The rhythm of hooves will soon echo into the February night as Kempton Park Racecourse prepares to welcome The Jockey Club’s 18th February 2026 fixture. Beneath the bright floodlights, connections will gather with hopeful hearts and steady nerves, knowing that within a few short hours, months of training, patience, and sacrifice will be tested in the most honest arena of all — the racecourse.
Racing enthusiasts, owners, trainers, and jockeys will gather with a shared sense of expectation, knowing that every race will carry its own story. From emerging talents seeking their breakthrough to seasoned campaigners chasing consistency, the evening will offer seven compelling contests, each rich with opportunity and emotion.
The action will begin at 5:30pm with THE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) over 1 mile, offering £8,000.00 in total prize money. As the first field breaks from the stalls, the atmosphere will be electric. Class 5 performers will battle for supremacy, and connections will hope their preparation through the colder weeks will translate into a strong opening statement.
Just thirty minutes later, at 6:00pm, another THE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 5) over 1 mile will continue the momentum, again with £8,000.00 up for grabs. Consistency and tactical awareness will be crucial, and jockeys will be expected to judge pace to perfection around Kempton’s sweeping turns.
At 6:30pm, the tempo will sharpen in THE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 6) over 7 furlongs, carrying a total prize fund of £6,000.00. Here, grit and resilience will come to the forefront. For many runners, this will be a vital chance to climb the ranks, and every yard of the seven-furlong trip will test both speed and stamina.
The evening will step up in class at 7:00pm with THE NOVICE STAKES (CLASS 4) over 7 furlongs, featuring a prize pot of £10,000.00. Young and progressive horses will look to stamp their authority, and the sense of possibility will be palpable. This contest will likely provide glimpses of future stars, horses whose names may soon resonate far beyond this February night.
Excitement will continue to build at 7:30pm in THE MAIDEN STAKES (CLASS 4) over 6 furlongs, also worth £10,000.00. For maidens still seeking their first career victory, this race will represent hope and hunger in its purest form. Connections will dream of that breakthrough moment when potential finally converts into triumph.
At 8:00pm, the competitive edge will intensify in THE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) over 6 furlongs, with a rewarding £12,000.00 on offer. Speed specialists will relish the sharp trip, and the sprint finish under the floodlights will be certain to stir emotions among spectators and participants alike.
The curtain will fall at 8:30pm with the evening’s longest test — THE HANDICAP STAKES (CLASS 4) over 1 mile, 2 furlongs and 219 yards, also boasting £12,000.00 in total prize money. This extended distance will demand patience, stamina, and strategic brilliance. As the final strides are taken, the race will encapsulate everything that makes an all-weather winter meeting so captivating: resilience, ambition, and the unyielding pursuit of victory.
When the last horse returns to the unsaddling enclosure, the 18th February meeting at Kempton Park will have delivered not just results, but moments — moments of relief, jubilation, and quiet reflection. Under the watchful lights and the crisp English sky, The Jockey Club’s race day will stand as a testament to the enduring drama and beauty of the sport.
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