Cheltenham Racecourse

Discover More at Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse History

In 1815, on Nottingham Hill, the first official horse race at Cheltenham took place during the first flat meeting. Three years later, racing was also introduced on Cleeve Hill, surrounding Prestbury Park. Over time, horse racing grew in popularity, with 30,000 people attending the annual two-day July meeting, which featured the old Gold Cup, a 3m flat race. Due to the main grandstand burning down, racing at Cheltenham moved to Prestbury Park in 1831. Steeplechasing began in Andoversford in 1834 and was later relocated to the current track in 1898, now recognised as Jumps racing headquarters.

The Racecourse Holdings Trust (now widely known as the Jockey Club) was established in 1964 to ensure the future of racing at Cheltenham. The Jockey Club currently owns 14 racecourses, including Newmarket, Lambourn, Epsom and the National Stud, including jump, flat, dual-purpose and training grounds. It reinvests all proceeds back into British racing to assure the group’s future success. The Best Mate Enclosure, right in the heart of the Racecourse, received a £3 million investment between 2003 and 2004, offering a new grandstand with the best views of the racing. £17 million was invested in The Centaur, Cheltenham’s biggest venue and news conference facilities.

Cheltenham Horse Races

Cheltenham Racecourse plays host to highlighted racing throughout the Cheltenham horse race season. There’s a whole range of meetings to experience, from novice racing and trials to the renowned Cheltenham Festival. Racing events throughout the season include:

The November Meeting

The November Meeting returns to Cheltenham Racecourse for three days of competitive National Hunt racing from Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November 2026, with the Paddy Power Gold Cup among the weekend’s headline attractions.

• Takes place across Friday 13th to Sunday 15th November 2026.
• One of the first major multi-day meetings of the Cheltenham jump racing season.
• Provides valuable early indicators of potential Cheltenham Festival contenders.
• The Paddy Power Gold Cup, staged on Saturday, is the feature race of the meeting.
• The first running of the race took place in 1960, with Fortria winning under Pat Taaffe.
• The November Meeting attracted approximately 61,000 spectators in 2024.
• Eventmasters offers Private Grandstand Box Hospitality, accommodating groups of 12 to 18 guests.

The Christmas Meeting – December

The Christmas Meeting is one of Cheltenham’s leading winter racing fixtures, with the December Gold Cup the headline contest across two days of competitive National Hunt action.

• The 2026 Christmas Meeting takes place on Friday 11th and Saturday 12th December 2026.
• Eventmasters offers Private Grandstand Box Hospitality for groups of 12 to 18 guests.
• Private Boxes feature a viewing balcony overlooking the Winning Line.
• Glengouly, ridden by Sean Bowen, won the 2025 December Gold Cup.
• The meeting offers a festive, family-friendly atmosphere alongside competitive racing.
• Seasonal entertainment adds to the occasion, with activities for families and opportunities to socialise after racing.
• The Christmas Meeting is Cheltenham’s final major racing fixture before Christmas.

New Year’s Day Meeting

The New Year’s Day Meeting is Cheltenham’s first racing fixture of 2027, offering an entertaining start to the calendar year with competitive National Hunt action and a welcoming atmosphere for families and racing enthusiasts.

• Takes place on Friday 1st January 2027.
• The meeting features a seven-race card, with the full raceday schedule available closer to the event.
• Known for its festive and sociable atmosphere, attracting experienced racing fans and families.
• The Grade 2 Relkeel Hurdle is one of the biggest races of the day.
• Kabral Du Mathan, ridden by Harry Skelton, won the Relkeel Hurdle in 2026.
• Combines competitive jump racing with family entertainment and activities around the racecourse.

Festival Trials Day – January

Festival Trials Day is one of the most important fixtures in the build-up to the Cheltenham Festival, giving horses a final opportunity to compete at Prestbury Park before the major meeting in March.

• The 2027 Festival Trials Day takes place on Saturday 30th January 2027.
• Eventmasters offers Private Grandstand Box Hospitality for parties of 12 to 18 guests.
• The Cleeve Hurdle and Betfair Cotswold Chase are two of the leading races on the card.
• Features an eight-race programme, including several important Cheltenham Festival trials.
• Offers valuable form indicators ahead of the Cheltenham Festival in March.
• The meeting provides a lively atmosphere for racing enthusiasts, with entertainment and hospitality available throughout the day.

Cheltenham Festival

The Cheltenham Festival returns for four days of world-class National Hunt racing from Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th March 2027, bringing together leading horses, jockeys and trainers from Britain, Ireland and beyond.

• The 2027 Cheltenham Festival takes place from Tuesday 16th to Friday 19th March 2027.
• The meeting opens with Champion Day, followed by Ladies Day, St Patrick’s Thursday and Gold Cup Day.
• The Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and Cheltenham Gold Cup are among the Festival’s feature races.
• The four-day meeting features 28 races, with seven contests scheduled each day.
• Widely regarded as the biggest meeting of the National Hunt racing season.
• The 2026 Cheltenham Festival offered approximately £4.9 million in prize money.
• The Prestbury Cup is awarded to either Britain or Ireland, depending on which nation records the most winners across the four days.

The April Meeting

The April Meeting is the penultimate fixture of Cheltenham’s jump racing season, providing two days of competitive action at Prestbury Park following the Cheltenham Festival in March.

• The 2027 April Meeting takes place on Wednesday 14th and Thursday 15th April 2027.
• The Silver Trophy Handicap Chase is one of the leading races traditionally associated with the meeting.
• Riskintheground, ridden by Harry Skelton, won the Silver Trophy Handicap Chase in April 2025.
• Private Grandstand Box Hospitality is available, with a viewing balcony overlooking the Winning Line.
• The meeting offers a lively, relaxed and sociable atmosphere.
• Provides an opportunity to enjoy competitive spring racing before Cheltenham’s season concludes with the Hunter Chase Evening.

Hunter Chase Evening – April

The Hunter Chase Evening, also known as Race Night, is Cheltenham Racecourse’s only evening racing fixture. Featuring amateur jockeys competing in hunter chases, the meeting brings the 2026/27 Cheltenham racing season to a close.

• The 2027 Hunter Chase Evening takes place on Friday 30th April 2027.
• The Jonathan Neesom Memorial Mixed Open Hunters’ Chase is traditionally one of the leading races of the evening.
• Features seven hunter chases, with the full 2027 racing schedule to be confirmed.
• Marks the conclusion of the 2026/27 racing season at Cheltenham Racecourse.
• Private Grandstand Box Hospitality is available, with a private viewing balcony overlooking the Winning Line.
• Private Boxes can accommodate parties of 12 to 18 guests.

The Showcase Meeting – October

The Cheltenham Showcase Meeting marks the return of jump racing to Prestbury Park, opening the 2027/28 Cheltenham racing season with two days of competitive National Hunt action.

• The 2027 Cheltenham Showcase Meeting takes place on Friday 22nd and Saturday 23rd October 2027.
• The two-day meeting features competitive hurdle and chase races, including opportunities to see emerging novice talent.
• Attracts established National Hunt performers alongside promising novice hurdlers and chasers.
• One of the first major social racing occasions of the new Cheltenham season.
• Provides early clues for racegoers ahead of the Cheltenham Festival in March 2028.
• Eventmasters offers four hospitality experiences: Private Grandstand Box, Panoramic Restaurant, National Hunt Room and Mandarin Restaurant.

If you are looking for hospitality availability at the 2027 Cheltenham Festival, please call 0121 233 6500.