Go Racing this May: summer rolls in at Newmarket, Chester, York and Curragh - plus this month's best deals

The Flat season truly springs into life in May with the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket at the start of the month and the Irish equivalents at the Curragh at the end of it.

Attention soon turns to next month's Derby and Oaks, with Chester's May meeting and York's Dante meeting among those hosting trials for the Classics at Epsom, while the Lockinge Stakes at Newbury is the first Group 1 of the British season for older horses.

Whether you're planning to attend the big meetings or the smaller ones, we've got all angles covered to make the most of your visit to the track.

May racing highlights in Britain and Ireland

England

North

MAY MEETING DAY ONE, CHESTER: The track starts its season with its feature fixture of the year with three days of exciting and informative action as the May meeting begins with two key Classic trials, the Chester Vase and Cheshire Oaks. Wednesday, May 7 (Tickets)

MAY MEETING DAY TWO, CHESTER: Ladies' day takes place on day two with the quality of the racing action continuing with the Dee Stakes – another major Classic trial – and the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes worth £140,000. Thursday, May 8 (Tickets)

MAY MEETING DAY THREE, CHESTER: Racing on the Roodee climaxes with the feature Chester Cup, a unique big-field staying handicap sponsored by Ladbrokes this year, and the course's highest-grade race, the Group 2 Huxley Stakes. Friday, May 9 (Tickets)

SWINTON HURDLE, HAYDOCK: A rare mixed card in Britain with the Swinton Hurdle the feature race and joined by some Flat races, the pick of which is the Listed Spring Trophy Stakes. Saturday, May 10 (Tickets)

DANTE MEETING DAY ONE, YORK: The Classic trials roll on to York for the three-day Dante meeting, which starts with the Musidora Stakes – a key warm-up for the Oaks – and the Duke of York Stakes for high-class sprinters. Wednesday, May 14 (Tickets)

DANTE MEETING DAY TWO, YORK: Day two is headlined by the feature race of the meeting, the Dante Stakes, which is recognised as the premier trial for the Derby, while the Middleton Fillies' Stakes is the second Group 2 on the card. Thursday, May 15 (Tickets)

The Dante meeting at York of one of May's key eventsCredit: Edward Whitaker

DANTE MEETING DAY THREE, YORK: The Yorkshire Cup provides the focal point of the last day, offering the leading stayers an early-season target, with two supporting Listed races for fillies. Friday, May 16 (Tickets)

TEMPLE STAKES, HAYDOCK: Speed is the name of the game at a pulsating fixture headlined by the Temple Stakes for the older sprinters and the Sandy Lane Stakes for the fastest three-year-olds. Saturday, May 24 (Tickets)

BRONTE CUP, YORK: A huge Saturday crowd will head to the Knavesmire for a competitive fixture featuring the Group 3 Bronte Cup Fillies' Stakes. Saturday, May 31 (Tickets)

JOHN OF GAUNT STAKES, HAYDOCK: A pair of Group 3 contests, the John of Gaunt and Lester Piggott Stakes, lead the way on an informative card. Saturday, May 31 (Tickets)

South

GUINEAS MEETING DAY ONE, NEWMARKET: Three fabulous days of racing at the Betfred Guineas festival kicks off with a card headlined by the Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes, alongside a couple of Listed contests. Friday, May 2 (Tickets)

GUINEAS MEETING DAY TWO, NEWMARKET: All eyes will be on the first Classic of the season and opening leg of the Triple Crown as the 2,000 Guineas is staged on the Rowley Mile along with key supporting races, including the Palace House Stakes for the top sprinters. Saturday, May 3 (Tickets)

GUINEAS MEETING DAY THREE, NEWMARKET: It's the turn of the fillies as the best three-year-olds line up for the 1,000 Guineas in an attempt to secure their place in history on a day which also features the Group 2 Dahlia Stakes. Sunday, May 4 (Tickets)

VICTORIA CUP, ASCOT: The first of Ascot's straight-track heritage handicaps through the season is staged with the prestigious Victoria Cup providing a stern test for participants and punters alike. Saturday, May 10 (Tickets)

CLASSIC TRIALS, LINGFIELD: The next step on the road to Epsom as Lingfield stages its Derby and Oaks Trials, where Classic pointers are guaranteed, as well as the Group 3 Chartwell Fillies' Stakes. Saturday, May 10 (Tickets)

LOCKINGE STAKES, NEWBURY: The track's Group 1 highlight of the season, is a key race for the best milers in Europe and the main attraction on a card which includes the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes. Saturday, May 17 (Tickets)

Newbury's Lockinge Stakes is the first Group 1 of the season for older horsesCredit: Edward Whitaker

COCKED HAT STAKES, GOODWOOD: Two recognised Classic trials are staged on the South Downs, with pointers for Epsom in the Cocked Hat and Height Of Fashion Stakes. Saturday, May 24 (Tickets)

BRIGADIER GERARD STAKES, SANDOWN: The best evening fixture in Britain takes place at the Surrey track, where the two Group 3 highlights are the Brigadier Gerard and Henry II Stakes. Thursday, May 29 (Tickets)

Ireland

FESTIVAL DAY THREE, PUNCHESTOWN: Stamina is required for the third day of the Punchestown festival with the centrepiece of the Champion Stayers' Hurdle, alongside a trio of Listed races and the La Touche Cup on the cross-country course. Thursday, May 1 (Tickets)

FESTIVAL DAY FOUR, PUNCHESTOWN: The penultimate day of the festival is a proper occasion on and off the track with the Champion Hurdle the showpiece, ably supported by Champion Novice Hurdle and the Mares' Chase at a fixture designated as ladies' day. Friday, May 2 (Tickets)

FESTIVAL DAY FIVE, PUNCHESTOWN: The Irish jump racing season draws to a spectacular close with champions crowned at a meeting featuring two Grade 1s – the Mares' Champion Hurdle and Champion Four Year Old Hurdle. Saturday, May 3 (Tickets)

MOORESBRIDGE STAKES, CURRAGH: A high-quality fixture containing the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes, Group 3 Athasi Stakes and a pair of Listed races. Monday, May 5 (Tickets)

DERBY TRIAL STAKES, LEOPARDSTOWN: The feature Derby Trial Stakes has an illustrious roll of honour, while the 'Mutamakina' Stakes and Amethyst Stakes are other notable races on the card. Sunday, May 11 (Tickets)

SAVAL BEG STAKES, LEOPARDSTOWN: Get that Friday feeling at an evening meeting featuring the Group 3 Saval Beg Stakes. Friday, May 16 (Tickets)

ROYAL ASCOT TRIALS, NAAS: This intriguing raceday is a crucial stepping stone for contenders aiming for glory at Royal Ascot, with races such as the Fillies' Sprint Stakes and Lacken Stakes. Sunday, May 18 (Tickets)

IRISH 2,000 GUINEAS, CURRAGH: Ireland's Guineas weekend bursts into life in exhilarating style with the Irish 2,000 Guineas attracting the finest three-year-old colts from around Europe and supported by the Greenlands Stakes and Ridgewood Pearl Stakes. Saturday, May 24 (Tickets)

IRISH 1,000 GUINEAS, CURRAGH: A spectacular raceday with the turn of the fillies' bidding for Classic glory in the 1,000 Guineas along with the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. Sunday, May 25 (Tickets)

May racing fixtures in Britain and Ireland

Bargain hunt: this month's best offers for racing tickets 

• Kempton stages a community raceday at its bank holiday fixture on May 5 with tickets priced at just £5. The event takes place on a day officially dedicated to community celebrations around the country and there will be plenty of supporting activities, including historical insights from the Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society, picnic zones and a funfair.
  
  
• The daytime disco at Doncaster on May 3 kicks off the track's Music Summer Saturday Series, for which there is a great value-for-money deal called the Summer Saturdays County Bundle, which is £149 for seven race meetings with different music themes. It works out at less than £22 per ticket and applies to that opening meeting and then the following - May 17 (Totally 90s), June 7 (ABBA tribute), June 28 (Vernon Kay Summer Anthems), July 19 Cowboys and Country), August 2 (Rock at the Races) and August 16 (Ultimate 80s Party).
  
  
• Kilbeggan's best-selling Summer Party Packs are available for the track's meeting on May 16, comprising an admission ticket voucher, a racecard voucher and two €5 food/drink vouchers. The packs are available to groups of ten people or more and cost €23, offering a saving of €5 overall.
  
  
• Haydock is offering the chance to make a saving on drinks at the John of Gaunt fixture on May 31, with racegoers allowed to bring in their own bottle of sparkling wine, prosecco, champagne, or a soft drink to enjoy before races begin on day branded Sparkling Saturday.
  
  
• Racegoers planning to attend the whole of York's Dante meeting on May 14-16 can take advantage of the three-day ticket offer, with a County Stand ticket at £99 (£40 each day) and a Grandstand & Paddock ticket at £59 (£25 each day).
  
  
• The Curragh is offering early bird tickets starting from €20 for the three-day Tattersalls Irish Guineas Festival on May 23-25.

Racecourses with special ticket offers and themed racedays in June can send details to goracing@racingpost.com

Out of the ordinary: five eyecatching events

PEAKY BLINDERS: Sligo starts its season with a bang with a themed raceday inspired by the hit British drama series, with the Peaky Blinders coming to town.

There will be baker boy caps aplenty with racegoers encouraged to channel their inner Thomas Selby (in appearance not behaviour, of course) for a popular day of racing and entertainment, for which admission and racecard costs €20. Sligo, May 4 (Tickets)

LADIES' DAY: Nottingham is going all out with the ultimate spring social event, featuring the style awards judged by Miss Nottinghamshire and 90s dance act N-Trance performing live after racing.

Nottingham: ladies' day is a big occasion on the local social calendarCredit: Alan Crowhurst

We really couldn't put it any better than the track's promo blurb, which reads: "Bring your besties, put on your glad rags and get ready for a day full of fun, fashion and unforgettable memories". Nottingham, May 10 (Tickets)

MUSIC NIGHT: Red Rum Club, one of Liverpool's most exciting breakthrough acts, will play their biggest hometown show to date after racing at Aintree at an evening fixture which concludes the track's season.

The rock band, an alternative sextet from Merseyside with a unique sound, could not have a more appropriate place to perform as they will headline a huge outdoor concert in the track's Red Rum Garden. Aintree, May 16 (Tickets)

BEER FESTIVAL: Alongside the racing action, racegoers can enjoy a selection of ales and ciders from the Pennine Brewing Co on a day with something for all ages.

There will be live music by The Black Marcs throughout the afternoon and younger attendees can enjoy free entertainment in the course enclosure, including ‘Rock n Roller’ and a Bungee Run. Catterick, May 24 (Tickets)

RUM AND REGGAE NIGHT: Get ready for the summer with a vibrant evening of racing complemented by Caribbean music and flavours.

Enjoy electrifying live performances, savour delicious Caribbean-inspired dishes and sip on refreshing rum cocktails, all while soaking up the excitement of live racing under the evening sky. Haydock, May 30 (Tickets)

Making a day of it: Tramore

If you like sandy beaches, great people and an unforgettable trip to the races then Tramore racecourse is the place for you.

County Waterford’s only track is located in the seaside town a 16-minute drive from Waterford city, which is well connected with bus routes and there is the option of rail transport if coming from Dublin or Limerick.

When you go racing in Tramore you are likely to be greeted by enthusiastic, friendly locals as it is underpinned by a vibrant community spirit. It is Henry de Bromhead’s local venue and is often supported by runners from the Willie Mullins stable.

Mullins sent his dual Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo there to warm up for his Cheltenham wins in 2019 and 2020, and he went on to win the featured Savills Chase on New Year's Day twice more.

De Bromhead's 2021 Gold Cup hero Minella Indo secured the same Grade 3 in 2023 and top trainers are happy to run their good horses at the track despite its tight and undulating nature. 

Tramore stages two evening jump cards at the end of May (Friday 30 and Saturday 31). The track is dual-purpose and hosts Flat racing throughout the summer, when a carnival atmosphere often prevails.

The stunning panorama at Tramore racecourseCredit: Patrick McCann

Away from the racecourse the options for diversion are also plentiful. This coastal setting is often the summer destination of choice for domestic holidaymakers seeking to feel the sand beneath their feet and go for a quick dip in the Atlantic on the expansive Tramore beach.

If you're active then there’s the chance to hike along the clifftops and arrive at the Metal Man, an iron figure of a sailor pointing out to sea, warning his comrades of their doom should they come closer. It is the quintessential image of the town and the monument after which the Savills Chase is officially named.

Tramore is located in Ireland's 'sunny south east' but depending on your luck this could be a slight misnomer, and if you are unlucky with the weather there are numerous indoor activities. The town boasts an amusement park and arcade, which makes it an ideal spot for those with young families, and there are also numerous pubs and restaurants.

Beach House restaurant has pride of place in the Michelin guide, which claims that "the fish and chips is one of the best versions of the dish you can find". Visitors from across the Irish Sea might be eager to see if this iteration of their national dish stands up to scrutiny. 

Tickets for Tramore’s racedays in May start at €15, while students and OAPs benefit from a discounted price of €10.
Denis Harney

Pack the passport: going racing in Hamburg

There are lots of chances to experience racing in Germany through the summer months, but a trip to the country's most historic race is a must for any first-time visitors.

The Deutsches Derby, run at Hamburg in July, is actually older than the Kentucky Derby, dating to 1869, and it remains Germany's most prestigious race.

The Grosser Preis von Baden in September, an established trial for the following month's Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, might be considered the biggest in terms of standing and international recognition, but it cannot match the tradition and historical importance of Germany’s equivalent of the Derby.

The Group 1 contest for three-year-olds is staged at Hamburg-Horn racecourse, which is also Germany's oldest track, having been built in 1855.

This year's race, held on Sunday, July 6, is the 156th running and an important part of the local cultural heritage, having survived two world wars and being staged outside of Hamburg on only five occasions in its long history. 

The course at Hamburg is on a public park and it is completely flat and right-handed with some rather sharp bends, especially turning into the straight.   

Whether you prefer to spend your time in the main enclosure on the grass lawn or in one of the premier areas, there is a relaxed atmosphere with no dress code, although dressing up is encouraged with fashion competitions regularly held on racedays.

Getting to the track is simple with the metro station Horner Rennbahn, on the Hamburg U-Bahn lines U2 and U4, just a short walk away.

The Deutsches Derby takes place at Hamburg in MayCredit: Marc Ruehl (marcruehl.com)

Although tickets for the Deutsches Derby are not yet available for purchase, racing in Germany isn't going to break the bank with general admission usually priced between €10-€20.

For booking inquiries, you can contact the Hamburger Renn-Club directly via email at tickets@galopp-hamburg.de or by phone at +49 (0) 40 651 82 81.

As part of the meeting, fixtures at Hamburg take place the day before and the two days after the Deutsches Derby, but there are an abundance of other activities to do while you're in the city.

Hamburg is one of Germany’s trendiest cities, with a mix of historic charm, modern architecture and a strong maritime feel. 

Speicherstadt is the largest warehouse district in the world, where the buildings stand on timber-pile foundations, and offers the perfect place to while away a few hours walking around or taking a canal boat tour.

The Elbe Philharmonic Hall on the harbour is well worth a visit even if you're not into classical music, with the iconic glass wave-shaped concert hall also featuring restaurants and a public viewing platform with city views.

Accommodation choices are vast, with the old town at Altstadt a popular destination for sightseeing and shopping, and flights to Hamburg from Britain and Ireland are generally very affordable with multiple options provided by the budget airlines.
Andrew Dietz

Looking for free bets? Racing Post have got the best offers, all in one place. Visit racingpost.com/freebets to find out more.