The winter months are an exciting time for horse racing fans in the UK, with the National Hunt season providing a packed schedule of major meetings and prestigious races. From Cheltenham and Ascot to Aintree, some of the biggest events in the British racing calendar take place between autumn and spring.
For anyone who follows jumps racing, the winter provides plenty of opportunities to watch leading horses, trainers and jockeys compete for some of the sport’s most coveted prizes.
Whether you are looking to bet on horse racing over the winter season or you’re simply interested in when the big meetings are taking place, here are five key dates to look out for.
When Is The UK Winter Horse Racing Season?
The UK winter horse racing season is largely associated with National Hunt racing, which features both hurdle races and steeplechases. The National Hunt season generally runs from October through to April, making it one of the busiest and most anticipated periods of the British racing calendar.
While flat racing continues during the winter, jumps racing takes centre stage as the weather gets colder and attention turns towards some of the season’s biggest targets. Several major meetings throughout the winter also provide important opportunities for horses to establish themselves as contenders for the Cheltenham Festival and the Randox Grand National.
1. Welsh Racing Festival – 9-11 October 2026
The Welsh Racing Festival gets the National Hunt season underway in style at Chepstow, with the 2026 meeting taking place from Friday 9 October to Sunday 11 October.
The three-day festival provides an early opportunity to see some of the leading jumps horses return to action. With the season still in its early stages, the performances at Chepstow can offer clues about which horses could develop into major contenders later in the campaign.
The meeting’s position at the beginning of the National Hunt season makes it one to watch for racing fans looking to identify emerging talent.
2. The November Meeting – 13-15 November 2026
Cheltenham is synonymous with National Hunt racing, and the November Meeting is one of the first major fixtures of the season at the famous Gloucestershire course.
Taking place from Friday 13 November to Sunday 15 November 2026, the meeting provides an important early-season test for horses with ambitions of competing at the Cheltenham Festival the following March.
With Cheltenham’s unique track demanding plenty from both horse and jockey, performances during The November Meeting can provide an early indication of which runners may be worth following throughout the winter.
3. Howden Christmas Racing Weekend – 18-19 December 2026
Ascot provides the setting for the Howden Christmas Racing Weekend, which takes place on Friday 18 and Saturday 19 December 2026.
The Christmas period is an important part of the National Hunt calendar, with many leading horses competing during the festive season. The meeting at Ascot gives racing fans another chance to see established stars and potential future contenders in action before the calendar turns to the new year.
With the Cheltenham Festival becoming increasingly prominent in trainers’ plans as the season progresses, the performances of horses during December can be particularly interesting.
4. The Cheltenham Festival – 16-19 March 2027
Few events in British horse racing can match the excitement and prestige of The Cheltenham Festival. Taking place from Tuesday 16 March to Friday 19 March 2027, the four-day meeting brings together some of the best National Hunt horses from Britain and Ireland.
The festival features a host of major races across the four days, including the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase, Stayers’ Hurdle and Gold Cup.
For many racing fans, Cheltenham represents the highlight of the entire National Hunt season. The atmosphere, competitive racing and huge range of storylines make it an event that attracts attention well beyond the regular jumps-racing audience.
5. Randox Grand National Festival – 8-10 April 2027
The National Hunt season reaches its traditional climax at Aintree, with the Randox Grand National taking place from Thursday 8 to Saturday 10 April 2027.
The Grand National is one of the most famous horse races in the world and is watched by millions of people every year. Its combination of stamina, jumping ability and tactical racing makes it a unique challenge for both horses and jockeys.
The wider Aintree meeting also features several major races, making the three-day fixture an excellent way to round off the National Hunt season.
A Winter Of Top-Class National Hunt Racing
From the opening stages of the season at Chepstow to the final major target at Aintree, the 2026/27 National Hunt campaign promises to provide plenty for horse racing fans to look forward to.
The Welsh Racing Festival, The November Meeting and the Howden Christmas Racing Weekend all provide important stepping stones towards the biggest events of the spring. Then, as the season reaches its climax, attention turns to the Cheltenham Festival before the Randox Grand National brings the campaign to a close.
With major meetings taking place throughout the colder months, there is no shortage of dates for UK horse racing fans to put in their calendars.