Doncaster Racecourse is set to host an eight-race Flat turf meeting on Friday, October 23, 2026, with racing scheduled from 1:35 PM to 5:35 PM. The programme features a mix of nursery handicaps, sprint contests, maiden races for two-year-olds, novice events and longer-distance handicaps. With prize money ranging from £8,400 to £30,000, the meeting offers a varied afternoon of racing over distances from six furlongs to one mile, two furlongs and 53 yards.
The highest prize money of the day is £30,000, available in two Class 2 handicap contests. The first, scheduled for 2:10 PM, is a six-furlong sprint for horses aged three and older, rated between 86 and 105. The second takes place at 2:45 PM over seven furlongs and six yards, featuring the same age and rating conditions. Both races are expected to provide competitive action during the afternoon.
The meeting begins at 1:35 PM with the William Hill Extra Places Every Day Nursery Handicap Stakes, a Class 3 contest for two-year-olds. Run over six furlongs and two yards, the race carries £15,000 in prize money and is restricted to horses rated between 0 and 95. The nursery handicap gives young runners an opportunity to compete over a sprint distance as the day’s programme gets underway.
At 2:10 PM, the second race features a Class 2 handicap over six furlongs and two yards, offering £30,000 in prize money. Open to horses aged three and older rated between 86 and 105, the contest is one of the principal events on the card. The sprint distance will place emphasis on early speed, positioning and the ability to maintain momentum through the closing stages.
The third race, scheduled for 2:45 PM, is another Class 2 handicap, this time covering seven furlongs and six yards. With £30,000 available, it matches the day’s highest prize fund. The race is open to horses aged three and older rated between 86 and 105. The slightly longer trip will test the runners’ pace and stamina as they approach the finish.
At 3:20 PM, the programme moves to the Sky Sports Racing Virgin 512 EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes, a Class 3 contest worth £13,000. Scheduled over seven furlongs and six yards, the race is restricted to two-year-old fillies. As a maiden event, it provides eligible runners with an opportunity to secure their first career victory while gaining valuable experience on the turf. The race is also designated as a Great British Bonus (GBB) contest.
The fifth race begins at 3:55 PM with the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes. This Class 3 event carries £13,000 in prize money and is open to two-year-olds. The contest will be run over seven furlongs and 213 yards, making it one of the longer races for younger horses on the card. The distance will test their ability to settle into a rhythm, maintain their pace and finish strongly. The race is also classified as a GBB contest.
The action continues at 4:30 PM with Division I of the William Hill Price Boosts Every Day Handicap Stakes. This Class 4 contest is scheduled over six furlongs and two yards, with £10,800 in prize money. Open to horses aged three and older rated between 66 and 85, the race brings the focus back to sprinting, where a strong start and effective positioning can play an important role.
Division II of the same handicap follows at 5:05 PM. Carrying an identical prize fund of £10,800, the second division will also take place over six furlongs and two yards. It features the same Class 4 classification and eligibility conditions, providing another group of horses aged three and older, rated between 66 and 85, with an opportunity to compete over the sprint distance.
The meeting concludes at 5:35 PM with the William Hill Keep Your Raceday Positive Handicap Stakes. This Class 5 contest offers £8,400 in prize money and is open to horses aged three and older rated between 56 and 75. The scheduled distance is one mile, two furlongs and 53 yards, including an additional 10 yards to the stated base distance of one mile, two furlongs and 43 yards. As the longest race on the programme, it brings the afternoon to a close with a test of stamina over an extended distance.
Overall, Doncaster’s Friday meeting combines two high-value Class 2 handicaps with opportunities for young horses in maiden and novice contests. The programme also includes three sprint handicaps and a concluding race over a longer distance, offering a varied test across the eight-race card. Racing is scheduled to begin at 1:35 PM, with the final contest due off at 5:35 PM.
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