Summer is in full swing, and the flat horse racing brings on another grand event. The Newmarket July Festival, also known as the Debenhams July Festival, comes in as one of the most expected, colourful, and lively social highlights. This year the Newmarket Racecourse will host it between Thursday, 9 July and Saturday, 11 July.
Founded in 1636, the Newmarket Racecourse is the only racecourse in Britain where a reigning monarch won a race riding a horse. This event took place in 1671, when King Charles II participated in the race. Today, the Newmarket Racecourse hosts nine out of 38 Group 1 races conducted in Britain. Its list of races includes a lot of notable names, two of the five British Classics – the 1,000 Guineas and 2,000 Guineas – among them.
This year the Newmarket July Festival will open with The Bahrain Trophy Stakes as its first race, while The HKJC World Pool Handicap Stakes will close the entire event.
The featured races for each day are: Princess of Wales’s Stakes for day one, Falmouth Stakes for day two, and July Cup for day three. The latter is also the headline race for the entire event.
Newmarket July Festival Racecard
The Newmarket July Festival 2026 will be conducted in the second week of July and last for three days. This horse racing fixture will include 22 races, with seven races conducted on the first and second days, and eight races conducted on the third day of the event.
Day One: Ladies Day (9 July)
- When: Thursday, 9 July 2026
- Gate opening: 11:50 am
- First race: 1:50 pm
- Headline race: 3:35 pm
- Last race: 5:20 pm
- Post racing entertainment: 5:40 – 6:55 pm
The daily race card for the Ladies Day of the Newmarket July Festival 2026 is as follows:
Going: good to firm
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:50 pm | THE BAHRAIN TROPHY STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 3) | 1m 5f | 3YO £200,000.00 |
| 2:25 pm | THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN JULY STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) | 6f | 2YO £125,000.00 |
| 3:00 pm | THE BETWAY HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) | 6f | 3YO £100,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 3:35 pm | THE PRINCESS OF WALES’S STAKES (SPONSORED BY THE KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN) (CLASS 1) (Group 2) | 1m 4f | 3YO+ £165,000.00 |
| 4:10 pm | THE BRITISH STALLION STUDS EBF MAIDEN FILLIES’ STAKES (CLASS 2) (GBB RACE) | 7f | 2YO £40,000.00 |
| 4:45 pm | THE EDMONDSON HALL SOLICITORS SIR HENRY CECIL STAKES (CLASS 1) (Listed Race) | 1m | 3YO £60,000.00 |
| 5:20 pm | THE DEBENHAMS HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) | 1m | 3YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 76-95 |
Day Two: Festival Friday (10 July)
- When: Friday, 10 July 2026
- Gate opening: 11:50 am
- First race: 1:50 pm
- Headline race: 3:35 pm
- Last race: 5:20 pm
- Post racing entertainment: 5:40 – 6:55 pm
The daily race card for the Festival Friday of the Newmarket July Festival 2026 is as follows:
Going: good to firm
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:50 pm | THE ODDSCHECKER HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPLUS RACE) | 1m 2f | 3YO £100,000.00 Rating 0-105 |
| 2:25 pm | THE DUCHESS OF CAMBRIDGE STAKES (SPONSORED BY bet365) (CLASS 1) (Group 2) | 6f | 2YO £125,000.00 |
| 3:00 pm | THE BETWAY TROPHY (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (GBBPLUS RACE) | 1m 6f | 4YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 3:35 pm | THE TATTERSALLS SCEPTRE SESSIONS FALMOUTH STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) | 1m | 3YO+ £375,000.00 |
| 4:10 pm | THE WEATHERBYS BANKING GROUP BRITISH EBF MAIDEN FILLIES’ STAKES (CLASS 3) (GBB RACE) | 6f | 2YO £21,000.00 |
| 4:45 pm | THE debenhams.com HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) | 5f | 3YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 0-90 |
| 5:20 pm | THE NEWMARKET HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) | 7f | 3YO £25,000.00 Rating 61-80 |
Day Three: July Cup Day (11 July)
- When: Saturday, 11 July 2026
- Gate opening: 11:40 am
- First race: 1:40 pm
- Headline race: 4:35 pm
- Last race: 5:45 pm
- Post racing entertainment: 6:00 – 7:15 pm
The daily race card for the July Cup Day of the Newmarket July Festival 2026 is as follows:
Going: good to firm
| Time | Race | Distance | Conditions |
| 1:40 pm | THE ROSSDALES BRITISH EBF MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 7f | 2YO £21,000.00 |
| 2:15 pm | THE NEWMARKET RACECOURSES FILLIES’ HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 7f | 3YO+ £50,000.00 Rating 81-100 |
| 2:52 pm | THE NEWMARKET HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 2) (CL 2) | 1m | 3YO £50,000.00 Rating 0-100 |
| 3:25 pm | THE BETWAY BUNBURY CUP (CLASS 2) (Heritage Handicap) (CL 2) | 7f | 3YO+ £100,000.00 |
| 4:00 pm | THE SUPERLATIVE STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 2) (CL 1) | 7f | 2YO £125,000.00 |
| 4:35 pm | THE AL BASTI EQUIWORLD, DUBAI JULY CUP STAKES (CLASS 1) (Group 1) (CL 1) | 6f | 3YO+ £800,000.00 |
| 5:10 pm | THE RACING TV HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 3) (CL 3) | 7f | 3YO+ £40,000.00 Rating 71-90 |
| 5:45 pm | THE HKJC WORLD POOL HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) (GBBPLUS RACE) (CL 4) | 1m 4f | 3YO+ £30,000.00 Rating 66-85 |
Headline Races at the Newmarket July Festival
The Newmarket July Festival 2026 meeting includes 22 races, with seven races conducted on the first and second day, and eight races conducted on the third and last day of the event. The variety of races, conditions, and runners ensure that any visitor to attend the meeting at the Newmarket Racecourse between 9 and 11 July will find something to cater to their interests.
Princess of Wales’s Stakes (Thursday, 9 July)
The Princess of Wales’s Stakes is a Group 2 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs (2,414 metres) on the July Course.
Established in 1894, the race was named after Alexandra of Denmark, who became the Princess of Wales three decades prior when she married Prince Edward, future King Edward VII. In its early days, the race was considered one of the most valuable and prestigious races in Britain.
Five horses have won the champion title more than once throughout its history: Lance Chest (1912, 1913), Primera (1959, 1960), Lomond (1965, 1966), Millenary (2002, 2003), and Big Orange (2015, 2016), each with 2 wins.
The legendary Lester Piggott holds the title of the most successful jockey with 8 wins (Zucchero 1952, Primera 1959, 1960, Apostle 1961, Lord Helpus 1977, Pollerton 1978, Light Cavalry 1981, Head for Heights 1984).
Sir Michael Stoute has trained the largest number of race champions with 9 wins (Shardari 1986, Rock Hopper 1991, Saddlers’ Hall 1992, Little Rock 2000, Gamut 2005, Papal Bull 2007, Doctor Fremantle 2009, Crystal Capella 2011, Fiorente 2012).
The latest winner in 2025 was a 4 year old bay gelding El Cordobes. This was one of the three wins he achieved that season, with one prior and one after the Princess of Wales’s Stakes. So far he hasn’t participated in any races since the season start. He hasn’t been announced to participate in this year’s race. El Cordobes was trained by Charlie Appleby and led on the track by jockey William Buick.
Currently, there are 6 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Rebel’s Romance (age 8, jockey William Buick, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Almeric (age 4, jockey Oisin Murphy, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Arabian Crown (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Convergent (age 4, jockey Clifford Lee, trainer Karl Burke)
- Ghostwriter (age 5, jockey David Egan, trainer Kevin Philippart De Foy)
- Tenability (age 4, jockey Tom Marquand, trainer William Haggas)
Falmouth Stakes (Friday, 10 July)
The Falmouth Stakes is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts fillies and mares aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 1 mile (1,609 metres) on the July Course.
The race was established in 1911 and initially only accepted three year old fillies. It owes its name to a renowned racehorse owner Evelyn Boscawen, 6th Viscount Falmouth. The race opened access to older fillies and mares in 1974.
Two horses currently share the title of the most successful runner: Sonic Lady (1986, 1987) and Soviet Song (2004, 2005), each with 2 wins.
Lester Piggott has brought the highest number of champions to the finish line with 7 wins (Sylphide 1957, Green Opal 1960, Chrona 1966, Vital Match 1969, Chalon 1982, Niche 1993, Lemon Souffle 1994).
Two trainers hold the record for bringing up the largest number of champions: Alec Taylor Jr. (First Spear 1914, Tomatina 1919, Lady Ava 1920, Blue Lady 1921, Leighon Tor 1922, Maid of Bath 1924) and Sir Michael Stoute (Royal Heroine 1983, Sonic Lady 1986, 1987, Lovers Knot 1998, Integral 2014, Veracious 2019), each with 6 wins.
The latest winner in 2025 was a 4 year old bay filly Cinderella’s Dream. Her other win of the season took place two months prior, in May, when she won the Betfred Dahlia Stakes. Since the start of the current season, she hasn’t participated in any races yet. She hasn’t been declared to run in this year’s race. Cinderella’s Dream was trained by Charlie Appleby and led on the track by jockey William Buick.
Currently, there are 12 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Blue Bolt (age 4, jockey Colin Keane, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Fallen Angel (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Burke)
- Jancis (age 5, jockey Sean Levey, trainer Willie McCreery)
- Kon Tiki (age 4, jockey Billy Loughnane, trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam)
- Balantina (age 3, jockey Oisin Murphy, trainer Donnacha O’Brien)
- Evolutionist (age 3, jockey Shane Foley, trainer Karl Burke)
- Precise (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Timeforshowcasing (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Touleen (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Owen Burrows)
- True Love (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Venetian Lace (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Johnston)
- Venosa (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
July Cup (Saturday, 11 July)
The July Cup is a Group 1 flat horse race that accepts both male and female horses aged three years or older. It is run over a distance of 6 furlongs (1,207 metres) on the July Course.
Listed among Britain’s most prestigious and valuable sprints, this race was inaugurated in 1876. The horse to win its first two runs was bay colt Springfield, whose dam was Queen Victoria’s horse Viridis.
Sundridge stands out among all winners as the horse with the highest number of wins, namely three (1902, 1903, 1904).
The title of the most successful jockey belongs to Lester Piggott with 10 wins (Vigo 1957, Right Boy 1958, 1959, Tin Whistle 1960, Thatch 1973, Saritamer 1974, Solinus 1978, Thatching 1979, Moorestyle 1980, Mr Brooks 1992).
Three trainers have brought the same highest number of winners to the finish line: Charles Morton (Sundridge 1903, 1904, Spanish Prince 1912, 1913, Golden Sun 1914), Aidan O’Brien (Stravinsky 1999, Mozart 2001, Starspangledbanner 2010, U S Navy Flag 2018, Ten Sovereigns 2019), and Vincent O’Brien (Thatch 1973, Saritamer 1974, Solinus 1978, Thatching 1979, Royal Academy 1990), each with 5 wins.
The latest winner in 2025 was a 4 year old bay filly No Half Measures. While in her debut 2024 season she achieved 6 wins, the July Cup was her only victory in 2025. She hasn’t run in any races in the current season. She hasn’t been announced to enter this year’s race. No Half Measures was trained by Richard Hughes and led on the track by jockey Neil Callan.
Currently, there are 25 runners announced to compete in this year’s race, but this number may change before the day of the race. Some of the jockeys for the race have already been announced, others are still awaiting confirmation.
The current full list of contenders, their jockeys and trainers runs as follows:
- Almeraq (age 4, jockey Tom Marquand, trainer William Haggas)
- Big Mojo (age 4, jockey William Buick, trainer Michael Appleby)
- Comanche Brave (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Donnacha O’Brien)
- Diligent Harry (age 8, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Clive Cox)
- Double Rush (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Kind Of Blue (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer James Fanshawe)
- Lazzat (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jerome Reynier)
- Marvelman (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Mitbaahy (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charles Hills)
- Noble Champion (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Ed Walker)
- Powerful Glory (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Richard & Peter Fahey)
- Prince Of India (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Marco Botti)
- Quinault (age 6, jockey Marco Ghiani, trainer Stuart Williams)
- Satono Reve (age 7, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Noriyuki Hori)
- Symbol Of Honour (age 4, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Charlie Appleby)
- Flora Of Bermuda (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Andrew Balding)
- Rosy Affair (age 5, jockey unconfirmed, trainer George Boughey)
- Brussels (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Charles Darwin (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Coppull (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Clive Cox)
- Division (age 3, jockey James Doyle, trainer William Haggas)
- Into The Sky (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Jim Boyle)
- Lifeplan (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Declan Carroll)
- Mission Central (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Aidan O’Brien)
- Venetian Sun (age 3, jockey unconfirmed, trainer Karl Burke)
Betting at Newmarket July Festival
The Newmarket July Festival continues the long standing tradition of horse racing betting. Punters wishing to place a bet on any of the 22 races of the fixture will have a number of opportunities to do so. Online betting is open to anyone, while those attending the meeting will find specialised betting facilities on the venue at their service.
Responsible gambling should remain any bettor’s priority. Before placing a wager, analyse the market and current trends, study recent performances of both the runners and the jockeys, look into the trainer’s history at the particular race you want to bet on, and shop for odds that will bring you the best value based on your budget.
At 7bet, we offer a wide range of horse race betting markets both for domestic and international events.
Please note that odds for the Newmarket July Festival 2026 will be available closer to the event date.
Betting at the Newmarket July Festival 2026 includes various horse betting markets, with some of the most popular ones being:
- Win: This betting market works the same in any type of sports betting. Here you are trying to predict the outcome and place your wager on the runner that in your opinion has the highest chance of becoming the winner. If your selected horse does win the race, you will be eligible for a payout proportional to the offered odds and your stake size. This bet is often recommended for beginners to learn how odds work.
- Place: This betting market tries to predict which horses will be placed in the race, i.e. come to the finish line within the winning top. This includes the first two to four places, depending on the type of the race and how many runners participated in it. The number of paid placements is announced before the start of the race. This bet offers comparatively lower risks because a horse has more chances to be placed. On top of that, you as a punter don’t have to predict the exact place it takes, it is enough for the horse to make it into the winning top for your wager to win.
- Each Way: This bet has become increasingly popular with the rise of online betting. Select a horse and place two separate wagers on it. One states that the horse will win the race, the other that it will be placed. While your stake does double, the return can bring an interesting value. If the horse wins, you get a payout on both stakes according to the odds. If the horse doesn’t come to the finish line first but still makes it into the winning top, you will lose your win wager, but are still eligible for a payout on your place wager.
- Forecast/Tricast: While here you are betting on two (forecast) or three (tricast) horses, you place a single stake on this market. For the forecast, you wager on the horses who will be the winner and the first runner up. For the tricast, you are trying to predict the winner, the second place, and the third place. For reverse forecast and combination tricast the horses can come to the finish line in any order as long as they fall within the number of places the bet implies. On the other hand, for the straight version of both bets, they need to finish the race in the exact order you specified for them, otherwise you lose your wager. In all cases, if one of the horses falls behind, you will lose even if other horses finish as predicted. As now your outcome depends on the performance of more than one horse, the risk of making an incorrect prediction rises. That’s why these bets are considered high risk and recommended for punters with extensive experience.
Always remember to gamble responsibly and treat betting as a form of entertainment and not means for financial gain.
Betting is only available to participants above 18 years. Please bet responsibly. BeGambleAware.org