Sporting Life has brought back its print newspaper for the first time in over two decades, distributing a limited-edition run to racegoers travelling to the Cheltenham Festival.
Former England rugby star and avid horse racing fan Mike Tindall was spotted at London’s Paddington Station handing out free copies of the special issue. Sporting Life, which has been a key source of horse racing analysis for over 165 years, transitioned to a digital-only format in 1998, making this print revival a rare occasion.
Thousands of racegoers departing for Cheltenham were able to pick up a copy, featuring expert analysis, race tips, and an exclusive interview with Willie Mullins, the most successful trainer in the festival’s history.
Tindall, who has long been a passionate supporter of the sport, expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative.
“Cheltenham Festival is the most exciting week in the horse racing calendar for many fans, myself included,” he said. “Sporting Life is an institution in racing, and when I heard they were bringing the newspaper back for one day only, I was really pleased to be a part of it.
“The atmosphere at Paddington this morning has been fantastic. You can really sense the excitement among the racing fans heading to Cheltenham.”
Sebastian Butterworth, Director of Sporting Life, highlighted the significance of the one-day print revival, describing it as a tribute to the publication’s legacy.
“At Sporting Life, we’ve been dedicated to giving our customers the very best content for over 165 years. While we now operate purely digitally, we wanted to roll back the years and give fans heading to Cheltenham a keepsake to commemorate their day,” he said.
“Our limited-edition print newspaper celebrates what Sporting Life is all about – exclusive, in-depth content from some of the best and most talented people in the industry.”
First published in 1859, Sporting Life was once a staple for horse and greyhound racing enthusiasts before ceasing its print run in 1998. Today, it continues to provide expert coverage of horse racing and other sports through its digital platform.
The 2025 Cheltenham Festival, one of the biggest events in the horse racing calendar, is expected to attract more than 250,000 attendees across four days of racing. Sporting Life’s return to print for the occasion serves as a nostalgic reminder of its long-standing influence on the sport.
Fans can continue to follow all the latest updates, analysis, and race results at sportinglife.com.
