Go racing this February: the best places to visit including a huge weekend at Newbury, dog-friendly days and £5 entry at Warwick
Your go-to guide to the pick of this month's horse racing fixtures in Britain and Ireland
The Cheltenham Festival may be round the corner, but with so many top-class fixtures in February it's a great time to get out to your local racecourse or even venture further afield.
The month starts with a bang with the two-day Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown, with the most prestigious race in Britain coming later in the month when the Ascot Chase takes place on February 15.
Whether you're planning a trip to a big Saturday meeting or a quieter midweek fixture, we've got all the information you need – including special ticket offers – to make the most of your trip.
February racing highlights in Britain and Ireland
England
North
GRAND NATIONAL TRIAL, HAYDOCK: Get an early sighter of the contenders for Aintree's Grand National in April on a day that also produces pointers for Cheltenham. Saturday, February 15 (Tickets)
EIDER CHASE, NEWCASTLE: One of the longest races in the British calendar, the 4m1½f handicap requires stamina in abundance and serves as a trial to the main National races in the spring. Saturday, February 22 (Tickets)
Midlands
KINGMAKER CHASE, WARWICK: The Grade 2 contest regularly attracts the cream of Britain's novice crop, with the last two winners of the calibre of Jonbon and Edwardstone, who used the race as a springboard to success in the Arkle. Saturday, February 8 (Tickets)
WINTER DERBY, SOUTHWELL: The winter's most prestigious Flat race had a new home last year and the second running of the race at Southwell promises to be another special occasion. Saturday, February 22 (Tickets)
South
SUPER SATURDAY, NEWBURY: A card that lives up to his billing with the Newbury Hurdle (formerly the Betfair Hurdle) ably supported by a pair of Grade 2 chases, the Denman and the Game Spirit. Saturday, February 8 (Tickets)
SUPER SUNDAY, EXETER: A fixture with Premier status, featuring two Listed races and series qualifiers for the EBF Final, Pertemps Final and Veterans' Chase Final. Sunday, February 9 (Tickets)
ASCOT CHASE, ASCOT: A Grade 1 contest won by the likes of Kauto Star, Monet's Garden, Cue Card and Shishkin is the main attraction on a spectacular £400,000 card, which also features the Grade 2 Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase. Saturday, February 15 (Tickets)
LADBROKES TROPHY, KEMPTON: Notable races right across the card with the feature 3m handicap chase joined by three Grade 2 contests - the Adonis, Pendil and Dovecote - at a fixture awash with Cheltenham clues. Saturday, February 22 (Tickets)
NATIONAL SPIRIT HURDLE, FONTWELL: Named after the dual Champion Hurdle winner in the 1940s, the National Spirit is the West Sussex track's flagship race and often features some of Britain's best hopes for the Stayers' Hurdle. Sunday, February 23 (Tickets)
Ireland
BOYNE HURDLE, NAVAN: The feature Grade 2 contest attracts Ireland leading stayers and is supported on a high-quality card by the Ten Up Novice Chase. Sunday, February 9 (Tickets)
RED MILLS DAY, GOWRAN: One of the track's biggest days of the year with the Grade 2 Red Mills Chase and Grade 3 Red Mills Trial Hurdle taking centre stage at a meeting offering free admission to racegoers. Saturday, February 15 (Tickets)
GRAND NATIONAL TRIAL, PUNCHESTOWN: Pointers for the upcoming Grand Nationals on both sides of the Irish Sea will be on offer in the feature 3m3f chase on a card which also includes an informative Listed novice hurdle. Sunday, February 16 (Tickets)
BOBBYJO CHASE, FAIRYHOUSE: Named after the 1999 Grand National winner, the Grade 3 contest is a key trial for Aintree with I Am Maximus emulating Bobbyjo by completing the double last year. Saturday, February 22 (Tickets)
FESTIVAL TRIALS, NAAS: A pivotal meeting as some of the leading contenders for the big spring festival complete their preparations on a card containing two Grade 3s and a Listed race. Sunday, February 23 (Tickets)
February racing fixtures in Britain and Ireland
Bargain hunt: this month's best offers for racing tickets
- People who like their racing in Yorkshire have a last chance to snap up a season ticket for 2025. You can visit all the fixtures in the White Rose county at a cost of £460 for a single ticket and £770 for a joint one. Applications need to be in by the end of February and for the first time this year, there's the option to pay in ten monthly instalments.
- Staying in Yorkshire, at Catterick's two meetings this month (February 10 and 25), racegoers who book in advance for either fixture will get a free ticket for the track's raceday on June 10.
- Market Rasen has introduced a £10 ticket offer for the majority of its fixtures in 2025. There are two meetings at the course this month, on February 4 and 18, and the advance ticket gives you access to all three enclosures.
- Wolverhampton is also offering £10 tickets for its midweek evening meetings on February 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 when bought in advance.
- Carlisle is offering discounted hospitality for its two fixtures this month (February 3 and 17). A premium experience in the Swifts restaurant with a seasonal set menu costs £70 (normally £116).
Racecourses with special ticket offers and themed racedays in March can send details to goracing@racingpost.com
Out of the ordinary: five eyecatching events
ARMED FORCES: Sandown's second military day of the year features regimental displays from the Royal Artillery as well as an action-packed fixture at one of Britain's premier tracks.
The Royal Artillery Gold Cup, one of Sandown's oldest races and a contest restricted to military amateur riders, is the showpiece and has a history of producing compelling winners, none more so than in 2017 when Captain Guy Disney became the first amputee rider in the modern era to win a race under rules in Britain. The fixture also features the Grade 2 Jane Seymour Mares' Novice Hurdle. Sandown, February 13 (Tickets)
FOUR-LEGGED FRIENDS: If you fancy a top-class raceday with a canine twist then you'd be barking mad to miss Wincanton's Kingwell Hurdle fixture.
Not only can you watch a key trial for the Champion Hurdle, but dog owners will be allowed to bring their pets into the main enclosure for the first time. Furthermore, there will be dog shows, races and training displays for the ultimate day to celebrate our four-legged friends. Wincanton, February 15 (Tickets)
SYNDICATE RACEDAY: The latest in a series of racedays showcasing the benefits of shared ownership in a joint initiative by Jockey Club Racecourses and the Racehorse Syndicates Association.
The event provides racegoers with the opportunity to meet racing club and syndicate representatives to discuss the variety of options available, as well as engaging with competitions and other raceday activities. Huntingdon, February 20 (Tickets)
FIVER FRIDAY: Five British pounds doesn't get you a pint in most places these days, but it does get you a full day at the races if you head to Warwick this month.
Not only will this once-in-a-season offer allow you to take in all the racing for a heavily-discounted price, but the atmosphere will be enhanced with an indoor silent disco keeping you entertained between races. Warwick, February 21 (Tickets)
WELSH RACEDAY: The day before St David's Day, Ffos Las will celebrate all the great things about Wales at a racing fixture branded 'Proud to be Welsh Raceday'.
There will be red dragons everywhere you look ahead of the country's national day and alongside the action on the track, racegoers will be treated to Welsh choirs throughout the day and the party continues with live music after racing. Ffos Las, February 28 (Tickets)
Making a day of it: Bangor-on-Dee
A trip to Bangor-on-Dee is good for the soul of any jump-racing enthusiast, writes Andrew Dietz.
Situated on the banks of the River Dee, the track's unique charm and character is the secret behind its longevity – racing has taken place on the site since 1859.
Bangor might be the only racecourse in Britain without a grandstand, but standing on the grass banks watching the action unfold against the backdrop of the rolling Welsh countryside is a sight to behold.
With a head-on view of the home straight from the paddock enclosure, it can sometimes be a struggle working out if your runner is in front, but that just adds to the fun of the place.
The track, which also stages point-to-point fixtures, is the epitome of grassroots, but the facilities are well up to scratch.
The course has continued to invest in the raceday experience with amenities including three public bars, food concessions, betting terminals and a sports betting shop.
The racing programme has been developed too. The first of Bangor's two fixtures this month is the North Wales National meeting on February 7, with the feature 3m5½f race, first run in 2023, the longest in its calendar.
If you're planning a trip to that fixture – or the one on February 26 – there are many supporting attractions in the area to make the most of your visit.
Tourist favourite Chester is less than 20 miles away, but Wrexham is on the doorstep and a place definitely on the up thanks to the Hollywood owners of the city's football club.
Football fans have been flocking to the Racecourse Ground to see the progress made by Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney and if you head to The Fat Boar on Yorke Street for lunch or dinner you might bump into the American celebrities as it's one of their favourite haunts when they're in town.
Places to visit in the surrounding rural area to Bangor include Pontcysyllte Aqueduct, Chirk Castle and Erddig Hall.
Those coming from the north should consider a few hours at Cheshire Oaks Designer Outlets en route, where with stores such as Barbour, Ralph Lauren and Burberry, you can get kitted out for a day at the races at a discounted price.
From there it's about a 25-minute drive down the A483, whereas those coming from the south and Midlands need to take the M6 and M54 (J3) then the A41 to Whitchurch and A525 towards Wrexham.
The nearest train station is Wrexham General with a free bus service operating to and from the racecourse on racedays.
Admission to Bangor starts from £19 for the paddock enclosure (£23 on the day) and £9 for the open course (£13 on the day), while the £32 punter's package gets you into the paddock enclosure, a portion of fish and chips, a drinks voucher and a racecard.
A sage piece of advice to finish. There have been many amusing stories of unsuspecting jockeys searching for a racecourse in the other Bangor in North Wales – an hour-and-a-half drive away near Anglesey – so make sure you head to Bangor-on-Dee.
Pack the passport: going racing at Auteuil
For those who are visiting for the first time, Auteuil offers a spectacular jumping test and on its biggest weekend of the year in May there is a real sense of occasion, writes Scott Burton.
Even better news is that the ‘Temple of French Jumping’ is the most central and accessible track in the capital.
The Porte d’Auteuil metro station (line 10) serves the far side of the course, with a tunnel under the track which then brings you up by the main grandstands.
You can set an alert on the France Galop ticket office for when Grand Steeple-Chase weekend goes on sale and, however you choose to travel to Paris, your bank balance won’t be offended by the price of entry, which began at €14 for a grandstand ticket in 2024.
The Karly Flight Brasserie next to the paddock gets booked out early for this particular fixture - again check the ticketing site - and while there are plenty of more casual options, be aware that queues for food and drink can build up as the afternoon goes on.
With three Grade 1s on Sunday, May 18 and the French Champion Hurdle (Grande Course de Haies) taking centre stage on the Saturday, a good plan would be to save your main meal until dinner.
Of course Paris has a huge wealth of dining options, but two relatively close to the course that won’t break the bank are the Brasserie d’Auteuil, which offers pizza, salads and steaks, and the Les Deux Stations.
The nearby metro station brings a far greater range of places to stay into play, and Paris is by modern standards quite a compact capital city so you shouldn’t feel tied to the Bois de Boulogne for either eating or accommodation.
Personal favourite areas are the 9th and 17th arrondissements north of Parc Monceau, with metro lines 12 and 13 taking you south, while line 10 starts at Gare d’Austerlitz, just across the river from the lively Nation area.
For those who want to save a few euros and don’t mind not staying in what strictly counts as Paris, there are plenty of chain hotel options in the ‘Grand Ouest’, with Issy Les Moulineaux, Boulougne-Billancourt and Puteaux all pleasant inner suburbs.
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