Fakenham Racing Odds Today: Racecards, Results and Fixtures

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Fakenham Racing Odds Today

This page has today's Fakenham race card, live Fakenham racing results, the 2026 fixtures and our Fakenham racing tips, along with a full guide to Norfolk's only jumps racecourse.

The course sits on the banks of the River Wensum, about a mile south of the market town, and has been run by its own independent company since 1965.

It's a sharp, left-handed, almost square track of about a mile, described by many as the tightest jumps course in the country. Nimble, front-running types do well, and the bank holiday meetings at Easter and in May are among the busiest days of the year for racing in East Anglia.

Fakenham Racecards for Today

The Fakenham race card today shows every runner and rider, recent form, weights, the latest odds and race times. It updates from final declarations right up to the off, so non-runners, jockey changes and going updates appear as soon as they're announced. Tomorrow's Fakenham race card is added once declarations close.

Fakenham racing results are added as each race is settled, with winners, starting prices and payouts. If racing is delayed or a meeting is abandoned, you'll see the latest update here.

Fakenham Races 2026 Fixtures

Fakenham stages around a dozen jumps meetings each season, from October to late May. Two of its 2026 fixtures have been abandoned: the 2 January meeting, and the October opener, because the ground hadn't recovered from the summer drought. Here are the Fakenham races 2026 dates:

Looking ahead to 2027, Fakenham is due to race on 3 January, Easter Monday (29 March) and the May bank holiday (3 May). Check the racecourse's website for confirmed dates.

Fakenham Racing Tips

If you're looking for Fakenham racing tips for today, here are some general tips to keep in mind for the track:

• Favour handy, nimble horses: Fakenham is very sharp, and long-striding gallopers often struggle on the tight turns. Compact, handy types that can race near the pace are favoured.
• Don't ignore stamina: Races are often strongly run because the field goes fast round the bends, and they can turn into a real test of stamina. Mick Fitzgerald advises sitting and biding your time rather than racing too hard early.
• Expect the ground to ride slower: Underfoot conditions at Fakenham are often more testing than the official going suggests. Horses with form on softer ground deserve extra credit.
• Respect the fences: For a minor track, Fakenham's fences cause a fairly high number of fallers, and the open ditch is the second-last fence. Back sound, experienced jumpers in chases.
• Follow Lucy Wadham and Stuart Edmunds: Stuart Edmunds has won 16 of his 32 hurdle runners (50%) over the last three years, and Lucy Wadham strikes at 33% in chases and 40% over hurdles.
• Note Charlie Hammond and Sean Bowen: Charlie Hammond has 12 hurdle winners at 36%, and Sean Bowen strikes at 40% in chases. Both are worth noting on the cards.

Fakenham Race Course Guide

The Fakenham race course is a left-handed, almost square circuit of about a mile, with sharp bends and short straights. It stages National Hunt racing only.

The steeplechase track runs outside the hurdle course, with six fences per circuit and an open ditch as the second-last fence. The run-in is short on both courses.

The racing surface covers about 18 acres of loam over sand and shingle, so it normally drains well. A nine-hole golf course sits in the middle of the track. The bends take a lot of wear, so ground staff use portable fences and move the rails to keep fresh ground available.

Position and Going at Fakenham

Because the track is so tight, position is crucial. Horses that race prominently and on the inside save ground on every bend, while those settled at the back often have too much to do on the short straights. A good jumper that can hold its position has an edge.

The course is watered from its own borehole between March and October, but a long dry spell can still cause problems. The October 2026 opener was abandoned because the ground hadn't recovered from the summer drought. In winter, frost and snow are the main threats, so check the going and any inspection news on the morning of racing.

Big Races at Fakenham

The Fakenham Silver Cup is the highlight of the spring jumps meeting in March, a two-mile handicap hurdle. The Prince of Wales Cup Handicap Chase is run at the late-May fixture. In 2026, it went to Nickelforce (11/5) for trainer Ben Case and jockey Harry Bannister.

The course also has royal racing links. The Queen's Gold Award won a bumper on his debut here before running in the 2008 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Fakenham Races Ladies Day

Fakenham's first Ladies Day was held in May 2012, and it's now one of the busiest days of the year, alongside the New Year and Easter Monday meetings. It's held on a Sunday in late May or early June, and Jarrold has sponsored it since 2017.

There are prizes for Best Dressed, Best Dressed Couple and Best Hat, with judging on the Chairman's Lawn. Check the racecourse's website for the 2027 date.

History of Fakenham Racecourse

The West Norfolk Hunt moved its meeting from East Winch to Fakenham for better ground, and racing was first held at the present site on Easter Monday 1905, with 37 runners. A hurdle race was added in 1926, and after the Second World War racing resumed in 1947 with an extra Whitsun meeting. The original grandstand was built in 1953.

Fakenham Racecourse Ltd was formed in 1965 to keep the course going, and it's still independently run. Royal patronage goes back a long way: Queen Elizabeth II was patron for almost fifty years, and King Charles III, the current patron, opened the £1 million Prince of Wales Stand in 2002.

Top Trainers and Jockeys at Fakenham

Here are the leading trainers at Fakenham over the last three years:

• James Owen: 16 hurdle winners from 62 runners (26%).
• Stuart Edmunds: 16 hurdle winners from just 32 runners (50%).
• Lucy Wadham: 8 chase winners at 33% and 8 hurdle winners at 40%.
• Dan Skelton: 5 chase winners at 38%.

Charlie Hammond leads the hurdle jockeys with 12 winners at 36%. Sean Bowen (13 winners across both codes), Tom Cannon (6 chase winners at 35%) and Gavin Sheehan (41% over hurdles) also have strong records.

Visiting Fakenham Racecourse

Fakenham Racecourse is about a mile south of the town, off the A1065, next to the sports centre (NR21 7NY). Parking is free, with plenty of space, and Members' parking costs extra. The nearest railway stations are in Norwich and King's Lynn, both about 22 miles away, so most racegoers drive.

Grandstand and Paddock tickets are around £17.50 online or £20 on the day, and Day Member badges cost about £22.50 in advance or £25 on the gate. Under-18s go free with a paying adult.

There's no formal dress code, so dress for the weather, although many racegoers dress up for Ladies Day. Dogs are welcome on a short lead, and there's a caravan and camping site on the course with electric hook-ups.

Watch Fakenham Racing Live

Fakenham racing is shown live on Racing TV. Most UK bookmakers also offer free live streaming of Fakenham races to customers who have a funded account or have placed a bet on the race. Results and replays are available after each race.

Best Bookmakers for Fakenham Racing

Fakenham fields are often small, but its bank holiday cards and feature handicaps attract more competitive betting. Best Odds Guaranteed means you get the starting price if it's bigger than the price you took. Extra place offers on the bigger handicaps are also worth looking for. Compare the latest offers from UK bookmakers before you bet.

Fakenham Races FAQs

When is the next Fakenham race meeting?

After the 16 October opener was abandoned, the next Fakenham meeting is on Monday 2 November 2026, followed by Sunday 20 December.

Why was Fakenham races abandoned?

The October 2026 opener was abandoned because the ground hadn't recovered enough after the summer drought. The 2 January 2026 meeting was also abandoned.

Is there racing at Fakenham on New Year's Day?

Fakenham traditionally races around New Year. The 2026 meeting was scheduled for 2 January, and the 2027 meeting is due on 3 January.

Is there racing at Fakenham on Easter Monday?

Yes. Easter Monday is one of Fakenham's most popular fixtures. In 2027, it's on 29 March.

How much are Fakenham races tickets?

Grandstand and Paddock tickets cost around £17.50 online or £20 on the day. Under-18s go free with an adult.

Is there a dress code at Fakenham races?

No. There's no formal dress code, so dress for the weather. Many racegoers dress up for Ladies Day.