Horse racing will return to Towcester in 2027, as six meetings are scheduled to take place. In partnership with Betway, the course will reopen for National Hunt racing for the first time in nearly a decade. However, other tracks are braced for potential cancellations after the unprecedentedly dry summer.
Horse racing returns to Towcester
For the first time since its closure to racing in 2019, Towcester will host National Hunt racing. An agreement has been reached to host six meetings in 2027. Towcester has hosted greyhound racing in the meantime, but, in partnership with a £2 million investment from Betway, the track will renew its participation in the sport. The course first hosted racing 150 years ago and was the site of AP McCoy’s 4,000th career winner. (BBC)
Tracks braced for dry weather impact
Though the summer jumps have rolled on unaffected, other National Hunt courses are braced for the impact of 2026’s dry summer. Courses and training facilities throughout Somerset have talked of constant watering throughout the summer. Tom Ryall, of Wincanton Racecourse, has said that in the future: “If we felt this was going to become a regular occurrence every summer, we have options to start the season later.” (BBC)
Fortitudine continues in brother’s hoofprints
Rebel’s Romance’s brother Fortitudine backed up the impression of his sparkling recent debut. The son of Dubawi won by 21 lengths on his first start at Kempton last month. Returned to the same course and distance, he led pillar to post under a winners’ penalty, to win by a shade over two lengths on Wednesday night. While not as startling as his opening victory, he and William Buick comfortably justified 1/4 odds. Buick said afterwards that “the second sets a decent level so he can only improve.” (Racing Post)
September Stakes: Gethin on course but Bay City Roller goes elsewhere
Constitution Hill is set to face Gethin in the September Stakes at Kempton this Saturday. Owen Burrows’ four-year-old is the ante-post favourite for the Group 3, with the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe the aim afterwards. His trainer is excited about the upcoming period, suggesting that “he could be in for a busy autumn if ground conditions allow.” The son of Ghaiyyath is owned by Wathnan Racing after a purchase earlier this season. (Sporting Life)
One opponent who neither Constitution Hill nor Gethin will be facing is Bay City Roller. The Coronation Cup hero, who scored readily at Epsom in softened conditions, will head to France for his prep run ahead of the Arc. The Prix Foy is now the target for Bay City Roller on Sunday at Longchamp. In wait there is Daryz, the defending Arc champion, though trainer George Scott is not fazed by the opposition. (Racing Post)