Date confirmed for National Hunt racing return at Betway Towcester Racecourse

The south Northants venue, which last staged horse racing back in May, 2018, has been renamed Betway Towcester Racecourse and it was announced back in July that the intention was to see horse racing return.

It can now be confirmed that the course has been awarded six National Hunt meetings in the 2027/28 season, with the first being staged next October.

Towcester's management company, Orchestrate, is working with the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and a programme of fixtures have been leased, with three in 2027 and three in 2028.

The fixtures currently agreed in 2027 are Wednesday, October 20, Tuesday, November 30 and Thursday, December 16, while in 2028 the meetings unveiled are on Sunday, January 16, Friday, February 4 and Tuesday, February 15.

A press release read: "These fixtures represent an important milestone in the racecourse’s plans to restore regular National Hunt racing to Towcester.

"Towcester's racecourse licence application is progressing with the BHA's support ahead of the 2027/28 season, and the six fixtures are subject to BHA approval."

Orchestrate chief executive Richard Thomas said: “Seeing dates in the diary for the first time in nearly a decade is a genuinely exciting moment for everyone here.

"We said in July that we wanted to bring horse racing back to Towcester for the local community and for the sport, and we now have a clear programme to work towards.

"There is plenty to do between now and October 2027, but work on the track is already well underway and we can't wait to welcome horses back.”

PR manager at Betway Lewis Knowles added: “We've had a fantastic response from racing fans and industry professionals alike following our announcement that horse racing would soon return to Betway Towcester.

"We're now delighted to confirm the dates of six fixtures for the 2027/2028 National Hunt season.

“Following the announcement, the first question everybody asked was, 'when?', so, we're thrilled to now be able to give racing fans a date to circle on their calendars for next year.

"Work is well underway at the course as we prepare for that opening fixture, and we're hoping to have more exciting announcements to make over the coming weeks and months.”

The press release continued: "A major investment programme is also underway, with Orchestrate and its new Principal Strategic Partner, Betway, investing more than £2 million in the venue.

"The investment will fund a comprehensive overhaul of the racing surface, alongside significant improvements and modernisation of the spectator facilities.

"The redevelopment is designed to provide a high-quality racing environment for participants and spectators as Betway Towcester Racecourse prepares to re-establish itself as a leading National Hunt venue."

Towcester last staged horse racing in 2018, but has continued to operate as a venue to greyhound racing, becoming the home of the English Greyhound Derby.

Ahead of the return of National Hunt racing, the venue is aiming to help preparations by hosting Point-to-Point fixtures in spring 2027.