Race day planner
A day at the races, properly sorted.
The dress code so you're never turned away at the gate, when the first race is off, the going, and your picks for every race — all in one place. Ascot to your local meeting.
UK-based · Free to start, on iPhone & Android.
Never turned away
The dress code, front and centre.
Racecourse dress codes are strict and vary by enclosure — the wrong shoes can get you turned away. HolidayPal keeps your enclosure's dress codeat the top of the day: what to wear, and what's banned (trainers, jeans, sportswear).
Add the gates & first-race times, the going, and your picks for each race — off-time, horse, odds and why — ticking the ones you back.
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Newbury Races
Premier Enclosure · Sat
Dress code · Premier
Smart — no trainers, jeans or sportswear. Jacket for gents.
Gates
11:00
1st race
13:50
Going
Good
My picks
One shared day out
Everyone on the same page.
A day at the races is usually a group. Share the trip and everyone has the dress code, the meeting spot and the timings on their own phone — plus a shared kitty for the day, and your tickets and getting-there details in the same place.
‹ All trips
🏇 Race day
Newbury Races
Newbury · 6 going
Meet-up point
Grandstand bar, main entrance
Fri 14 Aug · 06:30in 2h 15m
📣 Look for the flat caps
Everyone on the trip sees this.
The crew
Enclosure dress code
What to wear and what's banned for your exact enclosure — no turned-away surprises.
Gates & first race
When to arrive and when the first race is off, so you don't miss the opener.
Your picks for the day
Each race with your horse, the odds and why — tick the ones you back.
The going
Ground conditions to hand — the single biggest factor in a horse's chance.
Race-day budget
Entry, drinks, bets and food in one running total, split with the group.
Share with the crew
Everyone gets the dress code, the meet-up spot and the times on their own phone.
Learn moreThe dress code is the bit everyone gets wrong
More than the tips or the timings, it's the dress code that catches people out at the races — because it's stricter than you expect and it changes by enclosure. Royal Ascot's Royal Enclosure asks for morning dress and a hat with a proper base; step down an enclosure and the rules soften; Cheltenham is "smart, and dress for the weather". Turn up in trainers or jeans in the wrong area and you can be turned away at the gate. HolidayPal keeps the code for yourenclosure at the top of the day, and the AI assistant will spell out the exact rules — so the outfit's sorted before you leave home.
Your racecard, in your pocket
Half the fun is following your picks through the card. Jot each race with the off-time, your horse, the odds and a quick note on why — the going, the form, an in-form jockey — and tick the ones you back. No scribbling on a soggy paper racecard; it's all on your phone, and new to it? The assistant explains how to read a racecard in plain English.
Get there, and keep the day straight
The rest of the day lives here too: gates and first-race times so you're not rushing, the going, your tickets and badges, getting-there and parking, and a shared budget for entry, drinks and bets. Because most people go as a group, share the trip and everyone's got the same plan on their own phone — see the group trip planner.
Race day planning — common questions
What do I actually need for a day at the races?
Three things trip people up: the dress code (it varies by enclosure and courses do turn people away), the timings (gates open, first race), and keeping track of your picks across the card. HolidayPal puts all of it in one place — plus your tickets, a budget and getting-there details.
How does the dress code feature work?
You set your course and enclosure, and the dress-code card sits front and centre — what to wear for ladies and gents, and what's banned (trainers, jeans, sportswear). Not sure of the details? The AI assistant will tell you the exact code for your enclosure, and flag the British-weather backup plan.
Can I keep my tips for each race?
Yes — the 'my picks for the day' list holds each race with the off-time, your horse, the odds and a note on why (the going, the form, the jockey), and you can tick the ones you've backed. It's your racecard in your pocket.
Which courses does it work for?
Any of them — Royal Ascot, Cheltenham, Aintree, Goodwood, York, Newbury, Newmarket or your local meeting. You set the course, enclosure and times; it's built to fit whatever day you're going to.
Is it good for a group day out?
Very — race days are usually a group. Share the trip so everyone has the dress code, the meeting spot and the timings on their own phone, and keep a shared kitty for the day.
What does it cost?
Free. Optional AI extras (the exact dress code, how to read a racecard) are a small one-off Trip Pass, no subscription.
Sort your race day in minutes.
Set the course, sort the dress code, note your picks — and enjoy the day.
Going as a group? Group trip planner