Thursday 19 February 2026
Royal Artillery Gold Cup Day
Racing Abandoned
Racing on Thursday 19th February is Abandoned.
Royal Artillery Gold Cup Day at Sandown Park has been abandoned on Thursday 19th February due to a waterlogged track, making the ground unraceable.
All general admission and hospitality customers will be contacted regarding your booking.
The King's Troop Royal Horse Artillery
The King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery, often referred to simply as ‘The Troop’ duties include the firing of Royal Salutes on Royal Anniversaries and State Occasions. It was His Majesty King George VI’s wish that after the Second World War a troop of Royal Horse Artillery, mounted and dressed in the traditional manner, should take part in the great ceremonies of State.
In 1947, His Majesty inspected the newly formed Riding Troop and said that he wished it to be known as The King’s Troop, a wish that Queen Elizabeth II graciously supported during her reign, in recognition of her father’s special interest in The Troop.
The Racing & History
The feature race is the Royal Artillery Gold Cup. This is one of Sandown Park’s oldest races having been first run here in 1878, and since run every season since 1921 apart from 2019.
The race is restricted to horses that are owned or have been leased by those who are serving or have served in the Royal Artillery or one of their recognised Establishments or Units. The jockeys must be amateurs and either past or existing members of any of the Armed Forces, making the race unique in every sense.
