We’re slowly crawling toward Christmas and New Year’s Eve, and before we know it, the 2023 racing fixtures will be upon us! We look at just a few of the racecourses that have released tickets for next year, so if you’re dreaming of warmer weather, you can take a tiny glimpse of what spring and summer have to offer.
Santa Anita Park
Los Angeles, California, United States
Are you California dreamin’? Santa Anita has released tickets for their racedays from Opening Day on 26 December 2022 through to Santa Anita Derby Day on 8 April 2023. Derby Day is one of the course’s most prestigious fixtures as the big race itself is an American Grade 1 dirt race for 3-year-olds and one of the final prep races on the Road to the Kentucky Derby. It’s the perfect place to soak up the Golden State!
Epsom Downs Racecourse
Epsom, Surrey, UK
Epsom’s Spring Meeting on 25 April is the perfect antidote to winter blues as the UK welcomes back the blossoming flowers and sweet smells of spring. This meeting is followed by the Epsom Derby Festival (2-3 June), one of the most prestigious fixtures in the world. The 2-day meeting features the Oaks for fillies and the Derby for colts with both being the middle leg of their respective Triple Crowns between Newmarket’s Guineas and Doncaster’s St. Leger. The Derby is known as the “Greatest Flat Race in the World” and you can be part of the onlooking crowds for just GBP £16.50.
Ascot Racecourse
Ascot, Berkshire, UK
Although Ascot has been releasing its tickets gradually over the year, all 2023 racedays are now on sale, and – for those wanting to experience the splendour and luxury of Ascot (after all, that’s what it’s all about!) – hospitality and dining packages are also on sale! Aside from their biggest raceday of Royal Ascot (20-24 June), the iconic course features its usual full calendar of fabulous features including King George Diamond Weekend (28-29 July). Experience fine dining in the Parade Ring Restaurant from just GBP £190.
Newmarket Racecourses
Newmarket, Suffolk & Cambridgeshire, UK
A horse-mad town with 2 racecourses that epitomise flat racing, Newmarket celebrates spring and summer like no other! The Rowley Mile course kicks things off with The Craven Meeting (18-20 April) and the famous Guineas Festival (5-7 May) before the July Course swings into the summer with big racedays like the July Festival (13-15 July). If that’s not enough, the Jockey Club have also announced Bastille (29-30 June) and Olly Murs (18-19 August) as 2 of their acts for Newmarket Nights: the music concerts are a wonderful way to round off an afternoon of top-quality racing.
York Racecourse
York, North Yorkshire, UK
With major flat racing fixtures from May through to October, York Racecourse certainly covers the extent of the British warm weather. What screams summer in the UK more than a festival? Music Showcase Weekend (28-29 July) is always a fantastic event with 2 days of high-class racing with live music from headline acts on both evenings. York’s most prestigious raceday is the Yorkshire Ebor Festival (23-26 August) featuring the Juddmonte International Stakes, the Yorkshire Oaks, the Nunthorpe Stakes, and much more. Tickets start at just GBP £15!
Flemington Racecourse
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
It is, of course, already summer in Australia! Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse is perhaps the most famous course Down Under and tickets have been released through to Black Caviar Lightning Raceday on 18 February which features the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning, named after the legendary mare who ran 25 undefeated races. Before then, there’s VRC Christmas Raceday (17 December), New Year’s Day Raceday (1 January), VRC Summer Fun Raceday (14 January), and Rapid Racing Raceday (20 January).
Don’t let the cold weather get you down: check out a wide range of horse racing fixtures here!