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The Independent
14-03-2025
- Automotive
- The Independent
Cheltenham Festival enjoys bounceback in Gold Cup sunshine despite drop in attendance
All ages, all backgrounds, from city slickers to royals – they packed Cheltenham racecourse for the festival's climatic end on Gold Cup day, and were rewarded with a thrilling atmosphere and competitive races. On another year when the decline in attendances has been the focus, Friday's event was sold out, as it usually is, and the sun even poked out over the famous Prestbury Park racetrack. Difficulties well publicised last year – such as the mudbath that faced motorists leaving – were avoided, and punters came away from the four-day festival with a smile on their faces – even those whose bets hadn't quite gone to plan. 'It's been a festival in its truest sense,' said Cheltenham chief executive Guy Lavender, the ex-army serviceman who took over the reins at the racecourse in January. Mr Lavender, faced with declining crowds, has overseen a raft of changes including more competitive racing, relaxed drinking restrictions course-side and the introduction of hardstanding on the 7,000-vehicle car park. He's also wanted better value for money, and has pledged to continue to look into this for next year with the inflated cost of hotels on his radar. 'It was a difficult festival last year, everyone acknowledged it and we've made a number of improvements,' Mr Lavender said on BBC Five Live on Friday afternoon. 'We're really smashing it out of the park so far this year. 'They [punters] come here and they have a great time even if they are not hardcore racing fans. It's vibrant and an iconic sporting event." The biggest decline in attendance from last year was on Style Wednesday, which saw a little under 42,000 turning out, down 5,000 from a year ago. And on Tuesday, otherwise known as Champion Day, there was a decrease in attendance from 60,200 to 55,500. However, on St Patrick's Day, the attendance was just over 53,300, just a few hundred short of last year. And on Friday, the event was sold out. Among those in attendance was Reform leader Nigel Farage and suspended party MP Rupert Lowe, who is being investigated for allegations of bullying and threats of violence, all of which Mr Lowe denies. The pair were in boxes around 400 metres apart. Other famous names included former prime minister David Cameron and Geri Halliwell-Horner. 'This is the holy grail of horse racing,' said Steve, aged 67. The pensioner is a member of the Cheltenham racecourse and has been coming for 46 years. 'I remember when there was just one stand,' he said. 'It's certainly evolved over the years, and they're doing the right things to draw interest with entertainment and the facilities.' Simon Wild and Rob Bulger travelled from Manchester to see the four days of the festival, staying in nearby Stroud to save paying 'more than £500 a night'. 'It's the best horse racing with the best atmosphere,' said Mr Wild, aged 42. 'The drinks are a bit pricey [£7.80 a pint of Guinness], but it's what you expect, it's the same at football. 'It's one of those 'have to be there' events of the year, and we'll be back next year.' First-timers Anne and Bob Clark swapped buying Christmas presents for buying Cheltenham Festival tickets for the Gold Cup. Paying £259, they bought a coach travel package from Inverness that included a two-night hotel stay and tickets for the Friday event. 'I usually buy a jumper he doesn't wear, so this was the best present we've given each other in a while,' said Mrs Clark, aged 75. 'It's been an incredible day out. I'll never forget the great opening roar, it was deafening. And we've won two bets,' said Mr Clark, 76. But not everyone got so lucky on their bets. The day started with shock 100/1 outsider, Poniros, winning, with only a handful of punters collecting winnings. Bookie Graham Thorpe took £2,500 from just the race. 'As a bookie you want a shock, and to get that in a champion race with the favourite so well backed, it was a winner for us.' Mr Thorpe, however, did pay out for one woman who took home £1,000 off a £10 bet. For the main event, the 4pm Gold Cup, it was another non-favourite that won, marking a further boost for bookmakers amid groans among the crowds in the course-facing enclosures. Following the final race at 5.20pm, the temperature suddenly dropped as the thousands of racegoers made their way to the exit gates, many heading to pubs and bars in town centre. No doubt, many will return to this edge of the Cotswolds in a little under 12 months' time.
The Independent
13-03-2025
- Business
- The Independent
‘£100 a ticket and toilets like a First World War latrine' – Why are racegoers abandoning Cheltenham Festival?
Cheltenham Festival is the showpiece event of the jumping season, and one of the few times a year when horse racing breaks into the consciousness of the public outside hardcore fans. Attendances top 200,000 each year, but since record-breaking numbers descended on Prestbury Park in 2022 for the first post-pandemic edition, the crowds have steadily declined – and this year even more seem set on staying away. Long-term National Hunt fan Jack Hawthorne is swerving this year's Festival, and he's not the only one. 'For years I used to go to Cheltenham, but I'm afraid the course has priced out several of us and it's simply not enjoyable with all the crowds,' he said, repeating a sentiment that several racegoers told The Independent. This week's meeting is seeing smaller crowds for the third consecutive year, with a little under 42,000 turning out for 'Style Wednesday' compared to 65,000 in 2022, and 5,000 down on last year's figure. It's a trend mirrored across the other days of the four-day Festival, and one which chief executive Guy Lavender anticipated in an open letter to fans before this year's spectacle began. His letter described the decline as 'not catastrophic', but insisted, 'we will define success this week and beyond by whether we are delivering unforgettable days out for our customers.' 'A few friends and I find a local pub instead, pay less for our Guinness and can use the loo when we need it!' Hawthorne said. 'It's a real shame, but we just can't justify the cost and it's pointless and largely impossible trying to find some accommodation in the near vicinity which is fairly priced.' The Independent analysed hotel prices in Cheltenham during the week of the festival compared to the following week. No double rooms for Thursday night in Cheltenham itself – ahead of Gold Cup day at the festival on Friday – were available for less than £190 a night on one popular booking website, with the majority going from over £300 and one particular luxury hotel chain offering a double for an eye-watering £729. Staying overnight the following Thursday, 20 March, would set two adults back £127 at the same chain, or as little as £45 elsewhere in town. Pint prices – £7.80 for a Guinness at the racecourse's numerous bars, a 30p increase on last year's bill – and the soaring costs of travel also weighed on the minds, and purses, of the racegoers we spoke to. 'You spend £5 a pint at a pub outside, then you go in and a drink costs you £32 for a round of four,' said Leslie Mullan, who has come for three days from Ayr in Scotland with three friends. The 58-year-old also questioned the pricing strategy for tickets. Like many events, Cheltenham Festival offered an early bird ticket, as low as £37, following the end of last year's festival – but the price increased as tickets sold. Dynamic pricing, as it is known, has hit headlines multiple times in recent years for the exorbitant numbers involved, most notoriously when Oasis tickets went on sale late last year for £200 more than advertised. 'It seems daft raising the ticket prices up to the event when they must see the attendance is down,' said Mr Mullan. 'Surely the price should go down to get more people inside.' Tickets have been frozen since last year, but many advance tickets reach triple figures – and they're even more expensive on the day. At the time of writing, Thursday tickets for the Best Mate enclosure went from £67, with Tattersalls Enclosure tickets going from £84.60 online. A 45-year-old racegoer, who wanted to remain anonymous, painted a bleak picture, saying: '£100 a ticket and the toilets are like a First World War latrine. 'Everything is expensive, the festival becomes a money-maker. It needs to be looked at.' Over the past decade more and more fans have chosen to experience the festival 1,300 miles away in Benidorm instead, with the overall costs lower and just as much – or even more – of a party atmosphere on the Costa Blanca than in Cheltenham. Dave Challoner, from the West Midlands, is another Cheltenham regular, but he echoed concerns over the expense of making the trip, and said that he had noticed a change in the atmosphere this year. 'I used to bring my grandad before he passed away and it was a great opportunity to have a terrific day out with him,' he told The Independent. 'We had some brilliant days together at the Festival so it's always been a place that's very close to my heart. 'I have come with my dad this year and we are lucky we were given a couple of admission tickets this year, otherwise we might have had to sit at home and watch it. 'I know Thursday is the calm before the storm with Gold Cup day on Friday, but it does seem appreciably quieter this year. Four and a half quid for a coffee is a bit rich too, but I guess that's what we've come to expect.' Not everyone felt the festival was worse off, or indeed even noticed the thinner crowds. And this edition appears to have picked up steam as it's gone on: St Patrick's Day attendance this year was 53,366, not far off last year's figure of 53,918. 20-year-old student Fred Wallace paid £100 for tickets for Style Wednesday and St Patrick's Day and booked a two-night stay in a hotel for £400. 'It actually felt busier [than previously],' Wallace said, despite the 5,000 drop in numbers. 'You can't beat the atmosphere here for racing, it's the best in the country. 'I reckon if they cut the price of the Club Enclosure by £25 that would draw more people in and pick up the attendance. It's the cost of living isn't it, it's impacting a lot of people.' But the dip in numbers, while a problem for the organisers to solve and a symptom of how much the cost of living crisis is hitting consumers, isn't all bad. Some people The Independent spoke to said the reduced crowds made for a more enjoyable experience – something which could, counterintuitively, encourage more spectators to return next year. Festival regular Alan Hinton, from Bicester, said: 'Cheltenham is one of the first things to go in the diary each and every year. I have to say it has been a better experience this year because crowds are down a little. 'Getting to and from the course has been a much easier task and I've noticed that the staff in general have been a lot friendlier and welcoming than in past years which is good to see. 'I've also been a little surprised that it's been much easier to get a drink as the queues in the bars are nowhere near the level they were a year or two ago. Mind you, at £7.80 a pint, I doubt I'll be visiting them too regularly!' Cheltenham member David Beard agreed: 'It is noticeably quieter this year, and the days are much more enjoyable because of it.'
Telegraph
13-03-2025
- Business
- Telegraph
Cheltenham Ladies Day attendance lowest in 30 years
Ladies Day attendance fell to its lowest level in 30 years at this year's Cheltenham festival, figures show. A crowd of 41,949 spectators were recorded at the track on the festival's second day, now known as Style Wednesday, amid complaints it has become too expensive for regulars. It was a drop of around 5,000 from the same day last year, and the lowest on record since 1993, when 40,662 racegoers came to watch the Queen Mother Championship Chase. Ladies Day typically draws smaller numbers than other days of the Cheltenham Festival, but the drop was mirrored on Tuesday, when attendance was just 55,498, compared to 60,181 last year. The decline comes amid complaints that the festival's food, drink, travel and accommodation costs have made it too expensive. This year, thousands have instead travelled to Spanish destinations, such as Benidorm and Tenerife, to watch the racing on large TV screens in the sunshine. They claim it is cheaper than going to Prestbury Park in Gloucestershire to see the action. Total attendance for this year's festival is expected to pass 200,000 but will be significantly lower than the record 280,627 who came when crowds were allowed back following the Covid pandemic in 2022. Guy Lavender, Cheltenham's new chief executive, acknowledged that attendance would be down this year, in an open letter published on Saturday. 'The decline is not catastrophic but nor are we seeing growing attendances,' he said. This year saw the introduction of measures to win crowds back, including a freeze on ticket prices and the expansion of areas where attendees can drink alcohol to include much of the standing area in front of the grandstands. Meal deals are sold outside the racetrack to provide affordable food to punters. Spectators can get a sandwich, crisps, chocolate and drink for £10 at two cafes on the site. Racegoers were also offered a 20 per cent discount on a second day at the event if they had already bought a single ticket. The Jockey Club also launched Room to Race, which offers a discounted ticket, accommodation and travel package for the festival. Tickets bought in advance ranged from £37 to £86 for each of the first three days, rising to between £53 and £102 for Cheltenham Gold Cup day on Friday – which has sold out this year. Alcohol prices remain high at the festival with several attendees drawing attention on social media to a pint of Guinness being sold for £7.80 – an increase of 30p from last year. Mr Lavender added in his open letter: 'We will define success this week and beyond by whether we are delivering unforgettable days out for our customers and improving the experience for everyone in attendance and watching on at home.'
Yahoo
13-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Cheltenham Festival sees smallest crowd since 1993
The smallest Cheltenham Festival crowd since 1993 was recorded on Wednesday, with 41,949 spectators at the track. It was a drop of nearly 5,000 from last year and mirrored a fall in Tuesday's crowd which was down to 55,498 from 60,181. Attendance for the Queen Mother Champion Chase day on Wednesday was nearly 65,000 in 2022. This year's figure was the lowest since 40,662 on the second day of the fixture 32 years ago. Absent regulars have cited the cost of accommodation, tickets, travel and food and drink as reasons for missing the meeting, which was extended to four days from three in 2005. Thousands have travelled to Spanish destinations in the Costa del Sol, including Benidorm and the island of Tenerife, to watch the action on big screens and say a week in the sunshine is cheaper than attending the fixture. Racecourse chief executive Guy Lavender, who took over at the course earlier this year, wrote an open letter before the meeting which acknowledged that attendances would be down. "The decline is not catastrophic but nor are we seeing growing attendances," he said. Poignant Cheltenham double dedicated to late jockey Golden Ace wins dramatic Champion Hurdle at 25-1 Cheltenham Festival: Race schedule & BBC coverage The total attendance for the week is still expected to pass 200,000 but will be signifcantly down on the record 280,000 that attended the first post-Covid meeting open to spectators in 2022. In September, Festival organisers announced changes aimed at improving competition in races and the experience of racegoers. A new park-and-ride system, additional coaches and extra hardstanding areas at the course for car parking have been introduced. Cheltenham have frozen ticket prices, increased food and drink options and is exploring new accommodation deals. Advance tickets ranged from £37 to £86 for each of the first three days, rising to between £53 and £102 for Cheltenham Gold Cup day on Friday, with prices on the day more expensive. A pint of Guinness at the course is up 30p to £7.80 this year. "We will define success this week and beyond by whether we are delivering unforgettable days out for our customers and improving the experience for everyone in attendance and watching on at home," said Lavender in his open letter. "We will be listening to all the feedback we receive from this year's festival and already have plenty of time set aside in the summer to begin the process of reviewing, resetting and rebuilding for the years ahead," General admission for Gold Cup day has sold out, with nearly 70,000 expected at the Gloucestershire track. Latest horse racing results
BBC News
13-03-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Cheltenham Festival sees smallest crowd since 1993
The smallest Cheltenham Festival crowd since 1993 was recorded on Wednesday, with 41,949 spectators at the was a drop of nearly 5,000 from last year and mirrored a fall in Tuesday's crowd which was down to 55,498 from 60, for the Queen Mother Champion Chase day on Wednesday was nearly 65,000 in 2022. This year's figure was the lowest since 40,662 on the second day of the fixture 32 years regulars have cited the cost of accommodation, tickets, travel and food and drink as reasons for missing the meeting, which was extended to four days from three in have travelled to Spanish destinations in the Costa del Sol, including Benidorm and the island of Tenerife, to watch the action on big screens and say a week in the sunshine is cheaper than attending the chief executive Guy Lavender, who took over at the course earlier this year, wrote an open letter before the meeting which acknowledged that attendances would be down."The decline is not catastrophic but nor are we seeing growing attendances," he said. The total attendance for the week is still expected to pass 200,000 but will be signifcantly down on the record 280,000 that attended the first post-Covid meeting open to spectators in September, Festival organisers announced changes aimed at improving competition in races and the experience of racegoers.A new park-and-ride system, additional coaches and extra hardstanding areas at the course for car parking have been have frozen ticket prices, increased food and drink options and is exploring new accommodation deals."We will be listening to all the feedback we receive from this year's festival and already have plenty of time set aside in the summer to begin the process of reviewing, resetting and rebuilding for the years ahead," said Lavender in his open admission for Cheltenham Gold Cup day on Friday has sold out, with nearly 70,000 expected at the Gloucestershire track.
