Newbury Horse Races

Newbury hosts the Lockinge Stakes, a Group 1 flat races, one of just 31 to be held in Great Britain.

Other notable races held at Newbury are Hennessy Gold Cup and the Challow Novices Hurdle. Although with flat racing been held throughout the summer and a good mixture of Hurdle and Chase races been held throughout the winter, there is fantastic action to be watched from Newbury almost 12 months a year.

Watch all of the action live from Newbury racecourse via our Newbury Horse Racing Live Stream partners. Every race from Newbury is available to watch online.

Different bookies have different services with some only focusing on the UK and Ireland whilst some bring you the action from all around the world. If you are after a specific race, please visit our preview section or for all races from a specific track, check out our track guides.

You can also click on the bookies in the table above for all the info you need.

Newbury racecourse in Berkshire has a long history dating back to 1905 but racing in the town goes back much further with the first recorded race going back to 1805.

In the very early days, the course opened with just flat racing but it didn’t take long for National Hunt racing to occur and that has continued to this very day when you can still watch a mix of flat racing, hurdle racing and steeplechase racing throughout the year.

It will come as no surprise that for a track with so much prestige, there are a number of standout races on the calendar.

For flat racing fans the top races are the Fred Darling Stakes (a group 3 race run over 7 furlongs), the John Porter Stakes (a group 3 race run over 1 mile, 4 furlongs and 5 yards), the Greenham Stakes (a group 3 race run over 7 furlongs), the Fillies Trial Stakes (run over 1 mile and 2 furlongs), the Carnarvon Stakes (run over 6 furlongs), the Aston Park Stakes (run over 1 mile and 4 furlongs), the Lockinge Stakes (a group 1 race run over 1 mile), the Abingdon Stakes (run over 1 mile and 2 furlongs), the Weatherbys Super Spring (run over 5 furlongs and 34 yards), the Hackwood Stakes 9a group 3 race run over 6 furlongs and 8 yards), the St Hughes Stakes (run over 5 furlongs and 34 yards), the Geoffrey Freer Stakes (a group 3 race run over 1 mile, 5 furlongs and 61 yards), the Hungerford Stakes (a group 2 race run over 7 furlongs), the Denford Stakes (run over 7 furlongs), the Haynes, Handson and Clark Conditions Stakes (run over 1 mile), the Legacy Cup (a group 3 race run over 1 mile, 3 furlongs and 5 yards), the Mill Reef Stakes (a group 2 race run over 6 furlongs and 8 yards), the World Trophy (a group 3 race run over 5 furlongs and 34 yards), the St Simon Stakes (a group 3 race run over 1 mile and 4 furlongs) and the Horris Hill Stakes (a group 3 race run over 7 furlongs).

If hurdle racing is your preferred choice, the top races to watch include the Betfair Hurdle (a grade 3 race run over 2 miles and 110 yards), the Gerry Feilden hurdle ( a handicap race run over 2 miles and 110 yards), the Long Distance Hurdle (a group 2 race run over 3 miles and 110 yards) and the Challow Novices Hurdles (a grade 1 race run over 2 miles and 5 furlongs).

If steeplechase racing is your first choice, there are a number of great races to watch including the Game Spirit Chase 9a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 1 furlong), the Denman Chase (a grade 2 race run over 3 miles), the Greatwood Gold Cup (a grade 3 race run over 2 mile and 4 furlongs), the John Francome Novices Chase (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs), the Berkshire Novices Chase (a grade 2 race run over 2 miles and 4 furlongs) and the Ladbrokes Trophy (a grade 3 race run over 3 miles, 2 furlongs and 110 yards).

No matter if you are wanting to watch one of those great race above or any other race from the course, you can via all of the great bookies feature on this page.

Via their incredible live streaming services, the bookies offer you each and every race live from Newbury and whilst there is a wagering requirement that must be met before you can watch along live, the chances are that if you are interested in a Newbury races live stream, you are also interested in betting on the action, so why not simply choose a bookie that allows you to watch along live?

1805–1811: The earliest recorded racing in Newbury

The history of Newbury Races extends further back than the opening of the modern racecourse in the twentieth century. The first recorded racing in the Newbury area took place in 1805, when a two-day annual meeting was held at Enborne Heath. These early events established the town’s association with organised horse racing long before the construction of the permanent venue that visitors recognise today.

In 1811, the annual two-day meeting moved from Enborne Heath to Woodhay Heath. Racing during this period was a popular sporting and social activity, attracting local spectators and people involved in horse ownership, training and breeding. The meetings formed part of the wider development of British racing during the nineteenth century, when courses and racing organisations gradually became more structured.

Although these early meetings did not take place at the present racecourse, they laid the foundations for Newbury’s lasting connection with the sport. The area’s proximity to established training centres and the wider Berkshire countryside would later help make it an attractive location for a permanent racing venue.

1904: The foundation of the modern racecourse

The modern history of Newbury Racecourse began in 1904 following a chance meeting between the Kingsclere-based trainer John Porter and King Edward VII. Porter had long believed that Newbury would make an excellent location for a new racecourse. Following the royal encounter, his application to establish the venue was approved by The Jockey Club.

The racecourse company was founded in 1904, and construction began in April that year. The project aimed to create a permanent facility capable of hosting both flat racing and jump racing. The choice of location offered room for suitable tracks, spectator facilities and transport links, helping establish the foundations for a major racing venue.

Porter’s involvement was significant because he was already a respected figure in British racing. His experience as a trainer and understanding of the sport helped support the development of the new course. The creation of Newbury Racecourse reflected the growing ambition of British racing organisations to provide well-equipped venues for increasingly professional competitions.

1905: The first race meeting at Newbury Racecourse

Newbury Racecourse officially opened in September 1905. The first meeting took place over two days, on 26 and 27 September, marking the beginning of a new era for racing in the town. The first race held at the venue was the Whatcombe Handicap, won by Copper King.

The opening was accompanied by an important transport development. Newbury Racecourse railway station opened on the same day as the first meeting, giving spectators a direct way to reach the venue. The railway connection helped establish the course as an accessible destination for visitors travelling from further afield.

The early programme included flat racing and jump racing. In 1906, Newbury hosted nine days of racing, comprising six flat meetings and three meetings over jumps. The first jump meeting at the new course took place on 30 October 1906.

This varied programme helped establish Newbury’s reputation as a dual-purpose racecourse. Rather than specialising exclusively in one form of racing, the venue could host different types of competition throughout the year, attracting a broad range of horses, trainers, jockeys and spectators.

1958: The Lockinge Stakes begins

A major milestone arrived in 1958 with the first running of the Lockinge Stakes. This important flat race, run over one mile, became a prominent feature of Newbury’s spring calendar and helped strengthen the course’s reputation for high-class flat racing.

The inaugural running was won by Pall Mall, a horse owned by Queen Elizabeth II. He returned to win the race again in 1959, making a successful start to the event’s history and establishing an early royal connection.

The Lockinge Stakes subsequently became one of Britain’s leading mile races for older horses. It attracts high-quality competitors and often provides an important early-season test for horses targeting further Group 1 success during the summer. Its enduring importance reflects Newbury’s role in the development of the British flat racing calendar.

Royal success continued at Newbury during the late 1950s and following decades. Queen Elizabeth II’s horses won several notable races at the course, contributing to its standing within British racing. The royal connection also reflected the long association between the monarchy and thoroughbred racing.

1960–1965: The Hennessy Gold Cup and Arkle

Another defining moment came in 1960, when the Hennessy Gold Cup was staged at Newbury for the first time. The race had been inaugurated at Cheltenham in 1957 and remained there until 1959 before moving to its new home. It would eventually become the race now known as the Coral Gold Cup.

The first Newbury running was won by Mandarin in 1961, after he had also won the inaugural race at Cheltenham in 1957. The contest soon established itself as a major early-season test for staying chasers, attracting horses capable of handling a demanding distance and a competitive handicap.

Arkle became one of the race’s most celebrated winners, taking consecutive victories in 1964 and 1965. Trained in Ireland by Tom Dreaper and ridden by Pat Taaffe, Arkle was widely regarded as one of the greatest steeplechasers of all time. His two Hennessy Gold Cup victories at Newbury formed part of a remarkable career that included three Cheltenham Gold Cups.

His success helped cement the race’s reputation as an event capable of attracting exceptional horses. Arkle’s achievements remain central to the history of Newbury’s major jumps meeting, and his name is still associated with the highest standards of National Hunt racing.

1971–1980: A golden era of famous horses

The 1970s brought further notable performances at Newbury. Mill Reef, trained locally at Kingsclere, won the Greenham Stakes in 1971 before enjoying a remarkable season that included victories in the Epsom Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. His success demonstrated the close connection between Newbury and the surrounding training community.

In 1972, Brigadier Gerard made his Newbury debut and won by five lengths. He finished his career with 17 victories from 18 starts, becoming one of the most celebrated British-trained racehorses of the twentieth century.

Newbury also witnessed the racecourse debut of Shergar in 1980. Ridden by Lester Piggott, Shergar began his career at the course before becoming famous for winning the 1981 Epsom Derby by a record margin of ten lengths. His later achievements brought international attention to the horse and the connections involved in his career.

These performances illustrate Newbury’s role as a venue where horses at the beginning of their careers could emerge onto the wider racing stage. Its programme provided opportunities for talented runners to gain experience before progressing to some of the biggest races in Britain and Europe.

1991: The launch of the Weatherbys Super Sprint

Newbury introduced the Super Sprint in 1991, creating an unusual new concept in British flat racing. The race was designed for two-year-old sprinters, with weights linked to the horses’ yearling sale prices under the original conditions. The idea offered a different approach to handicapping and helped make the race distinctive within the summer calendar.

Run over five furlongs, the Super Sprint rewards early speed and the ability to accelerate quickly. Its innovative format also connected racing performance with the commercial world of bloodstock sales, making it an interesting contest for owners, breeders and racing fans.

The race became an established summer feature at Newbury and helped broaden the appeal of the venue beyond its major autumn and winter jump meetings.

1997–2010: Modernisation and major racing moments

Newbury continued to evolve in the late twentieth and early twenty-first centuries. In 1997, legendary racing commentator Sir Peter O’Sullevan retired after calling the Hennessy Gold Cup, marking the end of a remarkable broadcasting career closely associated with major British racing events.

The racecourse celebrated its centenary in 2005. That year, Newbury also hosted the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes while Ascot underwent redevelopment, demonstrating the venue’s ability to accommodate a major race normally associated with another famous course.

Live music became part of Newbury’s wider entertainment programme in 2006, when the racecourse hosted its first concert. Over subsequent years, concerts and post-racing entertainment helped extend the venue’s appeal to visitors who wanted more than a traditional day at the races.

In 2009, Denman won the Hennessy Gold Cup for a second time. Known as ‘The Tank’, Denman had already won the race in 2007 and returned to claim another victory despite carrying top weight and having overcome a heart problem. His achievements made him one of the most memorable modern winners of the contest.

A new Grandstand, sponsored by Dubai Duty Free, opened in 2010, providing improved facilities for racegoers and supporting the course’s continued development. The investment reflected the importance of modern spectator facilities alongside the quality of the racing itself.

2011 onwards: Frankel and a continuing racing legacy

In 2011, Frankel raced at Newbury for the first time and won, adding another significant name to the course’s history. Trained by Sir Henry Cecil and ridden by Tom Queally, Frankel became one of the most celebrated racehorses of all time. He retired unbeaten after winning all 14 of his races, including multiple Group 1 contests.

Newbury continued to host leading jump horses, too. Sprinter Sacre won the Game Spirit Chase at the course in 2012, while Altior recorded three victories in the same race, completing his treble in 2020. These results reinforced Newbury’s importance within the National Hunt calendar.

In 2014, Many Clouds won the Hennessy Gold Cup for trainer Oliver Sherwood and owner Trevor Hemmings. The horse subsequently won the Grand National in 2015, adding further significance to his Newbury victory. The racecourse later named the Many Clouds Bar in honour of the popular chaser.

In 2021, Newbury Racecourse served as a COVID-19 vaccination centre, contributing to the local response to the pandemic. The venue’s role during this period demonstrated that its facilities could support the wider community beyond racing and entertainment.

Newbury Racecourse today

Today, Newbury Racecourse remains one of Britain’s established dual-purpose racing venues, hosting flat and National Hunt fixtures throughout the year. Its best-known meetings include the Lockinge Stakes, Weatherbys Super Sprint, Coral Gold Cup and Challow Novices’ Hurdle.

The racecourse offers a range of facilities, including grandstands, enclosures, hospitality suites, dining options and event spaces. Its on-site railway station continues to provide a convenient travel option, while the wider site accommodates conferences, celebrations and live entertainment.

Newbury’s history demonstrates how a racecourse can evolve while retaining its sporting identity. From the early meetings at Enborne Heath in 1805 to the opening of the permanent course in 1905, and from Arkle’s historic victories to Frankel’s unbeaten career, the venue has played host to many defining moments in British racing.

For modern visitors, that heritage adds depth to a day at Newbury Races. Whether you come for a major championship contest, a summer sprint meeting or a social occasion with friends, you are visiting a venue that has helped shape the history of the sport for generations. And while the horses, facilities and fashions may change, the essential appeal remains the same: competitive racing, shared excitement and the possibility of witnessing something special.