Horse Racing Over Christmas

Get ready for a festive treat as horse racing fans are in for a bonanza this Christmas season.

Boxing Day takes centre stage in the whole of the 2023 horse racing calendar and is the busiest day of the year for racing fans but there are lots of race meetings over the festive season to enjoy.

In our Christmas Horse Racing guide, we offer the latest betting tips, essential information, and odds for horse racing events throughout the festive period.

Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or just enjoying the races, join us as we navigate the world of Christmas horse racing. Our guide ensures you’re ready to make the most of the action-packed days ahead.

Christmas Horse Racing Fixtures

We have compiled all the horse racing between Christmas and New Year.

Here is the full list of fixtures for Horse Racing Over Christmas 2025.

The list of fixtures above shows all the UK horse racing between Christmas and the new year.

Horse Racing 26th December 2025

Here are all the Xmas horse racing meetings held on the 26th of December:

• Fontwell Park
• Huntingdon
• Kempton Park
• Market Rasen
• Sedgefield
• Wetherby
• Wincanton
• Wolverhampton

King George VI Chase Day

The first day of the Kempton Park Winter Festival – one of the most popular National Hunt racing festivals of the year – is on Boxing Day.

The horse racing events on the 26th of December 2025 boast many meetings with Kempton Park being the most popular.

The iconic races on Boxing Day include:

• 12:45 2m4½f (2m4f110y) Ladbrokes Boost Your Odds On Racing Novices’ Limited Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 3) (4yo+ 0-135)
• 1.20pm 3m Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase (In Memory Of Nigel Clark) (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
• 1:55 2m (Winter) Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
• 2:30 3m Ladbrokes King George VI Chase (Grade 1) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
• 3:05 2m (Winter) ladbrokeslive.co.uk To Win Free Music Tickets Maiden Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+)
• 3:40 2m5f (Winter) Ladbrokes Get Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-140)

Horse Racing 27th December 2025

Here are all the Xmas horse racing events held on the 27th of December:

• Chepstow
• Kempton Park
• Wetherby
• Wolverhampton

Desert Orchid Chase Day

The second day of the Kempton Park Winter Festival is on the 27th of December 2025.

Day two of the Festival is the Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Chase Day, named after the charismatic grey (nicknamed Dessie) who made Kempton Park his own.

The iconic races on 27th December 2025 include:

• 12.45pm – 2m (Winter) Ladbrokes Boost Your Odds On Racing Handicap Hurdle (Class 3) (3yo+ 0-140)
• 1.20pm 2m (Winter) ladbrokeslive.co.uk To Win Free Music Tickets “Introductory” Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (3yo)
• 1.55pm 2m (Winter) ladbrokeslive.co.uk To Win Free Music Tickets “Introductory” Juvenile Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (3yo)
• 2.3pm 2m Ladbrokes Desert Orchid Handicap Chase (Grade 2) (Limited Handicap Chase) (GBB Race) (Class 1) (4yo+)
• 3.09pm 3m Ladbrokes Get Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+ 0-145)
• 3.40pm 3m½f (3m121y) (Winter) Ladbrokes Fanzone Mares’ Handicap Hurdle (GBB Race) (Class 2) (4yo+)

Horse Racing 28th December 2025

Here are all the Christmas horse racing meetings held on the 28th of December:

• Catterick Bridge
• Leicester
• Newcastle

Horse Racing 29th December 2025

Here are all the Christmas horse racing meetings held on the 29th of December:

• Doncaster
• Kelso
• Southwell

Horse Racing 30th December 2025

Here are all the Christmas horse racing fixtures held on the 30th of December:

• Haydock Park
• Taunton
• Wolverhampton

Horse Racing 31st December 2025

Here are all the Christmas horse racing events held on the 31st of December:

• Lingfield Park
• Newbury
• Uttoxeter
• Warwick

Irish Racing Over Xmas

Here are all the Irish Horse Racing Between Christmas and New Year.

• 26th Dec – Down Royal
• 26th Dec – Leopardstown
• 26th Dec – Limerick
• 27th Dec – Leopardstown
• 27th Dec – Limerick
• 28th Dec – Leopardstown
• 28th Dec – Limerick
• 29th Dec – Leopardstown
• 29th Dec – Limerick
• 31st Dec – Punchestown

Leopardstown Christmas Festival 2025

The Leopardstown Christmas Festival offers an amazing day out for horse racing fans.

With over €1.4 million in prize money up for grabs and seven races each of the four days, the Leopardstown Christmas Festival is four days of top-class Irish racing.

The Leopardstown races Christmas showdown is a fast-paced National Hunt jump racing meeting for thoroughbred horses held annually at Leopardstown.

Popular Questions about Racing Over Christmas

These are the most popular questions we get asked about racing over Xmas:

Which horse racing events take place over Christmas?

In the UK and Ireland, prominent Christmas horse racing events include the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park and the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Are there any major races on Christmas Day?

Christmas Day typically does not feature major horse racing events in the UK and Ireland. The focus is on Boxing Day and the days following.

What are the key races during the Christmas period?

Key races include the King George VI Chase at Kempton Park on Boxing Day and the Leopardstown Christmas Hurdle during the Leopardstown Christmas Festival.

Are there special promotions or bonuses for Christmas horse racing bets?

Many bookmakers in the UK and Ireland offer special promotions and bonuses for Christmas horse racing, including enhanced odds and free bet offers.

Can I expect enhanced odds or price boosts for Christmas races?

Bookmakers often provide enhanced odds or price boosts for specific Christmas races, giving bettors the chance to get better value.

Which bookmakers offer the best Christmas horse racing promotions?

Bookmakers like Ladbrokes, Bet365, William Hill, Betfair, and Paddy Power are known for offering attractive Christmas horse racing promotions in the UK and Ireland.

How can I watch Christmas horse racing live?

Christmas horse racing events can be watched live on channels like Racing TV, ITV Racing, and through online streaming services provided by bookmakers.

Are there any specific betting tips for Christmas horse racing?

Expert betting tips for Christmas horse racing can be found on reputable websites and platforms dedicated to horse racing analysis.

Do racecourses have special events or festivities during Christmas meetings?

Some racecourses in the UK and Ireland may host special events or festivities during Christmas meetings, creating a festive atmosphere for racegoers.

What horse racing traditions are associated with Christmas?

Christmas horse racing traditions may include festive decorations at racecourses, special race names, and the excitement of top-quality racing during the holiday season.

Summary of Christmas Horse Racing

There’s no better way to celebrate over the festive season than with a visit to one of the horse racing courses or enjoying the action on TV.

Christmas time at the races is the perfect afternoon out for all the family and there is a huge list of fixtures over the festive period.

Nothing beats the feeling when you’re out in the fresh air, watching the racehorses in the parade ring and getting the pre-race jitters.

Celebrate Xmas with the family by attending one of the many horse racing meetings in the UK.

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