Cheltenham Festival 2026: The challenge, UK vs Ireland
Cheltenham Festival is upon us. Between March 10 and March 13 in Gloucestershire, one of the most historical horse racing meetings in the whole world will take place for its latest edition.
The event attracts all horse racing enthusiasts, who will already be busy searching for the favorites to win the individual races.
If you're one of them, you can take advantage of the Cheltenham Festival free bets to reduce your losses and bet on your favourite horse, or your favourite jockey.
The event counts 28 races (seven each day) and features the most fierce horses around.
It is not just a must-see festival for racing enthusiasts, but a rural meeting where culture and folklore go hand in hand: you will find music, drinks and tradition.
The rich history of the festival
The first edition of the festival took place in 1860. At that time, the National Hunt Chase was held at Market Harborough.
In 1861, Cheltenham was one of the first cities to host the event, but until the early 1900s it was mostly held in Warwick.
In 1904 and 1905, the meeting moved to Cheltenham, for a couple of years.
The city had recently completed the building of Prestbury Park racecourse and the brand-new venue attracted the committee.
However, the board moved back to Warwick in 1906, but it was just for a handful of years.
In 1911, the National Hunt went back to Cheltenham and stayed there forever.
The name Cheltenham Festival became common shortly after that decision.
Until 2005 the Festival had been held over three days, but then everything changed.
In the last 20 years the number of races increased edition after edition, until reaching the actual number of 28.
This format is considered exceptional by the organization, because it allows for four thematic soirées and several intriguing matchups on the turf.
Each day there is a most relevant race that captivates the audience and awards great prizes.
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The races
There are four can’t-miss races in Cheltenham. One is held each day.
On Tuesday we have the Champion Hurdle, a two-miles and 87-yards speed race on lower hurdles, that makes for an intriguing view.
On Ladies Day, when elegance and style take center stage, patrons can enjoy the Queen Mother Champion Chase, a race where speed remains important but jockeys must be precise in order to jump over the fences.
On Thursday Cheltenham puts on a great party for St. Patrick. The Irish jockeys and fans enjoy the fanfare and rejoice to watch a couple of the most beloved races of the Festival: the Steeple Chase and the Stayers’ Hurdle, an endurance trial where speed is not what matters the most.
On Friday, when the Festival wraps up, the main event takes center stage. The Gold Cup is held on a three-miles two-feet and 70-yards racecourse and everyone wants to win it.
Each race held in Cheltenham means prestige and relevance in horse racing but the Gold Cup is the most coveted trophy.
It is a mark of excellence for everyone: the horse, its trainer and its jockey.
Preparing a thoroughbred for the first place in the Gold Cup means knowing how to make the best out of training.
This is a truly prestigious meeting and one we are proud to thoroughly cover in our dedicated section.
The Prestbury Cup
The Prestbury Cup is the trophy awarded to the home team of British-trained runners or their Irish rivals.
It is a heartfelt tradition in Cheltenham.
Ireland leads the competition, having won this cup 20 times against England’s eight.
In order to celebrate this never-ending rivalry, the competition between the two countries runs from the first day to the race in which either country reaches 14 winners.
Since there are 28 races in The Festival, at some point someone will reach that quota.
Prestbury is the nearest village to Cheltenham racecourse.
The Cup will be presented to jockeys and trainers once the winning country is confirmed.
The trophy has been sealed with some local turf as a symbol: the winning country will be taking a little bit of Cheltenham home.
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