Horseracing is set to take over London on the
26th of August 2026 as part of National Racehorse Week 2026 which runs from the 22nd to 31st August. Members of the public will be able to meet racing’s equine athletes up close during the nationwide event that is back by popular demand for the sixth-year
running.
Great British Racing, who run National Racehorse Week, will bring its ‘urban racing yard’ to the heart of London in St James’s Churchyard, Piccadilly to give even more people the chance to meet a racehorse as part of the 10-day event. The pop-up event aims
to bring horses and racing closer to families who may never have visited a racecourse before and give those who can’t attend one of National Racehorse Week’s 100+ public open days, the chance to meet a racehorse.
Positioned on St James’s Churchyard, Piccadilly passersby will be able to:
Meet racehorses
Experience riding like a jockey, with tips from Racing to School and some of Britain’s best-known jockeys.
Witness farrier and physio demonstrations and ask the experts questions about caring for equine athletes
Explore a racehorse’s wardrobe
The pop-up will be running from 10:30 – 16:30.
To book a place at one the other 100+ free events taking place visit nationalracehorseweek.uk.
Throughout the week, the sport aims to bring racing closer to people of all ages and backgrounds, giving those, particularly in city locations, the chance to get up close with a horse, some for the very first time. The ‘urban racing yard’ that visited Chester
city centre as part of National Racehorse Week in 2025 provides an educational and entertaining experience for visitors. The ‘urban racing yard’ will also be popping up in Liverpool (22nd August) and Portsmouth (29th August) across the week.
National Racehorse Week takes place across England, Scotland and Wales and offers
over 15,500 free places at 96 venues, including racing yards, studs and racehorse retraining centres. The nationwide event offers families a chance to enjoy a free and memorable day out. Visitors are welcomed into the homes of racehorses to see
them relaxing in their stables or fields, training on the gallops, and enjoying a post-work wash or even swim. Many venues feature live demonstrations from farriers, physiotherapists and vets, along with opportunities to speak directly with grooms, trainers
and stable staff.
Since its inception National Racehorse Week has delivered 65,000 free places for the public to visit studs, training yards, and retraining centres for free and put on an additional
190 community events connecting over 10,000 additional people. The community visits will give those who may not have the chance to visit a venue the opportunity to meet a racehorse and learn about the racing industry and the wonderful lives current
and retired racehorse’s lead.
