Horse Racing Today – Friday 17 July 2026: Your Complete UK Guide

Friday racing is always a treat, and today delivers in spades with seven UK racecourses hosting a combined 46 races across an action-packed afternoon and evening. There is, however, one notable piece of news to deal with before we dive in: Goodwood has been abandoned, with the BHA Inspector confirming the cancellation more than 72 hours in advance. It's a blow for punters who had been looking forward to racing at one of Britain's most beloved venues, but the remaining six meetings more than compensate.

The headline act today is undoubtedly Market Rasen, where a Class 1 Listed Race tops the bill with a top prize of £50,000. Fontwell Park isn't far behind with an eye-catching £80,000 top prize on offer. Throw in quality flat racing at Newbury, Newmarket, Perth, and Windsor, and there is something for every punter today. Let's break it all down.

Goodwood – ABANDONED

Sadly, Goodwood Racecourse will not be welcoming racegoers today. The meeting has been officially cancelled with BHA Inspector support, the decision confirmed well in advance of the scheduled 22:01 first race. The card had featured some intriguing races including an Apprentice Training Race and an EBF Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes. Runners and riders will need to be re-routed, so keep an eye on declarations at the other meetings for any late additions. You can still browse the Goodwood racing preview for context on the horses that were due to run.

The Headline Acts: Market Rasen and Fontwell Park

Market Rasen – Listed Glory on Offer (Going: Good to Firm, Good in Places)

Market Rasen Racecourse is the place to be for the prestige race of the day. The Apple Print & Creative Rose Bowl Stakes (Class 1, Listed Race) is the standout contest, with a top prize of £50,000 up for grabs. Listed races at this level attract quality performers and the form from this race invariably reads well through the season – it's a must-watch for any serious student of the flat game.

Supporting that feature, the IRE-Incentive EBF Novice Stakes (Class 3) and the Boost Tokens EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Class 4) both carry GBB Race status, meaning breeders' premiums are on the line and connections will be sending their best prospects. Ground conditions are Good to Firm, Good in Places, with the track anticipating Good to Firm conditions by the time the first race goes off at 15:00. Check out the full Market Rasen racing preview for our tips and analysis.

Fontwell Park – Bumper Prize Fund (Going: Good to Firm, Good in Places)

Fontwell Park boasts today's biggest top prize of £80,000, making Fontwell Park Racecourse a compelling watch across its seven-race card. The first race is at 17:30, and punters should pay close attention to the Jordan Electrics EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes (Class 4), which is an EBF Restricted Qualifier and GBB Race – always a pointer to horses with a future. The Hamish Macgregor Memorial Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 5) rounds off the card and could produce a lively betting heat as trainers look to place their two-year-olds cleverly. Read the Fontwell Park racing preview for our selections.

Afternoon Flat Racing: Newmarket and Windsor

Newmarket – The Home of Racing (Going: Good to Firm, Good in Places)

The Rowley Mile may be the home of British flat racing, and Newmarket Racecourse opens proceedings today with a first race at 14:22 on Good to Firm, Good in Places ground. The six-race card is headlined by the British Stallion Studs EBF Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 4) – a GBB Race that often throws up smart fillies – alongside the EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 4). The When You Wish Upon A Star Race Handicap (Class 5) completes the key races and should provide a competitive betting heat. Top prize is £10,000. See the Newmarket racing preview for our best bets.

Windsor – Evening Flat Under the Lights (Going: Standard)

Windsor Racecourse gets the afternoon underway at 14:13 with seven races on Standard going. The Download the At The Races App Fillies' Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 4) is a GBB qualifier that will attract some nicely-bred fillies, while the Free Tips on attheraces.com Maiden Stakes (Class 4) offers another chance for unexposed horses to make their mark. The Sky Sports Racing Handicap (Class 5) should be a cracking punting race. Top prize stands at £10,950. Full analysis is available in the Windsor racing preview.

Evening Action: Newbury and Perth

Newbury – Quality Novice and Handicap Action (Going: Good to Firm)

One of Britain's premier flat tracks, Newbury Racecourse hosts a seven-race card with a first race at 17:15 on Good to Firm ground. The Discover Newmarket Fillies' Novice Stakes (Class 3) is the pick of the novice contests and carries GBB Race status. The Racing TV Handicap Stakes (Class 4) is a GBBPLUS Race – a higher-value breeder bonus race – and is likely to be keenly contested. With a top prize of £25,000 and quality going conditions, Newbury looks a cracking evening venue. Don't miss the Newbury racing preview for our tips.

Perth – Scottish Flat Racing (Going: Good, Good to Firm in Places)

Scotland's premier flat course, Perth Racecourse, rounds off today's action with a first race at 18:00 on Good, Good to Firm in Places ground. The Sky Bet Go-Racing-in-Yorkshire Summer Festival Handicap (Class 3) is the feature with a top prize of £17,000, and the G3 Vehicle Auctions EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 4) is an EBF Restricted Qualifier and GBB Race that will attract some promising types. The Babs Woolford Memorial Apprentice Classified Stakes (Class 6) gives the young riders a chance to shine. See the full Perth racing preview for our Scottish selections.

Friday Racing Summary – Key Takeaways for Punters

  • Goodwood is abandoned – check other meetings for re-routed runners
  • Market Rasen hosts today's prestige race – the Class 1 Listed Rose Bowl Stakes (£50,000 top prize)
  • Fontwell Park offers the biggest prize pot of the day at £80,000
  • Going is Good to Firm at most venues – a fair surface for fast-ground specialists
  • GBB and GBBPLUS Races feature heavily – keep an eye on breeders' premium qualifiers for clues to well-regarded horses
  • First race of the day is at 14:13 at Windsor – the action runs right through the evening

It's a brilliant day of flat racing across the country, and with six active courses delivering 39 races between them, there is no shortage of opportunities for punters. Whether you're following the big-money action at Market Rasen and Fontwell, or hunting value in the novice and maiden contests at Newmarket and Windsor, today's card has something for everyone. Good luck, and remember to gamble responsibly.