Cheltenham to trial fifth day at Festival in 2022

Cheltenham Racecourse is to add a temporary fifth day to the 2022 Festival to cope with an anticipated surge in demand for tickets. The extra day is to be branded UK Racing Day.

Following consultation between the Horsemans’ Group, British Horseracing Authority and the Jockey Club Racecourse it has been determined that demand for tickets to the 2022 Festival is likely to outstrip supply following this year’s “behind closed doors” Festival. The addition of the extra day will enable Cheltenham to facilitate an extra 65,000 racing fans at the Festival next year.

The six-race card to be held on the Saturday will be confined to horses that are UK-bred and UK-trained, in addition, all horses will be ridden by riders holding UK licences.

A spokesperson for the racecourse said: “We expect to see record demand for tickets next year, particularly from our Irish friends who had such a wonderful Cheltenham 2021. The addition of the extra day is all about spreading the crowd over five days rather than four days and will give a welcome boost to our local hospitality sector which has had a very tough year.”

“The fifth day is seen at this stage as a one-off to cater for unprecedented demand, but obviously we will review the situation after next year’s event as we do each year. The additional races are not intended to impact in any significant way on the 28 races which make up the current Festival. All six additional races on the Saturday will be handicaps. Further details of the race conditions will be published by the BHA in due course.”

“The Saturday card will be themed as UK Racing Day in order to celebrate all the great people and horses that make up our Racing industry. Confining the day to UK-bred and trained horses is designed to give something back to those owners who have supported our industry through these difficult times.”