Further steps will be taken in 2026 to make it easier for fans to identify and engage with British racing’s showpiece occasions, with a refined number of Premier Racedays, better defined Flat and Jump seasons and 10-minute gaps prior to major races on Saturday afternoons to the support promotion of the top clashes.
While race volume remains largely unchanged next year, tactical adjustments will continue to be made throughout the calendar to deliver a competitive race programme and more consistent field sizes, while code breaks and rider restricted meetings will provide rest periods for jockeys.
There will also be a trial of earlier finish times at floodlit fixtures during the first nine weeks of the year and greater structure around finish times more generally – providing improved support and consistency for those working to deliver the fixture list.
Premier Raceday Schedule:
Saturday 17/01/2026 – Ascot (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Jump
Saturday 24/01/2026 – Cheltenham (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Jump
Saturday 07/02/2026 – Newbury (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Jump
Saturday 14/02/2026 – Ascot (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Jump
Tuesday 10/03/2026 – Cheltenham (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Jump
Wednesday 11/03/2026 – Cheltenham (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Jump
Thursday 12/03/2026 – Cheltenham (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Jump
Friday 13/03/2026 – Cheltenham (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Jump
Thursday 09/04/2026 – Aintree (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – North – Jump
Friday 10/04/2026 – Aintree (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – North – Jump
Saturday 11/04/2026 – Aintree (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – North – Jump
Saturday 18/04/2026 – Aintree (Afternoon) – Independent – North – Jump
Saturday 25/04/2026 – Sandown Park (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Jump
Saturday 02/05/2026 – Newmarket (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Flat Turf
Sunday 03/05/2026 – Newmarket (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Flat Turf
Thursday 14/05/2026 – York (Afternoon) – Independent – North – Flat Turf
Friday 15/05/2026 – York (Afternoon) – Independent – North – Flat Turf
Saturday 16/05/2026 – Newbury (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Friday 05/06/2026 – Epsom Downs (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – South – Flat Turf
Saturday 06/06/2026 – Epsom Downs (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – South – Flat Turf
Tuesday 16/06/2026 – Ascot (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Wednesday 17/06/2026 – Ascot (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Thursday 18/06/2026 – Ascot (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Friday 19/06/2026 – Ascot (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Saturday 20/06/2026 – Ascot (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Saturday 04/07/2026 – Sandown Park (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – South – Flat Turf
Thursday 09/07/2026 – Newmarket (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Flat Turf
Friday 10/07/2026 – Newmarket (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Flat Turf
Saturday 11/07/2026 – Newmarket (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Flat Turf
Saturday 25/07/2026 – Ascot (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Tuesday 28/07/2026 – Goodwood (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Wednesday 29/07/2026 – Goodwood (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Thursday 30/07/2026 – Goodwood (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Friday 31/07/2026 – Goodwood (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Saturday 01/08/2026 – Goodwood (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Wednesday 19/08/2026 – York (Afternoon) – Independent – North – Flat Turf
Thursday 20/08/2026 – York (Afternoon) – Independent – North – Flat Turf
Friday 21/08/2026 – York (Afternoon) – Independent – North – Flat Turf
Saturday 22/08/2026 – York (Afternoon) – Independent – North – Flat Turf
Saturday 12/09/2026 – Doncaster (Afternoon) – Arena Racing Corporation – North – Flat Turf
Saturday 26/09/2026 – Newmarket (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Flat Turf
Saturday 10/10/2026 – Newmarket (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Flat Turf
Saturday 17/10/2026 – Ascot (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Flat Turf
Saturday 14/11/2026 – Cheltenham (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Jump
Sunday 15/11/2026 – Cheltenham (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Jump
Saturday 21/11/2026 – Haydock Park (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – North – Jump
Saturday 28/11/2026 – Newbury (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Jump
Saturday 05/12/2026 – Sandown Park (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – South – Jump
Saturday 12/12/2026 – Cheltenham (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – Midlands – Jump
Saturday 19/12/2026 – Ascot (Afternoon) – Independent – South – Jump
Saturday 26/12/2026 – Kempton Park (Afternoon) – Jockey Club Racecourses – South – Jump
Sunday 27/12/2026 – Chepstow (Afternoon) – Arena Racing Corporation – South – Jump
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