Brighton Racecourse is set for an engaging six-race programme on Sunday, August 23, with a mixture of amateur jockeys’ contests, juvenile events, handicap races and a major sprint feature. The meeting begins at 2:20pm and continues through to 4:50pm, offering a varied afternoon of racing across Brighton’s distinctive turf course.
Brighton Racecards 23 August 2026
The highlight of the afternoon comes at 3:50pm with The Blackmore Equestrian Construction Handicap Stakes, a Class 2 contest forming the Brighton Summer Sprint Series Final. Carrying a prize of £40,000, it is comfortably the most valuable race on the card and is open to horses aged three and older. The six-furlong contest is expected to provide one of the afternoon’s most competitive and closely watched moments, with a strong field set to battle for honours over the sprint distance.
As the feature race, the 3:50pm contest brings together experienced performers for a valuable six-furlong challenge. The Brighton track can provide an intriguing test of speed and balance, making the Summer Sprint Series Final an important part of the day’s programme. With the highest prize on offer, the race is likely to attract considerable attention from racing followers as the afternoon reaches its central point.
The meeting opens at 2:20pm with The Blackmore Building Contractors Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Stakes, a Class 6 event for four-year-olds and older horses. The race covers one mile, three furlongs and 203 yards, providing a longer test than many of the afternoon’s sprint contests. With an advertised prize of £7,200 and a rating range of 46-65, it gives amateur riders an opportunity to showcase their skills in a race where pace and positioning could prove particularly important.
The second race of the afternoon is scheduled for 2:50pm, when two-year-olds line up for The blackmorebuild.com EBF Restricted Maiden Stakes. This Class 5 contest is run over five furlongs and 65 yards and carries a prize of £8,000. Restricted to horses in Band D, the race is also an EBF Restricted Race Qualifier and carries GBB race status. With relatively inexperienced juveniles taking part, the contest could provide an interesting opportunity to see developing young talent take its next step on the track.
At 3:20pm, attention turns to the John Heal Memorial Nursery Handicap Stakes, a Class 6 race for two-year-olds. The six-furlong contest carries a prize of £7,200 and is open to horses rated between 0 and 65. Nursery races can offer useful insight into the progress of young horses as they gain experience, and this contest provides another opportunity for juveniles to demonstrate their ability over Brighton’s six-furlong distance.
Following the £40,000 feature at 3:50pm, the programme continues at 4:20pm with The Blackmore Design & Build Handicap Stakes. This Class 4 race is open to four-year-olds and older horses and covers six furlongs and 215 yards. With £10,800 available in prize money and a rating range of 61-80, the contest brings together a more experienced group for a slightly longer sprint challenge. The extra distance could make stamina just as significant as early speed.
The final event of the meeting is scheduled for 4:50pm, with The Blackmore Proudly Sponsoring Brighton Racecourse Handicap Stakes. This Class 5 contest is open to horses aged three and older and takes place over one mile and one yard. It carries a prize of £8,400 and is restricted to horses rated 51-70. As the closing race, it will provide a final chance for connections to finish the afternoon on a positive note.
Overall, Sunday’s Brighton programme offers a balanced combination of sprinting speed, middle-distance racing and opportunities for younger horses. The six races cover distances from five furlongs to more than a mile and three furlongs, while the range of classes ensures plenty of variety throughout the afternoon.
The £40,000 Brighton Summer Sprint Series Final naturally stands out as the principal attraction, but each race contributes something different to the meeting. From the opening amateur jockeys’ event and the juvenile maiden contest to the closing handicap, Brighton’s six-race card promises a lively afternoon of turf racing on Sunday, August 23.
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