From 2026, Royal Ascot Trials Day will move from its current Wednesday slot to the Friday of the same week, Ascot Racecourse announced on Tuesday.
A fixture exchange with Musselburgh Racecourse has facilitated the move, with the approval of the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and the Flat Pattern Committee. The meeting, Friday, May 1 in 2026, will also feature live on ITV Racing as part of their coverage of the opening day of the Guineas Festival from Newmarket.
Nick Smith, director of racing and public affairs at Ascot Racecourse, said, “We are thrilled to be able to host this high-class fixture on a Friday with mainstream terrestrial coverage from 2026 onwards. It has long been an ambition to get the day onto ITV and we are grateful to Musselburgh for working so collaboratively to deliver the transfer. It's an important card in the build up to Royal Ascot and hopefully will complement the opening day of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket really well.”
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