Cheltenham press room to be renamed in honour of Racing Post writer Alastair Down

Cheltenham will pay tribute to award-winning writer and festival regular Alastair Down next week when the press room is officially renamed in his honour on the opening day of the Showcase meeting.

Down is a Cheltenham devotee, having attended every festival since the age of 19, including while working for The Sporting Life and subsequently with the Racing Post.

He was responsible for capturing many of Cheltenham's greatest moments on page, including Istabraq's third Champion Hurdle success in 2000 and the incredible clash between Long Run, Denman and Kauto Star in the 2011 Gold Cup. 

Alongside his writing commitments, Down also turned his hand to broadcasting with Channel 4 Racing. He was presented with the president's award at the Horserace Writers and Photographers Awards last year for his contribution to racing journalism. 

"Alastair is one of the giants of turf writing and over the decades he has chronicled with inimitable passion, humour and poignancy his and our love affair with the greatest jumps course of all, Cheltenham," said Racing Post editor Tom Kerr. 

"It is a wonderfully fitting gesture from the Jockey Club, therefore, to rename the press room from which he penned so many timeless pieces in his honour. Along with his many friends and admirers in racing, I look forward to toasting this honour at Cheltenham next week with Alastair."

Down is set to be in attendance along with his family at the press room ceremony, which will take place before Cheltenham's first jumps meeting of the new season on Friday, October 25.

Ian Renton, managing director for Cheltenham racecourse, said: "The start of a new season felt like an appropriate time to pay tribute to Alastair and the extraordinary stories he has helped to tell over many years at Cheltenham. 

"We are delighted that he and his family will be able to join us on the day, so we can recognise the unique connection he has as a writer with the home of jump racing and thank him for the part he has played in capturing its magic."

Do you have a favourite piece from the archives by Alastair Down? Let us know your pick by emailing editor@racingpost.com, and we'll print the one that receives the most votes in next Friday's edition of the Racing Post

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