Rescheduled Cheltenham Festival Cancelled

Published: 1 April 2001

CHELTENHAM RACECOURSE RELEASE
for immediate release, Sunday, April 1, 2001
CHELTENHAM FESTIVAL CALLED OFF
The British Horseracing Board today (April 1, 2001) ruled that Cheltenham cannot stage the postponed three-day Festival on April 17, 18 & 19 because the Gloucestershire course falls within a foot and mouth infected area.
A foot and mouth outbreak has been confirmed at Woolstone, about five miles from the course.
Edward Gillespie, Cheltenham Racecourse’s Managing Director, said today: “We are bitterly disappointed for everyone concerned that the 2001 Cheltenham Festival has had to be cancelled.
“I would like to say how incredibly grateful I have been for everybody’s help and patience over the last few weeks as Cheltenham Racecourse made plans and arrangements to stage the Festival in April after the original dates in March were not able to go ahead because of racing’s guidelines during this terrible foot and mouth outbreak.
“I hope that all concerned will support the three-day Martell Grand National Meeting at Aintree which starts on Thursday, April 5.
“There will be no 2001 Cheltenham Festival and we now look forward to the 2002 renewal on March 12, 13 & 14 at Cheltenham.
“The British Horseracing Board is working with all interested parties on contingency plans to run championship races at other venues.”

For more information, contact Edward Gillespie on 07860 744646