The Cheltenham Festival kicks off this coming week, beginning on Tuesday, March 12. It’s a 4-day celebration of the very best of the season, and the horses arrive carrying the hopes and dreams of owners, trainers, jockeys and passionate fans.
This handbook of some of the most hotly-contested races is aimed primarily at those who are less familiar with this oldest of thoroughbred racing venues.
At the conclusion is the full 4-day race schedule, complete with race cards and profiles of individual horses. As for non-UK enthusiasts’ chances of watching Cheltenham live we can only suggest that you run a search on your computer to locate possible free live streaming. Failing that, both the http://www.racingpost.com (click on the television tab or go to its Cheltenham site) or http://www.atthraces.com will post replays probably less than 24 hours after the most popular races are run.
As with our previous article, THE VAULT again thanks the generosity of Toby Connors in allowing us to use more of his fabulous photos. (Please note that they are all copyright-protected).
In conclusion, THE VAULT expresses its hope that every one of the courageous horses and jockeys competing at this year’s Festival come home safe and sound.
Zarkandar, trained by the great Paul Nicholls, is the current favourite to win the Champion Hurdle. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
FESTIVAL RACES: A PRIMER
As was noted in our previous post about the champion hurdler, Sprinter Sacre, the official title of the Cheltenham Festival is the National Hunt Meeting. Originating in 1860, the Festival is held in March, close to the time of the Grand National Steeplechase at Aintree. The Cheltenham Festival is the most prestigious National Hunt meet of the year. It is here that all but the Grand National horses come out – and so many of them are absolute stars, as is the case this year.
The zenith of the Festival is the Grade 1 Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase. Run at a distance of 3m 2f 110y on the closing day, March 15, it can be compared to the most elite races for thoroughbreds run on the flat. Except that the horses themselves can be thoroughbreds or thoroughbred-derived breeds, like the Selle Francais. (In National Hunt racing, only the Grand National Steeplechase is reserved strictly for thoroughbreds.) Famous jumpers to have won the Gold Cup include the greatest of them all, Golden Miller. Born in 1927, the bay gelding made 55 starts and won 29 times. He took the Gold Cup on 5 consecutive occasions, between 1932-1936. And, as if that weren’t enough, in 1934 he won the British Grand National and the Gold Cup — the only horse to have ever accomplished this feat in a single season. Owned latterly by the Honorable Dorothy Paget, Golden Miller died in 1957, leaving a National Hunt record still unequalled today.
The amazing Golden Miller, shown here, not only won the Cheltenham Golden Cup for 5 consecutive years, but is the only horse to have won the British and Irish Grand Nationals, as well as the Gold Cup, in the same year — 1934.
Other great horses have won over a period of 2-3 consecutive years: the Vincent O’Brien-trained Cottage Rake (3 times, from 1948-1950), the beloved Arkle (3 times, from 1964-1966), Raymond R. Guest’s L’Escargot (twice, in 1970 and again in 1971) and most recently the champion, Best Mate (3 times, from 2002-2004). Other noteworthy winners, each of whom was well-loved by his racing public, include Desert Orchid, Kauto Star (twice in 3 years) and his stablemate, Denman, as well as The Dikler, Dawn Run, Imperial Call and Master Oats. The 2011 winner, Paul Nicholls’ Long Run, will compete again in this year’s Gold Cup.
Golden Miller’s 1935 Gold Cup victory:
The fabulous Kauto Star leads his buddy, Denman, and the champion Neptune Collanges (grey) home in the 2007 Gold Cup:
SHINING STARS
MARCH 12
The Racing Post Arkle Challenge Trophy (G1): Simonsig (10) and Overturn (9) expected to do battle.
DISTANCE: 2m
According to jockey Barry Geraghty, his boss’ Simonsig is the only jumper he knows who might overhaul another champion of the Henderson stable: Sprinter Sacre. No worries this season, though, as Simonsig hasn’t been put to the test. The favourite in the Arkle, the gorgeous grey is expected to be challenged by Donald McCain’s talented Overturn.
Simonsig and trainer, Nicky Henderson. The grey has won 4 of his last 5 starts and has only ever lost once throughout his career. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
Overturn, a son of the great Barathea (Sadler’s Wells), hasn’t had as unblemished a record as Simonsig, but he has won his previous 3 starts this season.
The Stan James Champion Challenge Hurdle Trophy (G1) : Hurricane Fly (7), Zarkandar (10), Rock On Ruby (9), Grandouet (6) and Binocular (2)
DISTANCE: 2m110y
One of the best is Rock On Ruby. Trainer Harry Fry’s 8 year-old has won 2 of 4 starts this season and will run in blinkers for the first time in the Champion Challenge Hurdle. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
Don’t be fooled by that pretty face. W.P. Mullins’ superstar, Hurricane Fly, has won 16 of 19 starts over hurdles. The son of Montjeu goes into the race as the favourite. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
This race promises to be a thriller, with the current favourite, Hurricane Fly, taking on a number of champion horses. Unless he’s hugely unlucky, there’s no reason that Hurricane Fly shouldn’t dominate again, even though the punters are very keen on the second choice favourite, Zarkandar.
Nicky Henderson’s Binocular (green) races against Hurricane Fly (royal blue). A very decent jumper, Binocular has been beaten more than once by Hurricane Fly and Rock On Ruby. But come race day, he can be counted on to try his best. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
Could he be the spoiler? Zarkandar has won his last 3 starts. By Azamour ex. Zarkasha (Kahyasi) he’s got all the pedigree he needs to win. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
The OLGB Mares’ Hurdle (G2): Featuring the incomparable Quevega (5)
DISTANCE: 2m4f
This is one impressive lady! Champion Quevega goes to post. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
Her sire, Robin Des Champs (FR) was himself a very fine jumper, so you could say it’s in her blood. But even then. Quevega, a 9 year-old, has won her last 6 starts and has a lifetime record of 20-13-0-4. Trained by the noted W P Mullins and ridden to each of those victories by the accomplished Ruby Walsh, the last time out Quevega vanquished Voler La Vedette, who isn’t back in this particular race to take her on again. If she wins the OLGB Mares’ Hurdle, it will be for the 5th consecutive year, equalling the record of Golden Miller in the Gold Cup.
How fabulous is this great mare? Just take a look:
NOTE: As we go to press, Quevega has also been entered in the Ladbroke’s World Champion Hurdle, but trainer WP “Willie” Mullins has indicated he favours this race for his champion mare.
MARCH 13
The Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase (G1): Sprinter Sacre (8), Sizing Europe (6), Finian’s Rainbow (2), Sanctuaire (5)
The handsome Sanctuaire goes down to the start.Paul Nicholls’ champion has won 4 of his last 6 starts. The bad news? The 2 he lost were to Sprinter Sacre… Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
As was suggested in our last post here on THE VAULT, the Queen Mum is Sprinter Sacre’s to lose. Even though his enthusiastic running style leaves his trainer’s insides in ruins, Nicky Henderson is not willing to tinker with it on March 13th.
The horses Henderson’s superstar is poised to take on aren’t chopped liver either. The fabulous Sizing Europe has earned the right to be the bettors’ second choice: he’s only lost once since December 2011 and has earned over 800,000 BPS. But his single defeat did come at the hands of Finian’s Rainbow, another Henderson trainee who ranks as third pick. Mail de Bievre, the fourth choice of the betting public, was 5th and 4th in his last two races; his last win was in 2010.
Sizing Europe has already earned over 800,000 BPS. He’s a real champion and finds himself in strong company in the Queen Mother Champion Chase. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
Sprinter Sacre looking to bring his fans to their feet once again. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
The Wetherby’s Champion Bumper (G1)
DISTANCE: 2m110y
What’s most exciting about this race has little to do with winners or losers. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has returned to Cheltenham for the first time since his mighty Istabraq (Sadler’s Wells ex. Betty’s Secret by Secretariat) was pulled up in 2002 in the Champion’s Hurdle and subsequently retired. This time, the horse in question is a son of Arc winner Dylan Thomas, Shield by name. The colt is a youngster by National Hunt standards at the age of 4 and has only 2 starts under his belt, even though he won one of them. Owned by O’Brien’s wife, Anne Marie, herself a canny breeder who runs her own farm and stable, Shield will be ridden by none other than Joseph O’Brien. It should be a real family affair and Aidan, who made his reputation as a Jumps trainer before going to Coolmore seems delighted to rekindle the excitement of Festival days.
Istabraq, the horse that moved a nation and who still ranks as one of the top 5 most popular Irish personalities today. To read more about this grandson of American legend, Secretariat, see THE VAULT’s piece on Istabraq entitled “Secretariat’s Heart…”
…and the new kid in O’Brien’s life, Shield.
MARCH 14
The Ryanair Chase (G1): Cue Card (3), First Lieutenant (5), Riverside Theatre (9), Alberta’s Run(1)
(NOTE: As we go to press, both Sizing Europe and Finian’s Rainbow are also listed for this event, but that may change by March 12)
DISTANCE: 2m5f
Cue Card has a lifetime record of 15-8-4-0 going into the Ryanair. The 7 year-old gelding arrives with a devoted fan following which he richly deserves. He’s “simply magnificent” and many would consider him next in line after Sprinter Sacre. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
Viewers are in for a treat on the second to last day of the Festival, as the scintillating Cue Card struts his stuff in the Ryanair Chase. Below, Cue Card is shown here winning the Sportingbet Haldon Gold Cup Chase in 2012 by an absolutely remarkable distance. He has been every bit as solid in 2013:
March 15
BETFRED CHELTENHAM GOLD CUP CHASE: Bob’s Worth, Sir Des Champs, First Lieutenant and Long Run
DISTANCE: 3m2f110y
Bob’s Worth (leading here by a whisker) stands as the current favourite in the Gold Cup (as of 08-03-2013). Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
Champion Long Run won the Gold Cup in 2011. He will do his very best to win a second time on March 15, the last day of the Festival. Photo and copyright, Toby Connors.
As was noted above, the Gold Cup is the crowning glory of the Cheltenham Festival, although it is not the last race on the card that day. And it is, as the British would say, a “very testing” race of over 3 miles. A “chase” is short for “steeplechase” and that means the highest and most complex array of jumps. Nicky Henderson’s Bob’s Worth is the current favourite given his power, stride and care over jumps of this magnitude. Nicky Henderson is also running the great Long Run — meaning that he’s got 2 of the strongest contenders. Here’s a look at the key horses in this, the most prestigious and storied race of the Cheltenham Festival:
One of the young “upstarts” in the Gold Cup field is jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, the son of Long Run’s owner.
SCHEDULE OF RACES + RACE CARDS
Just CLICK on any of the list of races below to go to the race card. You can also click on a horse’s name to go to an individual race record. (Courtesy of the UK’s RACING POST)
NOTE: All entries listed were accurate as of March 8, 2013.
This is such fun! I admire you SOOO much for writing this. This goes to prove that you are an INTERNATIONAL appreciator of the horse and racing, and than you love them all: thoroughbred flat racer, the chaser, the hurdler and the hunter. The horses at Cheltenham are so special, their stamina awesome in completing these incredibly challenging courses and their jockeys likewise, who genuinely risk life and limb in these races. I thank you a thousand times for giving us an affectionate, intelligent and expert overview of Cheltenham.
LIZ: A very special comment and I thank you most sincerely. I really do love them all & agree that the jumpers have an incredible kind of courage and stamina that distinguishes them from anything on the flat, including a Frankel. Now, if I can just find a way to actually see some of these races LIVE! Abigail
Thanks for this “Guide” to Cheltenham! I’m looking forward to watching. For those of your readers who may be in an area that they can get TwinSpires.com/tv, all of these races will be available via TwinSpires. You do have to register, and while it may appear that you have to bet, I have have been a member for over 2 years and have never placed a bet. You do have to set up an account, which you can do with a credit card, which you can limit how much to put in your account. They also offer 30 minutes daily, free, and if you are judicious and log on for only the race, and then log off in between races, you can wind up being able to watch most of the races on a given day without having to register. I’m thinking that HRTV may also carry these races. I subscribe to HRTV’s online service for $10/mo and it is the best entertainment dollars I have ever spent! If you have DirectTV, you may already have access to HRTV via your television.
Thanks again, Abigail, for sharing your knowledge and wisdom. You are truly a gift to us all!
Ann Maree: As I said on The Tribe, it was you who prompted me to try this and I learned so much from writing it! I agree about HRTV : I get it also & just love it. I did buzz off to see their Schedule but could find no reference to Cheltenham at all. If you do, please drop me a line. Thank you, my friend, for encouraging me to try another hurdle! I just love our friendship, Abigail
Lovely preview Abigail! I am constantly amazed by the incredible effort you put into these pieces!
Bunny: Thank you so much! I really learned lots by writing this because I still have a lot to learn about this sport. Abigail
Abigail, as usual I am running out of superlatives for coments to your articles…….love them. Remember it was me who first suggested way back on Zenny’s original diary that you print these articles in a magazine or book. Someday when your famous that will happen……..I’m patient. You are truly our treasure. hugs sue
Hi Sue! Sorry for the slow response. I’ve had computer woes until recently and then was busy getting rid of stuff here at home so as to set up my very first art studio! You know, I consider you my treasure. You’re one of my first Zenny friends, as well as one of the first readers at THE VAULT — and I do remember you suggesting that some of it go to print. And I haven’t forgotten that either, but am still trying to think of how to do it/who to approach, while keeping a potential publication cost-effective. Love & hugs, Abigail
I understand, as I said I’m very patient. Glad your studio turned out so nice….all artists need a proper environment although the previous one never affected your creativity. I’m just tickled I will be able to say I knew you before you became famous!! love ya, Sue
Thank you for this post, I have always wanted to learn more about Cheltenham and their festival of racing since reading about the racetrack in Dick Frances’s books. Your blog entry, combined the history and the race clips which made it come together for me. Thank you again.
Sharon: So pleased that it gave you an added appreciation of the landscape of many of Francis’ books. Thank you for taking the time to comment!