The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) can confirm that, following an inspection of Ludlow Racecourse, the decision has been taken to transfer the racecourse’s remaining fixtures for the 2026/27 Jump season, and the start of the 2027/28 season, to other venues.
The decision, taken by the racecourse and the BHA Inspectorate, follows ongoing challenges presented by the extended dry period and the impact this has had on the turf.
Ludlow Racecourse is built on a free-draining gravel base, which is normally an advantage during wet winters but has left the course particularly vulnerable to this year’s prolonged dry conditions.
During these conditions, the grass began to deteriorate and, despite all the efforts of the racecourse team, working with their agronomist and the BHA Inspectors, there is not sufficient time for the track to return to the condition necessary to allow racing to resume.
The advice provided by the racecourse agronomist drew on the approach taken during similar conditions in 2025. However, despite following the same guidance, the outcome in 2026 was significantly different, with the grass failing to recover as anticipated due to the lack of rainfall in September and October.
Ludlow Racecourse’s water extraction rights, regulated by the Environment Agency, place limitations on the volume of water available, which meant the racecourse’s ability to keep the grass alive was significantly inhibited.
Therefore, Ludlow’s next 12 fixtures have been transferred to other racecourses (detailed below), with racing set to return to the racecourse in Autumn 2027.
This will give Ludlow the opportunity to restore the track and undertake wider improvements intended to strengthen the racecourse for the future.
This includes proposals for an enlarged reservoir, for which a planning application has been submitted, and would significantly increase the racecourse’s water-storage capacity and its resilience during any future periods of prolonged dry weather.
Tom Byrne, Head of Racing and Betting at the BHA, said:
“We recognise that this will be a disappointing development for everyone connected with Ludlow Racecourse, as well as all participants and fans of jump racing who will have been planning to run at and visit the racecourse this season.
“Ludlow has an important place within British jump racing and we have worked with the racecourse to facilitate the transfer of 12 fixtures ahead of racing resuming next autumn. We are grateful to all the racecourses that have taken on these fixtures, as well as the Horserace Betting Levy Board for their continued contribution to prize money and fixture funding.
“We will continue to support Ludlow wherever possible through this period to ensure that they can successfully return to the programme next year.”
Simon Sherwood, Chief Executive of Ludlow Racecourse, said:
“This has been a tremendously difficult decision. We have explored every available option, but the prolonged dry conditions have left us unable to provide a racing surface of the standard required.
“We appreciate just how disappointing this will be for our annual members, racegoers, participants and everyone connected with Ludlow. We are extremely grateful for their patience, loyalty and understanding.
“We will use this period to restore the track, invest in our facilities including upgrades to the weighing room, and improve the racecourse’s resilience to prolonged dry weather. Our focus is firmly on the future, and we look forward to welcoming everyone back to Ludlow in 2027.”
New venues
| 23-Nov-26 | Huntingdon |
| 02-Dec-26 | Catterick Bridge |
| 16-Dec-26 | Ayr |
| 07-Jan-27 | Taunton |
| 21-Jan-27 | Warwick |
| 10-Feb-27 | Wincanton |
| 24-Feb-27 | Wincanton |
| 04-Mar-27 | Musselburgh |
| 25-Mar-27 | Exeter |
| 05-Apr-27 | Fakenham |
| 20-Apr-27 | Market Rasen |
| 09-May-27 | Huntingdon |
