Go Racing this June: find out the star-studded month's best deals - and why not consider a trip to Sweden?

June is a month beyond compare on the Flat in Britain with the Derby and Oaks at Epsom followed by five fantastic days at Royal Ascot.

Away from the marquee events, there are fixtures galore to suit everyone, with a variety of music nights and themed racedays.

Here, we detail some of those meetings, as well as highlighting special ticket offers, for a busy month on the track.

June racing highlights in Britain and Ireland

England

North

MACMILLAN CHARITY RACEDAY, YORK: A competitive and valuable card on the Knavesmire with the £125,000 Macmillan Sprint Handicap topping the bill and supported by the Listed Grand Cup. Saturday, June 14 (Tickets)

NORTHUMBERLAND PLATE, NEWCASTLE: The historic Northumberland Plate is the big draw on Newcastle's most important day of the year, with the Group 3 Chipchase Stakes another notable contest. Saturday, June 28 (Tickets)

CRITERION STAKES, YORK: On a new fixture to York, which was previously staged at Newmarket, the Group 3 Criterion headlines the action. Saturday, June 28 (Tickets)

Midlands

SUMMER CUP, UTTOXETER: One of the highlights of the summer jumps season, the Summer Cup is staged on a Premier raceday at Uttoxeter. Sunday, June 29 (Tickets)

South

DAY ONE, ROYAL ASCOT: The royal meeting starts with a bang with a trio of Group 1 contests as the milers battle it out in the Queen Anne, the sprinters blaze a trial in the King Charles III and the Classic form is tested in the St James's Palace Stakes. Tuesday, June 17 (Tickets)

DAY TWO, ROYAL ASCOT: The Prince of Wales's Stakes is the showpiece on the second day on a card which kicks off with three Group 2 races – Queen Mary, Queen's Vase and Duke of Cambridge. Wednesday, June 18 (Tickets)

DAY THREE, ROYAL ASCOT: The prestigious Gold Cup, the feature race of the week, is the focal point on day three when the Ribblesdale and Norfolk are also staged. Thursday, June 19 (Tickets)

The royal procession enters the parade ring at AscotCredit: Edward Whitaker

DAY FOUR, ROYAL ASCOT: The Coronation and Commonwealth Cup are the highlights on the fourth day, which also features the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes. Friday, June 20 (Tickets)

DAY FIVE, ROYAL ASCOT: The meeting comes to a stunning climax with the top sprinters fighting it out for the £1 million Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee and the Hardwicke is the main supporting race. Saturday, June 21 (Tickets)

Ireland

BALLYCORUS STAKES, LEOPARDSTOWN: The Group 3 contest over seven furlongs is the feature of an evening meeting at Leopardstown, which starts the track's Bulmers Live Series of music nights. Thursday, June 12 (Tickets)

MUNSTER OAKS, CORK: A quality evening card headlined by the Group 3 Munster Oaks and also featuring the Listed Sprint Stakes and €100,000 Mallow Handicap. Friday, June 13 (Tickets)

PRETTY POLLY, CURRAGH: The quality rises on the second day of the three-day Irish Derby meeting at the Curragh with the Group 1 Pretty Polly topping the bill along with the Balanchine and International. Saturday, June 28 (Tickets)

IRISH DERBY, CURRAGH: Classic action at the Curragh in the Irish Derby, where old scores from Epsom earlier in the month are often settled, with the Group 2 Railway adding lustre to a sensational card. Sunday, June 29 (Tickets)

June racing fixtures in Britain and Ireland

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

• County racedays return at Market Rasen on June 2 and 20 with general admission tickets £10 in advance and £15 on the gate.
  
  
• General admission tickets for Nottingham's fixtures on June 4, 12 and 26 are priced at £9, giving customers views of the parade ring, winning line & winner's enclosure.
  
  
• For Cork's Munster Oaks evening fixture on June 13, the track is putting on a €30 social package, which includes admission, racecard, a pint, a €5 food voucher and a €5 Tote bet.
  
  
• Doncaster is offering a 30 per cent discount on its family bundle for the Sunday meeting on June 15, which costs £25 for two adults and up to six children and gives grandstand admission. This must be booked in advance.
  
  
• Family tickets for Pontefract's Yorkshire family day on June 22 are £30 to admit two adults and their children into the grandstand and paddock, a saving of £10 – must be booked in advance.

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

Out of the ordinary: five eyecatching events

SCOUTING FOR GIRLS: The pop rock band will perform a full headline set as part of their summer tour following an evening of racing at Market Rasen.

Expect to hear all their biggest hits including She's So Lovely, Elvis Ain't Dead, Heartbeat and the UK number-one single This Ain't A Love Song. Market Rasen, June 13 (Tickets)

GENTLEMEN'S DAY: This race meeting offers a timely opportunity for the whole family to come together to celebrate Father's Day. 

The action on the track, headlined by the Listed Scurry Stakes is supplemented by garden games and indoor entertainment, making it a fun day out for all the day before the holiday honouring dads everywhere. Sandown, June 14 (Tickets)

SUMMER ANTHEMS: Party the night away in the height of summer with a post-racing DJ set by popular broadcaster Vernon Kay at Doncaster.

The BBC Radio 2 host is a real crowd pleaser and if that wasn't enough there is a meet-and-greet with actor Richard Groves, best known for playing Garry Hobbs in EastEnders, and discounted drinks for early arrivers. Doncaster, June 28 (Tickets)

Making a day of it: Redcar

Don't listen to any racing folk who say the atmosphere at Redcar is dead. They'll only be pulling your leg as to get to the track you have to drive through a cemetery and while that unique welcome is a little disconcerting at first, once you get through the gates you'll be made to feel at home.

The racecourse facilities can be a little dated in parts but there is the charm and character you would come to expect from a venue in this part of the world.

Redcar is just along the coast from the well-preserved Victorian landmarks of Saltburn-by-the-Sea, which makes an ideal spot for those looking for a racing break.

The track hosts back-to-back fixtures on June 20 and 21, so the timing couldn't be any better and as the latter date is ladies' day, you'll get to see Redcar in all its glory.

Similar sentiments apply if you take a climb up the 80-foot Redcar Beacon along the seafront, where the views stretch beyond nearby Saltburn all the way down to Whitby, Robin Hood's Bay and Scarborough.

For those seeking a bit of serenity, Saltburn's sea air alone will leave you refreshed and you can even take a lift as part of the area's biggest attraction.

The Saltburn Cliff Lift will spare you a gruelling uphill walk

The Saltburn Cliff Tramway, which was opened in 1884 and lays claim to being the oldest water-balanced funicular (a counter-balanced, cable-operated railway) in the country, provides a novel link from the town down to England's most northerly pier.

The tramway has not long reopened after a major refurbishment following an electrical fire in January of last year.

Once down on sea level, you'll be spoilt for choice for fish and chips and for those making more of an occasion of it, the Seaview Restaurant is a prime spot on the lower promenade for all manner of seafood dishes.

A short walk back from the beach, the Spa Hotel offers food and drink as well as rooms with sea views, so there are plenty of options in the vicinity.

Tickets for Redcar start from £14 for the grandstand enclosure when bought in advance (slightly more for feature fixtures like ladies' day), or you can take a picnic and limited alcohol into the course enclosure from £6.

Redcar is readily accessible by road with links via the A1, A66, A19 and A174 Parkway or you can take the train to Redcar Central Station, which is a short walk from the track.

Pack the passport: going racing in Stockholm

The Stockholm Cup International meeting in September is the highlight of the Swedish racing calendar, providing a quality and varied programme to visitors alongside the chance to see the sights of the country's capital.

The Group 3 Stockholm Cup International has a rich history, dating back to its inception in 1937, and was the first race in Scandinavia to be classed at that level.  

Now staged at Bro Park, it is contested by domestic and international horses, with the David Menuisier-trained Thundering Blue the most recent British-trained winner in 2018, adding to wins by globetrotting star Collier Hill in 2004 and 2006.

Frankie Dettori memorably sprinkled his star dust on Stockholm Cup day when winning one of the supporting races during his European farewell tour in 2023.

This year's race takes place on September 21 on a card which also traditionally features three Listed contests and two jumps races, although parts of the industry are in decline after losing mainstream exposure following the decision of gambling company ATG to stop taking bets on Swedish jump races.

Bro Park has a relaxed atmosphere, even at its marquee event, and although the track is fairly compact, the amenities and facilities are well thought out with good viewing areas for the public.

It benefits from its location in the countryside on the outskirts of Stockholm – around a 30-minute drive from the city and also accessible by train – as there is a picturesque backdrop to the action on the track. Further information on ticket prices and other fixtures is available on the track's website.

Bro Park: racecourse situated on the outskirts of StockholmCredit: Steve Cargill

A trip to Sweden's biggest raceday offers travellers the twin attractions of taking in the racing and all the delights of the capital city. 

Stockholm is one of Europe's most inclusive and welcoming cities, home to a vast amount of contemporary attractions and historic buildings to keep every tourist entertained.

Stroll through parks and woodland and over quaint bridges connecting the city's islands. Ramble down the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town, or head for the waterways via the commuter ferries or private tours.

Some of Stockholm's main attractions are located on the island of Djurgarden. Not only is it a nature lover's paradise but it conveniently boasts several of the city's most significant museums, such as the open-air Skansen, the Vasa Museum and last but not least ABBA: The Museum, which combines nostalgic memorabilia with quirky interactive exhibits.

Staying in Stockholm can be quite pricey compared to other cities, but there are accommodation and food options to suit all budgets and you can fly direct from most of the main UK cities as well as Dublin.
Andrew Dietz

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