Horse Racing Today: Friday 24 July 2026 Overview

Friday racing doesn't get much better than this. With six UK racecourses staging a combined 39 races across flat and jump disciplines, punters are spoilt for choice on 24 July 2026. The headline acts are undoubtedly York and Ascot, where top-level prize money and quality fields are guaranteed, but there's plenty of interest at Taunton, Ripon, Cartmel, and the sole jumps card at Towcester. Whether you're hunting a big-race winner or scouring the nurseries and novice events for future stars, today has something for every racing fan. Let's break it all down.

The Headline Meetings: York and Ascot Lead the Way

York Racecourse – First Race 17:32

The Knavesmire is the place to be this evening, with a top prize of £70,000 on offer and going described as Good to Firm, Good in Places — the whole course having been terra spiked since the last meeting, which should ensure a fair and consistent surface. York's evening cards in midsummer are among the most atmospheric in British racing, and tonight's six-race card is no exception.

The feature is The IRE-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish EBF Restricted Novice Stakes (Class 3), a GBB Race restricted to horses in Bands C and D that often unearths a smart sort. Alongside it, The Elevator Company Handicap Stakes (Class 4) — a GBBPlus Race — and The eventmasters.co.uk Handicap Stakes (Class 4) complete a competitive trio of key contests. With conditions quick enough to suit sharp, well-bred types, pace angles will be crucial tonight at York. Read our full York Racing Preview for detailed selections.

Ascot Racecourse – First Race 14:20

Ascot stages the day's most prestigious race in the form of The Flexjet Pat Eddery Stakes (Class 1), a Listed Race worth £65,000 to the winner. Named in honour of one of the sport's all-time greats, the Pat Eddery Stakes is a prestigious midsummer target, and the going — recorded as Good to Firm with a GoingStick reading of 8.0 on the straight — is ideal for the quick-ground specialists who tend to dominate at this level.

Earlier on the card, The Sports4Causes October Club EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (Class 3) is a GBB Race that could throw up a classy filly, while The John Guest Racing Brown Jack Handicap Stakes (Class 3) — a GBBPlus Race — rounds off the key contests. Ascot's six-race card promises high quality from start to finish. Don't miss our Ascot Racing Preview for the inside track on every race.

Afternoon Action: Taunton and Towcester Get the Day Started

Towcester Racecourse – First Race 13:40

The day's first action comes from Towcester, the sole jumps card on the schedule, with going reported as Good (SM: 51) — perfectly reasonable for summer jumping. A top prize of £10,000 is on offer across seven races, making this an attractive card for connections of bumper-priced jumpers looking to get a run into their horses ahead of the autumn.

The Chloe Mediumship Novices' Hurdle Race (Class 4) is a GBB Race that should attract some interesting unexposed types, while The Craig Reid Retirement Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 5) doubles as an ARC Summer Chase Series Qualifier, adding a layer of significance for runners eyeing that series. The Bridal Rooms Uttoxeter Handicap Hurdle Race (Class 5, Division II) completes the key races. Check out our Towcester Racing Preview for our best bets over the sticks.

Taunton Racecourse – First Race 14:00

Taunton hosts seven flat races with going at Good, Good to Firm in Places and a top prize of £13,000. The key races include The Sky Bet Go-Racing-in-Yorkshire Summer Festival EBF Fillies' Novice Stakes (Class 3), a GBB Race that is always worth following for well-bred debutantes and lightly raced fillies. The Sky Bet For The Fans EBF Novice Stakes (Class 4) provides another opportunity for promising youngsters, while The Ruby Lodge Care Home in Thirsk Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 6) opens the nursery season for two-year-olds stepping into handicap company for the first time. Our Taunton Racing Preview has all the angles covered.

Evening Cards: Ripon and Cartmel Join the Party

Ripon Racecourse – First Race 17:15

Ripon's six-race card gets under way at 17:15 on going described as Round Good to Firm, Firm in Places — conditions that favour handy, front-running types on this sharp track. The top prize of £11,500 is on offer, with key races including The Chasemore Farm EBF Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Class 4), a GBB Race, and The Close Brothers Premium Finance Handicap Stakes (Class 4), a GBBPlus Race. The Close Brothers Asset Finance Apprentice Handicap Stakes (Class 5) provides a great opportunity to watch the stars of tomorrow in the saddle. Read the full Ripon Racing Preview for our recommended selections.

Cartmel Racecourse – First Race 17:18

Cartmel — one of British racing's most charming and unique venues — stages a seven-race card with going at Good to Firm (GoingStick: 38) and a top prize of £8,000. The scenic Cumbrian track is always a favourite with racegoers, and tonight's card includes The Apex Transport Planning Summer Sunset / EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes (Class 5), a GBB Race and EBF Restricted Race Qualifier for horses in Band D. The On The River Ball+Chain Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 6) and the brilliantly named The Cheeseburger Aaron Handicap Stakes (Class 6) add to the fun. Our Cartmel Racing Preview has everything you need.

Today's Racing at a Glance

  • Towcester (Jumps): 13:40 first race | Good | Top prize £10,000
  • Taunton (Flat): 14:00 first race | Good, Good to Firm in Places | Top prize £13,000
  • Ascot (Flat): 14:20 first race | Good to Firm | Top prize £65,000
  • Ripon (Flat): 17:15 first race | Good to Firm, Firm in Places | Top prize £11,500
  • Cartmel (Flat): 17:18 first race | Good to Firm | Top prize £8,000
  • York (Flat): 17:32 first race | Good to Firm, Good in Places | Top prize £70,000

Conclusion: A Brilliant Friday of British Racing

Friday 24 July 2026 is a genuinely excellent day for British racing fans. From the Listed prestige of the Pat Eddery Stakes at Ascot to the atmospheric evening racing at York, the summer jumping at Towcester, and the charm of Cartmel, there's a race for every taste today. With going conditions on the quick side across all six venues, expect fast times and front-runners to be well placed. Make sure you check out our individual course previews for detailed analysis and selections — and enjoy the racing!