Go Racing in October: A spectacular Flat finale and Cheltenham returns - this month has something for everyone

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October means two completely different things to racing fans, depending on which side of the jumps/Flat divide you sit.

To the Flat fanatic October is the culmination of the high-profile action, with the season-ending British Champions Day at Ascot anointing the various division champions – both equine and human.

For jumps fans October is the month things really go up a notch, with Chepstow's Welsh Racing Festival and the return of racing at Cheltenham and Aintree signifying what many refer to as "the start of the jumps season proper".

Wherever you are planning to go racing, we've got all the information you need – including unique racedays and special ticket offers – to make the most of your trip.

October racing highlights in Britain and Ireland

England

North

FUTURITY TROPHY, DONCASTER: The final Group 1 of the British racing calendar takes place on Town Moor, with the William Hill Futurity Trophy providing the final opportunity for the juvenile class of 2026 to get their hands on top honours and cement their status as a genuine contender for next year's 2,000 Guineas. October 24 (Tickets)

OLD ROAN CHASE, AINTREE: One of the standout early season handicaps, won by the likes of Impek, Kauto Star, Albertas Run, Frodon and of course Monet's Garden. This year it falls on the day the clocks go back, and there is no surer sign it is time for the jumpers than that. October 25 (Tickets)

CHARLIE HALL CHASE, WETHERBY: The Charlie Hall has long been a stepping stone to the Betfair Chase and King George. It is the first opportunity for the leading three-mile chasers to kick off their campaign. October 31 (Tickets)

South

SUN CHARIOT, NEWMARKET: It is not just Longchamp with Group 1 action on the opening weekend of October, with the Sun Chariot giving the top fillies and mares an opportunity for top-level success at a mile. October 3 (Tickets)

DUBAI FUTURE CHAMPIONS FESTIVAL, NEWMARKET: The season’s two premier juvenile races in Friday’s Fillies’ Mile and Saturday’s Dewhurst headline a fixture which also features the unique challenge of the Cesarewitch handicap on Saturday. October 9 & 10 (Tickets)

BRITISH CHAMPIONS DAY, ASCOT: It all comes down to this. It is the richest day in the British racing calendar, with five Group 1s, not to mention the crowning of the season's champions. The whole Flat campaign builds to this one day. October 17 (Tickets)

THE SHOWCASE MEETING, CHELTENHAM: Britain's home of jump racing returns this month from a longer break than usual. After the abandonment of Cheltenham’s April meeting anticipation will be higher than ever. October 23 & 24 (Tickets)

Wales

WELSH RACING FESTIVAL, CHEPSTOW: This meeting has long been viewed as the unofficial ‘start of the jumps season proper’. The Silver Trophy and Welsh Champion Hurdle headline a three-day event that often launches more than one promising novice each season. October 9-11 (Tickets)

Ireland

CHAMPION CHASE, GOWRAN PARK: This 2m4f Grade 2 has an illustrious honour roll, with Sizing Europe winning the race four times from 2011 to 2014. Last year the Grade 1 Champion Novice Chase winner Western Fold beat Grade 1 Savills Chase winner Affordale Fury. October 3 (Tickets)

MUNSTER NATIONAL, LIMERICK: A €100,000 Grade 3 run in honour of JT McNamara, it is one of the highlights of the Limerick racing calendar and features Tiger Roll among the previous winners. October 18 (Tickets)

CHAMPION CHASE, DOWN ROYAL: The Champion Chase is the Grade 1 highlight of Down Royal's two-day Festival of Racing. It is a meeting Gordon Elliott loves to target – he won a staggering 11 of the 14 races in 2023! October 30 & 31 (Tickets)

October racing fixtures in Britain and Ireland

Bargain hunt: this month's best offers for racing tickets

* Do you want to attend Europe’s premier raceday for as little as €15? Tickets for the Arc village on the infield on Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe day (Sunday, October 4) cost just that, while general admission is just €25 for the Saturday (October 3) and €50 for the Sunday.

* If the three-day Welsh Racing Festival at Chepstow (Friday, October 9 - Sunday, October 11) really floats your boat you can get a ticket for all three days for just £39, or £45 for access to the premier enclosure on the Saturday.

* Catterick's richest race, The William Hill Catterick Dash (Saturday, October 17), is one of the highlights of the course's season and advance admission prices (must book at least 48 hours in advance to qualify) start from a heavily discounted £8. The day will feature live music, as well as all the action from Ascot's British Champions Day on the big screen.

* Doncaster is offering a discount on group bookings (6+) for William Hill Futurity Trophy weekend (Friday and Saturday, October 23 & 24). The Saturday action features the final Group 1 of the British racing calendar and live music from Britain's Got Talent semi-finalist Jamie Lee Harrison with groups gaining entry for £17.76 per person.

Racecourses with special ticket offers and themed racedays in November can send details to goracing@racingpost.com

Out of the ordinary: five eye-catching events

STUDENT RACEDAY: Bellewstown hosts a student raceday on Thursday, October 1. Buses to and from a pre- and post-racing party in the Black Bull Inn in Drogheda, along with live DJs during racing, the track's final meeting of the year is sure to have a party atmosphere.

OKTOBERFEST: Fontwell is putting on an Octoberfest-themed raceday (Saturday, October 3) with the steinfest bundle combining admission with two steins of beer. Other highlights include a live Oompah band and Bavarian food. So dust off your lederhosen! For those in the midlands, Arena Racing Company is also putting on two Oktoberfest-themed nights at Southwell on October 3 and October 10.

DRESS TO IMPRESS: Uttoxeter's Gents Day on Friday, October 16 features a happy hour, with half-price drinks for the first hour, a best-dressed competition and live music after racing.

DEMONS UNLEASHED: Aintree’s Old Roan card is also being billed as a Halloween Family Day (Sunday, October 25), in support of the Little Lights baby hospice. From creepy crafts to frightening face painting, there will be tricks and treats around every corner – not to mention a KPop Demon Hunters tribute act!

FIREWORKS DISPLAY: Fireworks and horses are not usually a good mix, but Ascot (Saturday, October 31) is very sensibly waiting until after the action to set off over 20,000 fireworks. Throughout the afternoon there will be fairground rides and spooky Halloween themed activities. Jumps racing really will return to Ascot with a bang!

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