Major race meeting with 123 horses entered cancelled with immediate effect

Brighton Racecourse has been forced to cancel its opening meeting of the season due to ‘damage to the racing surface’.

Saturday’s card was abandoned on Thursday with immediate effect following an inspection to the course.

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A total of 123 horses had been entered across the seven-race card, which was due to take place this weekend.

The racecourse has confirmed the meet will no longer go ahead, though, following approval from the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) Inspector of Courses.

Brighton Racecourse schedule

In a statement announcing the decision, Brighton Racecourse said: “Unfortunately, the opening fixture of the 2026 season at Brighton Racecourse on Saturday 18th April has been abandoned this morning (April 16th) due to damage to the racing surface.

“The areas of concern were being well managed by our ground staff team ahead of the meeting through treatment to the track which had a positive and encouraging effect.

“We had also arranged movement of running rail lines and reduced the field size limits to counter the issues.

“However, the situation has worsened significantly overnight on Wednesday to the extent that there are now damaged areas on the track that cannot be avoided.

“Safety always comes first, and therefore we have been left with no option to abandon the race meeting with the approval of the British Horseracing Authority Inspector of Courses.

“We are bitterly disappointed that our efforts have been in vain and would like to apologise for the inconvenience.”

Meanwhile, an update on the BHA website read: “Following this morning’s pre-declarations course walk, further areas of damage to the racing surface have now been identified in consultation with the BHA course inspectorate.

“With their approval, the racing surface has been deemed unfit for racing and the fixture has been abandoned.”

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It is hoped that the issues concerning the track can be resolved in time for the course’s next scheduled meet.

Racing is set to return to Brighton for fixtures on Tuesday, April 28 and Wednesday, April 29.

Brighton Racecourse had been scheduled to host 21 days of racing during the 2026 flat season.

Those fixtures include a three-day festival of racing at the track in August.

The postponement of Saturday’s meeting came after 123 entries had been confirmed.

It was due to begin with a Class 6 5f sprint at 4.05pm, whilst the final race of the day was scheduled for 7.30pm.

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Meanwhile, the feature race, a Class 4 handicap over 1m2f, came with a prize fund of almost £11,000.

Brighton Racecourse was opened in 1783 and is one of the most picturesque tracks in England.

Despite the postponement, there is no shortage of racing on offer in the United Kingdom on Saturday.

Flat racing is scheduled at Newbury, Thirsk and Nottingham alongside jumps at Ayr and Bangor-on-Dee.