Newmarket July Festival 2026: Dates, races and favourite jockeys
Everything you need to know about the Newmarket July Festival 2026, including dates, race schedule, the July Course, feature races and the leading jockeys to watch
The Newmarket July Festival returns to the Newmarket July Course from Thursday 9 July to Saturday 11 July 2026, bringing three days of top-class Flat racing to the headquarters of British racing. The meeting features Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 contests, culminating in Saturday’s prestigious July Cup, while also attracting many of the world’s leading jockeys, trainers and horses.
Whether you’re planning a day at the races or following the action from home, here’s everything you need to know.
When is the Newmarket July Festival 2026?
The festival takes place over three days, from Thursday 9 July to Saturday 11 July, on the Newmarket July Course in Suffolk.
Each day has its own identity:
- Thursday 9 July: Ladies’ Day
- Friday 10 July: Festival Friday
- Saturday 11 July: July Cup Day
Saturday’s July Cup Day is traditionally the highlight, featuring one of Europe’s premier six-furlong Group 1 sprint races.
Where is the Newmarket July Festival held?
The meeting is staged on the Newmarket July Course, one of Britain’s most famous Flat racing venues.
Unlike the nearby Rowley Mile, the July Course is known for its tree-lined setting and more relaxed summer atmosphere, making it one of the highlights of the British Flat racing calendar. If you’re planning to attend, see our guide to the Newmarket July Festival dress code before race day.
The July Festival also forms part of the wider July horse racing festivals calendar alongside Ascot’s King George Weekend and Glorious Goodwood.
How many races are there at the Newmarket July Festival?
The meeting features seven races on each of the three days, giving racegoers a total of 21 races across the festival.
Some of the feature races include:
- July Cup (Group 1)
- Falmouth Stakes (Group 1)
- Princess of Wales’s Stakes (Group 2)
- Superlative Stakes (Group 2)
- Duchess of Cambridge Stakes (Group 2)
The programme combines elite Group races with competitive handicaps and races for promising juveniles.
Which jockeys are competing at the Newmarket July Festival?
Many of Britain’s leading jockeys are expected to ride during the three-day meeting, with final declarations confirmed closer to each race.
Among the biggest names likely to feature are:
- William Buick
- Ryan Moore
- Rossa Ryan
- Tom Marquand
- Jamie Spencer
- Jim Crowley
- Oisin Murphy
- James Doyle
- Wayne Lordan
- Robert Havlin
- Shane Foley
- David Allan
- Billy Loughnane
- Silvestre de Sousa
- Callum Rodriguez
- Clifford Lee
- Kieran Shoemark
- Tom Eaves
Collectively, dozens of jockeys will compete across the 21 races, with the exact number depending on declarations and ride bookings.
Which jockeys are favourites to win at the Newmarket July Festival?
Several jockeys arrive with strong chances of multiple winners.
William Buick is again expected to be among the leading riders thanks to his association with the Godolphin operation, while Ryan Moore remains a major contender whenever he partners runners from the Aidan O’Brien stable.
Oisin Murphy and Tom Marquand are also likely to feature prominently throughout the meeting. Recent ante-post analysis has highlighted Buick and Moore among the leading jockeys to follow across the festival.
Why is the Newmarket July Festival so important?
The July Festival is one of the standout meetings of the British Flat racing season.
It regularly attracts Royal Ascot form, future Group 1 winners and some of the world’s leading trainers, making it an important stepping stone towards later summer and autumn targets.
For racing fans, it combines world-class competition with the unique atmosphere of the Newmarket July Course, making it one of the biggest fixtures of the summer racing calendar.
