The Kentucky Derby vs The Cheltenham Festival: What Are the Differences?
With numerous major events scheduled worldwide in the sport of horse racing, anticipation for spring is growing among lovers of the sport worldwide. The Kentucky Derby, an annual race that takes place in Louisville as part of the festival of the same name, is widely anticipated by fans in the United States. Over 150,000 people watch it at Churchill Downs in May while partaking in traditional fare and libations including mint julep and burgoo.
Along with the spectators present at the racecourse, the Kentucky Derby draws millions of viewers worldwide, many of whom are betting heavily money on the event. A whopping $200 million is reportedly bet on the Derby each year.
At the moment, the field for the 2023 Kentucky Derby is beginning to take shape. Anticipation for the derby 149th history race at the Churchill Downs race on May 6 grows. The main Kentucky Derby entrants and the most recent Bet on the Kentucky Derby tips are shown in the link.
On the other hand, the four-day Cheltenham Festival, which takes place at Cheltenham Racecourse in England every April, is anticipated by racegoers in the UK. It is a sizable event that attracts supporters from the UK and overseas.
Kentucky Derby vs The Cheltenham Festival - History
The first of the two events, the Cheltenham Festival, began in 1860 but didn't receive its current name until it was moved to the town in 1911 after having previously been staged at several racecourses across the country. The festival has always been a horse racing occasion, despite the races that have been included changing over time.
The festival's signature event, the Gold Cup, debuted in 1924, while the Stayers' Hurdle, the festival's oldest remaining race, has been running since 1912. More events have since been added to the calendar, including the Champion Hurdle in 1927 and the Champion Chase in 1959. The majority of the festival's history saw it take place over three days, but in 2005 a fourth day and several extra races were added.
Even though Cheltenham's primary event wasn't established until after the festival had already started, the festival was inspired by the popularity of the Kentucky Derby race. The first running of the race took place in 1875, following Colonel Meriwether Lewis Clark's return from tours to England and France, when he was inspired by the Epsom Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris. Two weeks before to the main event, there were parades, get-togethers, races, and other sporting events during the first festival in 1935.
Kentucky Derby vs The Cheltenham Festival - Races
Most people agree that the Cheltenham Gold Cup is the most significant horse race in the UK. It is a steeplechase that spans 5.294 kilometres, or three miles and two and a half furlongs and requires jumpers to clear 22 obstacles. It is well-known for its enormous prize pool, which frequently exceeds £400,000; last year's winner pocketed a staggering £263,766 in winnings, and it is anticipated that the prize pool will approach £625 this year.
The Kentucky Derby is a flat race that lasts ten furlongs, or two kilometres and is often referred to as "The Run for the Roses" since the winner receives flowers. The second term for the event is "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports" because it is a two-minute test of pure speed. One of the few professional sporting events that have been held annually from its inception in 1875 and were not postponed during either World War.
Kentucky Derby vs The Cheltenham - Festival
Everyone, from horse racing fanatics to casual spectators who only follow the biggest events in the sport, attends the Cheltenham Festival. Seven races are held each day, for a total of 28 races throughout the course of the four days. Every day has a featured race that typically starts in the middle of the action rather than at the end.
Each race varies in duration, a number of jumps, and overall difficulty, and the horses that join must meet strict age and weight standards. The numerous cafés and restaurants on the racecourses provide spectators with food, drink, and breathtaking views in addition to the racing activity.
In contrast, the Kentucky Derby Festival offers something for everyone and is both longer and more varied. The Derby often features the biggest annual fireworks display in America, a hot air balloon race, a marathon and a parade in addition to the main horse race.
Instead of being a celebration of horse racing, it is more of a celebration of Kentucky culture and is appropriate for both tourists and residents of all ages. Along with private parties that locals frequently host to mark the occasion, the festival has also featured fashion shows, concerts, and wine tastings.
