Founder & Editor · Last reviewed 2026-07-15
Summer jumping at Stratford-on-Avon is a unique experience — jumps racing in the sunshine when most National Hunt venues are closed for the flat season. The course stages around 20 fixtures from April to October, offering a relaxed, warm-weather alternative to winter jumping at Cheltenham or Warwick.
The complete guide covers the course layout and facilities. This guide focuses on the summer jumping experience: what makes it special, the key meetings, and how to plan your visit. The Horse & Hound Cup is the highlight — that guide covers the signature race in detail.
Stratford's summer programme fills a gap in the calendar. When Plumpton and Fontwell have finished for the season, Stratford keeps the jumps flag flying. For a day at the races, the day out guide has you covered.
Bet on Stratford-on-Avon
Place your bets on Stratford-on-Avon races with a trusted bookmaker.
Promo code BETFRED50. New UK & Gibraltar customers only, 18+. Register and deposit a minimum of £10 using debit card, Apple Pay or Truelayer Instant Bank Transfer (e-wallets and prepaid cards excluded). Place a first bet of £10 or more at minimum odds of Evens (2.0) on any sportsbook market within 7 days of registration. Once settled you receive 3 × £10 sports free bets plus £20 in Bet Builder free bets (World Cup structure, 8 June – 15 July 2026; reverts to 2 × £10 acca free bets, 4+ selections win only, from 16 July). Free bets are credited within 10 hours of qualifying-bet settlement and expire 7 days after credit. Free-bet stake is not returned with winnings. One offer per person, household, IP address and device. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
Promo code BET20GET10. New UK 18+ customers only. Minimum deposit £10 via debit card. Minimum qualifying bet of £20 at minimum odds of Evens (2.0) — single bet, settled in the same registration session. Bonus credited as 2 × £5 free bets: first paid automatically on settlement of the qualifying bet, second £5 credited 24 hours later. Free bets restricted to accumulators of trebles or greater at minimum odds of 4/1 per leg. Free-bet stake is not returned with winnings. Free bets expire 24 hours after credit. PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and Paysafe not supported sitewide. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
50% of your first-day net losses refunded as a free bet, capped at £25. New UK customers aged 18+ only — one offer per person, household, IP address and device. Customers registered with GAMSTOP cannot claim. Minimum deposit £10 via Visa Debit, Mastercard Debit, Apple Pay or bank transfer; PayPal, Skrill, Neteller and prepaid cards are not supported. KYC identity verification must be completed before the free bet is credited. Free bet is stake-not-returned. Verify the qualifying-stake threshold, minimum-odds requirement and free-bet expiry on QuinnBet's live welcome-offer page before claiming. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
New customers, 18+. Choose the sports bonus at sign-up, make a first deposit and receive a 100% bonus up to £50 in your Sports Bonus balance. To convert the bonus to cash, wager it 10x within 30 days. Single bets below Evens (2.00) do not qualify; accumulators do not qualify if any selection is below 1/2 (1.50). Virtual Sports, voided, cancelled, drawn, cashed-out and free-bet wagers do not count towards wagering. Only the first settled bet per event counts. Withdrawing before the wagering requirement is met forfeits the bonus balance including bonus winnings. Real-money funds are used before bonus funds. Deposits via Skrill or Neteller are not eligible. Not valid in conjunction with other promotions. Odds, bet and payment limits apply. 10bet general and promotion T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. Full T&Cs.
New UK & Ireland customers, 18+. Opt in at registration (no promo code). Deposit £10+ by debit card and place a £10 fixed-odds qualifying bet at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.50) — single or each-way, not in-play and not cashed out. Receive £60 in bonuses: 3 × £10 fixed-odds free bets plus 6 × £5 sports spread bets, credited over consecutive days; free bets valid 28 days from issue. IMPORTANT: the 6 × £5 are SPREAD bets — sports spread betting carries the risk that losses can exceed your stake (Spreadex states 61% of its retail spread/CFD customers lose money). Sports spread-betting customers do not have Financial Ombudsman or FSCS recourse. A lone secondary advertises an 'up to £100' variant — always confirm the live terms on Spreadex's own sign-up page before opting in. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
Promo code WELCOME15. New UK customers, 18+. Register and place a first qualifying bet of at least £10 from your cash balance at odds of evens (2.0) or greater within 7 days of opening the account. Once the qualifying bet settles you receive £15 in free bets, credited as 3 x £5 tokens. Free-bet stake is not returned with winnings. Free bets expire 7 days after they are credited. One offer per person, household, IP address and device. Confirm the current terms on BetGoodwin's own welcome-offer page before claiming. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
New UK customers, 18+. Minimum deposit £10. Place a £10 qualifying single at minimum odds of 1/2 (1.50), settled within 14 days. Receive £30 in free bets (stake not returned). Free bets must be accepted within 7 days and expire 7 days after acceptance. No promo code required. Best Odds Guaranteed on UK & Irish racing. Operated by LiveScore Betting and Gaming (Gibraltar) Ltd, UKGC 56859. Confirm the current terms on LiveScore Bet's own promotions page before claiming. Take Time to Think. BeGambleAware.org. 18+. T&Cs apply. Full T&Cs.
18+. BeGambleAware.org
The Summer Jumping Experience
Summer jumping at Stratford has a character all its own. The warmer weather, the longer evenings, and the knowledge that you're watching jumps racing when most tracks are quiet — it creates an atmosphere that's different from winter meetings at Cheltenham or Haydock.
Racing in the Sunshine
The season runs from April to October, so you'll often get sunshine and pleasant conditions. Evening meetings are particularly popular — a pint in the sunshine, racing under the lights or in the long summer dusk. The Horse & Hound Cup meeting is the busiest, but weekday and evening meetings can be pleasantly uncrowded.
The Ground and the Racing
Summer ground is often faster than winter. Good or good to soft is common, and some horses thrive in these conditions. The betting guide has more on how the track plays. For the full picture on the course, see the complete guide.
Key Meetings & Fixtures
Stratford stages around 20 fixtures per year, with a strong emphasis on summer jumping. The Horse & Hound Cup meeting is the standout — it features the course's signature chase and attracts the best fields of the season. The cup guide covers the race in detail.
The Horse & Hound Cup Meeting
The cup meeting is the one to target if you're planning a visit. The atmosphere is at its best, the racing is competitive, and the course pulls out the stops. Book ahead for the Premier Enclosure if you want the best experience. The day out guide has more on enclosures and facilities.
Weekend and Evening Fixtures
Weekend meetings tend to draw larger crowds. Evening meetings offer a more relaxed vibe — smaller crowds, warmer weather, and the same track and racing. They're a good option for a first visit or if you prefer a shorter day. The complete guide has the full fixture list. Check the Stratford Racecourse website for dates and tickets.
Betting Angles
Summer jumping at Stratford offers the same track characteristics as the rest of the season — a right-handed, undulating track with a stiff finish. The betting guide has the full picture; here's a quick summary.
Track and Position
Horses who race prominently or midfield tend to have an advantage. The uphill finish doesn't favour deep closers. Course form is valuable — horses who've run well at Stratford before often repeat. The Horse & Hound Cup has specific betting angles for the feature race.
Summer Ground
Summer ground can range from good to good to soft. Check the going report — some horses handle faster ground better than others. The track characteristics section covers how the layout affects different running styles. For a day at the races, see the day out guide.
Planning Your Visit
Planning a summer jumping visit to Stratford is straightforward. The course is well connected by road and rail, and the day out guide has the full picture on getting there, what to wear, and where to watch from.
When to Go
The Horse & Hound Cup meeting is the highlight — book ahead if you want the best enclosures. Regular summer meetings are often quieter and easier to get to. The season runs April to October, so you've got a good window.
Tickets and Enclosures
Check the Stratford Racecourse website for tickets and prices. The Premier Enclosure offers the best viewing; the Course Enclosure is more affordable. The complete guide has more on what each area offers.
Combining with Stratford-upon-Avon
Stratford is in the heart of Warwickshire — the town of Stratford-upon-Avon, Shakespeare's birthplace, and the River Avon are within easy reach. Many racegoers make a day of it. The history of the course adds a bit of context if you're interested.
Frequently Asked Questions
Share this article
More about this racecourse
All Stratford-on-Avon guides
August Bank Holiday Jump Day at Stratford-on-Avon: The Complete Guide
The complete guide to Stratford-on-Avon's August Bank Holiday Monday jump racing day — competitive summer handicaps beside the River Avon, Shakespeare country, and one of the best summer sporting occasions in England.
Read more
Horse & Hound Cup: Complete Guide
Your complete guide to the Horse & Hound Cup — Warwickshire's signature chase at Stratford-on-Avon Racecourse.
Read more
Lottery at Stratford-on-Avon: First Grand National Winner
Discover how Lottery, the 1839 Grand National winner, trained at Stratford-on-Avon racecourse. The fascinating story of racing's first champion.
Read moreResearch the field with the AI Race Predictor
Our model publishes calibrated win-probability estimates for UK races — a second opinion to understand a race, not tips. It's open about its record: it doesn't beat the market, and we show exactly how it does.
Work it out & learn the basics
Gamble Responsibly
Gambling should be entertaining and not seen as a way to make money. Never bet more than you can afford to lose. If you or someone you know has a gambling problem, help and support is available.