ITV Racing at 1pm: Newmarket Preview, Rockfel & Joel Stakes

Friday 25 September 2026 brings an afternoon of British horse racing to ITV1, with Newmarket at the centre of the televised action and two Group 2 contests providing particular interest.

“The racecourse is where history, horses, people and time meet — every race lasts only minutes, but its story can travel for generations.”

ITV Racing — Friday 25 September

ITV’s published schedule places the live racing programme at 1pm, with coverage from Newmarket and Worcester. The Newmarket card features five televised races, including the Group 2 Rockfel Stakes and Group 2 Joel Stakes.

What should racing fans watch?

The Rockfel Stakes is a Group 2 contest over seven furlongs and is one of the afternoon’s major two-year-old races. The Joel Stakes, over one mile, adds another high-class Group 2 test later on the Newmarket programme.

The Listed Princess Royal Stakes and Godolphin Stakes also give the card depth, while Worcester supplies a contrasting National Hunt programme.

A glimpse through time

Newmarket has a remarkable place in the history of British racing. Looking backwards, today’s racegoer is part of a tradition stretching across centuries. Looking forwards, modern racecourses increasingly combine traditional horsemanship with advanced timing, broadcasting, data and digital technology.

That makes horse racing an intriguing subject for a time-travel website: imagine taking a racegoer from the eighteenth century and showing them today’s television coverage, photo finishes, live data and worldwide digital audiences. The horses may still thunder down the track, but the way we experience the race has changed dramatically.

How to watch

ITV’s official racing schedule lists the Friday 25 September programme on ITV1 and STV. Check the broadcaster’s schedule on the day for any changes to timings or coverage.

View the official ITV Racing schedule

The WindsorCastle.info preview

This is a preview rather than a betting recommendation. Racing can be unpredictable, and the final field, going, non-runners and conditions should always be checked before the races.

Set the clock for 1pm, settle in and enjoy an afternoon where centuries of racing history meet modern live television.

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Author: Simon Ben Gemmill

Image credit: “Newmarket racecourse (14137378411).jpg” by Florian Christoph, via Wikimedia Commons, licensed CC BY 2.0. Image source: Wikimedia Commons.

Sources: ITV Racing schedule; racecard information checked against published racing listings.