The Cheltenham Festival
The pinnacle event of the jump-racing calendar.
28 races complete the calendar for the Cheltenham 2024 Festival. That’s over 500 horses that are competing for over 6.1 million of win and place prize money. This prize money and prestige are only matched by the Grand National.
Between Tuesday 12th – Friday 15th March 2024 features 14 Grade One races with the event finishing on Day 4 with Gold Cup Day. This helps contribute to over 200,000 pints of Guinness being enjoyed and the sky bustling with helicopters taking punters to and from their hotel.
Wild Thyme and Honey are one of the Top 50 Boutique Hotels in the UK and in The Time’s top 50 hotels. If you are looking for a special hotel only 18 miles away from Cheltenham Racecourse – click below to view our availability and rates.
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Serenity (Partially Assisted Room)
Serenity Suite is located on the ground floor within our Waterside block with a lower double size bed and specialist bathroom. Dog friendly room.
A Brief History of The Cheltenham Festival
The pinnacle event of the jump-racing calendar.
Originating in 1860 it was first held at Market Harborough. The first races took place in Cheltenham the following year whilst between 1906 to 1910 it was held at Warwick. The Messrs made major improvements and additions to Cheltenham. The improvements include a new stand, substantial drainage enhancements to improve the racing grounds, tar paving and extending the saddling boxes to 35. This proved to be decisive in convincing the National Hunt Committee in 1911 in bringing the festival back to Cheltenham – where it has stayed ever since.
It wasn’t until 2005 that the festival changed to the structure that we know today. In 2005 a fourth day was introduced, meaning a Championship race was completed each day with the famous Gold Cup providing the climactic event.
Top jockeys over the years
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:
2022 Paul Townend (5), 2021 Rachael Blackmore (6), 2020 Paul Townend (5), 2019 Nico de Boinville (3), 2018 Davy Russell (4), 2017 Ruby Walsh (4), 2016 Ruby Walsh (7), 2015 Ruby Walsh (4), 2014 Ruby Walsh (3), 2013 Ruby Walsh (4), 2012 Barry Geraghty (5), 2011 Ruby Walsh (5), 2010 Ruby Walsh (3), 2009 Ruby Walsh (7), 2008 Ruby Walsh (3), 2007 Robert Thornton (4), 2006 Ruby Walsh (3), 2005 Graham Lee (3), 2004 Ruby Walsh (3), 2003 Barry Geraghty (5), 2002 Richard Johnson (2), 2001: Festival cancelled, 2000 Mick Fitzgerald (4), 1999 Mick Fitzgerald (4), 1998 Tony McCoy (5), 1997 Tony McCoy (3), 1996 Richard Dunwoody (2), 1995 Norman Williamson (4), 1994 Charlie Swan (3), 1993 Charlie Swan (4), 1992 Jamie Osborne (5), 1991 Peter Scudamore (2), 1990 Richard Dunwoody (2), 1989 Tom Morgan (2), 1988 Simon Sherwood (2), 1987 Peter Scudamore (2), 1986 Peter Scudamore (2), 1985 Steve Smith Eccles (3), 1984 Jonjo O'Neill (2), 1983 Graham Bradley (2), 1982 Jonjo O'Neill (1), 1981 John Francome (3), 1980 Jim Wilson (3)
Book your stay
Choose your perfect bedroom or suite, and start planning your Cheltenham Festival escape.