Top 15 Major UK and Ireland Horse Racing Festivals for Spring and Summer 2025

The UK and Ireland horse racing calendar in 2025 is packed with unmissable festivals, kicking off in style with the Cheltenham Festival in March.

Here's our top 15 list of the year’s major horse racing festivals for spring and summer:

1. Cheltenham Festival

When: 11-14 March 2025

Where: Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, England

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2. Ulster National Raceday at Downpatrick

When: 30 March 2025

Where: Downpatrick Racecourse, Co. Down, Northern Ireland

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3. Grand National Festival at Aintree

When: 3-5 April 2025

Where: Aintree Racecourse, Liverpool, England

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4. Scottish Grand National Festival at Ayr

When: 12 April 2025

Where: Ayr Racecourse, Scotland

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5. Bet365 Jump Finale at Sandown Park

When: 26 April 2025

Where: Sandown Park, Surrey, England

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6. Betfred Guineas Festival at Newmarket

When: 2-4 May 2025

Where: Newmarket Racecourse, England

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7. Epsom Derby Festival

When: 6-7 June 2025

Where: Epsom Downs, Surrey, England

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8. Royal Ascot

When: 17-21 June 2025

Where: Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, England

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9. Old Newton Cup Festival at Haydock Park

When: 3-5 July 2025

Where: Haydock Park, Merseyside, England

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10. The July Festival at Newmarket

When: 10-12 July 2025

Where: Newmarket Racecourse, Newmarket, England

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11. Summer Plate Ladies Day at Market Rasen

When: 19 July 2025

Where: Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, England

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12. King George Weekend at Ascot

When: 25-26 July 2025

Where: Ascot Racecourse, Ascot, England

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13. Qatar Goodwood Festival

When: 29 July-2 August 2025

Where: Goodwood Racecourse, West Sussex, England

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14. York Ebor Festival

When: 20-23 August 2025

Where: York Racecourse, York, England

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15. BetMGM Summer Celebration Saturday at Sandown Park

When: 30 August 2025

Where: Sandown Park, Surrey, England

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This year's festivals highlight the best of UK and Ireland horse racing in 2025, offering thrilling experiences and opportunities to back your favourites at iconic venues.

Get ready for an exciting spring and summer of action on the track!