Go Racing this April: the best of the jumps and the Flat collide in blockbuster month

Racing draws the attention of once-a-year punters in April with the staging of the world famous Grand National at Aintree and other major jump races follow, including the British season finale at Sandown and the start of the Punchestown festival in Ireland.

Spring is the time when there is a crossing of the codes with the feature Flat meetings on turf becoming more regular as the focus turns to the upcoming Classics.

Whether you prefer the Flat or the jumps, the big meeting or the smaller ones, this is your one-stop shop for the key racing events, themed racedays and special ticket offers.

April racing highlights in Britain and Ireland

England

North

GRAND NATIONAL DAY ONE, AINTREE: The three-day meeting starts with a bang with four Grade 1s in a row – Manifesto Novices' Chase, Anniversary 4-Y-O Juvenile Hurdle, Aintree Bowl and Aintree Hurdle. Thursday, April 3 (Tickets)

GRAND NATIONAL DAY TWO, AINTREE: The big races in Liverpool keep coming with four more Grade 1s – Mildmay Novices' Chase, Top Novices' Hurdle, Melling Chase and Sefton Novices' Hurdle – as well as the Topham over the National fences. Friday, April 4 (Tickets)

GRAND NATIONAL DAY THREE, AINTREE: The eyes of the sporting world will be fixed on racing for the day as the Grand National, the most famous race of all, is staged in front of a global audience. Saturday, April 5 (Tickets)

ALL-WEATHER CHAMPIONSHIPS FINALS DAY, NEWCASTLE: Europe's most valuable all-weather fixture with more than £1 million in prize-money across the six race categories, alongside the Listed Burradon Stakes. Friday, April 18 (Tickets)

South

SPRING TRIALS, NEWBURY: The pace of the Flat season shifts up a gear with the Greenham and Fred Darling acting as springboards to the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas. Saturday, April 12 (Tickets)

CRAVEN MEETING DAY ONE, NEWMARKET: The start of the three-day meeting with the fillies going on trial for the 1,000 Guineas in the Nell Gwyn and the Group 3 Earl of Sefton for older horses. Tuesday, April 15 (Tickets)

CRAVEN MEETING DAY TWO, NEWMARKET: It's the turn of the colts to test their Guineas credentials in the Craven, while some of the leading sprinters return in the Abernant. Wednesday, April 16 (Tickets)

SUSSEX CHAMPION CHASE, PLUMPTON: The second day of the track's Easter festival is headlined by the £100,000 Sussex Champion Chase. Monday, April 21 (Tickets)

CLASSIC TRIAL, SANDOWN: Flat racing returns to the Surrey track with the feature Classic Trial serving as a pointer to the Derby, alongside the Gordon Richards and Group 2 Mile. Friday, April 25 (Tickets)

JUMPS FINALE, SANDOWN: The British jumps season signs off on a high with the bet365 Gold Cup and Grade 1 Celebration Chase, as well as the annual crowning of champion trainer, jockey and owner. Saturday, April 26 (Tickets)

Sandown brings the season to a close with the bet365 Gold Cup Credit: Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

ROYAL ASCOT TRIALS, ASCOT: A host of auditions for the royal meeting including Gold Cup clues in the Sagaro, Queen Anne pointers in the Paradise and the Pavilion as a guide to the Commonwealth Cup. Wednesday, April 30 (Tickets)

Scotland

SCOTTISH GRAND NATIONAL, AYR: The country's biggest jump race and equivalent to the Grand National provides a stern test over a marathon trip and a thrilling spectacle for spectators. Saturday, April 12 (Tickets)

EASTER SATURDAY, MUSSELBURGH: A focal point to Easter weekend with a competitive card featuring the £100,000 Queen's Cup and the Scottish Sprint Cup. Saturday, April 19 (Tickets)

Ireland

SPRING MEETING, FAIRYHOUSE: Potential stars of the future will be out in force at a fixture featuring two Grade 2 novice hurdles and a Listed bumper. Sunday, April 6 (Tickets)

ALLEGED STAKES, CURRAGH: A high-quality fixture with a pair of Group 3 contests – the 1m2f Alleged Stakes for older horses and Park Express Stakes for fillies and mares. Saturday, April 12 (Tickets)

EASTER FESTIVAL DAY ONE, FAIRYHOUSE: The start of the three-day Easter highlight with three Listed contests. Saturday, April 19 (Tickets)

EASTER FESTIVAL DAY TWO, FAIRYHOUSE: The quality ramps up on the second day with a cracking card headlined by a pair of Grade 1s – the Gold Cup Novice Chase and Honeysuckle Mares' Novice Hurdle. Sunday, April 20 (Tickets)

EASTER FESTIVAL DAY THREE, FAIRYHOUSE: The meeting reaches a thrilling climax with the Irish Grand National on a card that also features three Grade 2 contests. Monday, April 21 (Tickets)

VINTAGE CROP STAKES, NAVAN: The track begins its Flat season in style with the Vintage Crop Stakes, Salsabil Stakes and Committed Stakes. Saturday, April 26 (Tickets)

FESTIVAL DAY ONE, PUNCHESTOWN: A spectacular end to the Irish jumps season staged over five days kicks off with three Grade 1 contests, headlined by the Champion Chase. Tuesday, April 29 (Tickets)

FESTIVAL DAY TWO, PUNCHESTOWN: The Punchestown Gold Cup, the festival's jewel in the crown and a standout contest across the entire season, is staged on day two alongside two other Grade 1s. Wednesday, April 30 (Tickets)

April racing fixtures in Britain and Ireland

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

• For the start of the Flat season, Nottingham has introduced £9 tickets for all its non-feature racedays in 2025. Racegoers can take advantage of this special offer at the track's Further Flight season opener on April 9 and the Nottinghamshire Oaks raceday on April 29, with tickets available at the track's website.
  
  
• At Bellewstown's jumps meeting on April 12, general admission has been reduced to €10, with a racegoer competition and plans for some equine stars to parade before racing. A season ticket for all nine days at the track in 2025, starting on April 5, is available for €99.
  
  
• Pontefract is staging an OAP free day on April 14. The ticket gives those over 60 access to the grandstand and paddock, and the opportunity to upgrade to premier for £6. One ticket per email address, DOB must be given at checkout and ID will be checked upon entry. As usual, under 18s go free, so grandparents can take the kids during Easter holidays for a value-for-money day out.
  
  
• Warwick also has a special offer for its meeting on April 14 during the Easter holidays, with advanced tickets priced at £10 and, of course, under 18s are free.
  
  
• Redcar has a limited number of discounted midweek tickets at certain fixtures available for residents with a TS postcode. With proof of address, racegoers can access the grandstand enclosure for £10.

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

Out of the ordinary: five eyecatching events

BEER FESTIVAL: A must for racing fans and craft beer lovers with a vast array of drinks provided by raceday sponsor and local brewer Shipstone's. 

Soak up the atmosphere with live music to accompany the action on the track, alongside free entertainment in the new beer garden and marquee. Nottingham, April 12 (Tickets)

COUNTRY RACEDAY: Huntingdon has had a good go at cramming in as much as possible into a meeting with entertainment galore during racing followed by a post-racing Taylor Swift tribute act.

Any Swifties, or anyone else for that matter, have so much to choose from with activities including vintage games, a rodeo horse, Shetland pony racing, classic cars, Easter egg trail and Easter bunny appearances. Huntingdon, April 19 (Tickets)

EASTER FAMILY FUN DAY: One of the most popular family fun days of the year returns with Haydock staging its Easter celebration for all ages.

Activities such as fun games and face painting complement the action on the track, where the £100,000 Middle Distance Veterans’ Chase Series Final takes centre stage, and don't forget under 18s go free. Haydock, April 19 (Tickets)

BEHIND THE SCENES: This really is a fixture with a difference as for the first time Warwick invites spectators to go behind the scenes to understand the various aspects that make a raceday.

The access-all-areas event includes a walk of the track with the clerk of the course, a weighing-room tour with the general manager, meet and greets with jockeys and a retired racehorse, pre-parade ring access and a close-up view of the final fence. Warwick, April 24 (Tickets)

MASCOT GOLD CUP: As entertaining racedays go, this has to be the pick of the bunch as there are few funnier sights in racing than a mascot race.

Wetherby stages the mother of all mascot races, with the annual Mascot Gold Cup holding a place in the Guinness World Records, and if that wasn't enough, other activities include the National Festival Circus, a giant inflatable slide, bouncy castle and a New Beginnings equine ambassador. Wetherby, April 27 (Tickets)

The Mascot Gold Cup at WetherbyCredit: David Carr

Making a day of it: Kelso

If you haven't done so already, now is the time to discover whether Kelso lives up to its billing as Britain's friendliest racecourse.

The Scottish jumps track, where a warm welcome is always guaranteed, stages two meetings in April. Its last two fixtures of the season are in May before it closes for the summer months.  

That really is a sign of the annual change from jumps to Flat, but heading to Kelso at this time of year will enable you to see the picturesque market town in all its glory.

This corner of the Scottish Borders, set on the confluence of the rivers Teviot and Tweed, can feel like stepping back in time and before going on to the charms of the racecourse, let's look at what's on offer in the local area to supplement your day at the races.

First and foremost, this is the perfect place to stock up on many people's racing attire of choice as tweed originates in these parts.

The story goes the material got its name around 1830 when a London merchant misread some Hawick handwriting in an order for the fabric tweel or twill. The goods were advertised as tweed and the name has stuck ever since.

Kelso: Britain's friendliest racecourse always provides a warm welcomeCredit: John Grossick

Other independent stores number many and a short walk away from the shops are the ruins of Kelso Abbey, where you can take in the fascinating Romanesque architecture from the street, with the site not currently open to the public due to structural repairs.

The town is also the home of Floors Castle, one of the area's leading visitor attractions, which was designed in 1718 for the 1st Duke of Roxburghe. Home of the present-day duke, its woodland grounds and riverside trails are ideal for a wander.

All that walking is enough to make anyone hungry, so why not grab some food before heading to the track. There is plenty of choice in the town with The Cobbles, just off the cobbled square in the centre, an ideal place to study the form over a hearty lunch. 

The locals are passionate about their racing and a vibrant atmosphere is a trademark of any meeting here; particularly so at the track's final fixture on May 25 when ladies' day is the social event of the season. 

At that feature meeting, for which tickets start at £30, there will be awards for the most stylishly dressed and an after-party in the centre of the racecourse. It is always a fun occasion, but racegoers looking for a regular raceday would be better served at the May 7 fixture (tickets from £15).

For those travelling by rail from Edinburgh, the track organises a bus transfer from Tweedbank Station, while for those coming from the south the nearest station is Berwick-upon-Tweed, which is 22 miles away.

Pack the passport: going racing with a difference in Italy

The Palio di Siena offers a horseracing experience unlike any other on the planet.

To say Siena's historic event, which dates to 1633, is not a normal race is an understatement, but it is horseracing in its purest form.

The bi-annual race, which this year takes place on July 2 and August 16, is staged over three 339-metre laps in the medieval walled city's central square, Piazza del Campo, with ten randomly allocated horses each representing one of the neighbourhoods (contradas).

The jockeys, each wearing the flamboyant colours of the contrada they represent, ride bareback and use any means possible to barge past each other as they attempt to forge their way to the front.

This is not a race for the faint-hearted. With local bragging rights at stake, there is no second thought to inflicting pain on fellow riders in a frenetic, terrifying and lawless contest.

The disregard for jockey welfare is highlighted by the fact that the first horse past the line wins, regardless of whether the rider is aboard at the time.

A crowd numbering 60,000 is packed into the small piazza like sardines, creating a riot of noise, colour and energy for this Tuscan cultural institution.

There are a variety of ticket options, ranging from standing in the square to a dinner package on one of the balconies, with further information available at the paliodisiena.tickets

Palio di Siena: an unforgettable racing experienceCredit: Alberto Pizzoli

Racing-mad visitors can use the Palio as the focal point of an unforgettable trip as Siena has such artistic and cultural importance it is listed as a world heritage site.

Away from the historic buildings and museums, the surrounding region offers stunning countryside to be explored on foot or by bike.  

There is ample opportunity to unwind with world-renowned vineyards and thermal spas scattered around the surrounding area.

Back in the city, you won't be able to walk far without being tempted to stop to sample one of the many local delicacies at the street-food stalls, taverns and restaurants.

The five-star Castel Monastero Resort, a 20-minute drive from the city, is popular with the racing crowd, while there are accommodation options to suit all budgets including hotel and B&Bs in the centre.

The nearest international airport is Florence and Siena is also accessible via flights into Pisa or Rome.

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