Newmarket Summer Saturday 2025 Set for Grey Horse Spectacle
Newmarket Racecourse’s well-known July Course will be filled with excitement on Saturday, 16 August 2025, as the racing fans prepare for an afternoon of summer racing, family fun, and one of the sport’s most unique contests the Grey Horse Handicap. The day will set the stage for another historic occasion the following weekend, when the 355th Newmarket Town Plate will be run in honour of the late Valda Embiricos, an idol for women in racing.
Fans will enjoy not only six competitive races but also an atmosphere perfect for summer celebrations. Families can take advantage of free entry for under-18s (with an accompanying adult), while the Garden Enclosure will feature a face painter and bouncy castle for younger racegoers. Gates will open at 12:05 pm, giving plenty of time to settle in before the runners of the first race head to post.
Race Day Schedule: Saturday, 16 August 2025
Gates Open: 12:05 pm
First Race: 2:05 pm
Last Race: 4:55 pm
Race 1: The Grey Horse Handicap Stakes
Start Time: 2:05 pm
Distance: 6f
The afternoon’s feature will see a field of only grey horses thundering down the July Course straight in one of the most visually striking spectacles in British racing. Expect a thrilling charge where tactics, pace, and the power of a late surge could make all the difference.
Race 2: The EBF Novice Stakes
Start Time: 2:40 pm
Distance: 6f
Promising juveniles will line up for this novice sprint, offering a first glimpse of potential future stars. Trainers will be keen to see how their young gallopers handle the July Course, while sharp breaks and clean runs could prove decisive.
Race 3: The Fillies Nursery Handicap Stakes
Start Time: 3:15 pm
Distance: 7f
Handicap action for two-year-old fillies will add a layer of intrigue, with weight allocations designed to even the playing field. This could be a contest where contenders could give a surprise.
Race 4: The Fillies Handicap Stakes
Start Time: 3:45 pm
Distance: 14f
A stamina test awaits here, as fillies tackle a challenging distance of almost fourteen furlongs. Expect patient tactics early before a steady build-up to a testing finish that will reward staying power and grit.
Race 5: The Handicap Stakes
Start Time: 4:20 pm
Distance: 10f
Middle-distance specialists will battle it out in a contest likely to reward tactical positioning. Strong gallopers with a turn of foot in the closing stages could dominate.
Race 6: The Fillies Handicap Stakes
Start Time: 4:55 pm
Distance: 8f
The day concludes with an eight furlongs handicap for fillies, where pace balance will be key. Expect a competitive finish as runners jostle for glory in the final furlong.
With its blend of unique racing spectacle, family-friendly activities, and competitive action, Newmarket’s Summer Saturday promises to be the highlight of August’s calendar. From the thrill of seeing a full field of greys to the stamina battles of the longer contests, the day offers something for every racing fan.
Looking Ahead: Honouring Valda Embiricos on 23 August
The excitement will continue just a week later when the 355th Newmarket Town Plate takes centre stage on Saturday, 23 August 2025. This year’s renewal will be run in honour of the late Valda Embiricos, who passed away on 16th July at the age of 92.
A trailblazer for women in racing, Valda’s career spanned riding, breeding, ownership, and racing administration. Her victory in the Town Plate in 1955 aboard Vuples mirrored her mother Eileen Joel’s triumph exactly a century earlier, and her daughter Alex’s win in 1984 completed an extraordinary three-generation legacy.
This year’s race, shortened to two miles and a furlong due to dry conditions, will be staged entirely on the July Course, offering a rare and intimate spectacle. With its roots stretching back to 1666 under the patronage of King Charles II, the Town Plate remains a jewel of racing heritage and in 2025, it will be an emotional tribute to one of the sport’s most remarkable figures.
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