Horse Racing Today: Doncaster, Kempton & Sandown – 25 August 2026

Today's UK Horse Racing – Tuesday 25 August 2026

Tuesday brings a cracking spread of British racing to keep punters busy from early afternoon well into the evening. Doncaster leads the way as the headline flat meeting, offering the richest prize pot of the day with a top prize of £20,000 on Good ground. Kempton Park adds a competitive all-weather card on the Polytrack, while Sandown Park rounds off the day beautifully with a rare summer jumps card under Good to Firm conditions. Eighteen races in total mean there is no shortage of angles to work through – so let's get into it.

Doncaster – Flat Turf, Good Ground

Doncaster Racecourse is the standout venue of the day, hosting six races on turf with the going described as Good – as close to ideal as you can hope for in late August. First race is at 14:15, giving punters a lunchtime target to focus on, and the card is well worth your full attention. Check out our detailed Doncaster Racing Preview for race-by-race analysis.

The EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes (Class 4) is the race that will attract the most interest from breeding and ownership circles. Restricted to horses in Bands C and D, this EBF Qualifier and GBB Race is a genuine opportunity for lightly raced or unraced juveniles to make their mark. Keep an eye on any runners with strong pedigree pages who may have been deliberately aimed at this type of qualifier – connections often have one eye on future black-type targets when entering these races.

Later on the card, The National Racehorse Week Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 6) gives two-year-olds their first crack at handicap company. Nurseries at this time of year can be tricky to assess, as the handicapper is working with limited data, but that cuts both ways – unexposed types dropping into handicaps for the first time can be well-treated. Look for horses who shaped with promise in maiden company and are now reassessed on a lenient mark.

The Thomson Bethune Handicap Stakes (Class 6) completes the key races at Doncaster and is likely to attract a competitive field of older horses. Consistency is key in Class 6 handicaps at this level – seek out horses who have been running to a similar figure and are drawn favourably on the straight track.

Kempton Park – All-Weather, Standard Going

Over at Kempton Park Racecourse, six races on the Polytrack surface get underway at 14:30, with the going Standard throughout. The all-weather scene at Kempton is always competitive, and today's card is no different. Our Kempton Park Racing Preview has all the key trends and tips you need.

The Smarter Gambling Starts at gambling.com Apprentice Handicap Stakes (Class 5) is a fascinating contest. Apprentice races introduce an extra layer of complexity – the allowances claimed by riders can significantly shift the balance of a race, and a 5lb claimer on a well-handicapped horse can be a potent combination. Look for apprentices who ride regularly for strong yards and have been in good form recently.

The Advice You Can Trust at gambling.com Fillies' Novice Stakes (Class 4) is the standout race at Kempton and carries GBB Race status, making it particularly attractive to owners and breeders. Fillies' novice events at this time of the season often feature horses who have been quietly schooled with one of these qualifiers in mind. Debut runners from top yards with strong trial reports should be respected, even at short prices.

Rounding out the key Kempton action is The Sky Sports Racing Sky 415 Classified Stakes (Class 6), which offers a more open betting heat. Classified stakes have a fixed entry rating range, meaning the field is relatively evenly matched on official figures – making in-running form and course-and-distance statistics particularly valuable angles here.

Sandown Park – Jumps, Good to Firm

The evening card at Sandown Park Racecourse is a summer jumps treat, with six races getting underway at 17:10 on Good to Firm ground. Summer jumping is a different beast to the winter game – the fields tend to be smaller, the pace often more genuine, and the going quicker, which favours certain types of jumpers. Our Sandown Park Racing Preview breaks down every race in detail.

The Celebrate National Racehorse Week 2026 Mares' Maiden Hurdle (Class 4) is a GBB Race and a key target for mares who are beginning their hurdling careers. This is National Racehorse Week, and it is fitting that Sandown is celebrating with a dedicated mares' heat. Look for point-to-point graduates or bumper performers making their hurdling debut – the mares' division at this level can throw up some unexposed types who go on to much better things.

The Stratford Novices' Limited Handicap Hurdle (Class 5) is another intriguing puzzle. Limited handicaps restrict entries to horses within a certain rating band, which tends to produce genuinely competitive races. Novices who have already shown ability in handicap company will be worth siding with, particularly those who have been gelded over the summer and may be returning in improved form.

The George & Dragon Handicap Steeple Chase (Class 4) is arguably the most prestigious race of the Sandown evening and carries GBB Race status. Fences on Good to Firm ground at Sandown demand a bold, accurate jumper – horses with a strong jumping record at the track or on similar going should be prioritised. This is not a race for the faint-hearted, and experienced chasers who relish quick ground could have a significant edge.

Key Themes and Form Angles for Today

• GBB Race qualifiers feature at all three meetings today – keep an eye on well-bred, lightly raced runners who may be specifically targeted at these races.
• Good ground at Doncaster is as close to perfect as it gets for late-summer flat racing – horses with proven form on Good to Good to Firm turf should be high on your shortlist.
• Apprentice allowances at Kempton can make a significant difference – check which riders are claiming and whether their mounts are well-handicapped.
• Summer jumps at Sandown rewards bold, accurate jumping – avoid horses with sketchy records at the fences on quick ground.
• National Racehorse Week adds a celebratory feel to the day – a timely reminder of the incredible animals at the heart of our sport.

Today's Racing at a Glance

To summarise, Tuesday 25 August 2026 is a well-rounded day of British racing with something for every type of punter. Doncaster offers the richest prize money and the most prestigious flat action, with the EBF Maiden and the Nursery Handicap the races to focus on. Kempton Park provides solid all-weather action throughout the afternoon, headlined by the Fillies' Novice Stakes. And Sandown Park rounds off the day in style with a competitive summer jumps card, the George & Dragon Chase being the race of the night.

Whether you are a flat purist, an all-weather devotee or a jumps fan, today has you covered. Good luck to all PaddockPunter readers – may the winners flow freely. Remember to gamble responsibly.