Go Racing this August: bag discounted tickets for York, see some dance legends at Newmarket and make the most of summer at this idyllic track

The highest quality racing continues apace in August with York's Ebor festival now featuring a Group 1 on each of the four days and in Ireland the Curragh is the place to be with four successive Saturday fixtures, headlined by the Phoenix Stakes. 

There is so much choice away from the marquee meetings with an abundance of themed family days and music nights to choose from to make your next trip to the track a special one.

We've searched out the key details and special tickets offers to help plan your next visit to the racecourse.

August racing highlights in Britain and Ireland

England

North

ROSE OF LANCASTER STAKES, HAYDOCK: The Group 3 contest is the highlight of a ladies' day fixture also playing host to the Listed Dick Hern Stakes. Saturday, August 9 (Tickets)

EBOR DAY ONE, YORK: Four fabulous days on the Knavesmire kicks off with the Juddmonte International – the track's richest race of the year and ranked the world's best race in 2024 – and supporting contests of the calibre of the Great Voltigeur and Acomb Stakes. Wednesday, August 20 (Tickets)

EBOR DAY TWO, YORK: Fillies and mares are to the fore with the Yorkshire Oaks the main attraction on a ladies' day card also including the Lowther Stakes. Thursday, August 21 (Tickets)

EBOR DAY THREE, YORK: It is the turn of the sprinters with the Nunthorpe run over one of the fastest five furlongs in the world and joined on the card by the Lonsdale Cup and Gimcrack. Friday, August 22 (Tickets)

EBOR DAY FOUR, YORK: All eyes will be on the Ebor, the track's oldest and most famous race and the richest Flat handicap in Europe, alongside the upgraded City of York Stakes, which this year becomes the meeting's fourth Group 1 contest. Saturday, August 23 (Tickets)

South

SHERGAR CUP, ASCOT: Exceptional riding talent from all over the world assembles for the unique team-based competition at the royal racecourse. Saturday, August 9 (Tickets)

The Shergar Cup at Ascot is always a great spectacleCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

HUNGERFORD STAKES, NEWBURY: The 7f Group 2 feature is supported by the Group 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes. Saturday, August 16 (Tickets)

WINTER HILL STAKES, WINDSOR: The most prestigious Flat fixture of the year at the royal racecourse with the feature Group 3 alongside the Listed August Stakes on a high-quality evening card. Saturday, August 23 (Tickets)

CELEBRATION MILE, GOODWOOD: Switched to the Sunday of the track's three-day meeting this year, the Group 2 highlight is supported by the Group 3 Prestige Stakes. Sunday, August 24 (Tickets)

SOLARIO STAKES, SANDOWN: The Group 3 contest for two-year-olds is staged alongside the Group 3 Atalanta Stakes for fillies and mares. Saturday, August 30 (Tickets)

Ireland

BALLYROAN STAKES, LEOPARDSTOWN: A pair of Group 3s top the bill with the Desmond Stakes also taking place at a lively midweek evening meeting. Thursday, August 7 (Tickets)

Babouche (left) winning the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes last yearCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

PHOENIX STAKES, CURRAGH: The Group 1 showpiece attracts the best two-year-olds from Britain and Ireland and is supported by the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint. Saturday, August 9 (Tickets)

ROYAL WHIP STAKES, CURRAGH: Two Group 3 contests, with the historic race staged alongside the Irish St Leger Trial, form the feature races on an informative card. Saturday, August 16 (Tickets)

DEBUTANTE STAKES, CURRAGH: The two-year-old fillies' highlight often provides a springboard for future champions, with the Futurity Stakes the other Group 2 contest. Saturday, August 23 (Tickets)

ROUND TOWER STAKES, CURRAGH: A busy month at the premier track draws to a close with a trio of Group 3s – the Round Tower, Flame Of Tara and Snow Fairy – as well as the Pat Smullen charity race. Saturday, August 30 (Tickets)

FAIRY BRIDGE, TIPPERARY: The 7½f Group 3 for fillies and mares is supported by the Listed Abergwaun Stakes. Sunday, August 31 (Tickets)

August racing fixtures in Britain and Ireland

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

* A busy month at Thirsk with four meetings, including two family days, for which there are some ticket specials. For the meetings on August 2, 8 and 29, a family ticket for two adults attending with children is £25 when you book in advance (adult tickets are normally £15 each).

* Tramore has a range of offers for its August festival (14-17) with ticket prices of €20 for an adult and €15 for an OAP when bought up until August 3. The punter pack is €39pp (minimum of five must be bought) which includes raceday entry, food voucher (to the value of €15), drinks voucher (€6) and racecard voucher. Corporate hospitality in the Graun Hill suite is €49pp on Thursday and Sunday and €99pp on Friday and Saturday, including raceday entry, table for the day, three course meal and racecard.

* York is offering a special ticket for all four days of the Ebor festival (August 20-23) with county stand at £239 and the grandstand and paddock at £118 (normally £80 and £45 respectively per day when purchased at the gates). There’s also a three-day ticket for Wednesday to Friday (20-22) at £193 for county and £99 for grandstand and paddock.

* Early-bird specials are available for Hexham's family evening on August 27 with the paddock enclosure £12 (£10 for concessions) and club enclosure £20 when purchased in advance.

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

Out of the ordinary: four eyecatching events

BBQ EVENING: Tipperary is gathering up all the ingredients for a fun-filled summer night at the races, so make sure you bring your appetite and lots of energy for a memorable evening.

As well as the favourites from the grill, racegoers will be treated to live music after racing, from eight 'til late. Tipperary, August 8 (Tickets)

FAITHLESS CONCERT: Fresh from their emotional comeback at Glastonbury, following the death of charismatic frontman Maxi Jazz in 2022, the electronic band are ready to bring their unique sound to Newmarket with a post-racing concert on the July course.

Expect to hear all the biggest hits, such as Insomnia and God Is A DJ, from a seven-piece band. Newmarket, August 8 (Tickets)

IN THE ZONE: An informative and entertaining raceday as Pontefract sets up six different zones on a family fun day with something for everyone.

The picnic enclosure at PontefractCredit: David Carr (racingpost.com/photos)

After a huge range of activities in the Kids Zone, including VR headsets from JockeyCam, you might want to escape to the Quiet Zone, while there will be behind-the-scenes talks in the Industry Zone, a parade of ex-racehorses in the Horse Zone along with the Newcomers Zone and Tipster Zone for cater for racegoers of all levels. Pontefract, August 17 (Tickets)

GIN & GENTS' EVENING: Racegoers are encouraged to channel their inner James Bond and dress to impress for an evening of racing, glamour and entertainment at Redcar.

Alongside the action on the track, there will be competitions for best-dressed gent and couple, as well fun casino tables and live music. Redcar, August 23 (Tickets)

Making a day of it: Cartmel

Such is its idyllic location you can spend a day, a long weekend, a week or more combining racing at Cartmel with exploring the local area.

The Lake District track opens its doors for nine meetings throughout the summer and it is a sign autumn is just around the corner (dread the thought) that there are just two fixtures left – over the August bank holiday weekend – before it shuts up shop for another year. 

There is nothing quite like racing at Cartmel. From the sweet smell of candy floss from the fairground at the centre of the course to the smoky aromas of the bring-your-own BBQs, it is an assault on the senses – and a pleasurable one at that (unless you're a starving jockey running a couple of laps of the track to shed those last few pounds). 

Having the option of taking in your own food and drink makes it an affordable family day out, with tickets in the course enclosure priced at £23 and for the paddock and course at £29.

All the fun of the fair at CartmelCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

The last two meetings are the Cartmel Cup on Saturday, August 24 and bank holiday family fun day on Monday, August 26, but every day is a family fun day here.

In the immediate vicinity, the village is famed for its Michelin-starred restaurant L'Enclume and sticky toffee pudding shop, and there is a wide variety of traditional Lakeland inns and tea rooms to satisfy all tastes, while accommodation options are similarly vast, ranging from camping at the course to boutique hotels.

Cartmel and the surrounding area is a great place to serve as base to the South Lakes with Windermere just a 15-minute drive away. Newby Bridge is a good place for all the family with the National Trust's Fell Foot Park a perfect spot for a picnic along the lakeshore and water-based activities on a sunny day and the Lakes Aquarium if it's rainy.

Whatever the weather, a lake cruise is a must and you can jump on a ferry at Lakeside up to Bowness – the largest town in the Lakes – for attractions such as the World of Beatrix Potter, as well as shopping, eateries and much more.  

Driving is probably the best way of getting around the different locations if you're staying for a few days, otherwise the nearest railway station to the track is Cark-in-Cartmel, which is two miles away.

Pack the passport: the Velka Pardubicka in the Czech Republic

If you thought Cheltenham's cross-country chases were the definition of wacky races, you ain't seen nothing yet.

The Velka Pardubicka, the annual highlight of racing in the Czech Republic on the second Sunday of October, is one of the world's most unique races, often viewed as the toughest the sport has to offer. 

A bizarre and daunting cross-country race, it is renowned for its quirky obstacles and a route that takes in the turf track at Pardubice racecourse and surrounding ploughed fields. 

Runners race over turf and earth, fences, hedges, banks and ditches, including the (in)famous Taxis, with 31 obstacles in all, over four and a quarter miles.

A historic and thrilling spectacle set against the backdrop of an unpretentious, family-oriented and carnival-like atmosphere makes the Velka Pardubicka a must on any racing fan's bucket list.

For this year's race on October 12, seating at the track will tend to sell out quickly, including the buffet package for the equivalent of £100, but general admission (no seat) is available on the day for about £12-15. Visit Pardubice racecourse's website for more information.

Runners clear the famous Taxis during the Velka PardubickaCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

With the rural and horse-loving city easily accessible from Prague, visitors can base themselves in the capital before making the inexpensive train journey 80 miles to the east, which takes about an hour.

Among the many attractions in such a big city, Prague Castle, Charles Bridge, Wenceslas Square and the National Museum are all good places to visit. The local cuisine is known for being hearty – think meat dishes, potatoes and dumplings – and you'll be spoilt for choice for pubs and bars, with Gabby's Irish Pub in central Prague known for extending a warm welcome.

If you prefer to stay in Pardubice you had best be quick because the hotels book up quickly for the weekend – racing also takes place on the Saturday, albeit it's an all together quieter affair. Try the old town's boutique-style hotels surrounding the stunning square, which is lined with bars and restaurants.

For those wanting to make it a proper sporting weekend, check out the ice hockey – the country's national sport – with, conveniently, Sparta Praha playing against Dynamo Pardubice at the O2 Arena on the Friday evening before the Velka.

Head to visitczechia.com for more on all of the above, including the Velka and where you can book a tour of the racecourse in English. 

Flights to Prague go from all the major European airports, with round trips from London in October starting from as little as £50. 

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