Cheltenham Racecourse in Gloucestershire will rename its famous amateur race to honour HRH The Princess Royal during the final day of the upcoming Festival on 13 March 2026. The event, formerly known as the Festival Hunters’ Chase, will now be called The Princess Royal Challenge Cup Open Hunters’ Steeple Chase.
According to The Jockey Club, the race will take place immediately after the prestigious Gold Cup. It is often referred to by fans as the Amateurs’ Gold Cup because it covers the same three-and-a-quarter-mile distance as the main championship race.
The tribute recognises the Princess Royal’s long history with horse riding, which includes winning a gold medal at the 1971 European Eventing Championships and competing in the 1976 Montreal Olympics. While her name was linked to a different race last year, that event will now return to its original title of the National Hunt Challenge Cup.
The 2026 Cheltenham Festival is expected to attract more than 220,000 visitors over its four-day run. Because ticket sales are currently higher than they were last year, local authorities are preparing for significant pressure on the town’s transport and parking.
With the royal tribute taking place on the final day, demand for local hotels and hospitality is expected to be high. Residents can expect extra crowds and busier trains as approximately 130,000 people are predicted to travel to the area by rail for the event.
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