Cheltenham Festival 2015: Ladies Day

This year’s Cheltenham Festival is just around the corner, and kicks off on the 10^th of March with Champion Day.  The UK’s most famous horse racing festival runs three more days, wrapping up on the 13^th.  Day 2 is Ladies Day.  This is the day to show up at the races in style!  If you’re a lady, it’s time to put on your finest dress and a feather in your hat, or if you’re a gent, it’s time to don your best tweed jacket.  Either way, you are expected to show up looking your best!

Of course, while a lot of the fun takes place in the stands, the action is taking place on the track!  Like Champion Day, St. Patrick’s Day and Gold Cup Cay, Ladies Day features seven thrilling races.  The highlight of the day is definitely the Queen Mother Champion Chase.  For many attendees at the Cheltenham Festival, this is the most exciting and highly-anticipated event of the week. 

During the Queen Mother Champion Race, you will watch as the top two-mile chasers race head-to-head.  Last year Sire De Grugy won this race together with father and son team Gary and Jamie Moore.  This year Sire De Grugy returns to face off against tough new contenders, most notably Sprinter Sacre and Champagne Fever.  Sire De Grugy has had a rocky road to Cheltenham this year, but was in good form the other weekend in Chepstow. 

Sprinter Sacre had an astounding season in 2013, winning in Cheltenham, but unfortunately had to miss the majority of the 2014 season due to a fibrillating heart at Kempton.  Nonetheless, Sprinter Sacre has recovered well.  In January, he made an appearance at Ascot and took second place to Dodging Bullets, making him a worthy contender this year.  Champagne Fever did well in 2012 and 2013, and this year will have a go at a third festival victory.  

Thinking of attending the event?  Even though the Cheltenham Festival is coming up fast, there are still tickets available at the Club, Tattersalls, and Best Mate levels for Ladies Day.  Be sure to book quickly, though, since tickets are selling out fast.  Book online through the Cheltenham Racecourse website and you can enjoy a discount.

If you aren’t able to attend Ladies Day in person, don’t worry—you can still take part in the fun by watching the event live on Channel 4, which will be broadcasting the entire Cheltenham Festival.  BBC Radio 5 Live is also expected to be providing live coverage, just as they have in years past.  You won’t be able to enjoy the energy of the crowd, but you can still dress up if you want to and get in the spirit of Ladies Day.

Be sure to do your research on the odds and the performance of these horses and the others that will be appearing in the Queen Mother Champion Race so that you have a good shot at winning.  Good luck, and have fun!