Coral presents the Cheltenham Festival by numbers

67,500 – The maximum capacity of Cheltenham racecourse on Gold Cup day. Just to compare, that’s more than football stadiums St James’ Park, the Etihad and Anfield.

45,000 – Burgers and hot dogs devoured by hungry racegoers over the four days. No onions in ours!

5,000 – Staff on hand to make sure there are no hitches for owners, trainers, jockeys and racegoers.

2015 – Coneygree became the first novice in 41 years to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

2009 – Kauto Star became the first horse to regain the Gold Cup, having previously triumphed in 2007.

2008 – The second day of the Cheltenham Festival was cancelled due to heavy storms. The races scheduled for that day were instead run on the third and final days of the meeting. Not even the weather can conquer Prestbury Park!

2005 – Until this particular year, the Festival had traditionally been held over the course of three days, but this changed with the introduction of a fourth day meaning there would be one championship race on each. More opportunities to have a bet, then.

2001 – Is the only year this meeting has been cancelled since the end of the Second World War due to a massive outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. Here’s hoping it never cripples the British countryside again.

2,000 – The estimated number of coaches that bring racegoers to the Festival each year.

1989 – In this year, Desert Orchid became the last grey to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

1983 – Trainer Michael Dickinson saddled the first five home in that year’s Gold Cup, led by Bregawn who beat Captain John, Wayward Lad, Silver Buck and Ashley House. Arguably the greatest ever achievement by any individual in the Festival’s history.

1966 – Arkle became the shortest priced winner of the Gold Cup after being sent off the 1/10 favourite. Talk about odds-on!

650 – The typical number of helicopter landings at the course during Festival week, which makes it the busiest temporary airfield in the country. We want our punters to be flying high too!

100 – The highest-priced winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup, Norton’s Coin in 1990, was sent off at 100/1. Now that’s what we call a long shot.

42 – Ruby Walsh has ridden the most winners in Festival history. Rock on, Ruby!

12 – Silver Fame (1951) and What A Myth (1969) share the honour of being oldest age Gold Cup winners.

7 – Most wins by a jockey at a single Cheltenham Festival, also achieved by Ruby Walsh.

6 – Quevega holds the record number of consecutive victories for a horse at the Festival.

5 – Golden Miller’s record number of Gold Cups, won consecutively in 1932, 1933, 1934, 1935, and 1936.

3 – The distance in miles that all the hot dogs, burgers and sandwiches eaten at the Festival would span if laid end-to-end. We’d advise a diet if you consume all that!

1 – Dawn Run is the only horse in Cheltenham Festival history complete the Champion Hurdle (1984) and Gold Cup (1986) double.

Related

Coral will have much more in the run up to and during the 2016 Cheltenham Festival, keeping punters informed of all the latest news and betting.