Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot

Horse Racing

Howden Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot – Friday 20 & Saturday 21 December

🏇 All roads lead to Berkshire for the Howden Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot, the latest jumps fixture of the winter at this iconic Berkshire racecourse  See below for a preview and the latest ticket information.

The Christmas Racing Weekend makes a welcome return to Ascot as the festive horse racing season gets into full swing. 

DAY ONE – Friday 20 December 

A quality two-day national hunt meeting kicks off with a six-race card this afternoon at Ascot.  Expect some thrilling racing including the Grade 2 Howden Noel Novices’ Chase.  Previous winners include Simonsig and Politologue who went on to have success at the Cheltenham Festival.  A Listed Bumper rounds off a great day on the track.  Please note, family activities are available on the Saturday only. There will be no family entertainment on the Friday.

DAY TWO – Saturday 21 December 

A top quality card features the Grade 1 Marsh Hurdle (registered as The Long Walk Hurdle), one of Britain’s most prestigious long-distance hurdle races.  In 2021, nine-year-old Champ, trained by Nicky Henderson, stormed to victory at 4/1 seeing off Thyme Hill and Paisley Park.

Off the track, there’s an abundance of seasonal fun for all with a range of festive entertainment set to delight racegoers of all ages.  The traditional fairground rides and candle-lit carol singing with the Ascot Brass Band remain firmly part of the weekend’s entertainment.  As is Father Christmas who will be in attendance.

(Preview courtesy of the Ascot Racecourse website.)

CHRISTMAS RACING WEEKEND AT ASCOT – TICKETS, TIMINGS & TRAVEL

🎟️ Tickets in advance advance for the Christmas Racing Weekend at Ascot are on sale via the ‘Get Tickets’ link.  Under 18s (maximum of 4) go free in the Queen Anne and King Edward VII enclosures on Friday and Saturday when accompanied by an adult.

🕓 Timing for Day 1 (Friday 20 December) and Day 2 (Saturday 21 December)

🗝️ Gates open at 10.45am on both days. 

🏇 First race on Day 1 is at 12.45pm and at 12.40pm on Day 2. 

🏇 Last race on Day 1 is at 3.40pm and at 3.35pm on Day 2.

🚊🚗 Travel tips: By train:  South West Trains runs a frequent service to Ascot from both Reading, Guildford and London Waterloo. The average journey time is 27 minutes from Reading and 52 minutes from Waterloo. The railway station is a seven-minute walk from the racecourse.

By car: Ascot is accessible from the M3, M4 and M40 and free parking is available during the jumps season.  For directions visit the Ascot website.

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