As ever, the 2024 festive period provides an overload of top-class jumping entertainment, with events at Kempton, Chepstow, and Leopardstown keeping the spirits of racing fans high. Of course, you can never have too much of a good thing when it comes to racing, and the National Hunt season continues apace as 2024 turns to 2025, with high-quality contests on offer at tracks up and down the land.
For fans hoping to attend a fixture or two, January is often the month in which racecourses wheel out their best-value deals. What better way to kick off the New Year than by heading to your local track to see the equine stars in the flesh? Failing that, following the action from the comfort of your sofa offers a more chilled-out option. However you choose to tune in, January presents a conveyor belt of thrilling events, including:
Sussex National: Plumpton – Sunday, 5th January
Situated just north of Brighton on the south coast, Plumpton Racecourse has delighted locals since opening for business in 1884. The first Sunday of the year sees the track lay on one of its biggest events as a stamina-laden field tackles the 3m4f½ and 20 fences of the Sussex National. With six further contests on the undercard and additional entertainment, including Live Music, a mini ice-rink and children’s curling lanes, this is always one of the most well-attended fixtures at the quaint venue. Just remember, combining drinking with ice skating rarely ends well. Or is that just us?
Smashing performance 💚❤️
Dom Of Mary wins the BetGoodwin Sussex National at @plumptonraces under man of the moment @quinn_caoilin and trainer David Bridgewater!
— Great British Racing (@GBRacing) January 7, 2024
Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle – Sunday, 5th January
On the same day, it’s a big occasion for the County Kildare course of Naas. Situated within hailing distance of Dublin, Naas stages 10 National Hunt events rated at Listed level or above between October and March. However, only one possesses the coveted Grade 1 status. Won by Envoi Allen, Bob Ollinger, and Grand National champ Rule The World, the Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle is the centrepiece of a cracking day featuring a valuable Best Dressed Competition.
Classic Chase: Warwick – Saturday, 11th January
Warwick is the place to be for fans of staying handicap action on the second Saturday of the month. Held over a gruelling 3m5f and featuring 23 formidable fences, the Classic Chase serves as a key trial for the Aintree Grand National – One For Arthur took this en route to his finest hour in 2017. With two Graded contests in support and free entry for under 18s, this January cracker never fails to attract a vibrant crowd.
Lanzarote Hurdle: Kempton – Saturday, 11th January
Named not in honour of the holiday destination in the Canary Islands but rather the Champion Hurdle winning star of the 70s, the Lanzarote Hurdle Handicap is the big betting heat on a seven-race card at the Sunbury-on-Thames track. Moving up in class, the supporting Grade 2 Silviniaco Conti Chase is named after the dual King George VI Chase hero. Fittingly, this season’s King George champ, Banbridge, landed the 2024 edition.
Berkshire Winter Million: Windsor & Ascot – Friday 17th – Sunday 19th, January
Held over three days and offering £1.2 million in prize money, this new fixture promises to be a smash hit with owners, trainers, and fans. Having recently returned to the National Hunt fold, Windsor hosts days 1 and 3. However, the standout event comes on Day 2 over at Ascot, with the 2025 edition of the Grade 1 Clarence House Chase. This prestigious 2m1f contest regularly attracts runners with Queen Mother Champions Chase aspirations and has been claimed by bona fide superstars, including Sprinter Sacre, Master Minded, and Altior.
Festival Trials Day: Cheltenham – Saturday, 25th January
This list wouldn’t be complete without a meeting from the home of the National Hunt game. Not ones to let the side down, Cheltenham steps up to the plate with this much-anticipated fixture towards the end of the month. Five Grade 2s light up the final Cheltenham fixture before the March jamboree, headlined by the Cotswold Chase and International Hurdle.
