Cheltenham Racecourse: behind the scenes at the home of jump racing

Gemma Redrup's avatar
By
Published In Features
A view of the weighing room and parade ring at Cheltenham Racecourse
A view of the Weighing Room and Parade Ring at Cheltenham Racecourse
(Image credit: PA Archive/PA Images)

Cheltenham Racecourse is the dream destination for racehorse owners and trainers alike, not to mention punters looking for a great day out. Horse & Hound spent a day at Cheltenham with National Hunt trainer Ben Pauling to find out what happens behind-the-scenes. Read the full feature in the current issue of Horse & Hound magazine (25 January 2018) and check out the pictures below of the home of jump racing…

A view of the weighing room and parade ring at Cheltenham Racecourse
(Image credit: PA Archive/PA Images)

A view of the weighing room and parade ring at Cheltenham Racecourse

Stock image

Richard Johnson in the weighing room
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Richard Johnson in the weighing room

Horses make their way back to the stables
(Image credit: Getty Images)

Horses make their way back to the stables

A showstopper jacket! Bookmaker John Prendergast
(Image credit: Sportsfile via Getty Images)

A showstopper jacket! Bookmaker John Prendergast

Ben Pauling saddling up Willoughby Court in the pre-parade paddock
(Image credit: Bill Selwyn)

Ben Pauling saddling up Willoughby Court in the pre-parade paddock

Pictures of members of the 50 club in the weighing room at Cheltenham Racecourse — these are photos of those jockeys who have achieved 50 winners at Cheltenham
(Image credit: PA Archive/PA Images)

Pictures of members of the 50 club in the weighing room at Cheltenham Racecourse — these are photos of those jockeys who have achieved 50 winners at Cheltenham

You can feel the buzz behind the scenes at the stables
(Image credit: Getty Images)

You can feel the buzz behind the scenes at the stables

Final checks: Ben saddling up Willoughby Court in the pre-parade paddock. To the right Sizing Tennessee is also being prepared by Colin Tizzard’s team
(Image credit: Bill Selwyn)

Final checks: Ben saddling up Willoughby Court in the pre-parade paddock. To the right Sizing Tennessee is also being prepared by Colin Tizzard’s team

Jockey Nico de Boinville is a picture of concentration in the paddock with connections, including the owners’ manager, former top jockey Jason Maguire (left)
(Image credit: Bill Selwyn)

Jockey Nico de Boinville is a picture of concentration in the paddock with connections, including the owners’ manager, former top jockey Jason Maguire (left)

A packed crowd: bustling racegoers place their bets
(Image credit: Getty Images)

A packed crowd: bustling racegoers place their bets

Ben Pauling legs up jockey Nico de Boinville onto Willoughby Court
(Image credit: Bill Selwyn)

Ben Pauling legs up jockey Nico de Boinville onto Willoughby Court

Gemma Redrup
Gemma Redrup
Former web features editor, point-to-point editor and digital racing editor

Gemma is an experienced journalist, who was a member of H&H staff from 2014 to September 2025. She is passionate about all equestrian sports, including racing and point-to-pointing. She has enjoyed riding out for top trainers Nicky Henderson and Charlie Appleby and took part in a charity Flat race at Epsom in August 2018. Gemma’s has reported from numerous five-star events around Britain and Europe, as well as European championships.