Saturday, 6 September 2025, brings the curtain down on Haydock Park’s three-day Sprint Cup Celebration with one of the most anticipated fixtures of the Flat racing season. The Sprint Cup Day is the headline act, where the best sprinters in training gather to contest the prestigious Group One over six furlongs. The 2025 Haydock Park three day event promises another afternoon of high-class action and drama on its final day.
The gates will open at 11:15, with the first race scheduled for 1:15pm and the finale at 4:40pm. Thousands are expected to descend on Haydock for a day that blends sporting excellence with a vibrant social atmosphere, ensuring this closing chapter of the celebration resonates long after the last horse has crossed the line.
The action begins at 1:15pm with The Superior Mile Stakes over 1m 37y. A recognised Group contest in its own right, it often serves as a platform for high-quality milers to showcase their class, with tactical moves from the jockeys likely to prove decisive.
At 1:50pm, the staying types take their turn in The Handicap Stakes, run over 1m 6f 1y. This is followed by another staying contest at 2:25pm, The Handicap, also over 1m 6f 1y. The Old Borough Cup is a storied Haydock handicap, often attracting a large field of durable performers looking to claim a share of its rich history and valuable prize money.
The headline Sprint Cup showdown:
The focus of the day, and indeed the entire festival, arrives at 3:00pm with The Sprint Cup Stakes over six furlongs. One of the defining Group One sprints of the British season, it has crowned champions for generations and remains a proving ground for the very best speedsters. With international interest and home-trained stars all joining together, the 2025 running promises electric speed and a finish worthy of its illustrious roll of honour.
At 3:35pm, The Friendly Stakes over five furlongs ensures the pace barely drops. Named after the first winner of the Sprint Cup back in 1966, this race pays homage to the event’s heritage while delivering another test of raw sprinting ability.
The two-year-olds step into the spotlight at 4:07pm in The Stakes over 1m 37y. Traditionally, this contest highlights future middle-distance performers, with many winners going on to bigger races as three-year-olds.
The finale at 4:40pm, The Handicap Stakes, rounds off proceedings over 1m 37y. Handicaps at Haydock rarely fail to entertain, and this closing race is expected to provide a competitive finish to a glittering day of racing.
Beyond the racetrack, Haydock Park continues to lead by example with its Going Green programme, focusing on biodiversity, ethical sourcing, and zero waste initiatives. Racegoers can take pride in enjoying the day knowing the venue remains committed to long-term sustainability alongside top-class sport.
The Sprint Cup Day provides the perfect crescendo to three days of festival racing. From the drama of the staying handicaps to the glamour of the Group One sprint, every race offers intrigue, while the racecourse’s electric atmosphere ensures that it remains one of the standout fixtures on the Flat calendar. As the sun sets on Saturday, Haydock Park will once again have reaffirmed its place as one of Britain’s premier racing stages.
Read more about international upates on RaceBuzz.
Visit the official Haydock Park website for tickets, racecards, and event details.
