Sport & Results
Cheltenham Honours Dame Jilly Cooper at the November Meeting
Cheltenham Racecourse in England will dedicate a memorial bench to Dame Jilly Cooper on Countryside Day during its November Meeting. Additionally, one of the bars will temporarily adopt a name from her novels for the duration of the event.
Equidara editorial team · 12 November 2026 · 1 min read
Cheltenham Racecourse in England is paying tribute to the late author Dame Jilly Cooper on Countryside Day of its November Meeting. According to British magazine Horse & Hound, a memorial bench will be unveiled before the first race. It will be located on the curved path above the parade ring. This tribute commemorates Cooper's deep connection to the racecourse and her immense passion for horse racing.
A New Name for a Bar
Beyond Countryside Day, the author's memory will remain visible. As reported by Horse & Hound, The Retreat bar will be renamed The Rutshire Arms for the entire duration of the November Meeting. This name is a nod to Cooper's novels.
Family Attends the Tribute
In a joint statement, Cooper's son and daughter described their mother's enthusiasm for Cheltenham, the races, and the horses. Guy Lavender from the racecourse also highlighted Cooper's passion for the sport. The family will be present for the bench's unveiling on Countryside Day.
Sources
- ‘Mum adored everything about Cheltenham’: Dame Jilly Cooper to be honoured at home of jump racing (Horse & Hound) (29.10.2026)
Written by Equidara editorial team. Last checked: 12 November 2026.
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