Cheltenham Festival 2025 Kicks Off with Thrilling Champion Day Races
The Cheltenham Festival 2025 has officially begun, bringing four days of exhilarating National Hunt racing to Prestbury Park. As one of the most prestigious events in the UK racing calendar, the festival attracts top jockeys, trainers, and horses from around the world, all competing for glory.
Champion Day Opens the Festival with High Stakes Racing
The festival, running from 11 to 14 March 2025, starts with Champion Day, a thrilling opening featuring elite races that set the tone for the rest of the week. Among the highlights is the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, which has been renamed in honor of Michael O’Sullivan, the Irish jockey who tragically passed away in February 2025 following a fall at Thurles racecourse. O’Sullivan, who won this race in 2023 aboard Marine Nationale, left an indelible mark on the sport, and this tribute ensures his legacy endures.
Champion Day features a packed schedule, including seven major races, among them:
My Pension Expert Arkle Novices’ Chase
Ultima Handicap Chase
Unibet Champion Hurdle
In the Unibet Champion Hurdle, all eyes will be on Constitution Hill, the race favorite making a highly anticipated return after missing the 2024 edition due to injury.
Exciting Sponsorships and Betting Opportunities
This year also marks the debut of BetMGM as a festival sponsor. The operator is backing the newly named BetMGM Queen Mother Champion Chase, bringing fresh promotional initiatives to the event. With millions wagered on Cheltenham Festival races each year, bookmakers and punters alike will be closely monitoring the action, particularly in the lead-up to the prestigious Cheltenham Gold Cup.
Where to Watch the Cheltenham Festival 2025
Fans can catch live coverage of the festival on ITV1 and Racing TV, with Champion Day’s broadcast beginning at 12:45 PM on ITV1. Whether watching from the stands at Prestbury Park or tuning in from home, viewers can expect thrilling action, expert analysis, and a vibrant racing atmosphere.
The Road to Gold Cup Day
Following Champion Day, the festival continues with:
Style Wednesday
St Patrick’s Thursday
Gold Cup Day (Friday)
The grand finale, Cheltenham Gold Cup Day, remains the festival’s most anticipated event. Defending champion Galopin Des Champs is set to return, facing stiff competition from challengers eager to claim the ultimate prize in jump racing.
As punters place their bets and fans cheer from the sidelines, Cheltenham Festival 2025 promises unforgettable moments, dramatic finishes, and potential upsets. Will the favorites like Lossiemouth, Constitution Hill, and Galopin Des Champs dominate, or will underdogs rise to the occasion?
Stay tuned for all the latest updates, race results, and expert insights as the festival unfolds.