Cheltenham Racecourse marked a historic milestone as its New Year’s Day fixture sold out for the first time, attracting an unprecedented crowd of 44,151 racegoers. This landmark attendance was seen during the seven-race card, which featured the standout Grade Two Dornan Engineering Relkeel Hurdle.
While the racecourse typically operates below maximum capacity outside the renowned Cheltenham Festival—when temporary structures expand the venue—the impressive turnout even surpassed last year’s Champion Chase day attendance of 41,949, one of the quieter days of the Festival meeting.
Guy Lavender, Cheltenham’s Chief Executive, expressed his enthusiasm: “We are thrilled to welcome a record crowd of 44,151 today, marking the first sell-out for this fixture. New Year’s Day has experienced significant growth in recent years, and achieving full capacity without the extensive facilities of March is a fantastic accomplishment.”
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Lavender emphasized the inclusive nature of the event, highlighting the presence of over 5,000 children and thousands of local community members and racing fans. “It’s a truly special day, creating a vibrant atmosphere that captures the very best of jump racing,” he added. The racecourse’s hard-working team ensured a diverse program, from the Family Fun Zone to live music in the popular Guinness Village and across the grounds.
The newly introduced facilities were well-utilized throughout the day, with organizers planning a thorough review to sustain and build upon this success in the coming years. Concluding on an optimistic note, Lavender said, “This meeting rounds off a fantastic Christmas period for racing and hopefully sets a positive tone for 2026.”