Kelso Races Today – Get Kelso Tips from Britain’s Friendliest Racecourse
Known as ‘Britain’s friendliest racecourse’, Kelso is a small track in the Scottish countryside. We’re going to explore everything that you need to know about Kelso races today. This will include the history of the course, the track configuration and a look at some of the biggest races for which we produce Kelso tips.
History of Kelso Racecourse
The first recorded instances of racing being held in the Kelso area date back to 1734, with meetings taking place at nearby Caverton Edge. Starting on a sporadic basis, these events became more regular and by 1793 the October meeting was running across six consecutive days.
It was the Royal Caledonian Hunt that organised racing at Kelso during this era. After the end of the Napoleonic Wars, racing moved to Blakelaw briefly in 1821, with the development of a new track at the current site of Berrymoss starting in 1822, with the first fixture taking place there the following year in 1823.
The new site contained the grandstand still used at Kelso races today, designed by the famous architect John Carr. It is one of the oldest stands still in use at a sporting venue and this beautiful structure is a category A Listed building.
In the early days of Kelso there was only Flat racing, but in 1883 National Hunt action came to the track, with steeplechase fences built away from the original layout of the course. This is why horses take a wider loop for steeplechases than the separate hurdle track, which uses the original course for Flat races.
Just two years after the introduction of National Hunt racing in 1885, the Buccleuch Cup was first held, which is the oldest race still run at Kelso. Despite beginning with Flat racing, it has developed into one of the most charming jumps tracks in the UK, with a reputation as somewhere to enjoy a very friendly race day.
One of the greatest race horses in history took its name after the town and course. The US thoroughbred Kelso won five consecutive Gold Cups at Belmont Park during the sixties.
Is Kelso Races Today Jumps or Flat?
Take a look at our Kelso tips today and you will see that this track hosts jumps only.
It’s a left-handed track with undulations and the home straight is all uphill. The hurdles track is sharp and an extended 9 furlongs (a mile and a furlong) [1m 300y] round.
There are five flights to jump on a complete circuit. Two down the back, a cross hurdle on the side of the track before the home turn and two more before the winning post.
For steeplechases, the oval is wider (almost a mile and three furlongs [1m 600y]) with eight fences in total.
There is a fence to jump before entering the back straight, then a line of three down there. Following that are two more fences taken down hill before the home turn. The first in the home straight is an open ditch, then there’s one more plain fence before the winning post.
This is a tight track, which is something that we consider when making our Kelso races tips.
Another factor that impacts our horse racing tips for Kelso is that this course has very good natural drainage. This means that there is rarely heavy ground for horses to contend with, though that said, there is still some emphasis on stamina. Kelso have made the run-in on the chase track shorter, but this remains a course where horses have to work hard in the closing stages to secure a win.
Key Kelso Races Fixtures
There are horse racing meetings at Kelso in the traditional jumps months, starting in September and running through to May. In total there are 13 meetings scheduled for 2025 and here at Racing Tipster we cover them all with our Kelso races tips.
Though Kelso is a course that is not as busy as some, it out-punches its weight when it comes to quality racing. The first big meeting of the year comes in January, with the Chairman’s Cup Handicap Chase Day.
Then in February or March there is the Morebattle Hurdle as the feature race of a valuable meeting that also includes the Premier Novices’ Hurdle and Premier Chase.
In early October there is the Simply Ned Handicap Chase Day and then towards the end of the same month, the Edinburgh Gin Chase Day.
Finally in December, the year at Kelso ends on a high with the Scottish Borders National Day.
With such high quality action at the course memberships at Kelso races today, which include race passes, are a popular option.
Check in on us throughout the jumps season for regular instalments of our Kelso racing tips.
The Biggest Races We Have Kelso Tips on
As you now know, there are plenty of quality meetings at Kelso racecourse that include big feature races.
Let’s take a look at some of the top quality races that you can enjoy at Kelso races today.
Morebattle Hurdle
This is the most valuable race at Kelso today. At different periods in its history, it has been both a handicap hurdle (like it is now and since 2021) and a conditions race.
Currently a Class 2 handicap hurdle over 2m, it has been run over 2m 2f in the past. First prize in 2025 was over £61,700, which was won by Cracking Rhapsody for the second year in a row.
Premier Novices’ Hurdle
Registered as the Premier Kelso Hurdle, this 2m 2f Grade 2 race was first run in 1990. It takes place on the Morebattle Hurdle card at the end of February / beginning of March.
In 2025 the first prize in 2025 was over £42,700 and was won by Jet To Vegas.
Richard Landale Memorial Handicap Chase
This race was added to the roster of tricky handicaps at Kelso in 2024. It’s a 2m 1f Class 2 handicap chase that takes place in December.
Nells Son won the inaugural running, taking home the first prize of almost £39,250.
Premier Chase
A Listed race over an extended 2m 7f on the Morebattle Hurdle card at the end of February or beginning of March. This has developed into an alternative Grand National trial to the Grimthorpe Chase at Doncaster and Eider Chase at Newcastle.
First prize in 2025 was £34,170 and was claimed by Grey Dawning.
Scottish Borders National Handicap Chase
A Class 3 staying handicap chase with a ratings ceiling of 140 over four miles in December.
Sandy Thompson has trained five previous winners of this race. Bretney was the winner in 2024, receiving a first prize of £26,400.
Edinburgh Gin Chase
This A Class 2 limited handicap chase over 3m 2f that is run at the end of October.
First prize in 2024 was £26,160, which was taken home by Elvis Mail.
Simply Ned Handicap Chase
This is the feature Class 2 handicap chase over 2m 1f at the meeting on the first Sunday in October. It honours the horse Simply Ned, who won this race in 2014 and 2015 and went on to Grade 1 wins in Ireland at Leopardstown.
In 2024, the winner Breizh Rover received a first prize of £20,800.
FAQs
Is Kelso races on today?
Take a look within our racecard section to see if there is any racing on at Kelso. If there are Kelso races today results, tips, form and information on runners will all be available here at Racing Tipster.
Where is Kelso Racecourse?
If you’re travelling to Kelso races today there are a number of options. The course is a mile away from the town of Kelso and is well connected if travelling by car. The nearest train station is Tweedbank, with a bus service taking you from the station to the course.
What are the key Kelso races today?
There are a number of big races for which we provide Kelso horse racing tips. These include the Morebattle Hurdle, Premier Novices’ Hurdle and Premier Chase.
Why give free Kelso tips?
Our Kelso racing tips today are free to view. That’s because we want as many people to be able to read them as possible. So take a look at our free predictions and after placing your bets, you can then check in at our site for the Kelso races results today.
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