In March of every year the Cheltenham racecourse hosts the Cheltenham Festival; the finale of the National Hunt Season.  The festival is a 26 race event held over four days, and hosts over 200,000 people, with prize money of over £3 million.

Cheltenham racecourse has long been associated with The Cheltenham Festival, and horse racing in general.  The first race meeting took place in 1818, but it was in 1819 that the first official three-day event occurred.  Initially there was some local opposition to the racecourse.  In 1829 the Rev Francis Close led protests against the racecourse on the basis that it encouraged gambling. And the race meeting in 1830 was disrupted when the grandstand was burnt down.

Racing didn’t resume until 1845, but it wasn’t until 1898, when a Mr Bingham bought the racecourse, that racing was properly re-established.  Bingham built a new grandstand, and erected rails around the course.

In 1924 the first Gold Cup Steeplechase was won by Red Splash with prize money of £685, and in 1927 the first Champion Hurdle was run over two miles.

Recently the facilities were significantly improved in the 1960’s & 1970’s; new stands were built in 1979.  In 2002 a multi-million redevelopment of the course commenced, which was completed in 2004 with the opening of the Centaur Centre. The centre accommodates up to 4,000 visitors, and also provides Cheltenham with an arena big enough to host pop concerts.

For more information go to the Cheltenham Racecourse site.