The Cheltenham Festival – how it started and how it is today
The Cheltenham Festival is the most prestigious event in the world of horse racing. This National hunt racing event has is highly anticipated in Ireland and the United Kingdom as some of the best from Ireland and Britain get to compete in it.
This festival is an annual event takes place in March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. The event usually falls within the dates of Saint Patrick’s Day, an event which is immensely popular among the Irish.
This festival is directly related to money as large sums of gambled within these four days. Some of the best geldings, mares, horses, colts and fillies are responsible for the amount of money won by the gamblers.
The Cheltenham Festival originated in 1860 and it was held at Market Harborough. The Festival took place at different locations for a number of years but it returned to Cheltenham in 1904.
The main during this festival is the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which started taking place in 1924. Addition of the Champion Hurdle was added in 1927. The Queen Mother Champion Chase was introduced in 1959 where as the Stayers Hurdle was first run in 1972. With
all these additions, the festival has gained a reputation, it is a high profile event attended by the best jockeys and trainers.
In 2012, the Cheltenham festival will take place from 13th to 16th March.
13th March is known as the Champion Day. 7 races have been scheduled to take place on this day. The Stan James Champion Hurdle Challenge Trophy is the featured race of this day. This race will take place on 3.20 GMT and it will cover a distance
of 2 miles and ½ a furlong.
The top contenders for this race are Hurricane Fly and Zarkandar.
Hurricane Fly, trained by W.P Mullins, is in good form. The 8-year-old son of Montjeu, out of Scandisk, finished in 1st place in the Grade 1 BHP Insurance Irish Champion Hurdle, which took place at Leopardstown, on 29th January, 2012.
Zarkandar, trained by Paul Nicholls, has been performing well. The 5-year-old son of Azamour, out of Zarkasha, is creating hype, as he succeeded in the Grade 3 Betfair Handicap Hurdle, at Newbury, on 17th February, 2012.
On 14th March, 2012, the festival is celebrating Ladies Day, which allows the guests to dress up for awards.
Among the 7 races, the one most anticipated is the sportingbet.com Queen Mother Champion Steeple Chase. The race covers a distance of 2 miles. The runner who is gaining all the bets in this race is Sizing Europe.
Trained by Henry De Bromhead, the 10-year-old acquired a victory in the Grade 2 Boylesports.com Tied Cottage Chase, held at Punchestown, on 5th February, 2012.
15th March is Saint Patrick’s Thursday and one of the most events on this day is the Ladbrokes World Hurdle. The top contender for this 3 mile race is Big Buck. Trained by Paul nicholls, the gelding also already aced this race.
The son of Cadoudal, out of Buck’s, is one of the top contenders. He is of significant interest to the bookmakers and punters.
The Cheltenham Gold Cup day is celebrated on 16th March, 2012. The most anticipated race of this day is the Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Steeple Chase. The top contender for this 3 mile and 2 ½ furlong race is
Kauto Star.
The son of Village Star, out of Kauto Relka, will race for the first time in 2012. He emerged victorious from the Grade 1 William Hill King George VI Chase, which took place at Kempton, on 26th December, 2011.
The Cheltenham Festival is an exciting event, which gives an adrenaline rush to all those watching – which includes the punters, bookmakers, trainers, owners, breeders and the spectators.
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