Arena Racing Company (“ARC”) can confirm that, from November 2025, Royal Windsor Racecourse will revert to using the full figure of eight course for all jumps fixtures.
Jump racing returned to Royal Windsor after nearly 20 years in 2024, hosting three fixtures across December and January 2025. Ahead of this, significant works were undertaken across the racing surface to form a new configuration for jumps racing, resulting in an extended left-hand oval.
Following these fixtures, an extensive review of the jump racing programme and course configuration was undertaken. This review took many factors into consideration, including the feedback of participants via the PJA Safety Officer alongside the BHA Racecourse Inspectorate.
This review concluded that reverting to the figure of eight course would be a viable option for jump racing at Royal Windsor, with rail movements used to manage potential welfare and safety issues for participants.
In order to offer consistent ground, and allow for suitable recovery, ARC will undertake extensive works to improve drainage. This work will focus specifically on the intersection crossover, which is a particularly low lying area of the racing surface. Work will take place in September 2025, following the conclusion of the summer flat racing season.
As a result of this change of layout, the safety factor for all jump races will increase to 16.
Managing Director of ARC’s Racing Division, Mark Spincer, said, “We were delighted to welcome jump racing back to Royal Windsor in 2024, which was the culmination of many years of work. Following last season’s three fixtures, we received plenty of positive and constructive feedback, which we have been able to consider alongside many of our fellow industry stakeholders, and our colleagues at BHA. As such, we hope that reverting to the traditional figure of eight layout will mean that Royal Windsor can continue to offer competitive and attractive jump racing next season and for many more to come.”
Trainer Nicky Henderson said, “The return of jump racing to Windsor was a great initiative, which we are all eager to support and ensure it is a success. In hindsight, we considered that last season’s layout could be improved by reverting to the previous figure of eight with two long straights, so we are pleased to see these steps being taken, which we believe is the right thing to do.”
Windsor Racecourse’s Senior Veterinary Surgeon, and Veterinary Advisor to the National Trainer’s Federation, Clive Hamblin said, “I support the racecourse layout reverting to a figure of eight, as it will ensure that horses stride balance improves which in turn will enable better galloping and jumping, so should reduce the risk of injury.”
