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The Jockey Club has confirmed its intention to cap the number of daily racegoers at the world-renowned Cheltenham Festival. Dubbed by many horseracing fans as the “World Cup of Jump Racing”, Cheltenham Festival brings together the world’s best National Hunt thoroughbreds and jockeys alike. 

During the four days of the 2022 Cheltenham Festival, The Jockey Club confirmed a record-high aggregate attendance of 280,627. This includes all-time high attendances on the Thursday (73,754) and Friday (73,875). 

It’s no surprise to see the biggest crowd on Friday, the festival’s final day, which features the much-anticipated Cheltenham Gold Cup. The race is the perfect closer to the four-day event and is as popular in the UK as the Kentucky Derby in the US. 

There can be no doubt that the Cheltenham Festival remains the pinnacle of the British horseracing calendar. It not only attracts tens of thousands to the Cotswolds but also has millions of casual viewers from home. Many of whom rely on horse racing naps from proven National Hunt tipsters, as Cheltenham is their once-a-year pastime when it comes to sports betting. 

The Jockey Club should be praised for choosing spectator comfort over profit 

However, The Jockey Club said it had decided to limit crowd numbers each day from next year following feedback from racegoers at this year’s festival. Although the feedback was “very positive” and complimentary towards the “high standards of facilities”, there was an underlying feeling that “reduced spectator numbers” would make it easier to navigate the course and “enhance service times”. 

Ian Renton, regional director at The Jockey Club, also voiced concerns that even with Cheltenham Racecourse receiving “significant investment”, the previously high crowd numbers were at risk of “stretching” the on-course facilities. 

Renton added that a daily cap of 68,500 spectators would cement the festival as an “attractive and enjoyable experience” for horseracing fans old and new for many years to come. 

Renton acknowledged that by capping the daily limit of racegoers, there would be “financial implications” for The Jockey Club. However, it would be beneficial to retain the “tremendous atmosphere” that the Cheltenham Festival is renowned for. 

With just seven months until the next Cheltenham Festival, Renton confirmed ticket sales had already been “very brisk”, urging interested racegoers to get their tickets “as soon as possible” to avoid missing out. 

Exploring the best enclosures for the 2023 Cheltenham Festival

Image: Unsplash / Mike Kotsch

There are multiple enclosures at Cheltenham Racecourse for racegoers to experience, depending on their budget. 

The Best Mate Enclosure is the most budget-friendly option, positioned directly opposite the main grandstand and alongside the finishing post. Then there is the Tattersalls Enclosure, which provides excellent views of the Winners’ Enclosure post-race and the opportunity to stand on the viewing steps of the Tattersalls grandstand. 

If you’re keen to spend a little more to access all public areas of Cheltenham Racecourse, the Club Enclosure tickets are the ideal option. The Club is regarded as the “most premier enclosure” with viewing access from the main grandstand or the finishing post and the ability to enter the paddock and the parade ring. 

For those looking to visit the 2023 Cheltenham Festival for an extra-special occasion, it may even be prudent to consider one of the racecourse’s hospitality packages. These packages will include admission to the most exclusive viewing and bar areas, as well as buffet or a la carte lunches and light afternoon teas to complement the racing schedule. 

The Cheltenham Festival dates as far back as 1904, when Cheltenham Racecourse replaced Market Harborough as the venue for the Grand National Hunt Meeting. The formation of races like the Stayers’ Hurdle, the Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle soon followed in 1912, 1924 and 1927, respectively. 

The rest, as they say, is history. It’s now an iconic event in the British sporting calendar and is a must-see for locals and tourists alike.