Chelmsford City Racecourse will stage an exciting seven-race Flat (All-Weather) meeting on Thursday, February 12, 2026, with a Valentine-themed programme adding colour and character to the evening. The card will feature competitive contests across a range of distances from six furlongs to one mile and six furlongs, with prize money reaching up to £10,000 in the feature events. With a blend of handicaps, maiden company, and novice action, the meeting will likely attract strong interest from connections and punters alike.
The action will begin at 4:55 pm with Race 1, The Valentines “Hands and Heels” Apprentice Handicap Stakes, a Class 6 contest run over 1 mile. Carrying total prize money of £7,000, the race will see eight runners lining up. As an apprentice handicap, it will provide emerging riders with a valuable opportunity to showcase their skills on Chelmsford’s polytrack surface, where tactical positioning often proves decisive.
At 5:30 pm, the focus will shift to Race 2, The Heartstrings Restricted Maiden Stakes, a Class 5 event over 6 furlongs. With £8,500 on offer and eight runners declared, this contest will give lightly raced or unraced horses a platform to break their maiden. The sharp six-furlong trip is expected to demand early speed and a strong finishing kick.
In Race 3 – The Cupid’s Arrow Handicap Stakes (6:00 pm), the joint-highest prize race on the card worth £10,000, a competitive field will line up for this Class 4, 6-furlong sprint. Coachello (FR), rated 87, will bring experience under Edward Greatrex for trainer Mark Loughnane, while the progressive Gallant (FR) (BHA 86) will represent Hector Crouch and trainer Oli Rix. Justcallmepete (GB), partnered by Dougie Costello for Tony Carroll, will add further depth with a solid rating of 85, and Dyrholaey (FR), ridden by Luke Morris for Archie Watson, will aim to capitalize on his consistent all-weather profile.
Also in contention will be the seasoned Aberama Gold (GB), the 9-year-old campaigner trained by David O’Meara and ridden by Billy Garritty, alongside Thurso (GB) with Rob Hornby aboard for Richard Hughes. With closely matched ratings ranging from the high 70s to high 80s, the sprint will likely be decided by tactical speed and track positioning on Chelmsford’s polytrack. As one of the feature contests of the evening, the race is expected to produce a sharp and fiercely fought finish under the floodlights.
In Race 4 – The Hearts and Hooves Handicap Stakes (6:30 pm), a Class 4 contest over 1 mile 6 furlongs worth £10,000, stamina and tactical patience will be tested under the Chelmsford floodlights. Tryfan (GB), rated 85, will be partnered by Hector Crouch for trainer Harry Charlton and is expected to be prominent, while Machete (FR), carrying 9st 13lbs for David O’Meara and ridden by Cieren Fallon, will bring solid all-weather form into the contest. Carlton (GB), with Ashley Lewis claiming 5lb for James Owen, and Vice President (IRE) under Oliver Hoodless for Richard Hughes, will aim to make their presence felt in what promises to be a steadily run staying handicap.
The field will be further strengthened by Ludo’s Landing (IRE), partnered by Jason Hart for Charlie Johnston, alongside Crackalackin (IRE) for Jack Doughty and the training duo of Dr Richard Newland & Jamie Insole. Completing the lineup, Haaland (IRE) will carry a lighter weight under Luke Morris for Jim & Suzi Best. With ratings ranging from the high 60s to mid-80s, the extended trip will likely reward those who conserve energy early before producing a decisive late surge in one of the evening’s feature handicaps.
In Race 5 – The Sweetheart Novice Stakes (7:00 pm), a Class 4 contest over 7 furlongs worth £10,000, a competitive field of three-year-olds will line up under the Chelmsford floodlights. Claytons Kolatonic (GB) will be partnered by Rob Hornby for Dominic Ffrench Davis, while Grey Force (IRE), who has shown previous experience, will be ridden by Daniel Muscutt for Charlie Johnston. Master Of Keraunos (IRE) will represent John & Sean Quinn with Jason Hart aboard, and Quick Quasar (IRE) will race for Archie Watson under Luke Morris, adding further depth to the novice lineup.
The middle of the field will feature Sergeant Chaos (GB) with Callum Shepherd for George Scott, alongside Stay Salty (IRE), a colt trained by Kevin Philippart de Foy and ridden by Rowan Scott. Tamashal (IRE), representing Richard Hannon with Sean Levey in the saddle, will bring strong connections into the race, while Warm Waters (IRE) under John Egan for Dean Ivory will aim to progress on earlier efforts.
Completing the field, Zambezi River (IRE) will run for the Crisford team with Harry Davies aboard, and Lady Of Clover (IRE), the lone filly in the lineup, will carry 9st 2lbs under Darragh Keenan for George Scott. With several lightly raced and unexposed types stepping forward, the seven-furlong trip is likely to produce an informative and competitive contest, potentially highlighting a progressive performer ready to climb the ranks in the coming months.
The penultimate race, The Secret Admirer Handicap Stakes, will take place at 7:30 pm. This Class 6 event over 7 furlongs will be contested by seven runners for a total prize fund of £7,000. Competitive handicapping conditions could produce a closely fought finish under the floodlights.
The meeting will conclude at 8:00 pm with Race 7, The Chelmsford Mile Series Qualifier #6 Handicap Stakes. Although run over 7 furlongs, this Class 5 qualifier—worth £8,500—will form part of the popular Chelmsford Mile Series. With 10 runners declared, the finale is expected to provide a thrilling end to the evening, as contenders aim to secure valuable points and potential qualification for the series final.
Overall, the February 12 fixture at Chelmsford City will promise competitive racing, festive Valentine-themed titles, and strong prize incentives across all seven contests. Under the glow of the all-weather track’s floodlights, the meeting will be set to deliver an entertaining and action-packed evening for racing enthusiasts.
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