Newmarket names to gather for Royal Ascot preview

Leading Newmarket’s racing names have signed up to present a Royal Ascot Preview Evening this weekend in aid of Racing Welfare.

The event will be held on Sunday 12 June at Swynford Paddocks Hotel near Newmarket.

The host for the evening is trainer William Haggas, with the panel comprising of trainer Luca Cumani, John Gosden’s stable jockey William Buick, Channel 4 Racing presenter Emma Spencer, Godolphin’s Simon Crisford, British Horseracing Authority senior handicapper Phil Smith and Star Sports’ Luke Tarr.

The event, which is sponsored by Star Sports, is being run in aid of Racing Welfare, the Jockey Club’s own charity.

Racing Welfare’s Richard Negus said: “We were honoured and delighted when asked to become the recipient charity for this event. We are extremely grateful to Luke Tarr and his team for recruiting a stellar line up who have all so kindly given their time for free.”

A donation is also being made to Save Historic Newmarket Action Group, which hopes to protect and preserve the headquarters of British horse racing.

Luke Tarr added: “The panel are just about as good as you can get, the location is superb and the causes that the evening is raising money for should be supported by everyone who calls themselves a racing fan.”

The Preview starts at 6pm and will also feature a raffle and auction.

Tickets cost £10 in advance or £15 on the night with Star Sports clients gaining free entry.

To book tickets tel: 01638 570234

Stay in touch with all the news in the run-up to and throughout the major shows and events during 2026 and beyond with a Horse & Hound subscription. Subscribe today for all you need to know ahead of these major events, plus online reports on the action as it happens from our expert team of reporters and in-depth analysis in our special commemorative magazines. Have a subscription already? Set up your unlimited website access now