Dipo Olowookere
The Cheltenham Festival is right around the corner. In the middle of March, one of England’s (and the World’s) most iconic, popular, and important horse racing events will kick off its latest iteration. The world is waiting with baited breath for the Champions’ Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, and possible the biggest event of the tournament, the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
For those who haven’t experienced the festival, it is our recommendation that you do so, if you are at all interested in horse racing. Cheltenham’s Festival has been noted for its vibrant and rambunctious atmosphere, often referred to as the Cheltenham roar.
Not to mention, Cheltenham is an excellent opportunity for punters to win it big. Already, betting sites have begun to create odds and focus on favorites. The expectations for Cheltenham 2023 betting are that it will exceed previous years by quite a margin, as many more people around the globe are becoming interested in horse racing.
Champ and Paisley Park Clash
But it seems that for two horses and their handlers, Cheltenham was way too long a wait. Two of the biggest stars in horse racing today, Champ and Paisley Park met for the 2022 Kempton Hurdle. The two beasts have clashed in numerous races throughout the past couple of years, with varying degrees of success against each other.
Champ
Champ is an Irish-bred horse, quickly closing on his 11th year. While most horses retire by the time they reach that age, Champ has continued running, to great success, it should be said. During the course of his career, he has won over 40 races, certainly a remarkable feat. On many occasions, the Champ has faced against Paisley Park, with the two developing a rivalry for the history books.
Paisley Park
Another 10-year-old, the Irish-bred and British-trained Paisley Park is one of the most notable horses of his generation. His track record as a hurdle horse is well established, and he has won plenty of Britain’s most notable races, including Cheltenham’s Stayers’ Hurdle. His rivalry with Champ is somewhat notorious, with the two having met in quite a few heated races throughout the years.
The Kempton Race
The most recent example of the two’s rivalry was seen on 26 December, when the horses met at the Kempton Ladbrokes Long Walk Hurdle. For most of the race, Champ maintained a steady distance, keeping Goshen, another star in the current world of horse racing, and Paisley Park behind him. For the longest time, Paisley Park was in third place, and many of his fans began to lose hope.
However, the 10-year-old veteran reclaimed his fans’ faith and trust, when a sudden burst of speed and energy took him to the front of the race. And though both Goshen and Champ did their best, Paisley Park crossed that finish line first, becoming 2022’s Long Walk winner at the Kempton event.
Many fans of the horse were ecstatic, but not surprised. After all, Paisley Park is a legend of his time. And while Champ fans may be disappointed, they ought not worry too long. In just two short months, the two horses will meet once more at one of England’s premier horse racing events, Cheltenham.
The 2023 Cheltenham Festival
The Cheltenham Festival is one of the most notable horse racing events in the world. The four-day event takes place in the middle of March, and as the name suggests, in the English city of Cheltenham. The Festival hosts quite a few of the most popular races in the country, most notably the Gold Cup race.
In 2023, the festival will begin on 14 March, and will go until 17 March. Four absolutely spectacular days of racing, with some of the greatest horses in the world. Paisley Park and Champ will of course be there. While these two aren’t as known as the stars from other sports, especially football, they are legends among the horse racing faithful, and may just go down in history as this era’s Sea Biscuit and War Admiral.
But it will not just be them two. Legendary horse, Honeysuckle will also be competing at Cheltenham, though her trainers may just decide to pull her from the really important races. Constitution Hill is another horse to look out for, as he is by far the favorite to win the Champions’ Hurdle.
Final Thoughts
Champ and Paisley Park are two of the best horses of their generation. Their career has been mainly ups, with very few roadblocks along the way. If you are in any way a fan of these two horses, or racing in general, you owe it to yourself not to miss their showings at the upcoming Cheltenham Festival.
