Cheltenham Festival Proves Popular
12th March, 2009
Many say the Cheltenham Festival brings out the real diehard racing fan in people. While Ascot is said to be about being seen at the races, Cheltenham Festival is all about simply being at the races.
According to many Cheltenham Festival goers, there’s more passion and excitement than at other events, and judging from the crowds, they’re not wrong.
Any worries that the economic climate would keep punters from placing bets and fans from filling the stands have disappeared. According to managing director of Cheltenham Racecourse Edward Gillespie sales of seats and bets places have been very promising, and show the credit crunch has had little effect on race goer numbers.
“We are very pleased and have sold 200,000 advance tickets. With walk-up sales they should reach 230,000 where 2008 was 250,000. By any estimation this seems to represent only a light bruising.” Edward Gillespie.
Mr Gillespie also suggested that it is due to the timing of Cheltenham Festival, “after dreary February and on the cusp of spring, means that people are in the mood for some cheering up,” adding that Cheltenham doesn’t rely on a certain group of society like other events and is accessible to all-comers.
By Rommon
