The beginners guide to horse racing at Brighton Racecourse

Brighton Racecourse is one of the most prestigious racetracks in the South of England. The racecourse at Whitehawk Hall offers a panoramic view of the Sussex countryside and a scenic vibe for a memorable horse-racing experience.

Brighton racetrack is shaped like horseshoe and has a unique layout. While other racetracks in the UKare flat, Brighton racecourse has varying elevation levels, gentle slopes, and hills, posing a great challenge for horses and jockeys during a race. The layout of the track makes it best suited for agile and front-running horses. 

Fancy getting started with horse racing in Brighton? We’ll walk you through the need-to-knows in this article.

The development of Brighton Racecourse

Although there are some indications that racetracks existed in Brighton before 1713, other accounts pinpoint the start of its development to later that century. Some hold that the first official meeting was organised by the Duke of Cumberland and held in 1783 while others believe that the Prince of Wales (who later became George IV) attended one of the races. He enjoyed it so much he returned with his aristocratic friends, who raced their horses. This is said to have played a significant role in the development of the racecourse in Brighton.

Betting at Brighton Racecourse

Betting on the horses is a great sport as long as you wager responsibly, but there’s more to it than just evaluating the reputation of the horse trainers and jockeys.

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There are different types of horse-racing bets, which can be categorised into simple and complex (equals bigger payouts). Let’s take a look at some of them:

  • Win: this is a simple bet with minimal payout. It involves betting on one horse that could win a race.
  • Each way: a simple bet where you wager on a horse to either finish first or second.
  • Exacta: this falls under the category of complex bets. You pick two horses to finish in the top two, in the right order.
  • Lucky 15: this entails 4 selections, where there are 15 separate bets, which include 4 singles, 6 doubles, 4 trebles, and 1 four-fold accumulator. Lucky 15 covers multiple combinations and increases your chances of winning bigger payouts.

Those who like to bet at Brighton Racecourse can either place their bet online or at the sporting venue. To bet online, find the best online casino betting site that allows you to bet on Brighton Racecourse.

If you choose to bet at the venue, here’s a step-by-step guide for what you need to do: First, you need to download a Racecard, which will only be available on the morning of a race. It has all the information you need to place a bet, such as horse details, jockeys, trainers, and, crucially, the odds.

Then visit a Tote betting shop (located around the racecourse) to place your bet. Tell the attendant your preferred stake and the type of bet you’re picking.  

When is the next Brighton Racecourse race?

Horse racing at Brighton Racecourse takes place between April to October every year. These are the racing events coming up in 2025.

  • Season Opener Evening Racing (12th April)
  • Retro Raceday (30th May)
  • Festival of Racing – Day 1 (6th August)
  • Festival of Racing – Ladies’ Day (7th August)
  • Festival of Racing – Day 3 (8th August)
  • Family Fun Day (31st August)
  • Autumn Afternoon Racing (1st September)
  • Autumn Afternoon Racing (15th September)
  • Autumn Afternoon Racing (29th September)

How to get a ticket to the event

If you want to get tickets for any of these racecourse events, you can easily purchase them on Brighton Racecourse’s official website.

The racecourse also has different hospitality packages that allow those who travel from further afield to make reservations without worrying about last-minute accommodation. This gives you access to suites with unique views over the sea and the countryside and also includes access to luxury restaurants to eat and drink at, plus other perks.

By getting an early ticket, you can save an average of £5 off the ticket fee. According to the official website, there’s also a discount when you purchase tickets for a group of 10 or more.

There are also discounts – up to £4 – for adults over 60 years old and students with valid ID.

Just remember tickets will be emailed to you and will then be redeemed at the entry gate.