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55-744: The Cheltenham Festival is a horse racing-based meeting in the National Hunt racing calendar in the United Kingdom, with race prize money second only to the Grand National . The four-day festival takes place annually in March at Cheltenham Racecourse in Cheltenham , Gloucestershire . It usually coincides with Saint Patrick's Day and is particularly popular with Irish visitors. The meeting features several Grade I races including

110-403: A bid for a third Stayers Hurdle. Iris's Gift who had only had one race that season kept fresh for this was to gain his revenge 12 months on. Baracouda as ever crept into contention and challenged looking the likely winner at the last but against his younger rival he just couldn't quite get past. It was just his second defeat in 16 starts. The following year started in familiar fashion with wins in

165-607: A championship race. The Gold Cup , established in 1924, was originally a supporting race for the County Hurdle . This was the main event of the first day but that quickly changed, and in the following seasons it became a championship race. For many years it was still used by the trainers as a preparation race for the Grand National . The Champion Hurdle first ran in 1927 and the Queen Mother Champion Chase in 1959; they were both championship races from

220-408: A different track each year. The 'National Hunt Meeting' established itself in the racing calendar, in turn moving around such courses as Sandown, New market, Derby, Liverpool, Hurst Park, Lincoln, Leicester and many others. In 1904 and 1905, Cheltenham hosted the meeting, and although Warwick was awarded it for five years after that, it then returned to Cheltenham which became the permanent home of

275-696: A lockdown. The festival attracted 251,684 visitors that year, including a final-day crowd of 68,859, fewer than 2,000 down on the previous year's record. There were fears in early April that the festival had helped spread the disease widely across the country. One visitor who developed COVID-19 later complained about having been "packed like sardines". Hundreds of festival visitors also said that they had developed symptoms. Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust , which covers Cheltenham, recorded 125 deaths, roughly double that in two nearby trusts at Bristol (58 each), and those covering Swindon (67) and Bath (46). For several years there have been concerns about

330-464: A swinging gallop under Paul Carberry and led the field down the hill second time but at that point Iris's Gift was cruising in second with Baracouda on his heels also seemingly going well. As Classified and the rest struggled in behind these three turned almost in unison. Baracouda uncharacteristically hit the front before the last but Iris's Gift was almost upsides jumping the last. As Limestone Lad cried enough Baracouda and Iris's Gift went toe-to-toe with

385-504: A whole host of other important races have been added to the National Hunt racing season, although many of these are geared towards generating betting turnover in the form of competitive handicaps that attract large numbers of runners. Given the sport's origins, Irish-bred and trained horses remain a dominant force in national hunt racing today. In 2005 and 2006, Irish-trained horses captured the three main prizes at Cheltenham and won

440-542: Is run after the Gold Cup over the same distance and is often referred to as the amateur Gold Cup. "Point to Point" racing is steeplechase racing for amateurs. Baracouda Baracouda (1995 – 9 February 2023) was a top staying hurdler for racehorse trainer François Doumen in the late 1990s and early first decade of the 21st century. Amongst his major successes, he won the Stayers Championship,

495-461: Is run over 4.3 miles (6.9 km). Notably, the 'Liverpool Grand Steeplechase' (to give its original name) was actually initiated in 1836, although the three earliest runnings have been overlooked in many historical chronicles. Organising steeplechasing in Britain, began with annual events being staged cross country over a number of fields, hedges and brooks, the earliest most notable of these being

550-613: Is the Grand National , run at Aintree in April each year. The race is a different sort of contest from the Gold Cup: it is a Grade 3 race, it is run over a distance of more than 4 miles (6.4 km), there are up to 40 runners, the course at Aintree is essentially flat, and the horses are handicapped (the best horses carry the most weight). Perhaps the most fundamental difference is that the Grand National fences are far bigger than

605-504: The Cheltenham Gold Cup , Champion Hurdle , Queen Mother Champion Chase and Stayers' Hurdle . Large amounts of money are gambled; hundreds of millions of pounds are bet over the course of the week. Cheltenham is noted for its atmosphere, including the "Cheltenham roar", which refers to the enormous amount of noise that the crowd generates as the starter raises the tape for the first race of the festival. Cheltenham Festival

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660-831: The Scottish Grand National at Ayr Racecourse ; the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park Racecourse ; the Welsh National at Chepstow Racecourse ; and the Irish National at Fairyhouse Racecourse . National Hunt racing originated in Ireland , particularly in the southern counties. Early races were mainly two-horse contests known as "pounding races" that became popular in the early 18th century. These involved long trips across country where horses were required to jump whatever obstacles

715-608: The World Hurdle twice, as well as winning 10 consecutive races between November 2000 and November 2002. He holds the record for winning Ascot's Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle 4 times (one won at Windsor during Ascot redevelopment). A low-key Flat performer in France he was sent to trainer François Doumen after finishing 5th on hurdles debut at Auteuil. He would win three (including Grade 2) and finish second three times (including Grade 1) in his first half dozen starts for Doumen. Next up

770-480: The Cheltenham Festival has changed dramatically over the years of its existence. In particular, it has grown from a two-day meeting to a four-day meeting. In 2024, there will be 28 races as follows: The top jockey for the festival is the jockey who wins the most races over the four days. The winners since 1980, with wins in brackets, are: The leading trainer for the festival is the trainer who trains

825-619: The Cheltenham Festival is the Gold Cup . All races run at Cheltenham finish with a long uphill run-in in front of the stands. The Gold Cup is a Grade 1 race, run over a distance of 3 miles 2 + 1 ⁄ 2  furlongs (5.3 km). All horses carry the same weight in the Gold Cup. On numerous occasions the hill at the finish has found out the brave. Famous winners of the Gold Cup include Dawn Run (mare, ridden by Jonjo O'Neill), Arkle , Golden Miller, Best Mate, Desert Orchid & Kauto Star . The highest profile National Hunt race

880-460: The Festival was cancelled due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Britain. The meeting had initially been postponed to April, but when a case of the disease was confirmed locally, putting the racecourse within an exclusion zone, all racing had to be called off. In 2008, the second day of the festival was cancelled due to heavy storms. The races scheduled for that day were instead run on

935-701: The French horse narrowly in front. Iris's Gift dug deeper than ever before but he just could not get past and Baracouda regained his crown in a pulsating finish. The following season began at Newbury in the Long Distance Hurdle where he gained revenge on Deano's Beeno beating him by 7 lengths. He was also to regain his Long Walk title that winter as he defeated a Grade 1 field beating old rivals Mr Cool and Deano's Beeno by 30 lengths and more. A Sandown handicap where he gave all rivals at least 25lbs followed as he won comfortably by 2 lengths from Yogi to set up

990-550: The Grand National. Best Mate who captured the Cheltenham Gold Cup three successive times between 2002 and 2004, was Irish-bred, but trained and owned in England . In recent years, French-bred horses have also come to the forefront with horses such as Master Minded becoming the highest rated horse in Britain after winning the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Kauto Star who won the Gold Cup in 2007, 2009 and

1045-409: The Long Distance Hurdle at Newbury and Long Walk that year run at Windsor. Both times he beat Crystal D'Ainay relatively narrowly. With Iris's Gift out of favour many thought he could regain his Stayer's Crown but this time lost to Inglis Drever. Baracouda only raced twice in his final season. He was second again to Inglis Drever in the Long Distance Hurdle before bowing out with a fifth place finish in

1100-495: The National Hunt calendar are the Cheltenham Festival meeting and the Grand National meeting. The Cheltenham Festival is held at Cheltenham Racecourse over four days in the second week of March. On Friday, it features eleven grade one races, culminating in the Cheltenham Gold Cup , the most prestigious Chase race in the world. The Grand National meeting is held at Aintree over three days every April. Many of

1155-635: The National Spirit Hurdle but his intended target of the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham wasn't to be with the Festival lost to foot and mouth. Baracouda instead stayed home to win a Grade 3 at Auteuil before returning to the UK for a rescheduled and unofficial championship event at Sandown in April. Baracouda defeated 10 rivals with consummate ease although he idled in front to win by 3 lengths from Carlovent. Baracouda returned to action

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1210-658: The St Albans Steeplechase (first run in 1830). For some years, there was no regulation of steeplechasing . The sport gained a reputation as being a bastard relation of flat-racing and consequently fell into decline. A breakthrough came in the 1860s with the formation of the National Hunt Committee, and the running of the National Hunt Steeplechase. This steeplechase would form part of an annual race-meeting staged at

1265-578: The best horses come to these festivals, which are watched by a huge television audience worldwide. Hundreds of millions of pounds are gambled on these festivals . Other important festivals are: the Galway Races – a hugely popular mixed (NH and flat) meeting in Ireland; Punchestown Festival – the Irish equivalent of the Cheltenham Festival; The Tingle Creek at Sandown Park Racecourse ;

1320-428: The biggest rival. Racing dead last for most of the first circuit he slowly but surely picked his way through the field under Thierry Doumen. Turning for home it was evident that Bannow Bay and Baracouda were going far better than their rivals. Sensing his big rival in his rear view mirror Charlie Swan sent Bannow Bay on going to the last. Thierry Doumen tracked him and went second shortly before jumping it. Bannow Bay found

1375-400: The deficit at the last but it still looked impossible until the petrol light on Mr Cool hit red and McCoy's mount toiled up the punishing hill. Baracouda was closing all the while but never looking like he could quite get there in time but in a slow motion finish he eventually reeled Mr Cool in to win by a neck. The pair were a distance clear of the other two. With his winning run at 10 next up

1430-471: The fences at Cheltenham and a number of fences incorporate significant drops. The best known fence is Becher's Brook which is 5 ft (1.5 m) high, but has a 7 ft (2 m) drop on landing and is often regarded as the biggest challenge on the course. Winners of the Grand National include Red Rum (won 3 times:1973, 1974, 1977), runner up twice (1975, 1976)); Mr Frisk (1990, the last winner to date to be ridden by an amateur jockey and still holds

1485-529: The festival. At the 2018 festival there were six horse deaths, leading to a BHA review into equine safety. The review was published in December 2018 and listed 17 recommendations for future Cheltenham fixtures and jump racing in general, including reduced field size numbers at Cheltenham and a pre-race veterinary check for all runners at the festival. At the 2019 festival there were three horse deaths, leading to another BHA review. The number and type of races at

1540-514: The first 3 of a Grade 1 or 2 chase in the previous season from taking part. The two biggest Hunter Chases are the Aintree Fox Hunters' Chase and Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase . The Aintree Fox Hunters' is run as the feature race on the first day of the Grand National meeting over one circuit of the Grand National course. This gives amateur riders the chance to jump these famous fences before the professionals. The Cheltenham Foxhunter

1595-614: The first female jockey to ride a winner at the Festival. She won the Foxhunter Chase on Eliogarty. On 17 March 1987, 21-year-old Gee Armytage won the Kim Muir Challenge Cup , back then held on Tuesdays and backed it with another victory the next day in the Mildmay of Flete Challenge Cup on a horse aptly named Gee-A, becoming the first female jockey to win a race against professionals at the Festival.. In 2001

1650-560: The fixture. Further prestigious races were added to the card during the 1920s, such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle. As steeplechasing entered its modern era, the Cheltenham Festival became the pinnacle of the season, providing a series of championship races at which virtually all top horses would be targeted. With the introduction of sponsorship (starting with the Whitbread Gold Cup in 1957),

1705-583: The following Autumn defeating subsequent Champion Hurdler Hors La Loi III by 9 lengths in the Ascot Hurdle before winning his second Long Walk. In one of his best ever performances he won the Grade 1 by 24 lengths. In his Cheltenham warm up he somewhat scrambled home in a slowly run Rendlesham at Kempton before his first race at Cheltenham in the 2002 Stayers Hurdle. Baracouda faced 15 rivals with Irish stayer Bannow Bay considered unbeatable by his connections

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1760-474: The horses jumping over a variety of different obstacles that includes plain fences , water jump or an open ditch. Some of the biggest National Hunt events of the year in the UK are the Grand National and the Cheltenham Gold Cup . The National Hunt season primarily occurs during the winter months when softer ground conditions make jumping safer for horses. The horses are significantly cheaper compared to sport horses for other equestrian sports, reason being

1815-458: The landscape threw in their way. The first recorded race of this nature is traditionally said to have taken place between the towns of Buttevant and Doneraile in the north of County Cork in 1752. The distance of the race was 4.5 miles (7.2 km). The start and finish were marked by the church steeple in each town, hence the term " steeplechase ". Point-to-point races, amateur steeplechases normally run on farmland, remain hugely popular in

1870-667: The list of Grade 1-3 National Hunt races and the list of Group 1-3 Flat races . The capital of National Hunt racing in the UK is Cheltenham Racecourse , in the Cotswolds , which hosts the Cheltenham Festival in the third week of March each year, as well as other important fixtures during the NH calendar. There are numerous well-known trainers operating in the Cotswolds including Jonjo O'Neill , Richard Phillips, Tom George, Nigel Twiston-Davies, and latterly Kim Bailey. The highlight of

1925-707: The majority are geldings and have no breeding value. Jump Racing primarily takes place in France , Great Britain and Ireland , with some events also taking place in Australia , Canada and the United States . In Ireland, National Hunt racing receives much higher attendances than flat racing, while in Great Britain, it is more balanced, but the different seasons (there is little top-class flat racing in Britain from November to March) mean that most fans of

1980-432: The most dramatic races of the season. AP McCoy sensing a complete lack of urgency at the start sent his mount Mr Cool off in front and he was 20L clear at the first. That advantage had doubled by halfway and he was almost a hurdle ahead as the runners left Swinley Bottom. Baracouda with his customary hold-up tactics looked to have an insurmountable task turning in as he went into second still more than 30L behind. He had halved

2035-602: The most winners in the races over the four days. The winners since 1997, with wins in brackets, are: National Hunt racing National Hunt racing , also known as Jump Racing , is a form of horse racing particular to France , Great Britain and Ireland , that requires horses to jump over fences and ditches. In the UK , national hunt racing is divided into two major distinct branches, hurdling and steeplechase , as well as flat races called " bumpers ". Hurdling involves horses jumping over hurdles , while steeplechase involves

2090-479: The mêlée occurred is now named "Foinavon Fence"). Other NH races of note include the King George VI Chase , run at Kempton Park on 26 December and the Hennessy Gold Cup run at Newbury at the end of November. Hunter chases take place at national hunt racecourses but are only open to horses that have hunter certificates. Hunter certificates are issued to horses that have hunted for at least four days in

2145-527: The number of horse injuries and fatalities. In 2006, 11 horses died. In response the racecourse decreased the number of runners in certain races and re-sited one of the more difficult fences. On the opening day of the 2012 festival, three horses were euthanised after suffering bone fractures or breaks, including two during the Cross-Country Chase, becoming the second and third equine fatalities in that race since 2000. Another two horses died during

2200-534: The paddock extended to 35 saddling boxes, proved enough to make the National Hunt Committee decide that the 1911 meeting was to return at Prestbury Park, Cheltenham where it remained to the present day. The earliest traceable reference to a "Festival" is in the Warwick Advertiser of 1907. The Stayers' Hurdle , which first ran in 1912, is the oldest race from the Cheltenham festival that is currently

2255-446: The race. There was to be no Stayer's prep this year as he went straight to Cheltenham for the most eagerly anticipated renewal of the race ever. Baracouda would finally face off with Irish legend Limestone Lad a tough as teak front-running winner of 35 races including 4 top level successes. Throw in crack novice Iris's Gift and Cleeve Hurdle winner Classified and this was one of the best staying hurdles ever run. Limestone Lad as usual set

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2310-405: The record for the fastest time); Aldaniti (1981, ridden by Bob Champion shortly after he had recovered from cancer. His story was made into a film); and Foinavon (1967, won at odds of 100/1 after a mêlée at the 23rd fence resulted in the majority of the field falling or refusing. Foinavon was far enough behind at that point to avoid the confusion and ran on to win by 20 lengths. The fence where

2365-431: The response he'd promised Swan yet Doumen brought Baracouda alongside halfway up the run in and despite only hands and heels urging he was able to coax him home by a neck from Bannow Bay; the pair 13 lengths clear of third It Takes Time. The following season despite talk of a switch to fences he remained over hurdles starting out in a four-runner renewal of the Ascot Hurdle. Despite the small field it turned out to be one of

2420-484: The same region and in many parts of rural Ireland and Great Britain , today. The first use of the term steeplechase on an official racecard was in Ireland in the early 19th century. The 'official' first running of the Grand National , held annually at Aintree in England, took place in 1839 and was won by an Irish horse, Lottery . The "National", as it is known, was run over 4.5 miles (7.2 km), but since 2013

2475-598: The season before racing starts in January. In addition, the jockey must be an amateur who has obtained a certificate from the hunt secretary. Unlike point-to-points , licensed trainers as well as amateur trainers may have runners in Hunter Chases. This often causes controversy when big name trainers run former Grade 1 horses in Hunter Chases as amateur trainers feel they are unable to compete. New rules which took effect in 2009, will prevent horses which have finished in

2530-627: The season, the Festival Hunters' Chase, which is run on the Friday over the same course as the Gold Cup. Unlike Royal Ascot and many other top flat racing events in Great Britain and Ireland, the Cheltenham Festival does not have a history of attracting many international contenders, though French-trained horses have done well. Baracouda was perhaps the best known, after landing the Stayers' Hurdle twice. In 1983 Caroline Beasley became

2585-421: The sport can enjoy both forms of racing at their pleasure. National Hunt horses are often bred for jumping, while others are former flat horses but they do not have to be Thoroughbreds : many French-bred jumpers are Selle Français or AQPS . Many horses begin their racing careers in amateur point-to-pointing where they compete over steeplechase races of three miles (4.8 km). The two main highlights of

2640-523: The third and final days. In 2019 a record opening day crowd of 67,934 people attended. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic , and in line with government advice, the festival went ahead from 10 to 13 March 2020. The World Health Organization declared the outbreak a pandemic on 11 March. On 16 March, three days after the festival, the British government advised against large gatherings and on 23 March ordered

2695-498: The time they were introduced, unlike the Stayers' Hurdle and Gold Cup. Until 2005 the festival had traditionally been held over the course of three days, but this changed with the introduction of a fourth day, meaning there would be one championship race on each day, climaxing with the Gold Cup on the Friday. To ensure each day would still have six races, five new races were introduced. Four further races have since been added, bringing

2750-466: The total to 28 races overall, with grade one events including the Champion Bumper , Triumph Hurdle , Ryanair Chase , Supreme Novices' Hurdle , Ballymore Novices' Hurdle , Arkle Challenge Trophy , Brown Advisory Novices' Chase , Champion Hurdle, Stayers' Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and the feature race, the Gold Cup. The festival also includes one of the two biggest Hunter Chases of

2805-433: Was a bid for a third Long Walk hurdle again at Ascot but it proved a bridge too far as the exaggerated waiting tactics this time saw him use up too much energy to get alongside Deano's Beeno only for that rival to find a little bit extra in the finish to cause a huge upset. Thierry Doumen came in for huge criticism this time after somewhat getting away with it the time before he this time had in many people's eyes cost Baracouda

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2860-480: Was a visit to Britain where Doumen had been so synonymous with success down the years. As a 5yo novice he went into Ascot's Grade 1 Long Walk Hurdle in December against seasoned and top class staying hurdlers. He treated them with disdain winning by 14 lengths from favourite Deano's Beeno. Afterwards he and brilliant chaser First Gold were bought privately by Irish tycoon JP McManus for an undisclosed sum. In his next start he gave weight and beat 9 rivals at Fontwell in

2915-589: Was not held between 1941 and 1945 because of World War II and in 2001 due to the foot-and-mouth disease crisis. The Cheltenham Festival originated in 1860 when the National Hunt Chase was first held at Market Harborough. It was initially titled the Grand National Hunt Meeting and took place at several locations since its institution, at the turn of the 20th century it was mostly held at Warwick Racecourse . In 1904 and 1905 it

2970-486: Was second in 2008 is also French bred. Races are graded depending on their health and mental status. The most prestigious are Grade 1, then Grade 2, Grade 3, Listed, Handicaps, to Bumpers the least prestigious. The more highly graded races attract more prize money and better horses. (In flat racing the more prestigious races are Group 1, 2, and 3, then Listed). All National Hunt races are also classified in classes 1-7 (class 1 best). Graded and listed races are class 1. See

3025-400: Was staged at Cheltenham over a new course established at Prestbury Park in 1902, having previously taken place at Cheltenham in 1861. From 1906 to 1910 it was again held at Warwick but further additions and major improvements made at Cheltenham by Messrs. Pratt and Company, including a new stand (the fourth one), miles of drain to prevent unsuitable racing ground, tar paving in the enclosures and

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