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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