Cheltenham leaders have announced key changes that will significantly improve the course for 2025. The Jockey Club has confirmed changes to its racing program and new plans for competitors. The track will see six major changes to next year’s festival, including revised conditions for five individual races and new requirements for horses running with non-novice handicaps. The 2m 4f Toner Novice Chase will be replaced by the Grade 2 Limited Novice Handicap Chase over the same distance, while the National Hunt will become the Grade 2 Novice Handicap Chase (0-145) for professional jockeys.
The Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase will again become a handicap and the conditions for the Ryanair Mares Novice Steeplechase will be adjusted to a weight class race with the penalty structure removed. The conditions for the Pertemps Final will be modified to guarantee races for all series qualifiers in the declaration stage weights. Currently, to qualify for the non-novice Handicap at the festival, a horse must clear at least three chases or four hurdles, but from 2025 this will increase to four and five, and the prize money will increase over four days. An increase of £115,000. There are many changes off the track as well. More tracks will be built on grass parking lots to address 2024 fears of inclement weather. A new Park and Ride system has been launched and the Jockey Club has partnered with National Express to offer bus journeys direct to the track from over 20 pick-up points.
To reduce waiting times, players will be given more space facing the road and hot and cold snacks will also be provided. All ticket prices for the 2025 festival will remain at 2024 levels and a new partnership with sports tour operator Venatur Racing will offer racegoers discounted packages including tickets, hotels, travel and more. We offer you the opportunity to buy. Don’t compete. Cheltenham Dr Ian Renton said: “As with all major events, it is important that we evolve and improve to ensure that everyone who joins us throughout the week has the best possible experience, from annual visitors to those who have never visited before’. to find out. After attending the festival, I received extensive personal feedback, including meetings and focus group sessions.
“There were three clear aspects of this review process that could not be ignored. Value for money, the need to ensure best practices and the competitiveness of the racing program.’Explaining the reasons for some of the changes to the race, course secretary John Pullin added: “This festival is unique because it pits the best horses against each other on the biggest stage. Hopefully these changes will allow fans to see the best of each other this March.Ruby Walsh, the festival’s most successful jockey with 59 wins, took the advice and created a video explaining what it means for competitors and fans. “All the changes are meant to make the competition more competitive,” he said. The aim is to attract the best horses to the Cheltenham Festival and make sure they compete in the right races.”
