Being a major horse racing nation, the British calendar is always dotted with numerous horse races, scheduled throughout the year.
However, that did not happen in 2020 as much, and 2021 was a stumbling restart at best.
That time is largely over now because all major UK horse racing events are coming back fully this year.
Keeping only the best in mind, here are the dates you should be marking down on your personal, punter’s calendar for 2022.
Cheltenham Festival: 15 – 18 March 2022
The Cheltenham Festival Horse Racing Event hosts some of the richest and most prestigious National Hunt events in the UK.
Rivalling even the revered Grand National in many ways, the Cheltenham Roar is coming back to the stands this year on Tuesday 15 March. Cheltenham Gold Cup Day will conclude the event on Friday 18 March.
Grand National: 9 April 2022
The richest and one of the oldest Grade I National Hunt races in the UK, the Grand National boasts a prize pool of £750,000 for that one race which spans 6907 metres on the Aintree Racecourse every year in April.
Filled with treacherous brooks, turns, and high fences, the Grand National will commence at 5:15pm on 9 April 2022.
The Guineas Festival: 30 April – 1 May 2022
Both races in the Guineas Festival are over 200-years old and are among the most revered and watched flat racing events every year in the UK. Keep your schedule free on:
- Saturday 30 April: 2000 Guineas Stakes (1,609 metres) starts at 3:40 pm on the Rowley Mile, Newmarket.
- Sunday 1 May: 1000 Guineas Stakes (1,609 metres) at 3:40pm on the Rowley Mile, Newmarket.
Several other flat races will also be held as part of the Guineas Festival on the two days. However, it’s all about the 1000 & 2000 Guineas, as always.
Epsom Derby Festival: 3 – 4 June 2022
Hosting The Oaks and the Derby Stakes, the Epsom Derby Festival celebrates what can be considered the epitome of British flat racing.
The 240+ years old Epsom Derby boasts £1.125 million in total prize money, making it the richest flat race held in the UK. T
he Oaks, aka the Epsom Oaks (£395,000) predates even the Derby Stakes by one year, having started in 1779. Check the schedule for 2022 as follows:
- Friday 3 June: The Oaks (2,420 metres) at 4:30 pm.
- Saturday 4 June: The Epsom Derby (2,420 metres) at 4:30 pm.
There will also be other races at the Epsom Downs, but these are the two crown jewels of the Epsom Derby Festival.
Royal Ascot: 14 – 18 June 2022
The longest of the major British horseracing events, Royal Ascot will start on 14 June 2022, carrying on for 5 days at a stretch and concluding on 18 June.
Did you know that about 500 racehorses will be participating at the Royal Ascot 2022 this year?
The total prize pool is going to go above £7.5 million in 2022 and the main events that will garner the most attention and money are as follows:
- Tuesday 14 June: St James’s Palace Stakes (1,603 metres), Queen Anne Stakes (1,609 metres), and King’s Stand Stakes (1,006 metres).
- Wednesday 15 June,: Prince of Wales’s Stakes (2,004 metres).
- Thursday 16 June: Royal Ascot Gold Cup (4,014 metres).
- Friday 17 June: Coronation Stakes (1,603 metres) and Commonwealth Cup (1,207 metres).
- Saturday 18 June: Diamond Jubilee Stakes (1,207 metres).
St Leger Stakes (September)
It will be the St. Leger Stakes (2,921 meters) which will conclude the Triple Crown, as it does every year.
The oldest horseracing event in the United Kingdom and possibly even the world, the St. Leger Stakes Festival will have its fair share of additional races to watch for as well.
Although the race will be held from 7 – 10 September 2022, the exact date has not yet been determined, seeing that it’s far too early to do so.
These are, of course, a select few of several horse races which are coming your way.
Clear your schedule, place your ante-post bets, and get ready for an exciting year of horseracing in 2022.
After all, there are almost 1,500 listed horse races to watch this year!
Photo credit: Free to use