The Festive Four Reworks Britain’s Christmas Racing

British jump racing will introduce a four-day festive programme this Christmas, bringing major meetings at Kempton, Chepstow and Newbury together under The Festive Four banner from Boxing Day through December 29.

The revised format gives each day its own headline race while keeping all four meetings live on ITV. It follows fixture changes announced earlier in the year to spread the Christmas programme more evenly.

Kempton’s Ladbrokes Christmas Festival remains on December 26 and 27. The Ladbrokes King George VI Chase headlines Boxing Day, while the Ladbrokes Kauto Star Novices’ Chase moves to December 27.

The Coral Welsh Grand National will then take place at Chepstow on December 28, a day later than its traditional slot, before Newbury closes the programme on December 29 with the Coral Challow Novices’ Hurdle.

Awards will also be presented to the leading trainer and jockey across the four days.

Revised Dates Reduce Christmas Fixture Clashes

The changes are intended to give the major races greater individual prominence and reduce conflicts between meetings.

The Kauto Star Novices’ Chase had previously featured on Boxing Day, while the Welsh Grand National ran closer to Kempton’s programme. Moving those races separates the main events across consecutive days.

Simon Clare of Entain said in a press release:

“The Festive Four makes this special period even better. By spreading these great fixtures across four consecutive days, we’re giving fans more of what they love, with a major racing occasion to look forward to every day.

“It’s a fantastic four-day package of top-class jump racing and a great opportunity to showcase our sport to a wider audience over Christmas.”

The initiative involves Entain, The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company, Newbury Racecourse, Racecourse Media Group, the British Horseracing Authority, ITV Racing and Great British Racing.

Four-Day Pass Added for Racegoers

A Festive Four Pass will give racegoers access to all four meetings for £64. The limited offer went on sale on November 5 and will remain available until December 15.

Members at Kempton, Chepstow and Newbury will receive free admission to all four racedays.

Champion trainer Dan Skelton welcomed the new structure.

“It feels like we’ve needed to get our house in order with the festive racing programme in the UK and creating a festival like this is a really positive step. Fans and professionals alike can now plan their festive racing and I can’t wait. Hopefully, the fans will enjoy it as much as we will.

“It’s a very sensible move for the whole industry, so thank you to the sponsors and everyone involved in making this happen.”

The revised dates also make it easier for trainers and jockeys to attend multiple meetings without choosing between overlapping fixtures.

Racecourses Back the New Programme

Officials at all three venues have supported the new arrangement.

Kempton Park general manager Simon Durrant said the Christmas Festival remains one of the key meetings in the jump racing calendar.

Chepstow executive director Luke Admans highlighted the importance of giving the Coral Welsh Grand National its own place in the festive schedule, while Newbury chief executive Shaun Hinds welcomed the Challow Hurdle’s role in closing the four-day programme.

Joe Tizzard also pointed to the practical benefit of no longer having to choose between Kempton and Chepstow on December 27.

Sean Bowen, winner of the 2026 Coral Welsh Grand National, said the new date would help the race retain its profile during the Christmas holidays.

The Festive Four will therefore run from the King George VI Chase on December 26 through to the Challow Hurdle on December 29, with ITV broadcasting every day and additional awards linking the meetings together.