We very much look forward to welcoming you to Aintree and trust you’ll find the following information helpful in advance of and throughout the Randox Grand National Festival 2026.
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We very much look forward to welcoming you to Aintree and trust you’ll find the following information helpful in advance of and throughout the Randox Grand National Festival 2026.
The link for ticket, badge and lunch bookings will be sent to the nominated email address on the registered ownership. If you would like to check who this is for your horse, please login to the Racing Admin Site or email registrations@weatherbys.co.uk.
Any bookings made at the entry stage for horses that are not subsequently declared to run at the Randox Grand National Festival will be deemed invalid.
For the Randox Grand National, all owners who still have entries after the second forfeit date will be invited to book in their tickets, badges and lunches via our online booking form.
Sat Nav Postcode L9 0LD. What three words - noises.learn.violin
Dedicated parking for Owners, Trainers and Jockeys is located at The Railway Club off Seeds Lane, alongside Melling Road. From here, there is a short walk to the Owners' and Trainers' Reception, situated inside the racecourse.
Access to Melling Road is via Junction 6 of the M57. Please follow all digital event signage on approach.
Owners will receive two car passes per horse entered to run, sent to the postal address nominated when the ownership was registered with the BHA.
If car passes do not arrive by post due to limited Easter postal services, digital car passes will be available at the declaration stage.
All trainers with entries will receive a digital car pass via email.
Owners and Trainers with a horse entered in the Randox Grand National will receive two car park labels after Tuesday 24 March.
Trainers without a runner who require a car park label are asked to email Carly Sage at Aintree.Owners@thejockeyclub.co.uk by Friday 27 March. Please note that access to the Owners' and Trainers' Car Park will not be permitted without a valid car park label. NTF labels will not be permitted.
Important Information
The Owners' and Trainers' Entrance and Badge Collection facility will close at 3:00pm on each race day. We kindly ask that all arrivals are planned accordingly.
Owners and Trainers arriving by taxi must still present a valid car park label in order to access the designated drop-off point. Vehicles without the appropriate label will not be permitted entry.
Recommended Taxi Company’s
SRC Taxi - 0151 928 3535
Delta Taxi - 0151 922 7373
Please ensure you are dropped off at the Owners and Trainers’ reception pre-racing, postcode L9 0LD (Seeds Lane entrance)
After racing pick up points are Grand National Avenue (L9 5AS) or the Owners and Trainers’ car park (L9 0LD)
Accessible parking spaces are available within the Owners' and Trainers' Car Park for blue badge holders. Please ensure your badge is clearly displayed in your windscreen on arrival. Our parking attendants will be pleased to assist and direct you accordingly.
Owners' and Trainers' buggies will be available to escort you from the Owners' and Trainers' Reception to the Goffs Owners' and Trainers' Pavilion. This is approximately a five-minute walk.
Horseboxes should enter via the Seeds Lane entrance off Melling Road (postcode L9 OLD), clearly signposted from Junction 6 of the M57.
Horseboxes will be directed to the designated lorry park adjacent to the stabling area. Drivers must be able to confirm the identity of the horse(s) they are transporting upon arrival.
An Owners' and Trainers' luggage drop-off point is available at The Railway Club, adjacent to the Owners' and Trainers' Car Park. This is the only designated location for luggage storage. Please note that luggage will not be permitted within the main racecourse grounds.
Merseyrail will run a special timetable for The Randox Grand National Festival, with a seven-and-a-half-minute frequency of service running between Liverpool City Centre and Aintree station before the start and after the finish of the races on each day of the festival.
Trains on Merseyrail's Northern line will run to a slightly amended timetable to provide the best possible service to those attending the iconic event. Customers should check the journey planner on Merseyrail's website or app for up-to-date departure times before travelling.
On all three days, a seven-and-a-half-minute service will run between Aintree and Liverpool Central/Moorfields stations at the following times:
• Liverpool city centre to Aintree, from approximately 11.00 - 13.00 (before the races)
• Aintree to Liverpool city centre, from approximately 16.30 - 20.30 (after the races)
For regular up to date information visit www.merseyrail.org
For those arriving by train at Aintree Station, there is an Owners and Trainers' ticket collection point at the VIP entrance, by the main entrance to the Racecourse. If you have a runner in the Foxhunter, Topham or Grand National, please ensure that you tick VIP entrance on the online booking system to ensure that your badges are at this entrance.
Please note that we do not provide transport to escort you from the train station to the main Owners and Trainers' entrance on Melling Road.
Aintree Racecourse welcome private and chartered helicopter landings at the Air Charter Service Heliport.
The Helicopter landing area is situated in an area adjacent to Steeplechase car park. Prior notice is required for landings and insurance indemnities completed.
The Heliport is operated by Helipad Ltd, Aircraft owners must book in with Helipad (Tel: 01202 835 385 or info@helipad.co.uk) and receive a brief prior to landing permission being issued.
Please note that flights will be held before each race for a duration of at least 30 minutes or until horses have cleared the track.
For charter enquiries please contact Air Charter Service on
Tel: +44 (0)208 339 8588 or helicopter@aircharterservice.co.uk.
If you are arriving by helicopter, please notify Carly Sage in advance so that your badges are available upon landing.
Carly Sage 0151 522 2959
The PASS system WILL NOT be in operation for the Randox Grand National Festival.
There will be a main badge collection point at the Owners' and Trainers' Reception, located just off Melling Road within the Racecourse. There will also be a badge collection point at the VIP entrance for those arriving by train.
No badges will be sent or issued in advance and will only be available for collection from the Owners and Trainers' Reception on the day of running.
A new online booking system will be introduced at six-day entry stage. A secure link to the Owners' Booking Portal will be emailed to the email address that was nominated upon registering the ownership with the BHA.
All badges associated with each horse must be reserved via this link, on the online booking system. Owners based in Ireland will also access and reserve their tickets and badges through the new Owners' Booking Portal at the six-day entry stage.
The Owners' Booking Portal will open once your horse is entered to run at the Randox Grand National Festival. All badge requests must be submitted through this system no later than 16.00 on the day prior to your horse being declared to run.
Photo identification will be required to collect badges.
On arrival you will be issued with a number of different access passes, as follows:
Tickets – Scanned tickets give access to the racecourse.
Normal Owners Badges and Wristbands – Give access to the Goffs Owners and Trainers Pavilion and to the Parade Ring for the race in which your horse runs.
Special Colour Badges and Wristbands – Give access to the Goffs Owners and Trainers Pavilion and to the Parade Ring for the Grand National Course races (Foxhunter, Topham and Grand National).
Meal Vouchers – for a complimentary buffet style meal in O’Sullevan’s.
The Randox Grand National, Topham and Foxhunters' Steeple Chase
(Single, partnership and syndicates)
- Eight special colour badges, eight wristbands & eight meal vouchers for O'Sullevan's.
Single Ownership
8 badges and 8 meal vouchers for O'Sullevan's.
An additional 2 badges and meal vouchers can be purchased.
Partnerships and Businesses
8 badges and 8 meal vouchers for O'Sullevan's
An additional 2 badges and meal vouchers can be purchased.
Syndicates & Racing Clubs
8 badges and 8 meal vouchers for O'Sullevan's
An additional 2 badges and meal vouchers can be purchased.
Registered syndicates and racing clubs requiring more than the standard allocation of 10 Owners' badges will be permitted to purchase additional tickets for access to the new Owners' Racing Lounge, located above the Weighing Room and the Lord Sefton Terrace badges to view the racing.
These tickets will provide access to the Owners' Racing Lounge only and will not grant access to the Parade Ring or the Gaffs Owners' and Trainers' Pavilion.
Aintree reserves the right to offer additional Owners' Badges at their discretion and subject to space on busy days. Any requests for additional badges should be made in advance of the meeting to Aintree.Owners@thejockeyclub.co.uk.
Owners and Trainers facilities
The Owners and Trainers' badge will also enable you to walk the course prior to the start of the day's racing (subject to going conditions).
The badge, and associated wristband (which must be worn) will admit to the Paddock and the Gaffs (O&T) Pavilion (please note that for 2026 both badges and wristband will be checked).
The Owners and Trainers' badges for The Randox Foxhunters' Chase (Thursday), Randox Topham Chase (Friday) and Randox Grand National Chase (Saturday) will be a commemorative colour badge. Please note that for the above races no other Owners and Trainers' badge will permit access to the Parade Ring and the Winner's Enclosure, following the race.
Due to the large number of entries in the Grand National races:- the Foxhunters', the Topham and the Randox Grand National - we kindly request that you do not attempt to access the
Parade Ring or Winners' Enclosure unless you are the owner or trainer of a declared runner in those races. This measure is necessary to help manage numbers in what will already be a particularly busy area.
IMPORTANT - Due to restrictions on space, badges will only be issued to Owners with declared runners. If your horse is not declared to run, your tickets and badges will be void.
*Please note that meal vouchers cannot be swapped for additional badges at this Festival.
These badges are NOT applicable at The Randox Grand National Festival and will not allow access to the racecourse. The ONLY badge that will admit to the Racecourse is the badge & ticket issued from the Owners and Trainers' Reception.
This year we're delighted to introduce an additional Owners & Trainers area with our new Owners' Racing Lounge, located above the Weighing Room with views overlooking the Parade Ring and Winners' Enclosure.
This new lounge and bar area will be accessible to all owners and trainers, providing a comfortable place to relax and enjoy the day with easy access to the main racing areas.
Owners, particularly racing clubs and syndicates who wish to attend with a larger group of guests, will be able to purchase additional tickets at a reduced price to access this exciting new space and enjoy the racing together.
If you have a runner with us and would like to purchase additional tickets for this area, please email Aintree.Owners@thejockeyclub.co.uk.
This new area reflects Aintree's understanding that racehorse ownership is for everyone
The Goffs Owners' and Trainers' Pavilion is a dedicated facility designed exclusively for Owners and Trainers to relax and enjoy their day.
Conveniently located on the east side of the Parade Ring, the Pavilion is in close proximity to the Weighing Room, Pre-Parade Ring and Winners' Enclosure, and is just a short walk from the Owners' and Trainers' viewing areas within the Lord Sefton and Lord Daresbury Grandstands.
Within the Pavilion, you will receive a warm welcome and enjoy access to the Owners' and Trainers' Bar & Grand National trophy display.
30 to 40 minute rule.
Ample seating is available throughout the bar and restaurant areas. Please note that, due to the high volume of Owners and Trainers dining on the day, restaurant tables operate on a 30-40 minute seating policy to ensure all guests can be accommodated comfortably. We appreciate your co-operation and understanding with this.
Please note that both a valid wristband and your Owners' and Trainers' badge are required to gain access to the Pavilion.
O'Sullevan's suite is located on the ground and first floors of The Gaffs Pavilion, overlooking the parade ring.
All owners and trainers with runners will be issued with a complimentary meal voucher for O'Sullevan's buffet within their badge allocation (Owners: 8 meal vouchers per runner; Trainers: 2 meal vouchers).
Tables and seating will be available in this suite while you eat; however, we kindly ask guests to move to the bar area once they have finished eating to allow us to accommodate other owners and trainers. There will be a 30-40 minute rule in place during busy times. Complimentary tea and coffee will also be available in this area.
All day table reservations
If you would like to reserve a table all day, a limited number of tables will be available on the first floor of O'Sullevan's. These need to be pre-booked and will be available on a first come, first served basis. An all day table booking will also include complimentary Afternoon Tea.
£100 per person, per day**
**Based on tables of 10.
Please email Aintree.Owners@thejockeyclub.co.uk or phone 0151 522 2926 to book a table all day.
if you would like to further enhance your hospitality experience at the Randox Grand National Festival, we have the following restaurants available at an exclusive Owner & Trainer rate:
Golden Miller
Thursday - £300pp Inc VAT Friday - £300pp Inc VAT
Conveniently located close to the parade ring, enjoy a memorable day at this iconic racecourse in the refined atmosphere of the Golden Miller.
Numbersixvalverde
Saturday - £350pp Inc VAT
Celebrate 20 years since Numbersixvalverde's iconic Randox Grand National victory with an exclusive hospitality experience like no other, where dining meets legendary racing. Located on the 1st Floor of the Hospitality Pavilion, enjoy fantastic views over the start line of the world famous Grand National.
To make a table reservation in one of our Restaurants, please email Mike.warrington@thejockeyclub.co.uk or phone 0151 522 2911
Two Trainers' badges will be issued to Trainers upon production of a current RCA Trainers Card. Please note: badges will only be issued to the person named on the RCA Trainers Card. Please do not be offended if we request to see identification.
We appreciate how frustrating it can be for Trainers to be stopped by security stewards and asked to show their badges, especially when trying to access the Parade Ring.
We very much hope you will understand that security arrangements mean that this procedure will be politely, but firmly enforced throughout the Festival. Please
ensure that you display your badge clearly.
These are NOT applicable at The Randox Grand National Festival and will NOT allow access to the racecourse. The ONLY badge that will admit to the Racecourse is the badge issued from the Owners and Trainers' Reception.
.
As with British trainers, no admission badges will be sent out in advance of The Festival. On production of a current Irish Trainers' licence, each Irish Trainer with a runner will be issued with two badges for that day. Badges may only be collected from the Owners and Trainers' Reception.
If you would like to book tickets please contact the Irish Racehorse Trainers association who will confirm your attendance with Aintree.
Please note, HRI full training licences must be shown to collect these tickets and they will only be issued to the Trainer named on the card. Please do not be offended if we ask to see identification.
Up to two Owners and Trainers' Badges can be provided to Irish Trainers with a full HRI training licence, without runners. If you would like to book tickets, please contact Carly Sage by Monday 30th March.
Any requests after this date will be declined.
If you have any queries regarding badges, please call the Owners' Information Line which will be open at the following times:
Owners' Information Line 0151 522 2959
Email Aintree.Owners@thejockeyclub.co.uk Monday 6th April: 9am - 12 noon
Tuesday 7th and Wednesday 8th April: 10am - 5.30pm
Thursday 9th and Friday 10th April: Sam - 3pm
Saturday 11th April: 7.30am to 3pm
Full stable security, with BHA stable access control and CCTV, will operate from 7pm on Tuesday 7th April.
Applications for stables and accommodation, stating the day and time of arrival and departure, should be sent via email to amy.martin@thejockeyclub.co.uk or via phone 07973 519747.
Horses due to run on Friday/Saturday which arrive prior to Thursday/Friday may be asked to stable at Haydock Park Racecourse, which is 35 mins drive from Aintree. Accommodation will be provided for Stable Staff at Haydock or in a nearby hotel.
Arrivals at Aintree for overnight stabling are requested to arrive no earlier than 6pm on the day prior to their run. Your cooperation in this will be appreciated due to the high number of runners each day.
Owners with horses running in The Randox Foxhunters’ Steeple Chase on the Thursday, who do not have a permit to train, must ensure that their staff bring photographic identification with them.
The fibre-sand exercise gallop will be available daily from 7am to 9am ONLY.
Trainers must state the names of ALL their stable staff when booking accommodation for the Festival. Accommodation is limited and must be booked in advance. Accommodation will be available as follows:
One Horse: One Lad/Lass.
Two or more horses: One Lad/Lass per horse, plus one Head Lad/Lass.
Paul Murphy of Horse Shuttle will be on hand at Aintree during the 3 days to assist with Export Paperwork requirements.
Paul can be contacted on:
horseshuttleuk@hotmail.com
+44 7720 404 646
Members of the Aintree Veterinary Team will be available to complete Health Checks prior to departure but please ensure all paperwork is lodged with Paul in advance.
Aintree Racecourse will not be liable for any costs incurred resulting from the Import or Export of horses to and from the UK for the purposes of attending the Randox Grand National Festival.
Export papers must be submitted via the DEFRA Portal nominating Ashbrook Equine Hospital-Cheshire as the Official Veterinarian (OV). Please double check you are selecting the correct Veterinary Practice as named above - there are
similar named practices and selecting the wrong one will mean your paperwork will not be retrievable
All trainers with staff arriving in their own vehicles and not in a horsebox, please provide their registration details to Stable Manager Amy Martin amy.martin@thejockeyclub.co.uk by the time of Declarations to ensure that they can gain access.
Please note, due to capacity and the volume of runners over the course of the festival, we may ask horses not running on that day to be stabled at Haydock Park. The canter down at Haydock Park will be available for exercising.
Although there is no official dress code, smart is preferable and is often adopted.
Aintree is a spectacle of colour throughout the year, with many using their trip to the racecourse as an opportunity to showcase their favourite
raceday outfits. Hats are optional too, but are frequently worn.
Sports clothes and fancy dress are not permitted for The Randox Grand National Festival.
We encourage smart dress in all enclosures so feel free to dress up and enjoy the occasion.
We are committed to ensuring that every guest enjoys a comfortable and inclusive experience. This guide has been created to help you plan your visit, with clear information on accessibility across our facilities, services and events. Whether you are joining us for a race day or another occasion, we look forward to making your time at Aintree as enjoyable and memorable as possible. This guide is to enable you to plan your day with us at Aintree racecourse to ensure you get the most out of your visit.
Personal Assistants and Tickets
If you require a personal assistant to accompany you for the day, you can apply for a complimentary ticket for them if you are in receipt of the following awards: Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Attendance Allowance (AA) or Armed Forces Independence Payment (AFIP). Please note, we don't accept Access Card, Nimbus or Blue Badges as proof of eligibility. Provided that you purchase a valid admission ticket for yourself, you are entitled to apply for one complimentary admission ticket at the same event for the person who is accompanying you as a personal assistant.
The personal assistant must be able to provide you with appropriate assistance which might include:
To make a booking for yourself and your personal assistant, please contact us on either 0151 522 2921 or NW.tickets@thejockeyclub.co.uk with evidence of your award letter, we can accept a photo of this along with photo ID. Please aim to send your request with a minimum of 5 working days in advance of the fixture date. If you have any questions regarding how your needs can be met during your visit, please feel free to contact us and we are happy to help. We can organise personal assistant tickets to be organised on the day if you bring the relevant award letter along with you and this is accompanying a full price ticket.
Accessible Areas
All disabled toilets are locked by RADAR key, our staff have some available on site, however we would advise to bring your own along too. There is an accessible toilet in the Goffs Owners and Trainers Pavilion.
Accessible Viewing Platforms
We have two permanent ground floor and outdoor accessibility viewing platforms at the racecourse, both first come first served.
One at the Parade Ring for viewing of the Parade Ring. The second at the left of the Princess Royal Grandstand at the base of The Mound for race track viewing. (Randox Grand National Festival only).
Accessible Seating
There is an allocation of seats in the grandstands (subject to availability), where there are lifts for Owners requiring these facilities. Please ensure you have arranged accessible seating with Carly Sage on 0151 522 2959 or Aintree.Owners@thejockeyclub.co.uk well in advance of the day.
All of our staff are able to assist you with any queries during your visit. We have staff wearing the below uniform so you can see who to approach: Assistance is also available at our main reception point located behind the Aintree Roundabout and in the Ground floor of the Princess Royal stand and in our Goffs Owners and Trainers Pavilion.
Assistance Dogs We allow assistance dogs into the racecourse during all fixtures. Please bring documentation along if you're able to.
Wheelchairs & Buggy Hire We don't have buggy or wheelchairs available
at the racecourse currently, but this is something we're looking to introduce.
Dietary Requirements We cater for a range of dietary requirements including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free at our concessions.
However if you have a dietary requirement which we cannot cater for, please get in touch with us on nw.tickets@thejockeyclub.co.uk or call 0151 522 2921 and we can assess your request and provide you with a dietary requirement letter, allowing you to bring an arranged quantity of food, or drink into the racecourse. You will need to provide this to the security team at the search point.
Aintree Racecourse App
On our app, you can see the travel distances from points around the racecourse. You must be at the racecourse to use this feature. There are also links to all of our online accessibility info and content.
After each race, a racecourse liaison person will be located in the pull-up area for any Owner, Trainer or Stable Staff wishing to enquire about the whereabouts of their horse.
A list of hotels located near Aintree can be found at www.visitliverpool.com
Further to the British Horseracing Authority's (BHA) decision to allow the sponsors to have the option of exclusive access to all the Owners and Jockeys' branding sites and attendants' clothing for races at the Grand National Festival the sponsors, Aintree Racecourse, the ' Racehorse Owners' Association and the Professional Jockeys' Association have reached agreement for this option to apply in all races.
The sponsors have exercised the exclusivity option in all 21 (twenty-one) races scheduled to take place during The 2026 Randox Grand National Festival.
For all races during The 2026 Randox Grand National Festival the sponsors will display their logo on Owners' silks,
Jockeys' branding sites, paddock cloths and attendants' clothing. All logos will be supplied by the sponsors. In addition, for The Randox Grand National, the sponsor will provide a branded paddock sheet/rug.
The sponsors will pay the Owners of horses, who display the sponsors' logo on Owners' silks and paddock sheet/rug taking part in The Randox Grand Nation�!
£1,250, plus VAT, each. In the other 20 (twenty) races, a sponsorship payment of £210, plus VAT, will be made to each Owner who displays the sponsor's logo.
It is possible that in one race the sponsors will allow logos promoting a charity to be worn instead of their own. If this is the case, the sponsorship payments will still be made to the Owners.
Subject to the Rules of Racing, the sponsors will make a payment to the equivalent of one riding fee (£235.90) per ride per ride to each Jockey who displays the sponsor's logo
Any Owners wishing to make further enquiries about these arrangements please contact Kelly O'Boyle on 07983712668, or alternatively the Information Line on 0151 522 2959 or Aintree.Owners@thejockeyclub.co.uk
Horses, and those in charge of them, are admitted and received on the terms that neither Aintree Racecourse, The Jockey Club, nor their servants are liable for any damage, loss or injury to such horses or persons, while in or about the Racecourse premises or stabling, from whatever cause arising, including damage, loss or injury caused by the negligence of any servant or agent of Aintree Racecourse/ The Jockey Club.
Enquiries should be made to Jon Pullin and Daniel Cooper, the Clerks of the Course on 0151 523 2600. If the office is not open, recorded information will be available on this line.
Our racecourses continue to operate on a ‘cashless’ basis, including concessions.
Cash may be used when placing bets on the Tote and with all on-course bookmakers.
Please note that due to new laws prohibiting the use of credit to place a bet, all betting facilities on site will be unable to accept Apple Pay.
