BERKSHIRE, England—The curtain has closed on an unforgettable 2025 Flat season, which has seen many history-making moments. And perhaps none more so than at QIPCO British Champions Day last weekend, where we saw Calandagan claim an epic victory in the QIPCO Champion Stakes.
Now, the stage is set for the return of the Jumps, with a host of exciting fixtures coming up in the months ahead – and with the thrill of racing comes bold, effortless style beyond the track.
With the Jumps season back bringing thrilling finishes, familiar faces, and fresh rivalries to Ascot. Join us as we look ahead for another action-packed season of top-class racing.
54 races, eight racedays, three Grade 1 contests and more than £2.5 million in prize money. The 2025/26 Jumps season at Ascot is upon us and there’s plenty to get excited about throughout the winter months.
November: Fireworks and Future Stars
The season kicks off with a bang at the Fireworks Spectacular Family Raceday on Saturday 1st November. There’s a huge firework display after racing and the action on the track is just as spectacular with Cheltenham Festival hero Chianti Classico and Grade 1 star Jango Baie strutting their stuff at the season opener in recent years.
The action really hots up three weeks later at the Ladbrokes November Racing Weekend. A brace of Grade 2 contests headlines the action on Saturday 21st November and this is where the stars of the jumps season start to emerge. Last year Lucky Place showed his class in the Ladbrokes Ascot Hurdle which also featured the Champion Hurdle winner Golden Ace. Ascot legend Pic D’Orhy won the Ladbrokes 1965 Chase for the second straight year while the first edition of the Berkshire National went the way of Beauport, who won the marathon contest by a staggering 31 lengths.
December: Christmas Cheer and Classy Contenders
The Howden Christmas Racing Weekend features the final Grade 1 race before the festive period – the Howden Long Walk Hurdle where star staying hurdlers often converge. Last year Crambo won the three-mile contest for the second year running and trainer Fergal O’Brien will no doubt be targeting a hat-trick.
A valuable two-mile handicap hurdle closes the course for Christmas with last year’s contest going the way of Fiercely Proud who fought off Kabral Du Mathan in a thrilling finish. On the Friday, the Grade 2 Howden Noel Novices’ Chase is a chance for future stars to emerge – last year, Mark Of Gold capitalised on a mistake from Personal Ambition to secure a dramatic victory.
January: Jumping Joy Across Berkshire
Ascot and Royal Windsor host the Berkshire Winter Million, the centrepiece being the Grade 1 BetMGM Clarence House Chase at Ascot on Saturday 17th January. Last year the assembled crowd witnessed another battle of legends as Jonbon fended off Energumene and Nicky Henderson seems keen on Jonbon sticking to two miles this term so he could become the first back-to-back winner since Un De Sceaux in 2017.
Subsequent Grade 1 winner Lulamba justified his lofty reputation when winning on his British debut at the meeting last season, whilst the Grade 2 BetMGM Mares Hurdle saw Take No Chances beat Kargese, who went on to win at the Cheltenham Festival.
February: Fantastic Fencers and Familiar Faces
The chasers come to the fore at the Betfair Ascot Chase Raceday. Pic D’Orhy’s love affair with Ascot is well advertised – Paul Nicholls’ 10-year-old has dominated the Grade 1 Betfair Ascot Chase for the last two years and he could become the first ever three-time winner of this contest on 14th February.
The Reynoldstown Novices’ Chase is a race that the Tizzard family have targeted successfully with four victories in the last seven runnings of this Grade 2 contest, including with The Changing Man last season. With competitive action throughout the card, this is a raceday not to miss.
March: Family Fun and Farewell to the Jumps
The last Jumps raceday of the 2025/26 season at Ascot is the Spring Family Raceday on Sunday 29th March. The highlight is the Veterans’ Handicap Chase which went to the 11-year-old Numitor in 2025, as he beat Ascot stalwart Two For Gold. It’s also a meeting for future stars with a valuable juvenile handicap hurdle, giving the opportunity for youngsters both human and equine to enjoy their day in Berkshire.
The Jumps Season Lookbook is your guide to dressing with flair, because at Ascot, style is always in season. This year, Alice Hare returns to curate the 2025 edition, showcasing the very best of winter racewear elegance.
“For many, racing fashion is equated only with the Flat season of the summer – I hope the Jumps Season Lookbook busts this myth and spotlights winter racing fashion as just as much of an opportunity for sartorial drama. I hope the Lookbook serves as inspiration for all your winter event dressing. From winter weddings to Christmas parties, all the pieces in the Lookbook were chosen with the idea in mind that they will be mainstays in your wardrobe beyond just the races.”
—Alice Hare, Jumps Season Lookbook Stylist
Find your outfit inspiration and get ready for another exciting Jumps season. View the Look Book here.
Watch the Jumps Season Lookbook launch video and get inspired to make your next raceday look unmistakably Ascot.
