Horse racing is the second-most watched sport in the United Kingdom, with only football outranking the equine sport in terms of average attendances.
Going to a day at the races is incredibly popular among fans of all ages, with the vast majority of first-time visitors typically looking to claim a welcome offer such as this one: https://www.twinspires.com/200-signup/
But, what are some of the must-see events on the horse racing calendar for 2027?
Clarence House Chase at Ascot
The first big race of the new calendar year comes from Ascot, as a high-class field typically compete in the Clarence House Chase. This Grade One is run over two miles and a furlong, and it is typically the final British prep before the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.
In fact, seven horses have landed the honours in both races in the same calendar year, with Altior being the most recent in 2019. Nicky Henderson has dominated the race in recent years, with Jonbon winning each of the last two editions.
Cheltenham Festival
The biggest racing event on the UK schedule takes place across four days in March, as the Cheltenham Festival sees the stars of the National Hunt game collide. Opening day will be headlined by Lossiemouth’s defence of the Champion Hurdle, while Il Etait Temps defends his Champion Chase crown on Day Two. St. Patrick’s Day will be celebrated in the Cotswolds on Day Three, with a Grade One bonanza including the Stayers’ Hurdle and Ryanair Chase.
The feature of the week is run on the final day, as a high-quality renewal of the Gold Cup will be staged. Gaelic Warrior was a dominant winner of the race for Willie Mullins in 2025, and the superstar will be back to defend his crown in 2027. Interesting contenders could include Final Demand, Lulamba, and Fact To File.
Grand National
The world’s most famous race headlines the three-day Grand National Festival from Aintree in mid-April, with a worldwide audience set to tune in for the marathon staying test for thoroughbreds over a distance of four miles. Aintree’s showpiece is broadcast in over 140 countries, and history was made in 2026, as I Am Maximum became the first horse since Red Rum to regain the National.
The victory extended Willie Mullins’ domination in the race, with the Irish maestro having won the previous three editions. The leading rivals to the defending champion will likely include Irish National winner Soldier In Milan and Johnnywho.
The Derby
Once the dust has settled on the National Hunt season, the attention turns back to the action on the flat. The second leg of the Triple Crown is one of the world’s most famous races, with the result of The Derby typically shaping the future of the sport.
A distance of a mile and four furlongs is covered in Britain’s joint-richest flat race, with Aidan O’Brien holding a recent domination on the Classic with victories in each of the previous four years. However, will the O’Brien era continue at Epsom next June?
Royal Ascot
A summer highlight for many comes in the form of the five-day Royal Ascot meeting. The historic event begins each day with the Royal Procession, and the meeting is Britain’s most valuable of the season with over £8 million up for grabs in prize money.
The feature of the week comes in the form of the Ascot Gold Cup, won in 2026 by the incredibly talented Scandinavia. Other notable Group Ones to be staged during the week include the Queen Anne Stakes, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes, and the Commonwealth Cup.
Ebor Festival
One of the most popular flat meetings of the season comes from up north, with the York Ebor Festival running across four days in late August. The meeting is home to the world’s best race, the Juddmonte International.
This Group One has been won by the likes of City Of Troy, Ombudsman, and Frankel in recent years. However, the feature of the week comes in the form of the ultra-competitive Ebor Handicap, run over a distance of a mile and five. It is Europe’s most valuable handicap, and it was won in 2026 by Daiquiri Bay for trainer Alan King.
King George Chase
The attention switches back to the action over jumps when the winter season comes around. The early-season headline action is a Boxing Day staple for many, with Kempton Park playing host to the King George VI Chase.
This race is the second most prestigious staying chase on the National Hunt calendar, and Harry Redknapp-owned The Jukebox Man will be bidding to become the 16th different horse to win the King George on multiple occasions. However, Mullins will likely stand an excellent chance of a first win in the race as Kauto Star Novices’ Chase winner Kitzbuhel could be the one to beat.