FAQs

Equine flu is a highly contagious viral respiratory disease in horses.

Racing stops during outbreaks because the virus spreads extremely fast — especially in environments where many horses mix, such as racecourses and training yards.

The majority of horses that would be entered on this date come from unlicensed yards and may have been in contact with horses that are not vaccinated, and therefore may have been exposed to the virus.

Yes — Saturday 30 May racing goes ahead as advertised, with the first race at 5.50pm.

No. All Friday tickets will be refunded automatically, including booking fees. Saturday tickets can be booked online in advance or on arrival on the night.

Yes — as planned, in the centre course.

The difference between a licensed and unlicensed racehorse mainly concerns regulation, vaccination rules, and eligibility to compete.

No — humans cannot catch equine flu. There are no confirmed cases of equine influenza infecting people, and veterinary authorities classify it as a non-zoonotic disease.

While you cannot catch the virus, humans can still carry it on clothing, hands or equipment, which is why biosecurity is so important during outbreaks.

Book tickets online at tickets.stratfordracecourse.net.

E-tickets can be booked anytime, including on raceday, and are emailed for phone or print presentation. Gates open 2 hours before the first race. Day-of purchases via cash or card are available at the gate.

Pre-booked tickets can be posted via Royal Mail Special Delivery for £10 (orders placed 7+ days before the meeting).

Please note: Tickets are non-refundable but transferable to other fixtures within the same year.

The Racecard provides race details and helpful information, and is sold at various points around the racecourse. Staff at the racecourse will assist with queries or direct visitors to the Racecourse Office.

Yes, visitors can upgrade between enclosures on raceday by paying the price difference at the gate.

Only guide dogs for the blind are permitted in the Main Enclosure.

Dogs are allowed in the Centre Course enclosure if kept on leads at all times.

The typical schedule features seven races, though occasionally six or eight races may occur. Pony races follow the final official race once yearly.

Stratford Racecourse is accessible by road, rail, and air.

Address: CV37 9SE

By Road:

• 15 minutes from M40 Junction 15
• 40 minutes from M5 Junction 7
• Major cities are within two hours' drive

By Air:

• Birmingham Airport is 40 minutes away

By Rail:

• Stratford-upon-Avon railway station is a 5-minute taxi ride from the racecourse

Picnics, food and beverages are permitted in the Centre Course enclosure only. Bars and refreshment facilities are available throughout the racecourse for other enclosures.

BBQs are allowed, but please:

• Don't place them directly on the grass in dry weather
• Don't dispose of hot ashes or disposables in the general rubbish bins

You're welcome to bring tables, chairs, crockery, glassware and so on, but you're responsible for safe use and disposal of any breakages.

Currently, there are no car parking charges at Stratford Racecourse. Parking is free for all raceday visitors.

The racecourse hosts racing 17 times yearly from March to November.

Outside of racing:

• The touring park operates from March through October
• A major motor caravan trade fair occurs one weekend in June
• The facilities are available for private hire and events

Yes — Stratford Racecourse hosts a touring park for caravans, motorhomes and tents, operating from March through October.

Bookings, pricing and availability are handled by the touring park directly:

stratfordtouringpark.com

Yes. We offer a complimentary carer's badge on the day to disabled visitors and wheelchair users on production of a valid Access Card showing the +1 symbol (or equivalent evidence of a companion or carer requirement). Just speak to the team at the entrance. See our Your Raceday page for accessible parking, mobility access and other accessibility information.

Stratford Racecourse fixtures are available to Blue Light Card holders through the Event Ballot scheme on bluelightcard.co.uk.

Find the Stratford listing on Blue Light Card →

(You'll need to be logged into your Blue Light Card account.)

Or navigate to it manually:

1. Log in at bluelightcard.co.uk
2. Open the Shopping Cards tab in the top navigation
3. Scroll to the Event Ballots section
4. Click the Horse Racing tile
5. Find Stratford Racecourse and enter the ballot for the meeting you'd like to attend

Applications must be made directly through Blue Light Card, not through the racecourse.

Annual badges offer discounted admission to all 17 fixtures plus approximately 40 reciprocal fixtures at other racecourses, including Leicester's jump meetings.

Visit our Membership page for full details and to purchase your badge.

Coach parties are very welcome at Stratford Racecourse.

Drivers receive complimentary Main Enclosure badges upon presenting their PSV licenses and completing the security forms provided by the parking stewards on arrival.

The racecourse has partnerships with local hotels, including The Stratford Limes Hotel.

Stratford-upon-Avon offers a wide range of accommodation options from luxury hotels to charming B&Bs. Contact us for recommendations or check local tourism websites for the full range of options.

Amateur photography is permitted at Stratford Racecourse.

However, flash photography is discouraged as it may distract horses or jockeys, creating potential safety risks.

Concessions are not currently available at Stratford Racecourse.

Under-18s are free with all bookings when accompanied by an adult — including walk-up tickets, advance bookings and group bookings.

Check our website for the latest Going updates on our fixtures pages.

For weather forecasts, visit AccuWeather or similar weather services.

Monitor our website, Facebook, and Twitter for updates when adverse weather threatens racing. We will always communicate any changes as quickly as possible.

Gates open two hours before the first race.

• Afternoon meetings typically start around 2pm
• Evening (twilight) meetings typically start around 5.30pm

We run 6 or 7 races per meeting, with 35-minute intervals between races.

Bars close half an hour after the last race.

Specific times for each meeting are listed on the relevant fixture page. We recommend arriving early to review the racecard, relax, and avoid traffic close to race time.

Limited seating is available in all enclosures and most bar areas.

We recommend arriving early if you require a seat, particularly on busy racedays.

If racing is abandoned before the first race:
No day-of refunds are issued at the racecourse. Please retain your badges/tickets and post them to the racecourse for refunds or replacement badges for a future fixture.

Once racing has begun:
No refunds apply if any racing has taken place.

There is no cash machine, ATM or cashpoint on-site at Stratford Racecourse.

However, cashback facilities are available at certain locations on the course.

Both cash and card payments are accepted at various locations around the racecourse, including:

• Entrance gates
• Racecard sales
• Multiple bars
• Cafés and restaurants

Please note: Some venues accept card-only, while others accept both payment methods.

Yes, we offer group discounts based on group size:

• 12-19 tickets: 20% discount
• 20-29 tickets: 20% discount + 1 free ticket
• 30+ tickets: 20% discount + 2 free tickets

Group tickets need to be booked before arriving at the course — they're not available at the gate. Get in touch with the racecourse office to arrange your booking.

All meetings at Stratford Racecourse are broadcast live on Racing TV.

Racing TV is available on Sky and Virgin Media, and via subscription on the Racing TV app and website.

Yes — tickets are available to buy on the day at every meeting.

Gate prices:

• Main Enclosure: £23
• Centre Course: £15

Group bookings (12+ tickets) need to be arranged in advance — those discounted rates aren't available at the gate.

Ladies Day at Stratford Racecourse is one of the highlights of our season. As well as a full afternoon of National Hunt racing, the day features:

• Style competitions — Best Dressed Lady, Best Dressed Couple, Best Hat, and Most Fashionable
• Live music in the enclosures before racing
• A celebratory atmosphere across the course

We may also offer a special hospitality Champagne Tea package — please contact us closer to the date to confirm availability.

See the Ladies Day fixture page for ticket information and full timings.

Yes — cars may be left on site overnight after any race day, at the owner's risk.

We do ask that they're collected the following day.

Yes — we host conferences, meetings and corporate events on non-raceday dates.

We have a variety of rooms accommodating 10 to 170 guests.

Day Delegate Rates start from £37.50 per person + VAT, and include:

• Meeting room hire
• A simple sandwich buffet lunch
• All-day tea and coffee

For availability and to discuss your requirements, please contact the racecourse office.