Festival fixture Event to stay at four days after consultation
THE Jockey Club has announced the Cheltenham Festival will remain a four-day fixture. The continued success of the Prestbury Park showpiece meant speculation had been rife the meeting would become a five-day event from 2024.
However, following “extensive consultation and analysis” into the best way forward, it has been decided the best way forward is to keep the current format in place.
“At the Jockey Club we care deeply about the long-term future of our sport and its role in society. That’s a mission that enables us to think differently when making decisions,” said Ian Renton, who runs Cheltenham as managing director of the Jockey Club’s west region.
“While we explored the financial benefits and an opportunity to reach new audiences, we also found a number of counterpoints to this. For example, it is clear that it would be challenging from a turf management perspective, without further work on the track, and on balance we still feel 28 races over four days is the right format.
“This research allows us to do much more than simply answer the question of whether extending the Festival is the right thing to do.
“We will now evaluate all the insight with a view to improving our facilities, investing in new on-course activations and giving our fanbase, participants, owners and other stakeholders the best possible experience at Cheltenham Racecourse.
“We are extremely grateful to everyone who has taken part in this process and have welcomed the opportunity to listen to racehorse owners, participants, Jockey Club colleagues, the local community, our partners, loyal racing fans and many others with a passion for our sport and the Festival.”
The Jockey Club had previously determined that the 2023 Cheltenham Festival would be run over four days, with tickets for next year’s event on sale and demand remaining very high.
Nicky Henderson has backed the decision despite having initially supported the calls for a five-day meeting.
Having taken part in the Jockey Club’s consultation process, Henderson feels the fixture is so good as it is there is no real need to tinker any further with it.
“I think it is probably the right decision,” said Henderson. I was one of the ones in favour of the (five days) idea, but I think the more you think about it they’ve made the right decision.
“It’s so good as it is. I saw some pros and cons to it either way. I’m really not desperately fussed, but having said that I sort of was leaning on it thinking if we had six races a day, you didn’t need to start until 2pm and then you don’t dilute the product.”
Willie Mullins, the Festival’s most successful trainer, echoed those sentiments. He said: “I think it is a good decision to keep it compact and tighter and I’m very happy that is the decision they have come to.”
On the logistical challenges a fiveday Festival would have potentially brought, Mullins added: “There’s pros and cons. Five days would make it easier for us getting horses and staff over and back - I would imagine if they went to five days there would be less races per day, so it might have been easier.
“But I think the best decision has been made at this point in time for the meeting, it’s great they have come out and put everyone’s mind at rest about what is happening, so we welcome that decision.”
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls, said he was “delighted” the meeting would be staying as it was.