The Cheltenham Festival is widely regarded as the biggest event in the National Hunt racing calendar. It attracts the very best horses, trainers, and jockeys from around the world and offers fans an experience like no other. However, despite its undeniable popularity, the festival has been facing a worrying trend in recent years – a decline in off-course betting turnover. But, in 2021, the festival bucks the trend and delivers a record-breaking performance, giving fans and investors alike plenty to cheer about. In this article, we explore how Cheltenham Festival managed to turn things around and deliver an exceptional four days of racing.
The ongoing cost of living crisis and strict affordability checks have contributed to a decline in betting turnover, but the Cheltenham Festival has defied this trend. Ladbrokes, Coral, Betfair, and Star Sports all saw increases in turnover during the final two days of the festival in both their brick-and-mortar locations and digital businesses. Simon Clare, PR director at Ladbrokes and Coral, praised the festival as deserving of its massive buildup and cited it as a particularly strong week for the industry. To access award-winning journalism from the best writers in racing, including exclusive news, interviews, columns, investigations, stable tours, and subscriber-only emails, readers can subscribe to Racing Post.
In conclusion, the Cheltenham Festival has once again proven to be a remarkable event, showcasing some of the best horses, jockeys, and trainers in the world of horse racing. The festival’s ability to buck the trend of poor off-course betting turnover is a testament to the passion and enthusiasm of its fans, who have continued to support the sport even in the face of challenging times. Despite the uncertainty of the future, it’s exciting to see that the Cheltenham Festival remains a true spectacle that never disappoints, and we can’t wait to see what next year’s festival has in store. So, till then, let’s relish the memories of this year’s event and look forward to another memorable week next year.
