 11, 2025
13:20 – Supreme Novices’ Hurdle
14:00 – Arkle Novices’ Chase
14:40 – Handicap Steeple Chase
15:20 – Mares’ Hurdle
16:00 – Champion Hurdle
16:40 – Juvenile Handicap Hurdle
17:20 – National Hunt Novices’ Chase
Style Wednesday – Wednesday, March 12, 2025
13:20 – Turner Novices’ Hurdle
14:00 – Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase
14:40 – Coral Cup Hurdle
15:20 – Cross Country Steeple Chase
16:00 – Queen Mother Steeple Chase
16:40 – Grand Annual Steeple Chase Challenge Cup
17:20 – Champion Bumper
St. Patrick’s Thursday – Thursday, March 13, 2025
13:20 – Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle
14:00 – Jack Richards Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase
14:40 – Pertemps Network Final
15:20 – Ryanair Steeple Chase
16:00 – Stayers’ Hurdle
16:40 – TrustATrader Plate Handicap Chase
17:20 – Fulke Walwyn Kim Muir Challenge Cup
Gold Cup Day – Friday, March 14, 2025
13:20 – Triumph Hurdle
14:00 – County Handicap Hurdle
14:40 – Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Steeple Chase
15:20 – Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle
16:00 – Cheltenham Gold Cup
16:40 – Festival Hunters Chase
17:20 – Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys Handicap Hurdle
What Is the Total Number of Races?
The exciting meeting includes 28 thrilling races spread over four fantastic days, including seven daily races. Thirteen of these are set to challenge riders over fences, another 13 over hurdles, a unique bumper, and a cross-country chase. Thirteen of these races are prestigious Grade 1 contests, five hold Grade 2 status, six are Grade 3s, and the last four are Listed races.
Various distances are featured throughout the week. The shortest race is just short of two miles, while the longest stretches nearly four miles. Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday each feature one race and Thursday offers a special treat with two standout events. The highlight of this incredible meeting is undoubtedly the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Friday.
2025 Cheltenham Festival Changes
As the 2025 Cheltenham Festival approaches, it’s important to note the significant changes that will be implemented. These changes, which include alterations to the conditions of five specific races and updated requirements for horses participating in non-novice handicaps, are designed to enhance the overall experience for both participants and spectators.
- The 2m 4f Turners Novices’ chase (Golden Miller) will now feature a Grade 2 Limited Novice Handicap Chase at the same distance.
- The National Hunt Chase will transition to a Class 2 Novice Handicap Chase (0-145), removing the amateur rider restriction to allow professional jockeys.
- The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase will shift from a conditioned race to a Limited Handicap format.
- Race conditions for the Ryanair Mares’ Novices Hurdle will change to eliminate the penalty structure, resulting in a level weights competition.
- Starting in 2023, any horse finishing in the top four of a qualifying race for the Pertemps Network Final Handicap Hurdle will be eligible for entry at the Festival. Beginning in 2025, the conditions will be modified to guarantee a spot in the Pertemps Final for all winners of series qualifiers.
- Horses must have competed at least three or four times to qualify for non-voice handicaps at the Festival. This requirement will increase to four chase and five hurdle runs by 2025.
- Additionally, the Jockey Club will raise the prize money across the four days by £115,000, bringing the total for the Cheltenham Festival in 2025 to £4,930,000. Details of the prize money for all Cheltenham Festival races will be announced later.
How To Watch the 2025 Cheltenham Festival?
You have two options for viewing the 2025 Cheltenham Festival from home: ITV Racing and Racing TV. Sky and Virgin Media offer full coverage of the Festival’s races, while ITV Racing will also broadcast highlights and analysis of the day’s action.
Additionally, numerous online bookmakers provide live-streaming services. For example, Bet365 allows you to place bets and watch the races simultaneously.
For viewers outside the UK, you might access the festival coverage through online sports betting platforms such as Bet365, which offers global services and live streaming to its users.
Final Thoughts
This article gave you an insightful view of the Cheltenham Festival’s previous and upcoming events. It is an excellent opportunity for those who love horse racing and betting. It’s the perfect way to experience the excitement of the races and the chance to win big. Don’t forget to check our website for previews and recaps of the upcoming 2025 Cheltenham Festival.
