November 2018: This season Cheltenham Racecourse will celebrate its loyal racegoers with its ‘Super Fan’ campaign. At last month’s Showcase fixture, the racecourse rolled out the red carpet for fans to enter the ‘Super Fan’ search and take part in one extraordinary season building to The Festival™, presented by Magners next March.

Fans from all over the country entered the search, telling stories of different trials and tribulations to ensure they were present on racedays; examples included rescheduling weddings to ensuring that one week in March is contractually included annual leave in new job roles! The search really did outline so many reasons as to why Cheltenham Racecourse is such a special place for so many people.

Following an independent panel selection Cheltenham Racecourse’s four ‘Super Fans’ were picked from a number of entries.  The four ‘Super Fans’ will now experience extraordinary moments throughout the 2018/2019 season, including everything from private course walks, jockey meet and greets, behind the scenes tours, raceday tickets as well as hospitality on Ladies Day of The Festival, Wednesday 13th March, 2019.

Introducing the Four Super Fans:

Becki Beresford – 34-year-old Maternity Care Assistant from Bristol. From planning annual leave for the whole year when fixtures are released to joining the Cheltenham roar straight from a night shift and making memories with her father. Becki isn’t sure what she would do without Cheltenham Racecourse in her life!

“The Cheltenham ‘roar’ on the first day of The Festival is such a buzz and has me coming back year after year making memories I will never forget.”

Nick Bull – 49-year-old Barber from Warwickshire. Having cut many racing personalities hair, including Cheltenham Gold Cup winning jockey Jim Culloty, Peter Scudamore, Graham Bradley, Olly McPhail and many more, Nick’s first visit to the course in 1983 was when he should have been at school and since that day he hasn’t missed a day of The Festival and never worked a day of his life whilst Festival week is on.

“I champion The Festival as the greatest sporting event this country has to offer and have talked many people into experiencing it for the first time who then go on to visit year after year. For all these reasons above I feel that I justify being a Cheltenham Races Super fan. I somehow always knew that my love of the races would be recognised.”

Ronald Woolley – 64-year-old Retired Woodworker from Manchester. Attending The Festival for the last 28 years, Ron has a collection of all the Members Badges and Racecards since 1988. Such a dedicated fan even his daughter’s wedding was arranged in 2013 to accommodate Gold Cup Day!
Lynda Cooper – 55-year-old from The Cotswolds. Not even cancer could keep Lynda away from her favourite week of the year. Diagnosed with breast cancer and following chemotherapy Lynda attended all four days of The Festival. Sadly halfway through The Festival her hair started to fall out so supported by a family friend that evening Lynda proudly shaved her head and attended the final two days!

“Cheltenham Races is a passion, knowing the planning and preparation of the horses that are going to be running, watching the preparation of the course that leads to the spectacle of every race day and the excitement are only a part of what makes Cheltenham races and The Festival one of the best sporting events this country has to offer and I am proud to be able to attend whenever I can.”

Watch this space as we share our Super Fans journey across the 2018/2019 season.

Cheltenham Racecourse

Cheltenham Racecourse is situated in Prestbury on the northern outskirts of the historic spa town of Cheltenham. The Home of Jump Racing, Cheltenham Racecourse is the venue for the world's pre-eminent Jump meeting. The Festival™ presented by Magners, which happens in March over four days every year, next takes place from Tuesday, March 12, to Friday, March 15, 2019 inclusive and tickets are on sale. Set against the beautiful backdrop of the Cotswolds, Cheltenham Racecourse is a stunning natural arena and offers the highest-quality action throughout the Jump season.

More information is available at www.cheltenham.co.uk and through Twitter (@CheltenhamRaces), Facebook www.facebook.com/thehomeofjumpracing and Instagram (@CheltenhamRaces).

About The Jockey Club

Cheltenham is part of The Jockey Club which stages thrilling sporting occasions including The Randox Health Grand National, The Festival™ presented by Magners and The Investec Derby. Millions of people every year enjoy the special experiences The Jockey Club offers through racing, music, food and entertainment. Governed by Royal Charter, every penny made goes back into British Racing to help the sport thrive. The Jockey Club was founded in 1750 and today is the largest commercial group in Britain's second-biggest spectator sport, operating 15 racecourses nationwide, The National Stud, Jockey Club Estates, Jockey Club Catering, Jockey Club Live and the charity, Racing Welfare. For more information, visit www.thejockeyclub.co.uk 

If you need any information about racing at Cheltenham, please contact: Sophia Dale, Communications Manager - Jockey Club Racecourses South West 01242 537 683 sophia.dale@thejockeyclub.co.uk