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Major UK Horse Races

The most prestigious races in British horse racing — from the Grand National at Aintree to the Classics at Newmarket, Epsom and Doncaster.

Updated 10 min read major UK horse races

The Racing Calendar

British horse racing is divided into two codes — flat racing (March to November) and jump racing (National Hunt, October to April) — with the sport's biggest events spread across the entire year.

The table below shows the key annual fixtures every racing enthusiast should know.

Cheltenham Festival

Cheltenham · March · Various

Jump

Grand National

Aintree · April · 4m 2½f

Jump

2,000 Guineas

Newmarket · May · 1m

Flat

Epsom Derby

Epsom · June · 1m 4f

Flat

Royal Ascot

Ascot · June · Various

Flat

Glorious Goodwood

Goodwood · Jul–Aug · Various

Flat

York Ebor Festival

York · August · Various

Flat

St Leger

Doncaster · September · 1m 6f

Flat

King George VI Chase

Kempton · December · 3m

Jump

The Major Races in Detail

Grand National

Jump
Aintree April 4m 2½f Up to 40 runners £1,000,000+

The most famous steeplechase in the world. Run over 4 miles 2½ furlongs with 30 fences, the Grand National captures the public imagination like no other race. First run in 1839, it draws a television audience of over 600 million worldwide. Form, jumping ability, and stamina are all crucial — many winners have been lightly weighted handicappers at double-digit odds.

Cheltenham Gold Cup

Jump
Cheltenham March 3m 2½f Up to 20–24 runners £625,000+

The championship race of National Hunt racing. Contested over 3 miles 2½ furlongs with 22 fences, the Gold Cup identifies the best staying chaser in Britain and Ireland. Unlike the Grand National, it is a weight-for-age contest — every horse carries the same weight — making it a true test of merit. Winners include Arkle, Kauto Star, and Al Boum Photo.

Cheltenham Festival Champion Hurdle

Jump
Cheltenham March 2m ½f Up to 14–24 runners £375,000+

The flagship hurdle race of the jump season, run on the opening day of the Cheltenham Festival. Speed and jumping accuracy over 2 miles are decisive. Champion hurdlers have often been former flat horses — the race has been won by animals who went on to become legends of the sport, including Istabraq (three consecutive wins, 1998–2000).

Royal Ascot — Gold Cup

Flat
Ascot June 2m 4f Up to 10–16 runners £550,000+

The centerpiece of Royal Ascot week, the Gold Cup identifies the best staying flat horse in training. Run over 2 miles 4 furlongs, it suits true stayers with the ability to quicken in the straight. Stradivarius won four consecutive renewals (2018–2021), cementing his place among the great stayers of the modern era.

Royal Ascot — Queen Anne Stakes

Flat
Ascot June 1m Up to 8–14 runners £600,000+

The opening race of Royal Ascot, the Queen Anne Stakes is a Group 1 for milers. It is often contested by the best older horses in training over a mile, making it a championship race for the mile distance. Run on the straight course at Ascot, it rewards high-class performers with clean, uncomplicated ability.

Epsom Derby

Flat
Epsom June 1m 4f 10y Up to 8–20 runners £1,500,000+

The original Classic and the richest flat race in Britain. The Epsom Derby is a Group 1 for three-year-old colts and fillies run over an undulating 1 mile 4 furlongs. The camber, bends, and camber changes on the track make Epsom uniquely challenging. Horses bred to stay beyond a mile and handle tricky tracks are at an advantage.

2,000 Guineas

Flat
Newmarket May 1m Up to 12–25 runners £700,000+

The first Classic of the flat season, run at Newmarket in early May. A Group 1 for three-year-old colts and fillies over a straight mile, the 2,000 Guineas favours horses with speed and the ability to handle the straight Rowley Mile course. It identifies the best miler of the Classic generation.

St Leger

Flat
Doncaster September 1m 6f 115y Up to 8–15 runners £375,000+

The oldest of the five British Classics, run at Doncaster since 1776. The St Leger is a Group 1 for three-year-olds over 1 mile 6 furlongs 115 yards. It is the ultimate test for the Classic generation over a true staying distance, completing the final leg of the Triple Crown for horses who have also won the 2,000 Guineas and Derby.

Betting on the Big Races

Cheltenham Festival Strategy

The four-day Cheltenham Festival in March is the most significant betting event in the jump calendar. A few key principles:

  • Track record matters: horses who have already won at Cheltenham show they can handle the unique undulating track and partisan atmosphere
  • Irish form: Irish-trained horses dominate the Festival — factor in the calibre of Irish competition when assessing form
  • Going preferences: the going at Cheltenham can shift significantly during the four days; horses who handle both good and soft ground are safer each-way bets

Grand National Approach

The National's complexity — 40 runners, 30 fences, 4 miles — makes form assessment unusually difficult:

  • Weight: lower-weighted horses statistically win more often — the historical average winning weight is around 10st 7lb
  • Course form: previous National experience and jumping at Aintree is a significant positive
  • Trainer record: certain yards have strong records at Aintree — this is worth factoring into ante-post bets

Royal Ascot Flat Racing

Ascot's straight course and the undulating round course suit different types:

  • Draw matters on the straight: a high draw (stall 8+) is beneficial in large fields
  • Pace: Royal Ascot races are often run at a genuine pace, suiting hold-up horses who can finish strongly

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the five British Classics?
The five British Classics are the 2,000 Guineas (Newmarket, May), the 1,000 Guineas (Newmarket, May), the Epsom Derby (Epsom, June), the Oaks (Epsom, June), and the St Leger (Doncaster, September). They are restricted to three-year-old thoroughbreds. The 2,000 Guineas, Derby, and St Leger together constitute the Triple Crown.

What is the Triple Crown in British horse racing?
The British Triple Crown consists of the 2,000 Guineas, the Epsom Derby, and the St Leger, all won in the same season by the same three-year-old colt. It is one of the rarest achievements in flat racing — Nijinsky (1970) was the last horse to win all three. Fillies win the 1,000 Guineas, Oaks, and St Leger for their own equivalent.

What is the difference between the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National?
The Cheltenham Festival is a four-day meeting in March featuring championship jump races across all distances and disciplines. The Gold Cup on the final day is its centrepiece. The Grand National at Aintree in April is a single-race spectacle — a handicap chase over 4 miles 2½ furlongs with 30 fences. Festival form often influences Grand National betting.

When is Royal Ascot held?
Royal Ascot is held over five days in June — typically the third week of June. It features 35 races across the week, including eight Group 1 contests. The meeting has been attended by the Royal Family since its founding by Queen Anne in 1711.

What does ante-post mean for the Grand National?
Ante-post markets for the Grand National open months in advance — often the previous autumn. These early prices can be very attractive but carry the risk of losing your stake if your selection is not declared in the final field. Many bookmakers offer Non-Runner No Bet (NRNB) terms which refund your stake if your horse does not run.