York Racing Today: Racecards, Results and Fixtures

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This page has today's York race card, live York racing results, upcoming fixtures and our York racing tips, plus an in-depth guide to one of the finest Flat tracks in Europe.

Racing on the Knavesmire, just south of the city walls, dates back to 1731. The course stages four Group 1 races every season, hosts around 360,000 racegoers a year, and is home to the Ebor Festival in August, one of the highlights of the Flat calendar.

York Racecards for Today

The York race card today shows every runner, rider and draw, along with recent form and the latest odds. It updates from final declarations right up to the off, so non-runners and going changes show as soon as they're announced. York race results are added as each race is settled, and tomorrow's York race card appears once declarations close.

York Races Fixtures 2026

York is a Flat-only course with 18 racedays in 2026, from the Dante Festival in May through to the October Meeting. The 2026 season closes this week. Here are the remaining York races for 2026:

York Racing Tips

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

• Back long-striding gallopers: York is a wide, flat, left-handed track with sweeping bends and a long home straight. It suits big, long-striding horses that can build up momentum, while horses that need a sharp, tight track to be at their best often struggle to get involved.
• Don't get too excited about the leader: York has a long straight, and front runners are often caught somewhere around the final furlong. Late challengers, especially in big handicaps, often come out on top, so make sure your pick can finish strongly.
• Know the draw on the sprint course: Over five and six furlongs on the straight course, low draws have had a slight advantage over the long term, although that advantage is smaller than it used to be. Over seven furlongs on the round course, middle draws have the best recent record, and high draws struggle on softer ground.
• Watch where the field races: On easier ground, runners often come down the centre of the track, which can change how the draw plays out. Watch the first race or two on the card to see which part of the track is riding fastest.
• Respect soft ground: York drains well, but it becomes a real test of stamina when the going turns soft, especially at the May and October meetings. Proven form on soft ground can be a big advantage.
• Follow the top yards and riders: Andrew Balding has the best recent record at York, with 36 winners from 169 runners (21%) over the last three seasons, closely followed by William Haggas (22%). Oisin Murphy, Tom Marquand and William Buick are the leading jockeys at the track.
• Look for competitive handicap form: York's big handicaps, such as the Ebor, the John Smith's Cup and the big sprint handicaps, attract huge fields. Horses that have run well in other big-field handicaps at tracks like Ascot, Goodwood and Newmarket are often worth a closer look.
• Use the trials to find the next star: The Dante Stakes and Musidora Stakes in May are key trials for the Derby and Oaks. Strong form in these races often leads to success at Epsom.

York Racecourse Guide

The York race course, also known as the Knavesmire, is a left-handed, horseshoe-shaped track of about two miles. It's almost completely flat, with no rises or dips, and its wide, sweeping bends make it one of the fairest tracks in Britain. The home straight is long, giving horses plenty of time to recover from a slow start.

Races over five and six furlongs are run on a straight course, while seven-furlong races start from a chute that joins the round course. A northern bend added in 2005 allowed longer races to be run. The width of the track means big fields rarely get crowded, and luck in running plays a smaller part here than at most tracks.

Draw and Ground

Long-term data has shown a modest bias towards low draws over five and six furlongs on the straight course, but that edge has faded in recent years. Middle draws have often done best since, particularly when the field spreads out across the track.

Over seven furlongs, middle draws have had the strongest record in recent seasons, while horses drawn very high have struggled badly. On good to soft or softer ground, low and middle draws are clearly better than high. Over longer distances, the long straight means the draw becomes less important.

The going at York is usually good or good to firm in the summer, and the course is watered when needed. The May and October meetings are more likely to be run on soft ground, which changes the type of horse you'll want to back.

The Ebor Festival

The Ebor Festival in August is York's biggest meeting and one of the best four days of Flat racing in Europe. It features three Group 1 races and the Ebor itself:

• Juddmonte International (Wednesday): The Juddmonte International is a Group 1 race over a mile and a quarter and is often rated among the best races in the world. Past winners include Sea The Stars, Frankel and City of Troy, and Item won the 2026 running for Andrew Balding.
• Yorkshire Oaks (Thursday): Run on Ladies Day, this is a Group 1 race for fillies and mares over a mile and a half. In 2026, Kalpana won it for the same trainer-jockey team as Item, Andrew Balding and Colin Keane.
• Nunthorpe Stakes (Friday): The Nunthorpe is a Group 1 sprint over five furlongs and one of the fastest races of the year. The 2026 winner was Bacio, trained in the USA by Wesley Ward.
• Sky Bet Ebor (Saturday): First run in 1843, the Ebor is the richest Flat handicap in Europe and is run over a mile and three-quarters. Daiquiri Bay won the 2026 race for Alan King and Rossa Ryan.

Other Big Races at York

York's season starts with the Dante Festival in May. The Dante Stakes is one of the most important trials for the Derby, while the Musidora Stakes plays a similar role for the Oaks, and the Yorkshire Cup is a key early-season staying race. In July, the John Smith's Cup is one of the longest-running sponsored races in Britain and one of the summer's most competitive handicaps.

The City of York Stakes in August completes York's four Group 1 races. The October Meeting closes the season with the Sky Bet Sprint Trophy, which is often a big-field sprint handicap.

History

Racing in York goes back to Roman times, and there are records of racing at Clifton Ings from 1709. The first meeting on the Knavesmire took place on 11 August 1731. The Knavesmire was also the city's place of execution, and the highwayman Dick Turpin was hanged there in 1739. The first grandstand, designed by John Carr, opened in 1754, and parts of it still survive.

The Great Match of 1851, between Voltigeur and The Flying Dutchman, drew an estimated crowd of around 150,000. In more recent times, York has stood in for other major venues, hosting Royal Ascot in 2005 and the St Leger in 1945 and 2006. The International Stakes was first run in 1972, when Roberto beat Brigadier Gerard, ending his unbeaten record.

Top Trainers and Jockeys at York

Over the last three seasons, Andrew Balding has been York's leading trainer with 36 winners (21%), ahead of William Haggas, who has 31 winners at an even better strike rate of 22%. Karl Burke, Ralph Beckett, John & Thady Gosden and Aidan O'Brien are also among the most successful trainers here. O'Brien has a strike rate of almost 19% from relatively few runners.

Oisin Murphy leads the jockeys with 25 winners. William Buick has the best strike rate among the top riders at 22%, with Tom Marquand and Ryan Moore close behind. Source: At The Races.

Visiting York Racecourse

York Racecourse is less than a mile from the city centre, and the postcode for sat navs is YO23 1EX. York railway station is on the East Coast Main Line, and shuttle buses and taxis run from the station on race days. There's plenty of free parking, and cars can be left overnight and collected by 11am the next morning. With the course so close to the city, there are plenty of hotels near the York race track, although they book up quickly during the Ebor Festival.

There are three main enclosures. The County Stand is the premium enclosure, the Grandstand & Paddock is the main enclosure, and the Clocktower Enclosure is the most relaxed and affordable option. Under-18s are admitted free with an adult, up to two children per adult. Picnics are allowed in the car parks and the Clocktower Enclosure. Advance booking is strongly recommended for May, August and Saturday fixtures.

York Races Dress Code

The dress code at York races depends on the enclosure. In the County Stand, men must wear a collared shirt, jacket and tie. Jeans, trainers, shorts, short-sleeved shirts, bow ties and cravats are all accepted, and the jacket rule may be relaxed during a heatwave. There's no formal dress code for women, although most dress as they would for a wedding.

There's no formal dress code in the Grandstand & Paddock, and family-friendly fancy dress is allowed. In the Clocktower Enclosure, practical clothing and footwear for the weather is the best choice, since it's mostly outdoors.

Ladies Day and Music Racedays at York

Ladies Day at York races is the Thursday of the Ebor Festival, when the Yorkshire Oaks is the feature race. It's one of the most fashionable days of the season. In 2027, it falls on 19 August.

York also holds several music racedays, with live sets after the last race. Becky Hill headlined Summer Music Saturday in June 2026, following Olly Murs in 2025. The Music Showcase Weekend in July 2027 is one of the most popular fixtures of the summer, so tickets usually sell out quickly.

Watching York Racing Live

Every York meeting is shown live on Racing TV. The big meetings, including the Dante Festival, the John Smith's Cup and the whole Ebor Festival, are also shown on ITV Racing. Many bookmakers also offer free live streams of York races to customers who have a funded account or have placed a bet.

Bookmakers for York Races

York's big handicaps are among the most heavily bet races of the Flat season, so it's worth shopping around. Look for Best Odds Guaranteed, and keep an eye out for extra places on the Ebor and the John Smith's Cup, where large fields often produce big-priced placed horses. Antepost prices for the Ebor and the Juddmonte International open well in advance, and they can change a lot in the weeks before the race.

York Racing FAQs

Is York racing on today?

York only races on 18 days a year between May and October. Check the fixtures table above. If there's racing at York today, the race card appears at the top of this page.

Where can I find York racing results today?

York racing results are added to this page as each race is run, including the winners, placed horses and starting prices. Results from yesterday's meeting and earlier remain available afterwards.

When are the York races in 2027?

The 2027 season is scheduled to begin with the Dante Festival from 12 to 14 May. The Ebor Festival runs from 18 to 21 August, and the season ends with the October Meeting on 8 and 9 October.

What is the dress code at York races?

In the County Stand, men must wear a collared shirt, jacket and tie. There is no formal dress code in the Grandstand & Paddock or the Clocktower Enclosure.

When is Ladies Day at York races?

Ladies Day is on the Thursday of the Ebor Festival, which is Yorkshire Oaks day. In 2027, it's on 19 August.

What is the Ebor?

The Sky Bet Ebor is a handicap over about a mile and three-quarters, run on the Saturday of the Ebor Festival in August. It is the richest Flat handicap in Europe.

Is there jump racing at York?

No, York stages Flat racing only.

How do I get to York races from the train station?

Shuttle buses run from York railway station to the racecourse on race days, and taxis are also available. The course is less than a mile from the city centre.

Can I watch York races live?

Yes, every York meeting is shown on Racing TV, and the big festivals are also shown on ITV Racing.

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