Cheltenham Festival racegoers slam 'shocking' food and drink prices

Racegoers have hit out at Cheltenham over food and drink prices at this year’s festival, with one owner stating that people “won’t be coming back to be extorted” after their experiences this year.

Spectators at the course and on social media have complained about being charged prices such as £7 for a pint of Guinness, more than £8 for a glass of wine and £14 for gin and tonic or an Irish coffee, while food costs, such as £9 for ‘loaded’ chips, have also drawn sharp criticism.

The Jockey Club, which owns Cheltenham, blamed rises in the costs of goods and labour for the prices, but added that the figures being charged were “comparable to other major events”.

There have been record attendances of 68,567 and 64,431 for the first two days of this year’s Cheltenham Festival after no crowds were permitted last year due to coronavirus lockdown.

Tickets for Thursday and Friday sold out faster than usual too, the course reported, heightening the possibility of a fifth day being added to the festival.

However, responding to a message highlighting the costs of food and drink, Carl Hinchy, owner of horses including 2020 Grade 1 Ascot Chase winner Riders Onthe Storm, said: “This is a serious point. Many, many people are simply saying they won’t be coming back to be extorted. These prices are not acceptable.”

Cheltenham: has operated as a 'cashless' venue this yearCredit: Edward Whitaker

The criticism was backed up by Paul Costello, co-founder of Imperial Racing, owners of 2010 Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Imperial Commander and who are represented by Imperial Alcazar in the Craft Irish Whiskey Co. Plate Handicap Chase at Cheltenham on Thursday.

“Shocking [prices] and the fact you can’t use cash makes it even worse,” Costello said.

Cheltenham has operated as a ‘cashless’ venue this year, with punters able to bet in cash with bookmakers and the Tote but otherwise needing to use a card to make payments on the course.

A spokesman for the Jockey Club said: “We work hard to absorb inflationary costs wherever we can. However, we’ve had to factor in current inflation rises in relation to goods and labour when deciding on the prices of some of the items we serve.

“Despite this our prices are comparable to other major events, with all our profits reinvested back into British horseracing.”

Prices for hotel rooms in Cheltenham were also criticised in the build-up to the festival, with a room in the three-star Holiday Inn Express in the town centre priced at £728 in January for someone planning to stay on Cheltenham Gold Cup night.

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