How Much Money is Bet on Cheltenham Updated for September 2025

Updated: 23rd September 2025

Few racing events are as rich as Cheltenham, one of the perennial highlights of the British racing calendar. Across the 28 events, there is an expectation that hundreds of millions of pounds will be bet over the course of the four days, and virtually everyone with a passion for racing will already be sniffing around to find their top tips for the festival this year.

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Cheltenham is prestigious for just that reason, with race prize money topping out ahead of all other events, bar the Grand National.

With the stakes so high, it’s no wonder that the four days of Cheltenham are viewed with much anticipation every year.

How Much Was Bet on Cheltenham in 2022

While there is an expectation of hundreds of millions in bets over the festival every year, 2022 saw record breaking volumes.

Analyst expectations from last year reported over £1 billion in bets being staked over the 4 days of the 2022 festival, supported by data from OpenBet, which processes betting transactions for a large number of online bookies.

Growth of Online Betting

The rise of online betting platforms has transformed the Cheltenham Festival.

These platforms offer ease of access and real-time betting options, drawing in bettors from all over the UK and beyond.

The convenience of betting from home, coupled with technological advancements, has made online betting a key driver of increased wagering activity at Cheltenham.

With bookies like BoyleSports, and Betfred offering ever more competitive promos, free bets and incentives around Cheltenham, there is a legitimate expectation that 2023 could be another record-breaking year.

Cheltenham’s Biggest Bets

Within those total figures, there’s a wide range of Cheltenham betting activity – the majority of which is low level.

But the numbers also disguise some huge individual bets.

The bet reportedly landed Williams £900,000 in winnings, which is undoubtedly the icing on the cake for the former Crewe Alexandra midfielder.

Slightly further back in time, the 1990 Festival saw Norton’s Coin come in at 100-1 in the Gold Cup, netting punters millions on what remains one of the greatest upsets in the history of Cheltenham.

With 50-1 winners in 2019 and 2013 to boot, it’s safe to say there have been some monumentally considerable wins in the history of the Cheltenham Festival.

High-profile races, like the Cheltenham Gold Cup, are major attractions that see spikes in betting activity.

These races not only draw large crowds but also drive significant wagering, as bettors eagerly place bets on their favourites.

The excitement surrounding these flagship events is a primary factor in the festival's substantial betting volumes.

Bookies offering best odds guaranteed for Cheltenham, such as Rhino.bet, mean you can take advantage of these long-shot winners at the best possible prices – if only you manage to pick them out ahead of time.

Popular betting strategies at Cheltenham, such as ante-post and each-way betting, have an important role in shaping betting trends.

These strategies attract a variety of bettors, offering different ways to engage with the festival.

By understanding these approaches, participants can make more informed bets, potentially increasing their chances of success.

This Year’s Cheltenham Betting Forecast

With Cheltenham seemingly growing year on year, and new online bookies like StarSports and Rhino.bet growing in confidence and reach, it seems odds on that 2023 will be the biggest betting year yet.

As arguably the richest four day meet of its kind in the UK, be sure to get your slice of the action by checking out the best UK bookmakers for Cheltenham, including our top picks Rhino.bet, StarSports and Betfred.

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