Chelmsford City Racecourse to Host Its First Sky Bet Sunday Series Fixture on 1st June 2025

Chelmsford City Racecourse is proud to announce that it will host its first-ever Sky Bet Sunday Series fixture on Sunday, 1st June 2024, offering an exciting day of high-quality racing with a total prize purse of £225,000.

Live Coverage on ITV Racing

For the first time, ITV Racing will broadcast all seven races live from Chelmsford City Racecourse, bringing the thrilling atmosphere and competitive spirit of the day to homes across the nation. This follows the success of ITV’s coverage of two Chelmsford races last April, which garnered significant viewership.

A Landmark Event in an Exciting Racing Series

The Sky Bet Sunday Series, now in its fifth year, has transformed Sunday racing into a high-stakes, prime-time spectacle. A collaborative effort between ITV, Racecourse Media Group, Sky Bet, and participating racecourses, the series has delivered over £4 million in additional prize money since its launch in 2021. The 2024 edition will feature fixtures at Musselburgh, Newmarket, Chelmsford City, Hamilton Park, Haydock Park, and York.

Jim Goldie, trainer of 2023 series winner Letsbefrank, expressed his enthusiasm: “Hearing that the Sky Bet Sunday Series is back in 2025 is fantastic news. It’s brilliant prize money and we will be aiming plenty of horses at the £100,000 bonus. Thank you to Sky Bet for their continued sponsorship of this great initiative.“

Exciting Prizes and Incentives

This year’s series introduces the inaugural Jorvik Shield, a new jockeys’ competition with a £25,000 first prize for the rider accumulating the most points across the series. Additionally, a £100,000 bonus is on offer for the first horse to win three races within the series, adding an extra layer of competition and excitement.

Stable staff will also benefit, with £15,000 in prizes awarded to the top-performing yards, and Sky Bet continuing its sponsorship of the Best Turned Out award, offering £250 per race.

Michael Shinners, Head of Sports PR at Sky Bet, added: “We are delighted to sponsor the Sunday Series once again. We are thrilled to welcome HorsePWR and Retraining of Racehorses as the charity partner for the series. The racing is always very competitive, and it’s a sponsorship we very much look forward to.“

Family Fun Day at Chelmsford City Racecourse

Recognising the popularity of Sunday Series events among racegoers, Chelmsford City Racecourse is set to host its biggest-ever family fun day. Attendees can enjoy games, inflatables, live music, entertainers, face painting, and more, making it an unmissable event for families and racing fans alike.

Commitment to Horse Welfare

The 2024 Sky Bet Sunday Series is proudly partnering with HorsePWR and Retraining of Racehorses (RoR), underscoring the sport’s commitment to the welfare of racehorses beyond their racing careers. The initiative will highlight the care, training, and second careers available to retired racehorses, with donation opportunities available throughout the series.

David Catlow, Managing Director of Retraining of Racehorses, emphasised the importance of this collaboration: “We’re delighted to have been selected as Sky Bet Sunday Series’ charity partner for 2025. This partnership provides excellent exposure for RoR’s work in the aftercare of former racehorses and demonstrates how these incredible animals can go on to have fulfilling second careers after their retirement from racing.“

Racegoers and television viewers can expect an electrifying day of top-class racing, expert commentary, and thrilling competition as Chelmsford City Racecourse takes center stage in this celebrated series. The event promises to be a defining moment in what is set to be an unforgettable summer of racing.