Racing Calendar

13-15 February, 2026 · King Abdulaziz Racetrack, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The world's richest dirt race, headlining a $20m card that draws top sprinters and milers from three continents.

10-13 March, 2026 · Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire

Four days, 28 races - the championship week of National Hunt racing, closing with the Gold Cup on Friday.

28 March 2026 · Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, UAE

Dubai's showpiece card, built around the $12m World Cup and a strong supporting line-up of Group 1 turf and dirt races.

9-11 April, 2026 · Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool

Three days building to the world's most famous steeplechase - 4 miles, 30 fences, run on the Saturday.

2-3 May, 2026 · Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk

The season's first Classics, opening the campaign for the best three-year-old colts and fillies over a mile.

2 May 2026 · Churchill Downs, Louisville, USA

America's premier Classic - 'the most exciting two minutes in sports' - for three-year-olds over a mile and a quarter.

5-6 June, 2026 · Epsom Downs, Surrey

The Oaks on Friday and the Derby itself on Saturday, run over Epsom's unique camber, descent and uphill finish.

16-20 June, 2026 · Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire

Five days of the highest-class flat racing anywhere, run alongside the best-known dress code in the sport.

9-11 July, 2026 · Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk

Headlined by the July Cup - Europe's premier sprint - on the Rowley Mile's July Course.

24-25 July, 2026 · Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire

The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the mid-summer measure of the season's best middle-distance horses.

28 Jul - 1 Aug, 2026 · Goodwood Racecourse, West Sussex

'Glorious Goodwood' - five days of top-class flat racing on the South Downs, led by the Sussex Stakes.

19-22 August, 2026 · York Racecourse, North Yorkshire

Four days built around the Juddmonte International and the Ebor Handicap, the biggest field of the flat season.

5 September 2026 · Haydock Park, Merseyside

A championship sprint day, one of the key end-of-season markers for the division's leading speed horses.

10-13 September, 2026 · Doncaster Racecourse, South Yorkshire

The world's oldest Classic, run on its original course since 1776 - the final leg of the Triple Crown.

9-10 October, 2026 · Newmarket Racecourse, Suffolk

The season's last look at the next crop of Classic horses, headlined by the Dewhurst Stakes.

17 October 2026 · Ascot Racecourse, Berkshire

The richest raceday in Britain and the grand finale of the flat season, across four Group 1 contests.

23-24 October, 2026 · Cheltenham Racecourse, Gloucestershire

The traditional curtain-raiser for the new National Hunt season at Prestbury Park.

30-31 October, 2026 · Keeneland, Lexington, Kentucky, USA

North America's end-of-season championships, run across two days and fourteen Grade 1 races.

31 Oct - 7 Nov, 2026 · Flemington Racecourse, Melbourne, Australia

'The race that stops a nation' - Cup Day falls on 3 November, the centrepiece of a week-long carnival.