New Year’s Day Races Guide 2024

There are eight New Year’s Day horse racing meetings taking place across the UK and Ireland in 2024. These are:

• Catterick
• Cheltenham
• Exeter
• Musselburgh
• Newcastle
• Southwell
• Fairyhouse (Ireland)
• Tramore (Ireland)

The biggest and best of these meetings is Cheltenham’s New Year’s Day Raceday, where you can watch seven highly-competitive races, including Graded and Listed contests. Last year, The Real Whacker won at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day before winning the Grade 1 Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. Plus, Marie’s Rock also appeared on New Year’s Day before running out at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

But, although Cheltenham is the highlight of the racing calendar on New Year’s Day this year, all of the meetings we’ve listed above are popular and will feature great action. Here’s exactly what you can expect at each meeting:

Jumpstart your 2024 with the New Year’s Day races at Catterick Racecourse in North Yorkshire. Racing on New Year’s Day is a tradition here and six races are scheduled for the 2024 meeting. Expect great action, a family-friendly atmosphere and a warm Yorkshire welcome.

There’s no better way to celebrate the start of 2024 than with the New Year’s Raceday at Cheltenham. Expect to enjoy seven highly-competitive races, including Listed and Graded contests, as well as live music and a family funzone.

Looking forward to the Cheltenham Festival in March already? The New Year’s Day races at Cheltenham often act as an important signpost for the big meet.

Exeter’s New Year’s Day horse racing action is marketed as ‘Devon’s Big Day Out’ and it’s hard to disagree.

Visit Exeter Racecourse on New Year’s Day and you’ll get to watch seven high-quality races. These are a mixture of steeplechase races, hurdles and a flat race. There’s also a band and an excellent atmosphere here, so there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained throughout the day.

Musselburgh Racecourse in Scotland is the place to be on New Year’s Day. The New Year’s Day races here are worth over £100,000 in prize money. They include the £40,000 ‘Auld Reekie’ Handicap Chase and £30,000 Hogmaneigh Hurdle.

There’s also plenty more to enjoy away from the track, including live entertainment, marquees, a winter fashion competition with fantastic prizes and plenty of festive food and drink.

New Year’s Day racing is brand new for 2024 in Newcastle. This year, it will host the All-Weather Championship Trials Day, which will consist of six Class 2 Open Handicaps following the Championship Race Categories, alongside a Class 5 Apprentice Handicap.

Each race during the day will be important, as the winner of each race will be eligible for free entry to the corresponding Finals Day race at Newcastle.

Due to extensive flooding experienced this autumn, Southwell Racecourse is currently undergoing a phased return to operation. However, although the public can’t currently attend on a General Admission basis, a full New Year’s Day racecard will still be taking place this year.

Get ready for an afternoon of top-class jumps racing at Fairyhouse. The feature race on the seven-race card here is the John & Chich Fowler Memorial Irish EBF Mares Chase (Grade 3)

New Year’s Day racing at Fairyhouse is always well-attended. The home of the BoyleSports Irish Grand National, the course is one of the best racecourses in Ireland.

Many of the greats of jump racing have raced here over the years, including Arkle, Desert Orchid, Flyingbolt, Hurricane Fly and Annie Power.

New Year’s Day horse racing also takes place at Tramore, which hosts the Savills New Year Chase Day. The National Hunt racing here is of a high standard and, because the racecourse is located above the town, it offers guests panoramic views of Tramore Strand. It’s the perfect place to ring in the New Year.

There’s no better way to start 2024 than with a winner or two; especially after an expensive festive season!

So, before you head to the races, check out all of our latest New Year’s Day horse racing tips. From singles to trebles and Lucky 15s, we have every option covered. No matter whether you’d like to place an each way bet, find a dark horse to back or want to place an accumulator, we can provide you with the best tips around.

Remember, certain trainers, jockeys and horses all perform well around certain tracks, while others will round into form just in time for the New Year’s Day fixtures. So, check back regularly and make sure you’re armed with all the information you need to make an informed bet.

Above all else, make sure that you always gamble responsibly.

As horse racing on New Year’s Day is so popular, a number of free horse racing bets are usually available. Plus, most bookmakers usually offer free bets and sign-up offers that punters and race-goers can make the most of.

If you’re interested in using these offers, then head over to our free bets page. Here we’ve listed all the best bookmaker signup offers available today.