Today's Horse Racing in the UK – Saturday 8 August 2026

It's a bumper Saturday for flat racing fans across the UK, with six racecourses hosting a combined total of 40 races and prize money stretching well into six figures. The headline act is undoubtedly the iconic Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup at Ascot Racecourse, the sport's most theatrical team-based competition, while Goodwood serves up a Group 3 to savour and Newbury provides a classic juvenile contest. Whether you're hunting a winner in a Class 6 handicap at Kempton or eyeing up a big-race fancy at Ascot, today's racing has something for every punter.

Ascot – Shergar Cup Spectacle Under the Summer Sun

The jewel in today's crown is without question the Ascot Racecourse card, where the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup takes centre stage from 13:35. The going is Good to Firm on the Straight Course (GoingStick: 8.0), making conditions quick and favouring those with a turn of foot. With a top prize of £100,000 on offer and six races packed into the afternoon, this is unmissable viewing.

Three key races define the Shergar Cup programme. The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Dash (Class 2 Handicap) is the sprinters' showpiece – look for horses with proven form on fast ground and a low draw on the straight course. The Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Stayers (Class 2 Handicap, GBBPlus Race) will test stamina and rider tactics in equal measure, while the Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup Challenge (Class 2 Handicap, GBBPlus Race) adds further intrigue to what promises to be a spectacular afternoon of competitive handicap action.

The Shergar Cup's unique team format – pitting jockeys from Great Britain & Ireland against Europe, The Rest of the World and Ladies – adds an extra layer of theatre. Keep an eye on which team's riders are drawn best across the card, as the straight course at Ascot can be heavily influenced by pace and position. Read our full Ascot Racing Preview for detailed race-by-race analysis.

Goodwood – Group 3 Glory and Listed Prestige

Just down the road on the Sussex Downs, Goodwood Racecourse stages a high-quality seven-race card from 13:50, with the going described as Good, Good to Firm in places. Soil moisture readings of 40% taken this morning suggest the ground will dry back further through the afternoon, so early movers in the market may be worth noting as the going evolves.

The Betway Rose of Lancaster Stakes (Class 1, Group 3) is the prestige race of the afternoon, offering a top prize of £95,000 and the chance for middle-distance performers to stake a claim for bigger prizes later in the season. The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Dick Hern Stakes (Class 1, Listed Race) provides an excellent opportunity for fillies to enhance their reputations, while the Betway Leigh Handicap Stakes (Class 5) opens the card and should attract plenty of each-way interest. See our full Goodwood Racing Preview for selections and key form angles.

Newbury – Juvenile Talent on Show

Over in Berkshire, Newbury Racecourse gets underway at 13:55 on Good to Firm ground, with a seven-race card and a top prize of £75,000. Newbury's wide, galloping track tends to produce fair results and is a reliable form guide for the rest of the season.

The standout race is the Newsells Park Stud Sweet Solera Stakes (Class 1, Group 3), a key two-year-old fillies' contest that regularly unearths classic prospects. Trainers with strong juvenile strings will be eyeing this one keenly. The Tattersalls £40,000 EBF Newcomers' Confined Maiden Fillies' Stakes (Class 2, GBB Race) is another fascinating heat for first-time runners – watch for well-bred debutantes from the major yards. Completing Newbury's highlights is the William Hill Epic Boost Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 4), which could throw up an improver. Our Newbury Racing Preview has the full breakdown.

Plumpton, Aintree and Kempton Park – Value Across the Card

For punters seeking value in the afternoon, Plumpton Racecourse hosts seven races from 14:02 on Good to Firm, Good in places ground. The Watch Racing TV in Stunning HD Maiden Stakes (Class 4, GBB Race) is the race to note for those tracking promising newcomers, while the Marske Fabrications & Engineering Straight Mile Handicap Stakes (Class 4) doubles as a series qualifier, adding extra incentive for connections. Check the Plumpton Racing Preview for our best bets.

As the afternoon shadows lengthen, attention shifts north to Aintree Racecourse, where seven races get underway from 17:27 on Good, Good to Soft in places ground – the softest conditions of the day. The A McKie Builders EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes (Class 5, GBB Race) is a key qualifier for the EBF programme, while the Book Ladbrokes Ayr Gold Cup Ladies Day Handicap Stakes (Class 5) will catch the eye of those already looking ahead to the Ayr Gold Cup meeting. See our Aintree Racing Preview for more.

Rounding off the day's action on the all-weather surface, Kempton Park Racecourse stages six races from 17:40 on a Standard Polytrack surface. With a top prize of £10,800, this is a competitive evening card ideal for those who enjoy handicap puzzles. The Hyatt Inclusive Handicap Stakes (Class 5) and the Bay Gardens Handicap Stakes (Class 6) both look wide-open affairs. Our Kempton Park Racing Preview has all the angles covered.

Today's Racing at a Glance – Key Facts

  • Ascot: 6 races, first off 13:35, Good to Firm (GoingStick 8.0), top prize £100,000 – Shergar Cup day
  • Goodwood: 7 races, first off 13:50, Good/Good to Firm in places, top prize £95,000 – Group 3 & Listed action
  • Newbury: 7 races, first off 13:55, Good to Firm, top prize £75,000 – Group 3 juvenile fillies' feature
  • Plumpton: 7 races, first off 14:02, Good to Firm/Good in places, top prize £15,000 – series qualifier on offer
  • Aintree: 7 races, first off 17:27, Good/Good to Soft in places, top prize £10,000 – EBF qualifier & Ayr Gold Cup prep
  • Kempton Park: 6 races, first off 17:40, Standard (all-weather), top prize £10,800 – competitive evening card

Conclusion – A Day Not to Miss

Saturday 8 August 2026 is a genuine feast of flat racing, with the Shergar Cup at Ascot providing the glamour and spectacle, Goodwood and Newbury delivering the prestige group and listed action, and Plumpton, Aintree and Kempton offering plenty of handicap intrigue for value hunters. With going ranging from fast and quick at Ascot to softer patches at Aintree, be sure to factor in ground preferences when making your selections. Good luck, and enjoy the racing!