What To Look Out For This August

Features | 1^st August 2022

It’s been a spectacular summer of racing and it is far from finished

There is some superb action to look forward to in August and there’s something for everyone from the most seasoned regular to first-time racegoers. Here’s a look at some of the highlights for the coming month.

Racing

The four-day Ebor Festival at York Racecourse is the highlight of August’s racing action. The feature race on the opening day, on Wednesday 17 August, is the Juddmonte International and it is shaping up to be one of the races of the season’s with unbeaten Baaeed heading for the Group 1 contest.

The Yorkshire Oaks and Nunthorpe Stakes provide top-class action for the middle two days and the meeting ends on the Saturday with the Ebor Handicap.

There are plenty of other racing highlights during the month. Ascot’s ever-popular team event, the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup, takes place on Saturday 6 August. Some of the world’s top riders will be competing in the event, which is one of the most enjoyable racedays in the calendar. The meeting has proved to be a great way to introduce new fans to the sport.

Newbury’s Hungerford Stakes is the feature on Saturday 13 August, while Goodwood’s Celebration Mile and the Winter hill Stakes at Windsor share the headlines on Saturday 27 August. There ‘s also the latest fixtures in the hugely-successful Sky Bet Sunday Series. They take place at Haydock on 7 August and Sandown on 21 August.

Family Fun

The month of August is packed with ‘family fun’ race days to help keep the kids entertained throughout the school holidays. Tracks up and down the country are hosting events to allow racing fans and younger visitors to enjoy a fabulous day at the races.

Newmarket holds its Super Hero Raceday on Saturday 6 August. There will be assault courses and inflatables all hosted by your favourite super heroes including Superman, Batman and Wonder Woman. A pirate ship assault course, giraffe slide and soft play area will be among the attractions at Leicester Racecourse the following day, on Sunday 7 August.

The same day Windsor holds its family fun day. Among the family entertainment will be pony rides, facepainting and inflatable funfair rides.

Dinosaur fanatics will not believe their luck at Chelmsford on Sunday 14 August. UK’s largest and most realistic walking dinosaurs will be among the attractions at the Essex track in an event held in aid of the Essex and Herts Air Ambulance. There will be loads of fun entertainment at Brighton’s day on Sunday 21 August and Bank Holiday Monday on 29 August will see similar events at Chepstow and Epsom.

At Chepstow the entertainment will include funfair rides, bouncy castles and treasure hunts at the day held in support of Noah’s Journey.

Visitors to Epsom can expect animal encounters, inflatables and facepainting – all at the home of the Derby. Of course, all the entertainment at the Family Fun Days will take place alongside some incredible racing.

Perhaps best of all, especially on the value front, are these offers at various courses with 2-4-1 tickets and family for £9.50, tickets are on sale here.

Music

There are some stunning music acts performing at racecourses in August. The combination of a day at the races followed by big-name concerts has been packing out tracks in recent years and there are some chart-topping favourites appearing this month.

Simply Red will perform their string of hit songs after racing at Sandown on Thursday 4 August. The following day, on Friday 5 August, Rudimental will be in concert at Haydock and the Wombats will be on stage at Newmarket. Both are evening meetings.

Top ‘80s band The Human League will be at Lingfield on Saturday 6 August but DJ Pete Tong’s set on the popular Newmarket Nights series on Friday 12 August has already sold out.

There’s so much to look forward to on a racecourse near you this August