The season opener at Brighton racecourse this Saturday evening (18th April) has been officially scrapped after a Thursday morning course walk turned up some serious issues with the racing surface.
Brighton Forced To Cancel Saturday Card Due To Unfit Racing Surface
Following a consultation with the BHA course inspector, the Brighton track was deemed unsafe for racing.
Meaning their season curtain-raiser on Saturday 18th April, which was an evening card, has been abandoned.
Having walked the course on Thursday, officials made the call to cancel the fixture right away – getting the word out before declarations even closed.
The seven-race seaside card had pulled in a massive 123 entries – with the action set to run from 4:05pm to 7:30pm and broadcast live on Sky Sports Racing.
While the cancelled Brighton card was also due to have an ‘ABBA The Party’ concert after the last race.
Saturday will, however, still see some top action with the ITV Racing cameras at Newbury and Ayr.
Which includes the Scottish Grand National at 3:35pm – a race trainer Willie Mullins has won for the last two seasons.
When Is Brighton’s Next Horse Racing Fixture?
Track officials will be working hard to get the course fit for racing.
With their next Brighton card scheduled for Thursday 28th May and Friday 29th May ‘Beer and Cider Raceday’.
Their next fixture after that is due to be an afternoon card on Thursday May 7th.
It’s not known at this stage if those Brighton cards will be fit for racing.
Brighton Racecourse Fixtures 2026
April Fixtures
- Saturday 18th April – Season Opener 2026 ft ABBA The Party – CANCELLED
- Tuesday 28th April – TBC
- Wednesday 29th April – TBC
May Fixtures
- Thursday 7th May – TBC
- Tuesday 19th May – TBC
- Tuesday 26th May – TBC
- Friday 29th May – TBC
June Fixtures
- Tuesday 9th June – TBC
- Sunday 21st June – TBC
- Monday 22nd June – TBC
- Tuesday 30th June – TBC
July Fixtures
- Tuesday 7th July – TBC
August Fixtures
- Wednesday 5th August – TBC
- Thursday 6th August – TBC
- Friday 7th August – TBC
- Sunday 23rd August – TBC
- Monday 24th August – TBC
September Fixtures
- Tuesday 1st September – TBC
- Monday 28th September – TBC
October Fixtures
- Tuesday 6th October – TBC
- Thursday 15th October (Season Finale) – TBC
Cheltenham Forced To Cancel Remaining 2025/26 Season Fixtures Too
Cheltenham Racecourse
The Brighton news also comes hot on the heels of Cheltenham announcing recently their final fixtures of the 2025/26 season had to be cancelled too.
Again, with unsafe ground issues the concern.
With the April 15th and 16th two-day meeting cancelled, plus their final fixture on May 1st (evening) also pulled.
The reason?
A major section of the home straight needs immediate attention.
Crews are getting to work right now to make sure the surface has enough time to bounce back properly for the 2026-27 season.
Jon Pullin, Cheltenham’s head of racing and clerk of the course, put it plainly: “Our priority is always to provide the best possible racing surface for top-class Jump racing.”
He noted that the incredibly wet winter caused a string of issues on the track. After bringing in drainage experts, they found a specific area that needs a serious upgrade.
“Given the scale of this project and the last two particularly dry summers,” Pullin added, “we have decided to bring this work forward.” Pullin added.
