Racegoers Embrace Tradition, Enjoy Guinness on St. Patrick’s Thursday at Cheltenham Festival

Festival-goers at Cheltenham embraced a lively St Patrick’s Thursday, celebrating with an abundance of Guinness as they attempted the popular challenge of ‘splitting the G’.

Enthusiasts adorned themselves in festive attire, including shamrocks and leprechaun hats, painting the third day of the Gloucestershire racing event in a vibrant shade of green.

The revelry was marked not only by the iconic Irish stout but also by glasses of bubbly, ensuring that the drinks kept flowing throughout the proceedings.

The previous year, attendees expressed discontent when the price of Guinness surged by 30 pence, pushing the cost to £7.80 per pint.

In fact, one attendee shared with Mail Sport a receipt showing that a round of four Guinness had set him back £31.20.

Thursday is always known as St Patrick’s Day at Cheltenham, even if it doesn’t fall on March 17. 

One racegoer donned a suit decorated with shamrocks, leprechaun hats and pints of beer. He finished the outfit with a green hat

Others opted just for St Patrick’s day-themed accessories such as shamrock-shaped glasses, Guinness hats and scarves

A racegoer in a Guinness hat on day three of the Cheltenham Festival in Gloucestershire 

Thursday is always known as St Patrick’s Day at Cheltenham, even if it doesn’t fall on March 17

And with ‘Style Wednesday’, formerly Ladies’ Day, out of the way, punters who arrived for the action were no less stylish. 

One racegoer donned a suit decorated with shamrocks, leprechaun hats and pints of beer. He finished the outfit with a green hat.

Others opted just for St Patrick’s day-themed accessories such as shamrock-shaped glasses, Guinness hats and scarves. 

Meanwhile, some racegoers preferred to show their respect for the theme through more subtle details, such green dresses, bags and boots. 

However, it was umbrellas that proved to be the number one accessory of the day as the heavens opened on the Gloucestershire racecourse.

Some braved the rain in bare legs, heeled boots and thigh-skimming outfits while trying desperately to keep their elaborate headgear dry.

But the windy weather proved to be too much for some racegoers, who struggled to control their brollies – or worse, lost hold of their hats.

Some racegoers opted for more subtle green dresses and hats to celebrate St Patrick’s day 

A racegoers covers her head with her jacket as she seeks shelter from the rain at the festival

These racegoers refused to let the wet weather ruin their cheerful spirits

The windy weather at Cheltenham Festival today proved to be too much for some racegoers who struggled to control their brollies

Danny Dyer raises a glass as he attends day three of Cheltenham on Thursday 

Racegoers leave the festival amid high winds and wet weather 

A host of celebrities and famous faces also attended the races in Cheltenham today. 

Reality star Gemma Collins arrived by helicopter and stood out wearing a plaid coat with brown furry sleeves and a silk headscarf.

She wore pink gloves and carried a large Mulberry Bayswater bag – and wore sunglasses, of course.

Elsewhere, Georgia Toffolo got in the spirit as she sported a bag in the shape of a horse.

Leading the stars, the duo were injecting glamour into proceedings with Georgia clad in an elegant 20s-inspired suit while Gemma went for traditional attire.

Naturally the royals were out in force with Princess Anne leading the pack with her daughter Zara Tindall and son-in-law Mike Tindall.

Peter went for classic race attire with a tweed baker boy cap paired with a suit layered over a grey cardigan and shirt and tie.

Danny too was dressed to the nines in a stylish green three-piece suit paired with stylish sunglasses – despite the dreary weather.

James Nesbitt was fondly greeting Sir Alex, who beamed while warmly shaking the actor’s hand as they got stuck into the festivities.