Principle Races
Plumpton Racecourse has three principal races: the Sussex National (typically takes place on the first Sunday in January), Sussex Champion Hurdle (Easter Sunday) and Sussex Champion Chase (Easter Monday). Find out more about each race below.Sussex National
First run in 2001, the Sussex National has become a mainstay on the Plumpton racing programme and one of our biggest contests of the year.
With a distance of 3m4½f, it is the joint-longest race on our calendar and provides a proper test of endurance and jumping for the runners, who have to clear 20 fences during the contest.
The Sussex National, held every January, is one of Plumpton's most prestigious races. Run over 3m4½f, with 20 fences to clear, it’s a true test of stamina and determination, with brave staying chasers battling it out across multiple circuits of the course. The race has become a seasonal favourite with fans and a proving ground for future long-distance stars – a proper jumping spectacle that defines winter racing at Plumpton.
Sussex Champion Hurdle
Easter Sunday at Plumpton features the prestigious Sussex Champion Hurdle, a competitive 2-mile contest that showcases both speed and slick jumping. This headline race regularly attracts quality hurdlers, and over the years, it has produced some standout winners, including Court Minstrel, a Grade 2 winner at Cheltenham, and Diego Du Charmil, who later triumphed at Aintree. The race is a firm favourite among racegoers and a key highlight of our Easter Festival.
Sussex Champion Chase
Easter Monday brings more excitement with the Sussex Champion Chase, a thrilling 2m1f contest over fences. Known for its fast pace, this race often draws bold front-runners and tactical riders keen to land one of the biggest jumping prizes of the spring. It’s the perfect finale to two days of top-class action at Plumpton.
