Leicester Racecourse will stage a seven-race Flat meeting on turf on Monday, October 26, 2026. The programme features contests for two-year-old fillies and juveniles, alongside handicap races for older horses and a closing event for amateur jockeys. Racing is scheduled to begin at 1:07 PM, with the final contest set for 4:24 PM. The card includes British EBF novice and maiden stakes, nursery handicaps and several races over distances ranging from five furlongs to more than a mile and three furlongs.
The second race of the afternoon, the British EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 4), scheduled for 1:37 PM, offers the highest prize money of the meeting at £11,000. The opening British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes and the Hamish’s Birthday Countdown Handicap Stakes at 3:14 PM each carry prize funds of £10,000, making them notable contests on the day’s programme.
The meeting begins at 1:07 PM with The British EBF Fillies’ Novice Stakes (Class 4). Open to two-year-old fillies, the race will be run over six furlongs and offers £10,000 in prize money. The contest will provide young fillies with an opportunity to gain valuable experience on the turf while demonstrating their early development, pace and ability to handle the demands of competitive racing. A strong start and an effective finish could prove important over the sprint distance.
At 1:37 PM, the British EBF Maiden Stakes (Class 4) will bring two-year-old runners to the course for another six-furlong contest. With £11,000 available in prize money, it is the most valuable race on the card. The event offers an opportunity for inexperienced runners to demonstrate their potential and make progress in their early racing careers. Positioning, acceleration and the ability to maintain speed over the closing stages will be important factors.
The third race, The Christmas Parties at Leicester Racecourse – Book Now Nursery Handicap Stakes (Class 6), is scheduled for 2:07 PM. The contest covers seven furlongs and is restricted to two-year-old runners with a rating of 0–65. It carries £6,000 in prize money. The nursery handicap format brings together young horses with different levels of experience, making consistency and the effective use of energy important over the distance.
At 2:39 PM, the programme continues with The Fireworks Festival Here Saturday 7th November Handicap Stakes (Class 6). The race is open to runners aged three and above with ratings between 46 and 55. Covering one mile and two furlongs, the contest offers £6,000 in prize money. The longer distance will test stamina and race management, with runners required to maintain a steady rhythm before producing their finishing effort.
The fifth race at 3:14 PM is The Hamish’s Birthday Countdown Handicap Stakes (Class 4). Open to horses aged three and above with ratings ranging from 61 to 80, the race will be run over one mile and 53 yards. It offers £10,000 in prize money and is among the principal contests of the afternoon. The distance places importance on tactical positioning, pace control and the ability to accelerate when approaching the finish.
The sixth race, The Jumping’s Back at Leicester Tuesday 17th November Handicap Stakes (Class 5), is scheduled for 3:49 PM. The five-furlong sprint is open to runners aged three and above with ratings between 56 and 75. The contest carries £7,000 in prize money. With limited time to establish a position, a quick start and sustained speed will be essential as the runners compete over the short distance.
The meeting concludes at 4:24 PM with The AJA Novice Flat Amateur Jockeys’ Handicap Stakes (Class 6). Open to horses aged three and above with ratings of 46–60, the race covers one mile, three furlongs and 179 yards and offers £6,000 in prize money. The contest is restricted to riders with three wins or fewer at the start of the season. As the longest race on the card, it will place considerable emphasis on stamina, measured pace and sound race management.
The Leicester meeting on October 26 brings together seven turf races featuring a variety of distances, age groups and classes. The programme offers opportunities for developing two-year-old runners in the opening novice and maiden contests, followed by handicap races that will test speed, stamina and consistency. The amateur jockeys’ handicap will bring the afternoon to a close, completing a varied day of Flat racing at Leicester.
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