When it comes to horse racing, there are few events that can stack up to the world renowned Cheltenham Festival, which is scheduled for March 11th to March 14th 2024. Out of all four days, the last one is the most prolific as it features the Cheltenham Gold Cup, with the winning jockey, owner, and trainer all receiving one of the most desirable trophies in the sport’s history.
On this page, you can find a comprehensive guide for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, including the full schedule, the featured races, and the current favourite contenders to win a trophy, according to the latest horse racing odds!
Cheltenham Dates and Schedule
The Cheltenham Festival 2025 is set to take place from March 11th to March 14th, offering four days of thrilling horse racing action. This prestigious annual event features 28 races, including four major contests that showcase the best National Hunt horses, jockeys, and trainers.
- Day 1: The festival kicks off on Tuesday, March 11th, with the highlight being the Champion Hurdle, a Grade 1 race run over two miles and half a furlong.
- Day 2: Wednesday, March 12th, features the Queen Mother Champion Chase, a Grade 1 steeplechase run over two miles.
- Day 3: The Stayers’ Hurdle, a Grade 1 race run over three miles, takes centre stage on Thursday, March 13th.
- Day 4: The festival concludes on Friday, March 14th, with the iconic Cheltenham Gold Cup, a Grade 1 steeplechase run over three miles and two and a half furlongs.
Each day of the festival features a packed schedule of races, with the first race typically starting at 1:30 pm GMT and the last race concluding around 5:30 pm GMT.
In addition to the four major races, there are several other notable contests throughout the week, such as the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, the Arkle Challenge Trophy, and the Ryanair Chase. The festival attracts a huge number of spectators, with over 250,000 people attending across the four days in recent years. It’s also watched by millions of people around the world on TV, including on ITV, and through various live streaming platforms!
Featured Races and Contenders
The 2025 Cheltenham Festival will showcase an array of prestigious races, each with its own rich history and fierce competition. Among the most anticipated events are the Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle, both of which have seen legendary horses etch their names into racing history.
Galopin Des Champs, an impressive horse trained by the legendary Willie Mullins, will be vying for an unprecedented third consecutive Gold Cup victory, a feat that would cement his status as one of the all-time greats. Galopin Des Champs is currently an overwhelming favourite to make history, with Willie Mullins affording the superstar horse more rest than in previous years to ensure adequate preparation.
In the Champion Hurdle, all eyes will be on Constitution Hill, a rising star who has already proven his mettle against top-tier opponents. Constitution Hill is the odds-on favourite to secure his second Champion Hurdle win, adding to the success of 2023. However, last year’s winner State Man will have something to say about that.
History of the Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival boasts a rich and storied history dating back to 1860 when it first began as the National Hunt Meeting. Over the years, the festival has evolved and grown in prominence, cementing its status as one of the most prestigious and anticipated events in the world of horse racing.
Evolution and Name Change
The Cheltenham Festival has a rich history dating back to 1860 when it began as the National Hunt Meeting. In 1902, it became an official two-day meeting held in April, and in 1904, the festival moved to its current location at Prestbury Park.
The event showcases the finest in jump racing, featuring talented jockeys and thoroughbred horses competing in thrilling steeplechase races.
In 2005, the festival underwent a significant change when it was renamed the Cheltenham Festival and expanded to a four-day event. The appeal and popularity of the festival have only grown since then, with it now hosting some of the most-watched horse races throughout the UK.
Course Descriptions
The Cheltenham Festival boasts three distinct courses, each with its own unique characteristics and challenges. The Old Course, used on Tuesday and Wednesday, is a sharper track with a notoriously difficult second-to-last fence that has caught out many a contender over the years.
In contrast, the New Course, which hosts the action on Thursday and Friday, is a staying circuit that puts horses’ stamina to the ultimate test, particularly with the critical uphill ascent to the finish line.
Since its introduction in 1985, the Cross Country Course has added an exciting dimension to the festival, offering a unique test of agility and endurance for both horse and rider. With an array of challenging obstacles and notable landmarks, this course provides a thrilling spectacle for spectators and a true test of skill for the competitors.
The historical significance of these courses cannot be overstated, as they have played host to some of the most iconic moments in horse racing history and continue to shape the sport to this day.
Major Races
The Cheltenham Festival features four major races that have become iconic in the world of horse racing. The Champion Hurdle, held on Tuesday, is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race that has been a staple of the festival since 1927.
The Queen Mother Champion Chase, established in 1959, takes place on Wednesday and is a Grade 1 steeplechase run over two miles. Thursday’s main event is the Stayers’ Hurdle, while Friday’s highlight is the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup, first introduced in 1924.
These distinguished competitions attract top horses and jockeys from around the world, vying for substantial prize money and the honour of winning at this historic event. The Ryanair Chase, held on Thursday, has also gained significant prominence in recent years.
Each race has its own rich history and has played a crucial role in shaping the Cheltenham Festival into the premier horse racing event it is today.
How To Bet on the 2025 Cheltenham Festival Online
If you want to bet on horse racing at the 2025 Cheltenham Festival, here’s a guide you can use to get started:
1. Sign in to your BetVictor account. If you’re not registered with us already, simply click or tap on the green ‘Sign Up’ button in the top right corner and fill in the various fields that appear. From here, you can simply verify your details and make a deposit to bet on Cheltenham online with real funds.
2. Head to the sports betting page and click ‘Horse Racing’.
3. Go to ‘Future’ and select ‘Cheltenham 2025’. This will bring up a list of all races.
4. Click on the race you’d like to bet on.
5. Tap your desired selection to add it to the bet slip.
6. Last but not least, type in your desired stake size and confirm your wager!
Here at BetVictor, we have a huge range of betting markets and Cheltenham odds to cover all races. From the Supreme Novices Hurdle to the infamous Gold Cup, we’ve got you covered with a comprehensive selection of horse racing odds.
Before placing a bet, be sure to check out the BetVictor offers page, too. There are plenty of different bonuses to choose from, many of which can be used across all sports betting markets, including horse racing!
Frequently Asked Questions About The Cheltenham Festival 2025
The Cheltenham Festival 2025 gets underway on Tuesday March 11th and wraps up on Friday March 14th 2025.
The biggest races at the Cheltenham Festival are the Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle.
According to the current Cheltenham betting odds, Galopin Des Champs is the favourite to win the Gold Cup, while Constitution Hill is the favourite to win the Champion Hurdle.
The best place to bet on the Cheltenham Festival online is right here at BetVictor. We have a huge range of markets to choose from, covering all races throughout the event, alongside a variety of bonuses for both new and existing customers!
