Horse racing fans, get ready for an exciting calendar filled with top-tier festivals, classic races, and thrilling fixtures across the UK and Ireland. Whether you’re a passionate punter or just enjoy the glamour of race day, here’s your guide to the major meetings from March 2025 to May 2026.
🔥 Spring 2025 Fixtures: March – May
🎯 Cheltenham Festival
📅 March 11 – 14, 2025📍 Cheltenham Racecourse, England
The crown jewel of National Hunt racing, featuring The Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and the iconic Cheltenham Gold Cup.
🐎 Fairyhouse Easter Festival
📅 April 19 – 21, 2025📍 Fairyhouse Racecourse, Ireland
Home to the prestigious Irish Grand National.
🎉 Grand National Festival
📅 April 3 – 5, 2025📍 Aintree Racecourse, England
The Grand National on Saturday is the main event, renowned for its gruelling course and global viewership.
🌿 Punchestown Festival
📅 April 29 – May 3, 2025📍 Punchestown Racecourse, Ireland
A top-class Irish jump racing festival, including the Punchestown Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle.
👑 Guineas Festival
📅 May 3 – 4, 2025📍 Newmarket Racecourse, England
Features the 2000 Guineas (colts) and 1000 Guineas (fillies)—the first two British Classics of the year.
🌞 Summer 2025 Fixtures: June – August
🏆 The Derby Festival
📅 June 6 – 7, 2025📍 Epsom Downs, England
Features the Epsom Derby, Britain’s most famous flat race.
👒 Royal Ascot
📅 June 17 – 21, 2025📍 Ascot Racecourse, England
One of the most glamorous events, featuring The Gold Cup, King’s Stand Stakes, and Diamond Jubilee Stakes.
🌟 Irish Derby Festival
📅 June 27 – 29, 2025📍 Curragh Racecourse, Ireland
The highlight is the Irish Derby, a key event in the Irish racing calendar.
🌻 King George Weekend
📅 July 26, 2025📍 Ascot Racecourse, England
Features the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, one of Europe’s top middle-distance races.
🐎 Galway Races Summer Festival
📅 July 28 – August 3, 2025📍 Galway Racecourse, Ireland
A week-long festival with top-class racing and an electric social scene.
🌿 York Ebor Festival
📅 August 20 – 23, 2025📍 York Racecourse, England
The Ebor Handicap is the feature race, alongside Group 1 contests like the Juddmonte International.
🍂 Autumn 2025 Fixtures: September – November
🍁 St Leger Festival
📅 September 11 – 14, 2025📍 Doncaster Racecourse, England
Features the St Leger Stakes, the final British Classic of the year.
🌟 Irish Champions Festival
📅 September 6 – 7, 2025📍 Leopardstown & The Curragh, Ireland
Features the Irish Champion Stakes and the Matron Stakes.
🍷 QIPCO British Champions Day
📅 October 18, 2025📍 Ascot Racecourse, England
The grand finale of the British flat racing season, with five Group races.
🎃 Cheltenham November Meeting
📅 November 14 – 16, 2025📍 Cheltenham Racecourse, England
Marks the start of the jump season with top-quality racing.
❄️ Winter 2025 – 2026 Fixtures: December – February
🎄 King George VI Chase Day
📅 December 26, 2025📍 Kempton Park, England
A Boxing Day tradition featuring the prestigious King George VI Chase.
🌟 Leopardstown Christmas Festival
📅 December 26 – 29, 2025📍 Leopardstown Racecourse, Ireland
A key Irish National Hunt festival.
🏇 Dublin Racing Festival
📅 February 1 – 2, 2026📍 Leopardstown Racecourse, Ireland
Two days of elite racing, including the Irish Gold Cup.
🌷 Spring 2026 Fixtures: March – May
🎯 Cheltenham Festival
📅 March 10 – 13, 2026📍 Cheltenham Racecourse, England
The biggest jumps meeting of the year returns with four days of unmissable action.
🐎 Grand National Festival
📅 April 2 – 4, 2026📍 Aintree Racecourse, England
The Grand National will once again be the highlight of this festival.
🌿 Punchestown Festival
📅 April 28 – May 2, 2026📍 Punchestown Racecourse, Ireland
The curtain closer for the Irish jump season.
👑 Guineas Festival
📅 May 2 – 3, 2026📍 Newmarket Racecourse, England
The 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas kick off the British flat racing classics for 2026.
This horseracing calendar covers the biggest racing fixtures over the next year, offering thrilling action, famous names, and unforgettable experiences. From the iconic Grand National to the glamour of Royal Ascot, there’s something for every racing enthusiast.
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