Horse racing calendar remains in doubt until heaven’s open

Horse Racing fans are getting very used to the more extreme weather climate that is now all too common within the United Kingdom over the last few years, and the summer of 2026 has already gone down in the record books with multiple heatwave bouts that tested us all, and in a number of different ways.

Given the sustained periods of hot weather and the heat that eventually culminated in roughly three fifths of the country officially entering a drought, it has come as no surprise to absolutely anyone associated with the sport to know that there are now significant health and safety concerns hitting racecourses up and down the country.

A number of events have already been postponed with trainers withdrawing their four legged talents given their fears, and for those who have gone ahead, we have unfortunately seen race days cancelled early with unsteady ground causing injuries to fallen riders.

This appears to be the new norm that not only horse racing bookies with today’s odds, but everyone will simply have to adjust to, and with jumps season almost with us, racecourses are again sounding the alarm bells that cancellations are on the cards unless the heavens open and we see some sustained and significant rainfall in the coming weeks.

Racecourses facing an uncertain autumn

Clerk of the Course at Somerset’s Wincanton Racecourse, Tom Ryall, has recently stated that unless there was good rainfall over the next six to eight week period, it is doubtful as to whether the ground will be soft enough for their opener on October 25.

He is not alone in airing his concerns, Ditcheat, Shepton Mallet based trainer, Paul Nicholls, has explained that it is impossible to run some horses because it has been ‘one of the driest summers’ ever known.

Salisbury Racecourse’s Jeremy Martin admitted that they have been watering daily to stave off the worst effects as best as they could to aid their own racing meets.

They know they are one of the lucky ones, as they have a license allowing water extraction from an aquifer, and that simply is not available to the majority.

But even they were happy to admit that despite that advantage, it is nowhere near as healthy or natural for the course when compared to proper rain.

With the change in the weather the last few weeks, that has obviously been welcomed with open arms, but they know that this needs to be the start of consistent rain and whilst that is indicated by the long term forecasts, it is very much a case of taking it week by week ‘doing our best rain dance’ and hoping for the best.

Wincanton had to cancel last year’s opener, as well as two more in March, owing to the lack of rain then, knowing they require 200 to 250mm of water to be truly safe, remains some ask right now.

The simple, as they acknowledge themselves, is that if this weather pattern continues the racing calendar will have to change in order to take account of the new reality.