The Queen returns to Cheltenham

The Queen is to visit the Cheltenham Festival for the first time in 52 years when she presents the trophies for the Tote Cheltenham Gold Cup on 13 March.

Following the death of the Queen Mother last year, the Queen, who has been almost exclusively associated with flat racing, has taken over the ownership of her mother’s jumpers, including Cheltenham hope First Love, trained by Nicky Henderson.

The last time the Queen attended the Festival was as Princess Elizabeth in 1951 when she accompanied her mother.

The Queen Mother was a regular visitor to Cheltenham, presenting the trophies for the Gold Cup and the race named in her honour, the Queen Mother Champion Chase.

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now