One of the first things I learned after getting into horse racing properly was just how important the calendar is. Racing in the UK runs all year round, but it moves in seasons, with different meetings, festivals and racecourses taking centre stage at different times.
After more than 20 years of following the sport and planning race days around work, family and travel, I’ve come to rely heavily on clear fixtures and race calendars. This section of the site brings all of that together in one place.
This isn’t about tipping or betting schedules. It’s about knowing when racing is on, what kind of racing to expect, and which meetings matter most across the UK season.
The UK Horse Racing Season
Horse racing in the UK is usually split into two main strands: flat racing and National Hunt racing. While there’s overlap throughout the year, each has its own rhythm and standout moments.
Flat racing tends to dominate the spring and summer months, with big days out, historic meetings and long, light evenings. National Hunt racing comes into its own through autumn and winter, with a very different feel and atmosphere.
Understanding the calendar helps you appreciate how the sport flows from one part of the year to the next.
What You’ll Find in This Section
This hub is designed to make it easy to see what’s happening in UK racing, whether you’re planning a visit to a racecourse or simply keeping track of major meetings.
- UK horse racing calendars by year
- Flat racing season guides
- National Hunt season guides
- Major UK racing festivals and meetings
- Key dates at leading racecourses
Where it helps, I’ve linked fixtures directly to individual racecourse guides and historical background, so you get more context around each meeting.
Major UK Racing Festivals
Over the years, I’ve found that certain meetings anchor the racing calendar. These are the events that racing fans plan around, whether they attend in person or follow from afar.
This section includes detailed guides to major UK racing festivals, such as:
- Cheltenham Festival
- The Grand National meeting
- Royal Ascot
- Glorious Goodwood
- The St Leger Festival
Each festival guide looks at when it takes place, where it fits into the season, and why it holds such an important place in British horse racing.
Calendars & Racecourse Planning
If you enjoy going racing, the calendar becomes essential. Some racecourses have busy periods with multiple big meetings, while others shine at specific times of year.
Throughout this hub, I’ve linked fixtures and meetings back to individual racecourse guides, making it easier to plan visits and understand what each venue is best known for.
I’ve always felt that knowing what’s coming up adds to the enjoyment of the sport, especially when you can see how one meeting leads into the next.
Why the Racing Calendar Matters
Horse racing isn’t just a collection of individual race days. It’s a year-long story that unfolds across different courses, seasons and traditions.
By understanding the calendar, you start to see how historic meetings connect, why certain races are run when they are, and how the character of the sport changes throughout the year.
This section is here to help you follow that story, whether you’re new to racing or you’ve been attending meetings for decades.