Windsor Racecourse Guide

Set on the banks of the River Thames and in the shadow of Windsor Castle, the racecourse at Windsor is famed for its beautiful setting, immaculate lawns and friendly, intimate atmosphere.

Windsor hosts racing throughout the summer into autumn, the majority of which takes place during their regular Monday evening meetings.

It is one of only two figure-of-eight courses in the United Kingdom, the other being Fontwell Park.

Here's our guide to Windsor Racecourse.

What	Monday evenings at Windsor
Where	Windsor Racecourse, Berkshire
When	Monday evenings May-September
How to watch	bet365 Sports Live Streaming & Sky Sports Racing

Key Races at Windsor

Flat
- Royal Windsor Stakes
- Leisure Stakes
- Midsummer Stakes
- August Stakes
- Winter Hill Stakes

Windsor's season typically runs from April to October, with their Monday evening cards a staple of the summer months.

The Listed Leisure Stakes ran over six-furlongs for horses' aged three and older takes place on a Monday evening in May and can be used as a springboard for nearby Royal Ascot the following month.

Later in the season Windsor stages the Midsummer Stakes, a Listed contest run over a mile and open to three-year-olds and older.

Then in late August, on Bank Holiday weekend, the Group 3 Winter Hill Stakes - the feature contest of the season at this picturesque Berkshire venue.

Track Layout

The track at Windsor is a figure of eight shape, twelve-and-a-half-furlongs in length.

All races run at around a mile-and-a-half see both left and right-handed turns being taken, but in races below that distance, only right-handed turns are in play.

Though it is essentially quite flat, the track is regarded as being sharp in character. Allowing for that, the run-in of nearly five-furlongs helps to ensure galloping sorts aren't inconvenienced here.

A good draw can be vital, with those drawn high tending to be favoured in sprints. The bottom bend sees plenty of action, especially if the leaders slow up on the approach, and races can often be won and lost here.

There is sometimes a 'golden highway' up the centre of the track, but, equally, brave jockeys can reap rewards if sticking to the stand rail and getting the breaks late on.

Visiting Windsor

Windsor Racecourse is located on the banks of the River Thames and occupies a large island between the main channel of the River and the Clewer Mill Stream backwater.

With its proximity to nearby Windsor Castle it has long been referred to as Royal Windsor. It is famed for its beautiful settings, immaculate lawns and friendly, intimate atmosphere and is served by a railway stop that allows patrons to stroll to the racecourse.

The local area has links to horse racing that date back to the time of Henry VIII, but the first race meeting at Royal Windsor did not take place until 1866. It hosted jumps racing until 1998, but is now exclusively a Flat racing venue.

Royal Windsor Racecourse is a 'place to be seen' and with three enclosures it offers a destination for all racegoers to enjoy the action, incorporating the hotly contested Gentlemen's day and Ladies' day best dressed competitions.

The Club Enclosure has the prime position next to the winning post and has a dedicated big screen for all the racing action. From here racegoers have access to the Grandstand Enclosures, Centre of the Course and Paddock Lawn. The Parade Ring, Pre-Parade Ring and Winners' Enclosure.

The Grandstand Enclosure has a great view of the track and is located within 75 yards of the winning post.

The 1866 Restaurant is a superb track-side restaurant which overlooks the finishing straight, while The Royal Club houses Gastro, a finalist in the 2019 RCA Showcase Awards in the food and beverage category.

For unique al-fresco dining the Riverbank Marquee is set within the Jubilee Club Enclosure, just metres away from the finishing post and parade ring and it promises a selection of summer barbequed favourites.

Trains from London Waterloo to Windsor and Eton Riverside service the racecourse, while there is also the option of arriving in style via the river boat taxi service from Windsor Town Centre directly to the racecourse.