The big races

Cheltenham · 3m2½f · 10–14 runners · Cheltenham Festival

The Blue Riband of National Hunt racing. Run on the closing day of the Cheltenham Festival, the Gold Cup brings together the best 3-mile chasers in Britain and Ireland. A test of stamina, jumping and class.

2025 winner: Inothewayurthinkin (16/1) — Gavin Cromwell

Cheltenham · 2m½f · 8–12 runners · Cheltenham Festival

The opening-day championship event at the Cheltenham Festival. The premier 2-mile hurdle race in Europe and the test that defines the season for the top hurdlers.

2025 winner: State Man (8/15F) — Willie Mullins

Cheltenham · 2m · 6–10 runners · Cheltenham Festival

The premier 2-mile championship chase, run on Festival Wednesday. A test of speed, jumping and acceleration on the run for home up the Cheltenham hill.

2025 winner: Marine Nationale (9/2) — Barry Connell

Cheltenham · 2m7½f · 8–14 runners · Cheltenham Festival

The Festival Thursday championship for staying hurdlers. Three miles of testing flights over a galloping circuit — pure attrition.

2025 winner: Bob Olinger (12/1) — Henry de Bromhead

Aintree · 4m2½f · 34 runners (max) · Aintree Grand National Festival

The most-watched race in British racing. Thirty fences over four-and-a-quarter miles around Aintree's unique left-handed track — Becher's, The Chair, Foinavon, Valentine's. A national institution.

2025 winner: Nick Rockett (33/1) — Willie Mullins

Kempton · 3m · 6–9 runners · Kempton Christmas Festival

Boxing Day's premier 3-mile chase. A flat, right-handed track that puts a premium on jumping accuracy and tactical speed — often a Cheltenham Gold Cup prep race for the older chasers.

2024 winner: Banbridge (16/1) — Joseph O'Brien

Epsom · 1m4f6y · 10–18 runners · Epsom Derby Festival

The most prestigious Classic. A unique mile-and-a-half on the undulating Epsom course tests stamina, balance and class — a brutal final furlong test that decides the year's best three-year-old.

2025 winner: Lambourn (13/2) — Aidan O'Brien

Epsom · 1m4f6y · 8–14 runners · Epsom Derby Festival

The fillies' Classic at Epsom, run the day before the Derby. Same distance, same camber, same brutal final furlong — the championship test of the season's three-year-old fillies.

2025 winner: Minnie Hauk (8/15F) — Aidan O'Brien

Doncaster · 1m6f115y · 8–12 runners · St Leger Festival

The world's oldest Classic, run since 1776. The final Classic of the season tests stamina over almost 1m6½f and crowns the year's best staying three-year-old.

2024 winner: Jan Brueghel (10/3) — Aidan O'Brien

Ascot · 2m4f · 8–14 runners · Royal Ascot

The headline race of Royal Ascot's third day (Ladies' Day). Britain's premier staying race at 2m4f — a championship test for the older horses and the route to the Stayers' Million.

2025 winner: Trawlerman (9/4) — John & Thady Gosden

Ascot · 6f · 12–22 runners · Royal Ascot

The sprint championship of Royal Ascot's closing day. Six furlongs straight, often the deepest sprint field of the year — international challengers come to mix it with the home division.

2025 winner: Spritely Stride (12/1) — Christophe Soumillon

Ascot · 1m2f · 7–11 runners · Royal Ascot

Royal Ascot Wednesday's middle-distance championship. 1m2f at Group 1 level — often the year's deepest mile-and-a-quarter field as European and US-based older horses converge.

2025 winner: Anmaat (5/2) — Owen Burrows

Ascot · 1m · 8–14 runners · Royal Ascot

The Royal Ascot opener — the year's first Group 1 over a straight mile, traditionally run at exactly 2:30pm on the Tuesday. Sets the tone for the entire week.

2025 winner: Rosallion (11/4) — Richard Hannon

Goodwood · 1m · 5–10 runners · Glorious Goodwood

Wednesday of Glorious Goodwood — the mid-summer mile championship, traditionally pitting the three-year-old generation against the older milers. The 'Duel On The Downs'.

2025 winner: Notable Speech (2/1F) — Charlie Appleby

Goodwood · 2m · 6–10 runners · Glorious Goodwood

Tuesday opener of Glorious Goodwood. The second leg of the Stayers' Triple Crown — Ascot Gold Cup → Goodwood Cup → Doncaster Cup — and a championship 2-mile test.

2025 winner: Trawlerman (2/1) — John & Thady Gosden

York · 1m2f56y · 5–9 runners · York Ebor Festival

The opener of York's Ebor Festival and historically one of the most rated middle-distance Group 1s in the world. Frankel, Sea The Stars and Authorized all won this on their way to championship status.

2025 winner: Anmaat (7/2) — Owen Burrows

Ascot · 1m2f · 6–12 runners · QIPCO British Champions Day

The headline race of British Champions Day. Often the year's championship-deciding middle-distance Group 1 — often soft autumn ground separating the field's true heavyweights.

2024 winner: Anmaat (16/1) — Owen Burrows