Racecourses in the UK

Ascot Racecourse

Ascot racecourse is located in Ascot, Berkshire and remains one of the most important racecourses in the UK. It was established in 1711 by Queen Anne and is still part of the Crown Estate today. The most important flat racing event held at Ascot racecourse is the Royal Ascot. This is a five day racing event and has become an important highlight in many social calendars. The Royal Ascot is also the most attended horse racing event in Europe.

Other important racing events at Ascot racecourse include the Diamond Meeting with the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, along with the Shergar Cup and the Ascot Festival. For more information visit the Official Ascot Racing Website or the Royal Ascot Betting Website.

Chester Racecourse

Chester racecourse is the oldest racecourse in the country and hosts many important racing events, including the May Meeting, the Chester Cup and Ormonde Stakes, as well as Ladies evening in June and the July Meeting. For more information visit Chester Racecourse.

Doncaster Racecourse

Doncaster racecourse is in South Yorkshire and has a long and prestigious history. Important races held at Doncaster racecourse include the classic St Leger Stakes race and the Lincoln. For more information visit Doncaster racecourse.

Epsom Downs

Epsom Downs racecourse is in Surrey and it is one of the UKs most important thoroughbred racecourses. Two of the most important flat racing events held at Epsom Downs are the Epsom Oaks and the Epsom Derby. For more information go to the Epsom Downs Racecourse official website.

Goodwood Racecourse

Goodwood racecourse is a flat racing only racecourse in East Sussex. It was established in 1802 by the third Duke of Richmond, and is owned today by the current Duke of Richmond.

The most prestigious event at Goodwood is the Glorious Goodwood Meeting. The Glorious Goodwood Meeting is a major five-day event in the flat racing calendar with two Group I races - the Sussex Stakes and the Nassau Stakes. The May Meeting at Goodwood is also a notable racing event in the calendar. For more information visit Goodwood Racing.

Kempton Park

Located in Surrey not far from London, Kempton Park Racecourse was opened in 1878 and hosts both national hunt and flat racing events. Important flat racing events include Rosebery Stakes and September Stakes. For more information visit the Kempton Park Racecourse.

Newbury Racecourse

Newbury Racecourse in Berkshire is another important racecourse in the UK for both flat racing and National Hunt events. For more information, including event listings, visit Newbury Racecourse.

Newmarket

Newmarket racecourse is the centre of British flat horse racing, and the racecourse hosts a wide variety of important horse racing events throughout the year. However, no National Hunt races are held at the course.

Newmarket racecourse has two courses - The Rowley Mile Course and the July Courses. Flat races take place on The Rowley Mile Course during the autumn and spring months, and on the July course during the summer.

Seven Group 1 races are held at Newmarket each year. Two of the most important races are the One Thousands Guinea Stakes and the Two Thousands Guinea Stakes races; both of which are held on the Rowley Mile course. Other major events include the Champion Stakes, the Cheveley Park Stakes, the Dewhurst Stakes, the Middle Park Stakes and the July Cup.

For further information about flat racing events at Newmarket Racecourse visit the Newmarket Racecourse.

Sandown Park

Sandown Park is based in Surrey, not far from London, and it hosts many major flat racing and National Hunt events. Important flat races include the Henry II Stakes, the Brigadier General Stakes and the Temple Stakes. For more information visit Sandown Park Racecourse.

York Racecourse

Situated in North Yorkshire, York racecourse is one of the oldest racecourses in the country. The first meeting was held there in 1754, but racing in the region dates back much earlier to Roman times.

Major racing events held at York include the Yorkshire Cup, the Ebor Festival, as well as three Group 1 events in August – the International Stakes, the Yorkshire Oaks and the Nunthorpe Stakes. Other important events include the Gimcrack Stakes, the Great Voltigeur Stakes and the Lowther Stakes. For further information visit York Racecourse.

Ireland

The most important racecourse in Ireland is the Curragh Racecourse in Kildare. The first race took place in 1741 and nowadays many major racing events are held there, including all five classic races in the Irish racing calendar. Important events include the Boylesports Irish 1000 and 2000 Guineas, the Budweiser Irish Derby and the Darley Irish Oaks. For more information visit Curragh Racecourse.