The Mansa Court

THE GREAT RACE MEETINGS

As of 29 October 2026

The Court keeps a calendar of the race meetings worth crossing an ocean for. This guide sets them out by season, with the dates as the Court’s engagement pages give them, the dress the Court wears, and, where the organiser publishes one, the organiser’s own dress code in its own words. Where an organiser has published no code, the Court says so. Ticket prices are not given here: they vary by enclosure and are best read on the organiser’s own page.

Winter: January to March

The Pegasus World Cup, Gulfstream Park, Hallandale Beach. 30 January 2027. The Court wears a lounge suit. The organiser publishes no dress code on the pages the Court read.

The Saudi Cup, King Abdulaziz Racecourse, Riyadh. 5 and 6 February 2027. The Court wears a lounge suit, with a tie. The Jockey Club of Saudi Arabia permits for gentlemen, among other forms of dress, “a suit including a jacket, with a tie required within the Royal Area (Grandstand and Parade Ring)”.

White Turf, St. Moritz. 7 to 21 February 2027, the racing run on three Sundays on the frozen lake. The Court wears country attire. The organiser publishes no dress code on the pages the Court read.

The Cheltenham Festival, Prestbury Park, Cheltenham. 16 to 19 March 2027. The Court wears country attire. The Jockey Club says: “Whilst the Jockey Club has no formal dress code in place, we appreciate many do like to dress up for the Festival.” Country attire is the Court’s own choice, not an organiser rule.

The Dubai World Cup, Meydan, Dubai. 27 March 2027. The Court wears a lounge suit. The Dubai Racing Club asks for “a smart, elegant dress code” and says “Gentlemen are required to wear smart attire or national dress”.

Spring: April and May

The Grand National, Aintree, Liverpool. 8 to 10 April 2027; the race itself is run on the Saturday. The Court wears a lounge suit. The Court found no organiser dress code on the pages it read.

The Kentucky Derby, Churchill Downs, Louisville. 1 May 2027. The Court wears a lounge suit, with a hat. Churchill Downs writes: “The Kentucky Derby has a dress code that encourages guests to wear upscale attire. This often includes hats for women and suits or dresses for both men and women.”

The Preakness Stakes, Pimlico, Baltimore. 23 May 2027. The Court wears a lounge suit. The Maryland Jockey Club publishes no dress code on the pages the Court read.

Summer: June to August

The Epsom Derby, Epsom Downs. 5 June 2027, the Oaks on 4 June. The Court wears morning dress. The Court found no organiser dress code on the pages it read.

The Belmont Stakes, Belmont Park, Elmont. 5 June 2027. The Court wears a lounge suit, with a hat. The Court found no organiser dress code on the pages it read.

Royal Ascot, Ascot Racecourse. 15 to 19 June 2027. The Court wears morning dress in the Royal Enclosure, and a lounge suit in the Queen Anne and Village. For gentlemen in the Royal Enclosure, Ascot requires “Morning dress of black, grey or navy material”, with “a waistcoat and necktie”, “a black or grey top hat” and “black dress shoes worn with socks covering the ankle”.

The Irish Derby, The Curragh, County Kildare. 25 to 27 June 2027, the festival weekend; the Curragh has not yet said on which day the Derby itself is run. The Court wears a lounge suit, with a hat. The Court found no organiser dress code on the pages it read.

Glorious Goodwood, Goodwood. 27 to 31 July 2027. The Court wears a linen lounge suit, with a panama. In the Richmond Enclosure, Goodwood says: “Gentlemen aged 16 and over are required to wear a suit jacket, long sleeved collared shirt and a tie ... along with full-length trousers.” The Gordon Enclosure has “no formal dress code”.

The Ebor Festival, the Knavesmire, York. 18 to 21 August 2027. The Court wears a lounge suit. The Court found no organiser dress code on the pages it read.

Autumn: October and November

The Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, ParisLongchamp. Sunday 3 October 2027; the Saturday’s programme is to follow. The Court wears a lounge suit. France Galop publishes no dress code on the pages the Court read.

British Champions Day, Ascot. 16 October 2027. The Court wears a lounge suit. The Court found no organiser dress code on the pages it read.

The Breeders’ Cup, Belmont Park, Elmont. 29 and 30 October 2027. The Court wears a lounge suit, with a tie. The Court found no organiser dress code on the pages it read.

The Melbourne Cup, Flemington, Melbourne. Run on the first Tuesday in November: in 2026 on 3 November; the 2027 date is to follow. The Court wears a lounge suit, with a tie. For the Members Enclosure the Victoria Racing Club says: “Gentlemen are required to wear a suit, or tailored pants ..., tailored shorts on or below the knee, sports coat or blazer and a collared dress shirt, plus tie or bow tie and dress shoes.” It adds that “there are no dress regulations for general public ticket holders”.

Not yet in this guide

The Travers Stakes at Saratoga is in the Almanac, but its 2027 dates are to follow. The Court will add it when the organiser publishes them.

For admission to The Mansa Court, see Admission.

Sources

Dates and the Court’s dress are from the linked engagement pages, read on 29 October 2026. Organiser pages (last checked 26 to 29 October 2026):

Set down October MMXXVI

Return to the Guides Return to The Almanac

The Gazette: the engagements of the coming weeks, by email, once a week.

Any issue can end it. Privacy Policy