The Horse Racing Calendar

The Horse Racing Calendar: Major Races and Festivals Around the World

The year in racing, in one page

Horse racing never really stops. When the Flat season winds down in Britain, the jumps season is already in full swing, and while we're shivering through January, Australia is in the middle of its summer carnival.

This page is your map. It pulls together the big races and festivals from seven of the world's best racing nations, month by month, so you can see what's on and when. Where a country has its own page, I've linked it so you can dig into the detail.

One quick note: dates move a little each year, so I've used "usually" and "late" where it matters. On the UK and Ireland pages you'll find the confirmed 2027 dates.

At a glance: month by month

The countries

United Kingdom

Britain is home to the sport's most famous days out: the Cheltenham Festival in March, the Grand National in April, the Epsom Derby and Royal Ascot in June, and a summer of festivals at Goodwood and York before British Champions Day in October. It's the only country on this list where you can watch top-class racing every month.

Full guide: the UK horse racing calendar

Cheltenham Racecourse

Ireland

Irish racing is built around its festivals: the Dublin Racing Festival in January, Punchestown in spring, the Curragh classics through the summer, the seven days of Galway in July and August, and Irish Champions Festival in September. Irish-trained horses are also a huge part of Cheltenham every March.

I visited Sligo racecourse set amongst the rolling Irish Hills. It is one of Ireland's most scenic courses, small but perfectly formed. It boasts a modern bar serving the iconic Guinness beer and wholesome homemade food. Well worth a visit if you are travelling in southern Ireland.

Full guide: the Irish racing calendar

Jockeys wait for their mounts at Sligo, Ireland

France

France's year builds towards one race: the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in early October, the richest and most prestigious race on the European Flat calendar. Before it comes the French Derby and Prix de Diane at Chantilly in June, and the glamour of Deauville in August. Winter jump racing at Auteuil is the heartland of the French-bred jumpers that dominate the UK and Irish scenes.

Dedicated France page coming soon.

Deaville Racecourse Approach

USA

American racing is all about the Triple Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont) in the spring and the Breeders' Cup World Championships in the autumn. In between, Saratoga in August is the place for racing purists, with the Travers Stakes as its centrepiece.

More on American racing

Santa Anita Park

Australia

Australia has two carnivals that matter. The autumn carnival in Sydney features the Golden Slipper, the world's richest race for two-year-olds. The spring carnival in Melbourne builds through the Caulfield Cup, All Star Mile Race and Cox Plate to the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday of November, the "race that stops a nation".

Dedicated Australia page coming soon.

Caulfield Racecourse Australia by Greg Sword

Japan

Japan runs one of the best-organised racing programmes in the world, and the quality of its horses now regularly travels. The big days are the Tokyo Yushun (the Japanese Derby) in late May, the Japan Cup in late November, and the Arima Kinen at the end of December, a race where fans vote for the runners.

Dedicated Japan page coming soon.

Hong Kong

Racing in Hong Kong runs from September to July at Sha Tin and Happy Valley. The standout date is the Hong Kong International Races in December, when top horses from Europe, Japan and Australia come to compete, with the Hong Kong Derby in March the main domestic highlight.

A good friend of mine visited this Happy Valley racecourse in Hong Kong, and his photo captures the glamour and vibrancy of a night out at the racecourse.

Dedicated Hong Kong page coming soon.

Happy Valley Racecourse, Hong Kong

Horse Racing Calendar Frequently asked questions

What are the biggest horse races in the world?

The usual shortlist is the Kentucky Derby, the Epsom Derby, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, the Melbourne Cup, the Grand National, the Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Breeders' Cup Classic. Which is "biggest" depends on whether you mean prestige, prize money or public attention.

What is the best month for horse racing?

June is hard to beat for Flat racing, with the Derby, Royal Ascot and the French classics all in the same month. If you prefer jumps, March (Cheltenham) and April (Aintree and Punchestown) are the peak.

When does the Flat season run in Britain?

It starts in late March and runs to the end of October, with all-weather Flat racing continuing through winter. The jumps season runs roughly from late October to April.

Do the dates change every year?

Yes, slightly. Most big festivals keep their traditional slot, but exact days shift. Check the official racecourse or governing body calendar before you book travel.

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