Qipco British Champions Day is the glittering highlight of the month. Ascot will stage a record five Group 1 races as the Royal track holds it’s annual celebration of the Flat season.
The jumps season also steps up a notch, as racing returns to Cheltenham.
Here’s a look at all the Premier Racing fixtures in October.
Ascot
Bet MGM Autumn Saturday Raceday, Saturday 4 October
Racing fans who like a pint won’t be able to believe their luck at Ascot’s opening Premier Racing fixture of the month.
The track hosts its annual beer Festival in association with Camra (Campaign for Real Ale). There will be a wide range of ales and ciders to sample alongside some excellent racing on the track.
The John Guest Racing Bengough Stakes and the BetMGM Cumberland Lodge Stakes – both Group 3 prizes – top the bill. They are complimented by the £180,000 BetMGM Challenge Cup – Britain’s most valuable 7f handicap.
Newmarket
Bet MGM Sun Chariot Day, Saturday 4 October
Top-level action comes thick and fast at Newmarket during October and it kicks off the month with the Group 1 Sun Chariot Stakes.
The mile contest attracts some of the very best fillies and has been won in recent years by Tamfana, Inspiral and Classic heroine Billesdon Brook.
Newmarket
Dubai Future Champions Festival, Friday 10 October & Saturday 11 October
Some of next year’s Classic hopefuls take centre stage at the two-day Future Champions Festival.
There is Group 1 action on both days as this season’s star two-year-olds line-up in some of the most prestigious races for juveniles.
The Group 1 bet365 Fillies’ Mile – won last year by subsequent 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower – is the feature race on Friday.
The Group 1 Darley Dewhurst Stakes – generally regarded as the top race for two-year-olds – dominates Saturday’s card. Subsequent Classic winners City Of Troy, Chaldean and St Mark’s Basillica all added their name to the prestigious roll of honour in recent years. Further back, Frankel landed the prized seven-furlong contest on his way to cementing his legendary status.
The Dewhurst Stakes features on a superb card, also featuring the Club Godolphin Cesarewitch, one of the top staying handicaps of the season.
York
October Finale Saturday, Saturday 11 October
York celebrates its final meeting of the season with a two-day fixture.
The Coral Sprint Trophy features on Saturday’s Premier Racing card, with the Listed Coral Rockingham Stakes among the supporting races.
The track’s top jockey and trainer will be crowned following a memorable season on the Knavesmire.
Chepstow
The Dragonbet Welsh Racing Festival Sunday, Sunday 12 October
The Dragonbet Welsh Champion Hurdle returns to its original home for the first time in 23 years at Chepstow’s opening Premier Racing fixture of the season.
Won by legendary hurdlers Night Nurse, Monksfield and Sea Pigeon during its glory years, the limited handicap switches from Ffos Las.
It’s the feature contest on the final day of the three-day Dragonbet Welsh Racing Festival as jumps action returns to the Welsh course following its summer break.
Ascot
QIPCO British Champions Day, Saturday 18 October
Qipco British Champions Day is now firmly established as a glorious celebration of the Flat season.
Some of the greatest stars of the summer sport have graced Ascot’s superb end-of-season sign off and this year’s meeting promises to be better than ever.
For the first time, the card will feature seven races – including a record five Group 1 prizes – as the season ends with the biggest of bangs.
The Qipco Champion Stakes and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes – two of the most prestigious races of the season – feature on a peerless line-up of top-quality races.
The 2025 champions will be crowned and legends will be inducted into Racing’s Hall of Fame in what is sure to be an unforgettable day.
Cheltenham
The Showcase Meeting, Friday 24 October & Saturday 25 October
Racing returns to the home of jump racing with its popular two-day Showcase Meeting.
Competitive seven-race cards on each day will be complimented by a whole host of entertainment.
The Jockey Gym will host riding masterclasses, demonstrations and the chance to meet the stars of the saddle.
Some friendly Shetland ponies – often the starting point for many jockeys – will be on hand to entertain younger visitors.
Doncaster
William Hill Futurity Trophy Day, Saturday 25 October
Some of the season’s top two-year-olds will attempt to push their Classic credentials in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy as Premier Racing returns to Doncaster.
The feature race – run over a mile – was won by subsequent Derby hero Auguste Rodin three years ago. It has a rich history of unearthing future stars and this year’s race promises to be hotly contested.
The Listed Doncaster Stakes is among the supporting races.
Aintree
Halloween Family Day, Sunday 26 October
Be prepared for a fright as Premier Racing returns to the home of the Grand National.
The Old Roan Chase tops the bill at Aintree’s Halloween Family Day.
There will be plenty of spooky entertainment for younger visitors to compliment some excellent jumps racing on the track.
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