Cheltenham Festival Update: Over 60,000 Attend Day One

On Tuesday, March 12th, a crowd of 60,181 racegoers savored the excitement of day one at the Cheltenham Festival, witnessing Ireland’s dominance on the track with victories in six out of seven races.

Trainer Willie Mullins secured three wins, including State Man’s impressive triumph in the Unibet Champion Hurdle, bringing his Festival total to 97 victories. Notable successes also came from Joseph O’Brien, Henry de Bromhead, Emmet Mullins, and local trainer Kim Bailey.

Ian Renton, Managing Director of Cheltenham Racecourse, expressed satisfaction with the thrilling racing action that captivated the audience. He highlighted the excitement of the opening race, the Sky Bet Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, and commended State Man’s victory in the feature race. With three wins for Mullins, the anticipation builds as he nears the remarkable milestone of 100 Festival wins, coinciding with the centenary celebration of the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup.

Looking ahead to Style Wednesday, Renton previewed the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase as the day’s highlight.

Amidst the festivities, Cheltenham Racecourse extended condolences to the connections of two horses, Highland Hunter and Ose Partir, who tragically suffered injuries. The racecourse confirmed that both horses received immediate veterinary attention, but unfortunately, Ose Partir had to be euthanized.

An inspection is scheduled for 8 am the following morning to assess the conditions for the Glenfarclas Cross-Country Chase. Recent heavy rainfall has raised concerns about the course’s suitability, with parts of the track experiencing waterlogging earlier in the day.