The festive season is one of the best for betting, with so many UK sporting events occurring around that time. Horse racing is no different, with British traditional Boxing Day racing happening in many places through the UK. This article serves as an overview of all the best races on the day, including some betting tips.
- Boxing Day Racing: What’s Happening?
- Why Is Boxing Day Horse Racing So Popular?
- Betting on Horse Racing
- Kempton Park King George VI Chace Day
- Sedgefield Boxing Day Racing (Moved to Newcastle Racecourse)
- Wetherby Racecourse Yorkshire Christmas Meeting
- Market Rasen Racecourse Boxing Day Races
- Fontwell Park Boxing Day Races
- Huntington Day at the Races
- Wincanton Boxing Day Races
- Wolverhampton Boxing Day Racing
- Most Notable Historic Boxing Day Races
- 5 Reasons To Bet on Boxing Day Horse Racing
- Boxing Day Racing Promotions
- Boxing Day Horse Racing FAQs
- ThePuntersPage Final Say
Boxing Day Racing: What’s Happening?
With so much going on at the same time, it may become overwhelming just to process everything. There are a total of eight Boxing Day racing events, and figuring out which one you should go to may be a challenge. Here is a brief overview of every race; feel free to check out our more detailed descriptions of the events down below.
| Course | Location | Race type | Track type | First Race |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sedgefield*/ Newcastle | Newcastle | Jump | Turf | 11:45 |
| Wetherby | West Yorkshire | Jump | Turf | 11:52 |
| Market Rasen | Lincolnshire | Jump | Turf | 11:55 |
| Fontwell Park | Sussex | Jump | Turf | 11:57 |
| Huntington | Cambridgeshire | Jump | Turf | 12:06 |
| Wincanton | Somerset | Jump | Turf | 12:18 |
| Kempton Park | Surrey | Jump | Turf | 12:45 |
| Wolverhampton | Wolverhampton | Flat | AWT | 13:50 |
*The Sedgefield race has been moved to the Newcastle Racecourse due to maintenance.
Best Boxing Day Horse Racing betting sites
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Why Is Boxing Day Horse Racing So Popular?
Horse races take place throughout the year, but Boxing Day has a special place in many UK fans' hearts and since it is held at many different locations simultaneously, loads of people can get involved.
Boxing Day horse racing is one of the biggest days in the calendar year of racing. It really has become a tradition, with the first Boxing Day holiday horse race — the ‘Yorkshire Christmas Meeting’ at Wetherby — first being held on Boxing Day all the way back in 1940!
Kids Go Free
A great incentive to get young people involved in the sport, the kids go free incentive is also a great opportunity for families to have a fun day out together without breaking the bank.
The Kids Go Free offer is eligible for under 18s when accompanied by an adult. Some race clubs go the extra mile and even offer discounts for other age groups — one such offer is at Kempton Park, where youths between the ages of 18 and 24 only need to pay half price.
Be sure to check out if there are any particular offers at your racecourse of choice.
Betting on Horse Racing
It’s a perfect day to bet on horse racing — with are so many races and different events going on, the betting options are almost limitless! Betting on the races may be complicated, which is why we have our very own dedicated betting on horse racing guide.
The first things that should come to mind are bet builders and accumulators, which are great for this sort of event. With so many races happening on the same day, even a super large bet can be lost or won in just a few short hours.
System bets are also a very useful tool to give you the best chances of winning some cash. They may be complicated at first, but once you understand the concept, they really could give you some great value. Our system bet guide is excellent and may be just what you need to enhance your betting experience.
Kempton Park King George VI Chace Day
The second most prestigious horse racing event of the year, second only to the Cheltenham November Meeting, The King George VI Chase Day is a packed Christmas festival event. The entire event takes place over two days.
The 26th is one of the most interesting as it features three grade one races out of the six which will be competed in. The biggest event on the day in the UK, some other tracks will also be streaming it on their big screens.
Tickets are being taken up quickly, so we suggest that you book in advance to reserve your spot. Under 18s enter free while 18–24-year-old tickets are half price. The schedule of the day is as follows.
| Time | Race | Distance (Miles) |
|---|---|---|
| 12:45 | The Ladbrokes Get Your £1 Free Bet Novices’ Limited Handicap Steeple Chase | 2m 4f |
| 13:20 | The Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Steeple Chase | 3m |
| 13:55 | The Ladbrokes Christmas Hurdle | 2m |
| 14:30 | The Ladbrokes King George VI Steeple Chase | 3m |
| 15:05 | The Ladbrokes “We Play Together” Novices’ hurdle | 2m |
| 15:40 | The Ladbrokes Fan zone “Your Team Your Game” Handicap Hurdle | 2m 5f |
Not only is it a great day out, with so many races it’s a great day for betting, especially thanks to sports betting apps, which make it possible to make bets instantly on your phone.
Sedgefield Boxing Day Racing (Moved to Newcastle Racecourse)
The Sedgefield Boxing Day race has been relocated to the Newcastle Racecourse. The main reasons behind this are to allow more time between races for maintenance, and it gives Sedgefield more time to improve their facilities for upcoming races.
The Newcastle racecourse is still a great place to be, and the action will be just as good as Sedgefield, so there’s no reason to be any less excited. The races haven’t been announced yet, but we’ll keep you up to date when they are confirmed. For now, here’s the most important information:
Gates Open – 10:00am
First Race – 11:45am
Last Race – 3:10pm
Youths ages 17 and under enter free of charge and booking can be done online on their dedicated Newcastle racecourse website.
Wetherby Racecourse Yorkshire Christmas Meeting
Steeped in tradition, dating back all the way to 1940, the William Hill Yorkshire Christmas Meeting is one of the oldest and most popular Boxing Day races around. There are seven jump races on the racecard, including the showcase ‘Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase’.
There will also be live entertainment as well as free parking, and free entrance for guests under the age of 18. It is advised to be early on the day due to high traffic.
Some of the enclosures are already sold out and the dining package is also sold out, so it’s best to get a move on if you’re planning on attending the event. Like all races, we recommend booking in advance to ensure that you have a place to watch the action unfold before your eyes.
With the exact times of the races not yet confirmed, here is the relevant information for the race day. We will be updating this once more information is out.
First Race – 11:52am
Last Race – 3:20pm
Market Rasen Racecourse Boxing Day Races
The ‘Rand Farm Park Boxing Day at the Races’ is the day event taking place at the Market Rasen Racecourse. It has become a family tradition for many Lincolnshire residents, bringing in large crowds on the day.
It will host seven jump category races, with the famous Lincolnshire National over three and a half miles race set as the featured event. As with other horse racing events, its best to book in advance as spaces are already becoming quite limited.
The event is great for all the family, with live music and many bars for adults, as well as a play area and face-painting boot for the young ones. Under 18s get free admission. There is also a new family marque which will house several festive stalls.
The race times still haven’t been confirmed but the most important information you need can be found below:
Gates Open – 9:55am
First Race – 11:55am
Last Race – 3:25pm
Fontwell Park Boxing Day Races
Fontwell Park boasts an excellent Boxing Day event in Sussex. Seven races will be competed in, all are jumping races and will take place throughout the afternoon.
Anyone under 18 is eligible for free entrance and the day is filled with activities for the whole family. There shall also be a big screen where visitors can watch the prestigious King George VI Chase live as it happens.
Similar to other races on the day, most details are still being confirmed. However here are the main details:
Gates Open – 9:57am
First Race – 11:57am
Last Race – 3:27pm
Huntington Day at the Races
Huntington Racecourse offer a great Boxing Day event, one which has become the most popular date on their calendar. The event features seven races and is represented by both small and large stables, creating an interesting mix of talents.
The standard of competition may not be as high as their Peterborough Chase Day, which also happens in December, but the fierce competition surely makes up for that.
With the schedule already confirmed, it is easier than ever to keep up with all that’s going on. There will also be a big screen for the King George VI Chase. Under 18 visitors enter free and booking is best done online prior to the event.
| Time | Race | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:07 | The Racing TV Conditional Jockeys’ Handicap Hurdle Race | 3m 1f 10yds | Hurdle |
| 12:40 | The Brampton Novices’ Hurdle Race | 2m 3f 137yds | Hurdle |
| 13:15 | The Racing TV Handicap Steeple Chase | 2m 7f 129yds | Chase |
| 13:47 | The Alconbury Handicap Hurdle Race | 2m 4f 145yds | Hurdle |
| 14:22 | The Racing TV Novices’ Handicap Steeple Chase | 2m 3f 189yds | Chase |
| 14:57 | The Merry Christmas Handicap Steeple Chase | 2m 3f 189yds | Chase |
| 3:32 | The Racing TV Open National Hunt Flat Race | 1m 7f 171yds | Flat |
Wincanton Boxing Day Races
The Boxing Day event is by far the most popular date on the calendar for the Wincanton racecourse, with thousands of people flocking to the tracks to witness the great show.
Wincanton also offer a park-and-ride service for their event from King Arthurs School in West Hill, as well as free entrance for under 18 viewers.
The racing schedule has already been made available, although the exact time of each race may be subject to some slight changes.
| Start Time | Race | Distance | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12:18 | The EBF Mares’ Novices’ Limited Handicap Steeple Chase | 2m 4f 35yds | Chase |
| 12:53 | The Wincanton Racecourse Supporting #RacingWithPride Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle Race | 1m 7f 50yds | Hurdle |
| 13:28 | The Lord Stalbridge ‘Festive Challenger’ Gold Cup Handicap Steeple Chase | 3m 1f 30yds | Chase |
| 14:03 | The John Heathcock Service to Racing Mid Season Handicap Steeple Chase | 2m 4f 35yds | Chase |
| 14:38 | The Eastbury Hotel Handicap Hurdle Race | 1m 7f 50yds | Hurdle |
| 15:13 | The Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle Race | 3m 150yds | Hurdle |
| 15:45 | The Wincanton Racing, Events, Golf and Footgolf Open National Hunt Flat Race | 1m 7f 50yds | Flat |
Wolverhampton Boxing Day Racing
The Wolverhampton racecourse is located a couple of miles from the Wolverhampton Center and is a stunning racecourse. With seven races to be completed, there is plenty of action on the day.
What makes Wolverhampton unique is that it is one of the UK’s best all terrain racecourses, and in fact uses an artificial surface. Another key difference in the fixtures is that the races are predominantly flats rather than hurdles or steeples.
Tickets are selling fast with a number of areas and bundles already sold out. Buying a ticket online as early as possible is crucial as tickets may be sold out by the 26th.
Information of the races is not yet confirmed so here are all the most important details:
Gates Open – 12:20
First Race – 13:50
Last Race – 17:20
Most Notable Historic Boxing Day Races
- King George VI Chase 2021 Just last year, history was made during the 2021 Ladbrokes King George VI Chase. Tornado Flyer became the longest-priced winner ever at 28/1. This beat the previous record of 25/1 set in 1987 by French raider Nupsala. It was also the second win by Irish trainer Willie Mullins.
- Bryony Frost Makes History In 2020, Frost became the first female jockey ever to win the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase. A 20/1 outsider, few had hopes for Frost, however, she overcame the odds to win the title on her horse Frodon.
- Henry Brooke’s Hattrick In 2018 Jockey Henry Brooke made three wins in a row at Wetherby’s Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase. He did this on three different horses, and is the only person in the competition to win three times in a row.
5 Reasons To Bet on Boxing Day Horse Racing
- It’s the biggest day for the sport in the calendar year.
- There are tons of betting promotions and offers to take advantage of.
- Watching the action live has never been easier, with so many events in as many locations.
- The number of events gives you the opportunity to create even bigger and more ambitious bets.
- Horse racing is one of the most popular betting markets in the world, with huge, in-depth markets to choose from.
Boxing Day Racing Promotions
Everybody loves a promotion; punters live for that little extra something that comes with a free bet or odds boost. Horse racing is no different with a number of sites offering some great promotions, especially on boxing day.
Welcome offers
A staple of any good betting site, welcome offers are a great way to start your betting experience on a high. There are countless types of welcome offers and betting sites to to choose from.The most common form is a ‘Bet and Get’. BetVictor, for instance, offer a great ‘Bet £10 and get £40’ in free bets on horse racing. Others may offer a money back in free bets if your first bet loses. Each operator has their own set of term and conditions, so we suggest checking these out to make sure you get your desired promotion.
Best Odds Guaranteed
This is an excellent addition to any operator’s portfolio, and a perfect addition to your betting arsenal. What is ‘best odds guaranteed’, you might ask? It essentially acts as a guarantee that if you bet on a horse and the odds change for the better, you will be paid out with the better odds if it wins.There are no risks to this and the only condition, which varies depending on the operator, is the time which you can place a qualifying bet. There are many betting companies who offer it and checking out which suites you best is ideal.
Bet boosts
This simple offer is generally applied to all sports and is very common during major sporting events. Bet boosts or enhanced odds are further incentive to get you betting.Here’s a simple example: if a horse’s odds are 5/1, an operator will offer it as 7/1, giving you a chance to win big. There may even be bet builders with boosted odds.
Other offers
All the best horse racing operators will have many more promotions and offers for those punters looking for the best deals. With many enticing promotions, here are a few to look out for.Run for your money – BetVictor – Nothing is worse than placing a bet only for you to lose before a race even starts. This offer gives you your money back if a horse fails to start a race or is considered to ‘lose all chance’ at the stalls.Top Price Guaranteed – William Hill operator – This offer makes sure that the odds provided are the best in the market. If another top operator has better odds, William hill will match it ore even beat it.Each Way Extra – bet365 – When using an each-way bet, you can choose to increase or decrease the number of places in a race. Obviously, the odds will be altered with the changes.
Boxing Day Horse Racing FAQs
Boxing Day racing includes eight different events, held in: Newcastle, Wetherby, Market Rasen, Fontwell Park, Huntington, Wincanton, Kempton Park, and Wolverhampton.
All races start at around midday and last until late afternoon. Being there early is key to avoiding traffic and unnecessary hassle.
Boxing Day racing tickets can be bought online at any of the racecourses’ dedicated websites. You may also be able to buy tickets on the day at the specific location.
‘Yorkshire Christmas Meeting’ at Wetherby was the first Boxing Day horse race in 1940.
With their dedication to the sport and thanks to their ‘Top Price Guaranteed’ offers, William Hill and bet365 are considered to have some of the best odds in the market.
ThePuntersPage Final Say
Boxing Day racing is a Christmas tradition and has been so for the best part of two centuries. Besides the great day out, there is an exceptional amount of value to betting on the day. We recommend going to watch the races live to really get into the action and place some more well-informed bets.