18 Jun Flat racing meetings to look forward to throughout July
Like many sports, horse racing just hasn’t been the same throughout the course of the pandemic. The rapturous roars of the crowd as the field races toward the finish has been replaced by an eerie silence, and more often than not, it’s made for a gloomy affair.
However, with fans being welcomed back to racecourses up and down the country last month, there’s plenty to get excited for the remainder of this fantastic flat season, and whilst the likes of the Derby and the Guineas have already been and gone for another year, there’s still lots more thrilling action to come.
Let’s take a look at the flat racing meetings to look forward to over the course of the next couple of months. Read on to find out more!
Summer Festival – Sandown Park
Why not kick July off in style with the Summer Festival at Sandown Park? The two-day meeting, set to take place on July 2-3, boasts some top-quality races, none more so than the Eclipse — which is the feature on the second day of the meeting. The 10-furlong (1m2f) race is one of the biggest outings of the season and features a fantastic mix of youth and experience. The John Gosden-trained Mishriff, who is yet to race since his emphatic victory in the Dubai Sheema Classic, is the early favourite with sites like Smarkets.
Early July Festival – Newmarket
We may be a little too late for the Guineas Festival, but luckily Newmarket still has a lot to offer and the July Festival, held at the course between July 8-10, is another top-class meeting. Day One is Ladies Day and plays host to some great Grade 2 races, including The Princess of Wales’s Tattersalls Stakes, whilst Gentleman’s Day (Day Two) is topped by The Tattersalls Falmouth Stakes. However, Day Three plays host to the main event — the Darley July Cup. The six-furlong race is up there with the most valuable and prestigious sprints in the world, and the winner tends to be crowned the best sprinter in Europe. This year, that accolade looks set to go to either Dream of Dreams or Starman — according to the betting market.
King George Weekend – Ascot
There are few courses in the world that boast as much elegance and prestige as Ascot, and whilst the Royal meeting in mid-June is its showpiece event, the King George Weekend is perfect for those looking for something a little more laid back and informal. The highlight of the two-day meeting (June 23-24) is The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes, which is one of Europe’s top middle-distance races. With nine races on Day One and eight on Day Two, there’s plenty to get your teeth stuck into.
Goodwood Festival – Goodwood
The Goodwood Festival, also known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’, is the perfect way to end the month. The five-day meeting, which will take place between July 27-31, is jam-packed with action, including two Group 1 races — the Sussex Stakes and the Nassau Stakes. There aren’t many courses in the UK situated in as picturesque a spot as Goodwood either, with the beautiful South Downs and rolling Sussex countryside making for some fantastic scenery in between races.
