The opening weekend of the month plays host to Newmarket’s Guineas Festival and then we’re straight into the crucial Derby Trials.
Here’s a look at all the Premier Racedays in May.
Newmarket
Betfred Guineas Festival, Friday 2 May - Sunday 4 May
The month couldn’t start any better with the opening Classics of the season taking centre stage.
The three-day Festival kicks off on Friday when the Group 2 Betfred Jockey Club Stakes is the feature event.
The Betfred 2000 Guineas takes place on Saturday. John Gosden – training in partnership with his son Thady – will attempt to win the opening Classic of the season for the first time with impressive Craven Stakes hero Field Of Gold.
The fillies get their chance for Classic glory on Sunday in the Betfred 1000 Guineas. Godolphin star Desert Flower will be out to give Charlie Appleby his first victory in the Grade 1 contest.
Chester
Boodles May Festival, Wednesday 7 May - Friday 9 May
The trials for the Epsom Classics come thick and fast, starting with the Boodles May Festival.
The three-day meeting hosts both the Group 3 Boodles Chester Vase and the Listed Weatherbys epassport Cheshire Oaks on the opening day.
The Listed Boodles Dee Stakes and the Group 3 Ladbrokes Ormonde Stakes dominate Thursday’s card, before the historic Ladbrokes Chester Cup helps end the meeting in style on Ladies’ Day.
Lingfield Park
The Derby & Oaks Trials, Saturday 10 May
The William Hill Lingfield Derby and Oaks Trials have been successful stepping stones to Epsom glory several times in recent history. Six years ago, Anthony Van Dyck and Anapurna won the trials before both going on to Classic victory three weeks later.
The Group 3 Chartwell Stakes also features on the track’s biggest Flat card.
Ascot
Peroni Nastro Azzuro 0.0% Victoria Cup Raceday, Saturday 10 May
The Victoria Cup is the big race on Ascot’s Saturday card. It’s the first of a series of valuable 7f handicaps throughout the season at the Royal track and it is always hotly contested.
Newcastle
Sunday Funday, Sunday 11 May
Billed as Sunday Funday, Newcastle’s Premier Raceday will be packed with fun family activities to go alongside some excellent racing. Not even the weather can ruin the day as, if it rains, any visitors to the track will be invited back to another fixture for free.
York
The Dante Festival, Wednesday 14 May - Friday 16 May
The key Classic trials feature in York’s Dante Festival. Three days of exceptional racing kicks off with the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes for the sprinters and the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes for the Oaks hopefuls.
The colts will be out to push their Derby credentials in the Dante Stakes – won by Epsom hero Desert Crown three years ago – on Thursday.
The meeting concludes on Friday when the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup is the big race of the day.
Newbury
Boylesports Lockinge with Ladies Day, Saturday 17 May
The Boylesports Lockinge Stakes is the first Group 1 race for four-year-olds and upwards.
The mile contest has been won by greats like Frankel and Baaeed. This year last season’s French 2000 Guineas runner-up Dancing Gemini is likely to be among the favourites after two impressive victories already this season.
The Trade Nation London Gold Cup is among the supporting races.
Haydock Park
Betfred Temple Stakes Day, Saturday 24 May
There’s a need for speed as Haydock is likely to attract some of the country’s top sprinters.
The Group 2 Betfred Temple Stakes over 5f and the Group 2 Betfred Sandy Lane Stakes over 6f have both been won by some of the quickest horses around.
The races often have a bearing on the Royal Ascot sprint prizes.
Goodwood
May Festival Saturday, Saturday 24 May
One of the most picturesque tracks in the world hosts its first Premier Racing fixture of the year.
The Listed Cocked Hat Stakes and the Listed Height Of Fashion Stakes are the feature contests.
Haydock Park
Betfred John Of Gaunt Sparkling Saturday, Saturday 31 May
The Group 3 Betfred John Of Gaunt Stakes and the Group 3 Betfred Lester Piggott Stakes take centre stage as Premier Racing is staged at Haydock for the second consecutive weekend.
York
May Spring Meeting, Saturday 31 May
The William Hill Bronte Cup for staying fillies tops the bill on the final day of the month at York.
The Group 3 contest will be supported by some competitive handicaps.
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