13 March 2024 , 19:18
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Punters at this year's Cheltenham Festival looking to toast their success or drown their sorrows may have to think again when they see the price of drinks.
One of the standout events of the horseracing calendar lasts four days and as the halfway point is reached, fans have ben left amazed by just how much it costs to quench your thirst while watching the action. Wednesday saw Captain Guinness pull of a shock win in the Queen Mother Champion Chase after bookies' favourite El Fabiolo was pulled up.
While there has hardly been a shortage of drama in both days so far, many have been more focused on the staggering prices of alcohol. Social media has been littered with furious punters who can't believe how much they are being asked to hand over in exchange for a drink.
Draught Guinness, Madri Lager, Aspall Suffolk Cyder and Atlantic Pale Ale will all set you back £7.50. Other bottles of larger and cider cost anywhere between £7.40-£7.65. Just 187ml of wine comes in at an absurd price of £9.70.
Single spirit drinks range from £7 to £7.60, with even a 330ml soft drink costing £3. For those really looking to splash the cash, champagne is one of the most expensive options on offer throughout the festival.
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Rose champagne is the cheapest at £48, while a bottle of house champagne is significantly more costly at £75. Meanwhile, a 750ml bottle of Moet & Chandon Brut Imperial Champagne is a whopping £110.
To add insult to injury, comparing this year's drink prices at Cheltenham with those at prestigious tennis tournament Wimbledon makes for incredible reading. One of the only beverages more expensive at the All England Club is a pint of Stella Artois at £7.55, but almost everything else is cheaper.
Drink prices at this year's Cheltenham Festival (Nick Murphy)
Rachael Blackmore on board Captain Guinness at this year's Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham Festival (Javier Garcia/REX/Shutterstock)Guinness, as well as every other ale, are 30p cheaper at £7.20. To give Wimbledon another edge, they have a range of bottled beers on offer for under the £7 mark. Single spirits AND a mixer are 10p cheaper at the tennis, though wine is the same price.
In turn, many punters flocked to social media to vent their fury over the situation at Cheltenham. One wrote: "Anybody that goes to Cheltenham and pays 7.50 a pint needs to give their head a shake."
Another added: "For the price of a pint of Guinness and a burger they could have put a roof over the track." One took aim at the lack of paper cups at the festival, writing: "Cheltenham 2024 - They’ve disposed of the paper cups. £7-50 a pint."