Wrapping Up On The 2025 Flat Season

As the 2025 Flat Season nears its conclusion, culminating in the BetVictor Flat Season Finale with Oktoberfest on Friday 24th and Saturday 25th October, Newbury’s CEO Shaun Hinds and Racing Director & Clerk of the Course George Hill reflect on a memorable season.

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So far this year, Newbury Racecourse has hosted 17 thrilling Flat fixtures, delivering not only top-class racing but also the biggest summer of music in its history. Across four Party in the Paddock racedays, five incredible artists took to the stage, creating unforgettable memories for racegoers.

The course has hosted 116 races featuring 1,119 runners, with total prize money reaching an impressive £4,149,710.

Oisin Murphy has been crowned 2025 Champion Jockey for the fifth time after securing 143 wins across the season, 13 of which came on Newbury turf. Among these performances was a dramatic victory in the Group 1 BoyleSports Lockinge Stakes, where John and Thady Gosden’s Lead Artist edged out favourite Dancing Gemini by a neck in a captivating finish. Lead Artist broke the track record that day, crossing the finishing line in an impressive 1 minute 35.06 seconds. This success would mark his last, as he has since retired and will now stand at Banstead Manor Stud for the 2026 season.

For the first time, World Pool featured all eight races on the BoyleSports Lockinge with Ladies Day card – a significant expansion following the success of last year’s coverage of five races.

Anthelia stole the spotlight in July’s Weatherbys Super Sprint under Lewis Edmunds, narrowly defeating favourite Havana Hurricane. The result represented a third victory for trainer Rod Millman in the five-furlong contest.

More Thunder, ridden by Tom Marquand, surged to victory in the Group 2 VisitMalta Hungerford Stakes, denying Witness Stand a second Group success. One lucky racegoer also won an all-inclusive holiday to Malta on the day, courtesy of the course’s new partnership with VisitMalta.

Despite the wet weather during Dubai Duty Free International Weekend, the on-track action remained strong. The highly regarded Into The Sky narrowly missed out on a first Group victory for trainer Jim Boyle, as Words Of Truth, under William Buick, stormed home to claim the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes for Godolphin, the 2025 Champion Owner.

Godolphin and Cheveley Park Stud are tied for leading owner at the Racecourse, each having achieved four victories.

While Aidan O’Brien claimed the title of 2025 Champion Trainer, winning over £7.9 million in prize money across the season, it’s Andrew Balding who leads the trainer standings at Newbury Racecourse with an impressive 15 wins to his name. Among his standout performers is Furthur, who remains unbeaten at the Racecourse this season, alongside Sir Mark Prescott’s Deep Water Bay, and Faye Bramley’s Almuhit.

This season also saw an increase in prize money for both the Hungerford Stakes and Mill Reef Stakes, each receiving a £25,000 boost. A new £50,000 Mill Reef Bonus was introduced, awarded to any Mill Reef winner who had previously won a two-year-old contest at Newbury earlier this season.

This weekend, the Racecourse prepares to host the final two Flat fixtures of the year as the BetVictor Flat Finale with Oktoberfest returns. Tickets are available online or on the gate.

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The Jumps season then kicks off on Thursday 6th November with the BetVictor Jumps Season Opener, launching a schedule of 12 Jumps fixtures, including highlights such as the Coral Gold Cup, Coral Challow Hurdle Day and William Hill Super Saturday.

JUMPS FIXTURES