Organisers of the Cheltenham Festival are working hard to stop attendees from taking illegal drugs this year.
Large blue bins were placed outside the main entrances to the course in the hope race-goers dumped their stash before facing the embarrassment of being pulled aside.
Sniffer dogs are also being used to stop any people who might be carrying illegal substances.
An uptick in drug abuse at the races has been a problem in recent years, with horse trainer Charlie Brooks previously citing a ruined festival atmosphere because of ‘young men on cocaine’.
Writing in the Telegraph, he said: ‘I have no idea whether sniffer dogs outside the gates of a racecourse are either efficient at detecting drugs or an effective deterrent, but the presence of an odd dog here and there feels like too little, too late.
‘There is a whole world of difference between the boisterous behaviour of those who have had a few pints and the aggressive persona of groups of young men taking cocaine.’
But it appears the organisers are ready to cut out the illegal ‘snow’ in the stands altogether.
Amnesty bins, which allow anyone caught with small amounts of illegal drugs to dispose of them without consequence, have been set up outside the entrance points.
Security appears to be heightened as well in a bid to stop illicit drug use.
Even with all the security, sniffer dogs and amnesty bins, the problem is still rife – in racecourses across the UK.
A Racecourse Association spokesperson said in a statement: ‘Together with our colleagues across British racing, the RCA condemns any illegal substance abuse on a racecourse and supports the zero tolerance approach our members take in handling any incidents involving them.’
Even the Royal Ascot, arguably the most prestigious horse racing event of the season, has had its issues with substance abuse, opting to use sniffer dogs and amnesty bins as well.
Yesterday marked Day Three of Cheltenham Festival 2025, which delivered plenty of drama and big winners on St Patrick’s Thursday.
It was a day dominated by Rachel Blackmore who picked up her first win of the Festival with Thursday’s first race aboard Air Of Entitlement in Ryanair Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle.
And the Irish jockey stole the headlines later in the day, upsetting defending champion Teahupoo to win the Stayers’ Hurdle with the 8/1 Bob Olinger.
Elsewhere, there was a winner for Sir Alex Ferguson as Caldwell Pottter stormed to victory in the Jack Richards’ Novice Chase, while Fact To File delivered a classy performance to win the Ryanair Chase title.
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