Stratford-on-Avon Races

Stratford-on-Avon is known for its casual and relaxed atmosphere and it’s relatively small track.

Stratford-on-Avon racecourse has a long history with the course first opening in 1755 and know offers a range of modern facilities including 3 enclosures (The Club Enclosure, Tatterstall Enclosure and the Centre Course) for fans to enjoy.

Races are held between March and November.

100% Legal Live Streams

All of the live horse racing streams featured on GGTV are 100% legal and 100% safe. Many websites feature illegal streams that simply steal the content direct from the likes of At The Races and Racing UK and whilst there may be a small cost to watch the races via legal streams (but let’s face it you are likely to be betting on the action anyway!) you can be sure that there are no computer viruses and/or other nasty’s infecting your computer/phone/tablet when watching.

So How is GGTV Different?

The streams that we feature here on GGTV are offered by bookmakers who have paid for the rights to bring you live horse racing action, so you can watch races that you have bet on.

What Can You Watch?

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.

Watch racing from Stratford live online via our Stratford races live streaming partners. Watch each and every race live from Stratford-upon-Avon racecourse online.

Unlike many racecourses that feature only National Hunt racing, the majority of the action at Stratford racecourse takes place in the warmer months throughout the summer months and thanks to been located in a popular tourist town, that helps the course to attract some bumper crowds, especially for what is a relatively small course.

Hosting steeplechase racing over fences alongside hurdle racing when the course is firmer in the summer also allows for the course to offer some fast and action packed racing, so it is no surprise that many racing fans love to watch the action from Stratford racecourse.

The course hosts a number of standout meeting including Family Day, Ladies Day as well as bumper cards in August but overall it is a small and friendly course where the racing is left to itself and offers a great opportunity for young horses and jockeys to make a name for themselves for experienced horses and jockeys to claim some glory as they move towards retirement.

The great news all horse racing fans is that no matter if you want to watch a steeplechase race run over the fences at Stratford or a hurdle race, you can.

That is because all of the online bookmakers featured on this page bring you each and every race from the course live online via their incredible live streaming services.

With Stratford-on-Avon been a hugely popular town for day trippers and holidaymakers, thanks in part to its beautiful river front and for been the home of William Shakespeare and the Royal Shakespeare Company, having a day out before going to races is always a good option but it isn’t always a practical one.

The good news for fans is that you no longer need to be at the course in person to watch all of the action as you can watch from the comfort of your own home via your phone, laptop, computer or tablet.

All of the online bookies featured on this page allow you to pick and choose the races that you want to watch from the course and whilst there is a wagering requirement that has to be met to be able to watch a race live, the chances are that if you are looking to watch racing from Stratford racecourse, you are also interested in betting on the action, so why not simply bet with a great bookie that allows you to watch and cheer on your backed horse?

If you have already placed a bet on the action from the racecourse with a bookmaker that doesn’t allow you to watch the races that you have bet on, make sure that your next bet is with a bookmaker, such as the ones featured on this page, that do allow you to watch the races that you have bet on.

It can be hard to find the races from Stratford-on-Avon racecourse on television and even if you do find a channel that is showing them, the chances are that it will be on a pay tv channel that needs an expensive and continuing subscription to be able to watch.

Thankfully thanks to the internet, that needn’t be the case anymore as you can easily watch every race live via the great live streaming services of the bookies on this page.

Choose Where To Watch Racing From Stratford Live

All of these bookies offer live Stratford-on-Avon races streaming, choose your favourite or simply the bookie requiring the lowest stake (the bet you need to place to watch live horse racing via the bookmaker).

Racing from Stratford offers lots of on course action and a friendly off course experience for those in attendance and whilst the popular tourist town also makes for a great weekend away, the majority of us are simply focused on the great on track action and that means, simply, that we want to watch Stratford races live.

Unfortunately, it can be difficult to watch racing from Stratford due to the lack of any huge race days and relatively local flavour of the participants but thankfully, there is now no reason to miss racing from Stratford-upon-Avon thanks to the fantastic Stratford races livestream services of the online bookmakers featured on this page.

Stratford racecourse is one of the leading racetracks in the Midlands and always offers fantastic action that local and national fans know is always worth watching and now you can do just that from the comfort of your own home or whilst on the move.

So long as you have an internet connection, you can watch racing from Stratford easily.

Racing From Stratford

There is lots of fantastic racing action that can be enjoyed throughout the season in Stratford and unlike the majority of National Hunt / Jumps racecourse, the racing takes place through the summer with the first race meeting at Stratford usually taking place in March/April with the action wrapping up in September/October.

One of the great aspects of racing at the course is the fact that race days are held on a number of different days of the weeks, including on a weekend and also the track hosts a few night meetings in the summer months.

That can make it easier to visit the course in person as it is often possible to fit a visit around your working hours, but it can also mean that the race meet you are most interested in watching takes place when you can be there in person.

Thankfully, if you are a regular visitor that wants to watch the action from a meeting that you are going to miss or if you are just a general racing fan wanting to watch a specific race or 2, it has never been easier.

All of the Stratford races live streaming services that are featured on this very page allow you to watch the action that you want to watch from the curse and whilst you must be aged 18 or over, have a funded account and place a qualifying bet on the race that you want to watch, the chances are that if you are interested in watching racing from the track, you are interested in betting on the action so why not simply bet with a bookie that allows you to watch along live and to enjoy cheering on your chosen horse?

1718: The earliest recorded Stratford races

The history of Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse begins long before the modern facilities on Luddington Road. According to the racecourse’s own historical account, the first recorded races associated with Stratford took place on Shottery Meadow in 1718. This was a time when organised horse racing in Britain was still developing, with meetings often taking place on open land rather than at purpose-built sporting venues.

Stratford’s early association with racing places it among the older names in British horse racing. For context, racing at Ascot began in 1711, while the modern Cheltenham racing tradition developed much later. Early Stratford meetings were intermittent, and detailed records of the first event have not survived, so the exact programme and results remain uncertain.

Racing during this period was both a sporting contest and a social occasion. Meetings attracted local landowners, farmers, sporting enthusiasts and spectators who came to watch horses compete for prizes. The format differed considerably from modern race meetings, but the essential attractions were already familiar: competition, local pride and the possibility of witnessing a memorable winner.

1755: The racecourse becomes established

The year 1755 is recognised as the establishment date of Stratford Racecourse. Historical records refer to a prize purse of £50 offered that year, with victory going to Redstreak, a five-year-old horse owned by Mr Cornwall. The sum represented a substantial sporting prize in the eighteenth century, although comparisons with modern money depend on the method used to estimate historical purchasing power.

Racing at Stratford was initially associated with flat racing, reflecting the sport’s early development before modern jump racing became firmly established. Meetings were organised on open ground, and races could feature multiple heats or contests over several miles. The venue’s identity would gradually shift towards steeplechasing as the popularity of jump racing increased during the nineteenth century.

The permanent establishment of a recognised racecourse helped create continuity for local meetings. Rather than relying entirely on temporary arrangements, organisers could develop a recurring programme and build Stratford’s reputation as a racing destination in Warwickshire.

1769: David Garrick and the Shakespeare Jubilee

One of the most distinctive episodes in Stratford’s early racing history involved David Garrick, the celebrated actor, playwright and theatre manager. Garrick played a major role in popularising Shakespeare’s works during the eighteenth century and helped organise the Shakespeare Jubilee in Stratford-upon-Avon in September 1769.

The Jubilee was intended to celebrate the life and legacy of William Shakespeare, whose reputation was becoming increasingly important to British cultural identity. Although the event was affected by poor weather, it attracted considerable attention and helped strengthen Stratford’s association with the playwright.

Garrick also supported racing at Stratford through a trophy associated with the Jubilee, known as the Jubilee Cup. The connection between the Shakespeare celebrations and the racecourse reflects how sporting events and public festivities often overlapped during this period.

The Jubilee Cup was discontinued after several years, reportedly following complaints from local farmers about crowds damaging their crops. It was a practical reminder that large sporting events can create challenges for neighbouring landowners, even when the event itself is a success. The episode nevertheless remains a memorable link between Stratford’s racing heritage and its literary history.

1836–1840: The rise of steeplechasing

During the nineteenth century, interest in jump racing grew, and Stratford became increasingly associated with steeplechasing. This form of racing developed from contests across open countryside, in which horses and riders negotiated natural obstacles rather than following a course made up exclusively of conventional hurdles and fences.

A feature steeplechase was held at Stratford in 1836, during a period when the sport was expanding across Britain and Ireland. The Grand National, first run in 1839 at Aintree, helped raise the profile of long-distance steeplechasing and brought greater public attention to the challenges of jumping races.

Stratford also has a connection with the first Grand National winner, Lottery. In 1839, Lottery won a race at Stratford before winning the inaugural Grand National at Aintree. The horse returned to Stratford and won a four-mile contest in 1840, adding another notable chapter to the course’s early history.

This connection illustrates the importance of local racecourses within the wider racing system. Major winners often competed at a variety of venues, and regional meetings provided opportunities for horses to demonstrate their ability before or after competing in more prominent events.

1867–1902: The development of established race meetings

As racing became more organised during the nineteenth century, Stratford developed a more defined calendar of races. The Warwickshire Hunt Cup became an important contest, reflecting the close relationship between local hunting communities and the development of jump racing.

The Shakespeare Cup, run over three miles for a prize of 60 sovereigns, first appeared in April 1867. Other notable contests followed, including the Avon Steeplechase, the Diamond Jubilee Cup in 1897 and the Warwickshire Hunt Coronation Cup, established in 1902.

These events helped establish Stratford’s reputation as a centre for jump racing. The growing popularity of steeplechasing brought new participants and spectators to the course, while the development of rail travel made it easier for visitors to attend meetings from further afield.

Railway companies recognised that sporting events could generate passenger traffic, and race meetings became attractive destinations for day trips. More reliable transport helped regional racecourses expand their audiences and supported the development of racing as a popular form of entertainment.

1904–1922: The Warwickshire Hunt Races and the First World War

In 1904, the meetings were renamed the Stratford and Warwickshire Hunt Races, reflecting the course’s close connection with local hunting traditions. This identity continued until the outbreak of the First World War brought racing to a halt.

Racing ceased during the wartime period from 1914 to 1919, as the demands of the conflict disrupted sporting activities across Britain. The interruption represented a significant break in the racecourse’s history, but racing resumed in 1919 once circumstances permitted.

In 1922, the Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse Company was incorporated. The company provided a formal organisational structure for the venue and supported the investment needed to maintain and improve the facilities. Companies House records confirm its incorporation on 31 January 1922, establishing the business framework that continues to underpin the racecourse’s operation.

1955–1990s: Grandstands and modern facilities

Following the creation of the racecourse company, Stratford continued to develop its facilities. A new grandstand was constructed in 1955, incorporating the weighing room used by jockeys and officials. The weighing room is an essential part of professional racing, ensuring that jockeys meet the required weights before and after races.

Further improvements followed in 1965, when a restaurant and additional viewing facilities were introduced. These developments reflected changing expectations among spectators, who increasingly wanted comfortable places to eat, drink and watch the racing.

During the 1990s, the racecourse added further restaurant and bar facilities. This investment helped modernise the visitor experience while maintaining the venue’s traditional character. Stratford remained smaller than many of Britain’s major racecourses, but its facilities and atmosphere became important parts of its appeal.

1959 onwards: The Stratford Foxhunter Chase

The Stratford Foxhunter Chase was first run in 1959 and became one of the defining events on the racecourse’s calendar. The contest is associated with hunter chasing, a branch of National Hunt racing that has strong links with amateur riders and hunting traditions.

Several horses established notable records in the race’s early decades. Bantry Bay won in 1960 and 1961, while Baulking Green secured victories in 1962, 1963 and 1965. Credit Call achieved four wins in 1971, 1972, 1973 and 1975, making a particularly significant contribution to the race’s history.

In more recent years, the race has continued to attract horses with strong records in hunter chasing. Salsify won the Cheltenham Foxhunter Chase in 2012 before following up at Stratford, demonstrating the quality of competition that the event can attract.

The Foxhunter remains important because it preserves the amateur spirit and traditions of jump racing. It offers a different perspective from professional championship contests and highlights the partnership between horses and riders who compete in hunter chases.

Modern Stratford Racecourse: A year-round destination for visitors

Today, Stratford Racecourse is recognised as one of Britain’s established smaller jump racing venues. Located on Luddington Road in Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, it hosts a programme of National Hunt meetings from March to November, including afternoon fixtures, evening racing and family days.

The course’s traditional identity remains closely connected to steeplechasing and hunter racing. Its feature meetings continue to attract racing fans, while family entertainment and the centre-course enclosure help make selected fixtures accessible to a wider audience.

The racecourse also operates a touring park for caravans, motorhomes and tents during the main season, and its facilities can be used for private events outside racing. These activities extend the venue’s role beyond the racecourse itself and help connect it with the wider visitor economy of Stratford-upon-Avon.

More than three centuries after the earliest recorded Stratford races in 1718, and over 270 years after the establishment of the racecourse in 1755, the venue continues to play an important role in Warwickshire’s sporting life. Its history includes the Shakespeare Jubilee, the early development of steeplechasing, a connection with Grand National winner Lottery, wartime disruption, the creation of the racecourse company and the enduring success of the Foxhunter Chase.

For modern racegoers, that heritage adds depth to every visit. Stratford-on-Avon Races offers the excitement of live jump racing alongside a long tradition of local sport, making it an appealing destination for experienced racing enthusiasts and first-time visitors alike. The facilities and fashions may have changed considerably since the eighteenth century, but the central attraction remains the same: horses, jockeys, a crowd and the unpredictable drama of a race.