Oxford ready for a busy 2026 with eight Category One comps

OXFORD has confirmed its major open-race schedule for the year which will include eight Category One competitions for the first time.

Oxford racing manager Paul Johnson expressed delight with the support trainers gave the track’s opens in 2025 which culminated in December’s thrilling three-way photo in the bet365 English Puppy Oaks final won by Rapido Spy.

Johnson said: “What a way to finish that was and we have some fantastic competitions to look forward to again in 2026.

“We start with the Category One bet365 Hunt Cup in March, then we can look forward to the first staging here of the KAB Maiden Derby plus the BetGoodwin Pall Mall and, of course, three other Category One’s sponsored by bet365.

“Their Oxfordshire Sprint will be a first for ourselves and the sponsor, and hopefully we can attract a few Irish trainers as well whilst the Derby is on.

“We finish the year with the English Puppy Derby in another first for the track along with the established bet365 Challenge Cup and English Puppy Oaks.

“The Challenge Cup and Puppy Derby run alongside each other in November with the finals the weekend of the old Hennessy meeting at Newbury so there will hopefully be some crossover in terms of attendees.

“It’s certainly very exciting and we pleased to have all our plans out there early including supporting competitions.”