- Brighton races cleared to launch delayed season after inspection sign-off
- Seaside track will resume racing on Friday May 29
- Jockey Tom Queally took part in trial racecourse gallop
Brighton racecourse is now set to stage its first meeting of 2026 on Friday, May 29 after remedial turf work and a successful Wednesday gallop convinced officials the seaside track is ready to race again, although next Tuesday’s fixture will still be run at Bath because entries had already closed before the sign-off.
Brighton cleared to launch delayed 2026 season after inspection sign-off and trial gallop
The seaside racetrack at Brighton is set to begin its delayed 2026 season on Friday, May 29 after passing a track inspection following extensive remedial work and a trial gallop.
On Wednesday the Racing Post reported that Brighton had been cleared after work by the grounds team and independent agronomy experts was signed off by the BHA Racecourse Inspectorate.
The same report said jockey Tom Queally, who took part in the gallop, had “full confidence in the track” after riding a mixture of experienced and inexperienced horses over the course.
“The horses we rode were a mixture, some experienced and some inexperienced. They all gathered a good deal of traction, with plenty of grip. I have full confidence in riding any type of horse over any distance at Brighton.” Said Queally
Brighton Racecourse can today confirm that, following extensive remedial works carried out on the racing surface, a successful inspection on Monday and subsequent gallop trial this morning, racing will resume on Friday 29 May ➡️ https://t.co/m1qPknje2q pic.twitter.com/nxog3Bq1Ba
— Brighton Racecourse (@BrightonRace) May 20, 2026
The track had been unable to start its season on time because of damage to the racing surface earlier in the spring.
Racing Post said the problems were caused by leatherjackets and nematode infestations, while the BHA had already confirmed on May 11 that Brighton’s fixtures on May 19 and May 26 would be transferred to Lingfield and Bath respectively to allow more recovery time.
That BHA update said a full turf disease report and investigation works had identified infestation of nematodes and leatherjackets as the source of the damage, and that a decision on the Friday, May 29 fixture would be made in the middle of this week.
“We’re delighted that the work undertaken by our grounds team at Brighton has been successful.
“We would like to thank them for all of their hard work, as well as all of the owners, trainers, jockeys, annual members and customers who have been inconvenienced by the delay to the start of the season. Paul Ellison (Brighton’s executive director)
“We very much look forward to getting our season underway and welcoming everyone back onto the racecourse.”
Wednesday’s inspection outcome now gives Brighton the go-ahead to reopen, but the May 26 card will still stay at Bath because the passed inspection came after entries had closed.
Racing Post’s May 29 racecards page now lists Brighton with a seven-race flat meeting scheduled from 14:20 to 17:30, confirming the fixture is back in the published programme.
That gives trainers, jockeys and owners a firmer operational picture after a disrupted opening stretch to the track’s season.
Key Dates & Brighton Racecourse Fixtures (May – August 2026)
- Fri 29 May: Afternoon Flat Racing
- Tue 9 Jun: Evening Flat Racing
- Sun 21 Jun: Father’s Day Family DayMon 22 Jun: Evening Flat Racing
- Tue 30 Jun: Afternoon Flat RacingTue 7 Jul: Evening Flat Racing
- Wed 5 Aug – Fri 7 Aug: Festival of Racing (including Ladies Day on Thu 6 Aug)
- Sun 23 Aug & Mon 24 Aug: Bank Holiday Family & Afternoon Racing
