Comprehensive Guide to Cheltenham Festival 2025 - Key Dates, Times and Races

Key Races and Schedule

There are some key races that take place during the festival, and we have taken a look at these in some more detail below!

Champion's Hurdle

The first feature race of the festival, The Champions Hurdle, takes place on Day 1. It involves some of the fastest and most skilled hurdlers in the world and is recognised as one of the most prestigious hurdling events of the year.

It was first run in 1927 where the prize money was a total of £365. Many famous names in the racing world, including Honeysuckle, State Man, and Constitution Hill, have secured the title in the past. It is also one of the many features of the festival that is dominated by Irish trainers, with just two occasions since 2013 being awarded to Britain.

Queen Mother Champion Chase

Day 2 at Cheltenham, otherwise known as Ladies Day, sees the Queen Mother Champion Chase, where Europe’s fastest chasers race for 2 miles to add their name to an exclusive roll of honour. 

First run in 1959, it's a true test of stamina open to horses aged 5 and over. It has seen a great battle between Britain and Ireland in recent years, as Henry De Bromhead, Willie Mullins, and Nicky Henderson share plenty of wins between them! 

Stayer's Hurdle

Introduced to the festival in 1972, the Stayers Hurdle takes place on St Patrick’s Thursday and is the ultimate test of stamina for hurdlers. It is run over 3 miles and is the most prestigious long-distance hurdle race on the horse racing calendar.

It is not uncommon for the same trainer to triumph in consecutive years, with the last four Stayers’ Hurdles having been won by Gavin Cromwell (2021-2022) and Gordon Elliott (2023-2024). Elliott will be looking to secure a third win in as many races in 2025.

Cheltenham Gold Cup

The Gold Cup needs little introduction. The iconic race takes place on the Friday of the Cheltenham Festival and is the spectacle everyone waits for. It was first run in 1819 and since then has become the most famous National Hunt race in the country. It is run over 3 miles and 2 furloings over 22 fences. 

In 2002, an era of dominance began as Best Mate, trained by Henrietta Knight, won the first of three consecutive Gold Cups, becoming the fourth horse to have won the race three or more times! 2025 is setting up for racegoers to see a potential fifth horse go three in a row as Galopin Des Champs and Willie Mullins take centre stage.

Guide to Betting on Cheltenham Festival

When betting on the iconic festival, whether you are a casual or serious punter, there are some key things we recommend you look at before placing your bets.

Popular Betting Markets - There are some betting markets that are specific to horse racing and some that are hugely beneficial to explore when it comes to the races. This includes each-way bets, extra places, accumulator bets, and win markets. These are where punters can expect to find the best value.

Study Trainers and Jockeys - It is always beneficial to research trainers and jockeys prior to backing a horse. If it has a successful trainer, it could be a good option to back. Likewise with jockeys, if it has a champion jockey aboard who also shares a successful partnership with a certain trainer this could be one of the ones to watch.

Promotions and Bonuses - There are some key promotions and bonuses to keep an eye out for during the Cheltenham Festival to help you get more out of your betting experience. These include Non-Runner No Bet offers, Extra Places, First Past the Post, Acca Insurance and lots more!

If you're interested in betting on Cheltenham Festival, check out our list of recommendations for horse racing betting sites here.

How to Watch Cheltenham Festival

Whether you are attending the race in person or want to keep up with all of the action whilst at home, there are several ways in which you can watch the Cheltenham Festival. 

TV - If you have regular TV, the festival is being broadcast live for free on ITV. There will be coverage each day, including build-up and post-race action, and six of the seven races will be broadcast each day, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup. There will also be live coverage available on RacingTV where viewers will be able to watch all seven races live throughout the four days!

Online - If you are on the go or simply want to watch along online, there are plenty of ways in which you can do so. This includes the ITV website, where the same action shown on TV will be streamed live, as well as via the ITVX app, which is available to download on your smartphone or tablet. There are also live streams available at top Cheltenham Festival betting apps that punters can access once they sign up and place a bet with the platform. 

At the Racecourse - if you are lucky enough to be attending any or all four of the days of the festival, you can enjoy all of the action live in person from a variety of different viewpoints and spots around the track. There are three enclosures available that grant racegoers access to different enclosures and stands. The Club and Tattersalls enclosures are for views of all of the action on the course, while the Best Mate enclosure provides a head-on view down the home straight. 

Community Viewing Traditions - Various community viewing traditions are held during the festival, which are fun for the locals and good for groups of friends. This includes watching the action in a pub, going to betting shops, or gathering with friends.

Advice for Attending the Cheltenham Festival

For those who are making the trip to the racecourse, we have provided some advice below in order to make sure your day runs smoothly and seamlessly from start to finish.

Getting Here

To ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience, racegoers can travel to the racecourse in various ways. These include park-and-ride options, train, coach, shuttle bus, taxi, helicopter, pick-up and drop-off, and car parking. It is best to travel in groups using one of the festival's dedicated transports arranged for the day that you are attending. This will help to prevent delays and ensure you will get there on time. 

What to Wear?

Racegoers are encouraged to simply dress in their own style. There is no formal dress code, but the organisers know many like to dress up and is the perfect occasion to wear your best outfits and accessories. It is important to dress for the weather as this can be unpredictable, and to keep in mind a lot of the area is grass, so suitable footwear is required. 

How to Make the Most of Your Day 

To get the most out of your day at Cheltenham, we always advise you to arrive early. This will mean less chance of delays getting in and more time to explore! Also, check out the facilities, such as the various bars and restaurants located around the track. Check out the shopping village, and even possibly place a bet at the bookies for the real racegoer experience!

If you want to know more about placing bets online ahead of Cheltenham Festival, head over to our comprehensive guide here.

Enjoy the Atmosphere

Make sure you participate in the day as much as you can to have the best possible Cheltenham Festival experience. Get involved in the atmosphere by exploring the various bars and restaurants and experience a wide variety of live music performances. There is also the shopping village full of diverse products to suit every taste and budget! Just interacting with fellow racegoers will all contribute to the experience.

Top Tips for Finding a Winning Horse

Look at the Horse's Weight

One of the most important factors to consider when deciding on a potential winning horse is its weight. The weight carried by a horse is made up of the jockey's weight and any remainder by weights placed in the saddle bag. A better horse will carry a heavier weight, and horses with less ability will carry less weight in a bid to even up the field. In horse racing, the weight added to or deducted from a horse is about making sure its racing betting odds are competitive. 

Find out the Horse's Age

Experience can be an important factor in determining whether a horse is a winner. Younger horses, while potentially being more energetic with more speed, can still be working on their ability to regulate their pace and compete in the longer races. While ages can vary in National Hunt races, there can be age trends, such as five-year-olds not traditionally doing well in the Champion Hurdle and many 7-8-year-olds winning the Gold Cup. Older horses can often have more experience and know how to run their race, as well as handle other race pressures better, such as loud crowds, fellow competitors, and the racing atmosphere.

Research the Horse's Career

Review a horse's overall career, looking for any strengths and weaknesses. Identify if there are any trends of success and look into the factors that contributed towards it. If a horse has had a successful career at Cheltenham in the past, it may be a good occasion for them! Do they race certain distances often with success? Explore a horse's trainer and how other runners under their care have fared, a certain way of training could be the key to success!

Analyse the Horse's Average Stamina

Check out the average stamina of a racehorse, how they fare in a race and how close they race back-to-back after a layoff. Typically, horses running within, give or take 35 days, are considered ‘fit’. Look at the speeds run at, the regular distances a horse runs, the athletic prowess and their competitive spirit. Analyse previous races and how the final furlongs have panned out for a further look into the stamina of a horse. 

Look at Expected Ground Conditions

Assessing the ground conditions of the racecourse is crucial for understanding how horses may perform. Otherwise referred to as the ‘going’, this indicates whether the ground is firm, good, or heavy. Firm ground tends to favour speed and may affect those who rely on stamina. For stamina, it is a softer ground that can work in their favour. Heavy ground conditions are the real test of stamina, with very few horses relishing this type of ground.

Look at Bookmaker Favourites

For every race, favourites selected by bookmakers will always play a part. It is not uncommon for horses that the bookie's back to be favourites are then the ones that go on to win the majority of races. It is always worthwhile checking the best-priced runners for a good indication of where the victory could come from. 

If you're a fan of horse racing betting and will miss the action of Cheltenham Festival when it's over, don't worry! The Grand National is only a few months away and if you want to know more about what to expect, head over to our comprehensive guide here.

History of Cheltenham Festival

The most prestigious horse racing event of the year and even in the country, the Cheltenham Festival is rooted deep in the history books. It is four days of thrilling racing and an iconic atmosphere held annually in March and is often described as the pinnacle of National Hunt racing. It attracts the biggest and the best horses from some of the most successful trainers, and aboard them are the best jockeys.

Set in the scenic Cotswolds, the racecourse offers stunning views and an atmosphere like no other. Hear the iconic Cheltenham Roar for miles that marks the start of the festival as the first race gets underway. It’s a show of pure passion and excitement right from the start!

The Cheltenham Festival history books date back to 1924, when the first Cheltenham Gold Cup race took place. Over time, the event expanded to a four-day show with daily feature races, Grade 1 races that really saw the best up against the best. These feature races include the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and Stayers’ Hurdle. 

There have been many iconic moments across the years, including Golden Miller breaking records by winning five consecutive Gold Cups between 1932 and 1936. A record that remains unbeaten to this day. It has also seen more recent history made with Best Mate securing a hattick of Gold Cup Wins in 2002, 2003, and 2004. A record that Galopin Des Champs will be going after equalling this year.

It has also involved some of the biggest jockeys and trainers in history, including household names such as A P McCoy and Ruby Walsh. Some trainers continue to dominate and cement their names in history books, too, as the strong rivalry between Britain and Ireland remains strong. These include Willie Mullins, Nicky Henderson, Gordon Elliott, and Paul Nicholls.

Other Popular UK Sports Events:

• The Grand National - For more information on the Grand National, click here.

• Wimbledon - Looking forward to the main UK tennis event of the year? Click here to find out more.

Responsible Gambling

It is important during an event such as the Cheltenham Festival that bettors practice responsible gambling to ensure their activity remains fun and enjoyable. This involves setting a budget that you can afford and sticking to it, as well as monitoring the time that you spend at a site. There are plenty of responsible gambling tools available at betting sites to help assist you with your betting habits. This includes setting deposit limits and time limits for your account and utilising self-exclusion tools for longer periods of time if you wish not to access your account. If you feel you could benefit from some further support regarding your gambling habits, there are helplines and organisations at your disposal readily available to contact via betting sites. This includes GamCare and BeGambleAware, which can provide confidential support and guidance with your gambling habits.