After two successful years, the Sky Bet Summer Sprint Series returns as a highlight of Royal Windsor Racecourse’s summer programme. Consisting of ten five and six-furlong sprint Handicaps at the Berkshire racecourse, the Sky Bet Summer Sprint Series will once again climax with the £75,000 Finale on Monday 20th August.
Primarily taking place across Royal Windsor’s popular Monday evening fixtures, the Sky Bet Summer Sprint Series starts on Monday 16th April and runs throughout the summer. The inaugural Series was won by Michael Blanshard’s Stellarta, with the popular sprinter Ice Age winning in 2017 for trainer Eve Johnson-Houghton.
To qualify for the Finale, horses simply must come in the top six in one of the nine qualifiers, details of which can be found below.
| Race | Rating | Distance | £ | Class | Age | ||
| Q1 | 16-Apr | The Sky Bet Royal Windsor Sprint Series Handicap Stakes (Qualifier) | 76-90 | 6f 12y | 11500 | 3 | 4+ |
| Q2 | 14-May | The Sky Bet Royal Windsor Sprint Series Handicap Stakes (Qualifier) | 76-90 | 6f 12y | 11500 | 3 | 3+ |
| Q3 | 28-May | The Sky Bet Royal Windsor Sprint Series Handicap Stakes (Qualifier) | 86-105 | 5f 21y | 20000 | 2 | 3 |
| Q4 | 04-Jun | The Sky Bet Royal Windsor Sprint Series Handicap Stakes (Qualifier) | 76-95 | 6f 12y | 11500 | 3 | 4+ |
| Q5 | 18-Jun | The Sky Bet Royal Windsor Sprint Series Handicap Stakes (Qualifier) | 61-18 | 6f 12y | 8550 | 4 | 4+ |
| Q6 | 25-Jun | The Sky Bet Royal Windsor Sprint Series Handicap Stakes (Qualifier) | 76-95 | 6f 12y | 11500 | 3 | 3 |
| Q7 | 16-Jul | The Sky Bet Royal Windsor Sprint Series Handicap Stakes (Qualifier) | 76-95 | 5f 21y | 11500 | 3 | 3+ |
| Q8 | 23-Jul | The Sky Bet Royal Windsor Sprint Series Handicap Stakes (Qualifier) | 71-90 | 5f 21y | 11500 | 3 | 3+ |
| Q9 | 06-Aug | The Sky Bet Royal Windsor Sprint Series Handicap Stakes (Qualifier) | 76-95 | 6f 12y | 11500 | 3 | 3+ |
| FINALE | 20-Aug | The Sky Bet Royal Windsor Sprint Series Handicap Stakes (FINALE) | OPEN | 6f 12y | 75000 | 2 | 3+ |
Horseracing PR Manager for Sky Bet, Michael Shinners commented, “Sky Bet are delighted to once again sponsor the Sprint Series from Royal Windsor. Last year’s final was an excellent renewal and with the quality of the race improving year on year we are looking forward to a great Summer of racing”.
Executive Director of Royal Windsor Racecourse, Simon Williams, commented, “The Sky Bet Summer Sprint Series has been a tremendous success over the last two years, and we’re delighted to be running it once again in 2018.
“This summer is set to be a big one for Royal Windsor, with plenty of improvements having taken place on and off the track.We have a brand new Owners and Trainers facility overlooking the track and paddock and we’re very much looking forward to joining in the festivities for the Royal Wedding in May, with a series of events in the week leading up to the big day, and our exclusive ‘Park and Float’ offer for visitors to the town.
