Category: Racecourses

Set in Berkshire, England, Newbury Racecourse is a significant presence in the horse racing world due to its high-quality racing history. The left handed, undulating racecourse hosts both flat and jump racing, making it ideal for racing aficionados and newcomers alike. The course has excellent transport links by both road and rail, ensuring reaching it is a formality and the picturesque setting that greets you as you arrive is quite something to see.

The racing calendar at Newbury is punctuated by a multitude of ‘marquee events’ all year round, such as the Lockinge Stakes, one of the UK’s top mile races for older horses,  the Hennessy Gold Cup, and Challow Novices’ Hurdle . This mix of flat, chase and hurdle events attracts large crowds and provides an electrifying atmosphere.

Beyond the pull of the races, Newbury Racecourse offers facilities such as dining options and hospitality packages ranging from a treat to luxury. This family friendly environment plays host to a who’s who of music talent too, for those wishing to attend on a day where they can watch both the best of the best on course, or also on stage. In recent years the likes of Olly Murs, Craig David and Madness have all played.

Newbury Racecourse delivers the complete racing experience. Whether a family day out, or even an event beyond the sport, Newbury Racecourse is the place to be.

Windsor Racecourse, set on the banks of the River Thames in Berkshire is a top choice for summer evening races. The racecourse’s proximity to Windsor Castle, adds a historic backdrop to the racing experience and making it a popular choice for both racing fans and tourists from other parts of the UK and beyond.

The racing calendar at Windsor is packed, with the course known for its Monday night races which are a staple of the summer racing season. Like many courses, the racing is only the half of it now, with live music and family fun days bringing in those who might have otherwise given racing a miss. This year music-racing hybird events include 80s retro explosion and ‘soul & motown night.

The full 1m 4f Windsor racecourse is a challenging flat, figure-of-eight course, setting it apart from many other tracks in the country. And The 6f course is relatively straight. The distinctive shape and riverside location are unique not onl for the competitive races that take place there but also weddings, corporate events and the like – there’s even an outdoor cinema!

Whether attending the famous Monday night races, having a family day out, or watching a concert the mix of natural beauty and modern facilities makes Windsor a must-visit destination.

Doncaster Racecourse is host to a myriad of flat and jump racing events throughout the year, attracting both racing enthusiasts and those looking for an exciting day out. The left handed, wide 1 mile 7½ furlongs course is home to various listed races such as the Doncaster Mile Stakes and Cammidge Trophy though the most ‘household name’ race at the track is the St Leger Stakes, the oldest of Britain’s five Classics. It’s part of the St Leger Festival held in September,  whichdraws top horses, jockeys, and trainers, alongside a crowd anticipating the action. Other notable fixtures include the Brocklesby Stake, and the Lincoln Handicap, signaling the start of the flat racing season, as well as the Grimthorpe Chase, often seen as preparation for the Grand National.

Doncaster Racecourse also serves as a versatile venue for music concerts, exhibitions, corporate events and weddings. The official Doncaster racecourse website notes that the likes of “Jess Glynne, Madness, James, Chase and Status, Ocean Colour Scene, Texas, Mcfly and many more” have played there. Nowdays racecourse tend to stand out by become opne sstop event and enterainment hubs and Doncaster is certainly doing its best to tick all pf those boxes. This adaptability has made it an integral part of the community, contributing to the local economy and offering a space where people can gather for more than just horse racing. You can’t go far wrong when paying this particular racecourse a visit.

Haydock Racecourse is located between Liverpool and Manchester making it an ideal location for a day at the races. Transport links to the track are excellent and Haydock is an appealing village in its own right. The course is popular with both hardcore racing fans and casual punters alike.

The racecourse is a left handed 1 mile 5 furlongs, oval and hosts both high-stakes national hunt races and flat racing; as such there are no shortage of notable fixtures. Among these, November’s Grade 1 Betfair Chase is a stand out, as is May’s Spring Trophy listed race, and the Haydock Sprint Cup. Many more big races could be reeled off, which attests to the importance of Haydock Racecourse.

As such Haydock’s facilities are of course top-notch. With a range of viewing areas, dining options, a champagne bar, various suites, executive boxes and hospitality packages, the racecourse ensures that it caters to all. Hybrid racing / music concert nights are also a feature, allowing you to enjoy a day at the races and then the likes of Mcfly, Earth, Wind & Fire or Pete Tong.

The track itself – which is around 1 mile 5 furlongs and also has sprints of up to 6f on the straight – hosts both flat and national hunt racing. This dual-purpose capability results in Haydock offering a compelling year-round racing schedule, so whatever the time of year you can enjoy the racing.

 

Goodwood Racecourse, near Chichester is one of the more picturesque English racecourses and plays a significant role in the flat racing calendar. Set within the South Downs National Park its a stunning spot in which to watch top class racing.The racecourse itself in undulating and stretches 1 mile and 6 furlongs. It features a six-furlong straight known as the “Stewards’ Cup Course” which has a steep descent followed by a climb to the finish line.

Among the many of races hosted at Goodwood the most notable is the ‘Glorious Goodwood’ festival, held annually in late July / early August, which features five days of ummissable racing. Standout races in those 5 days include the Goodwood Cup, a Group 1 race featuring some of the best stayers from around the country and indeed world, the Sussex Stakes, which sees the elite of the mile division go head to head, and the King George Stakes.  The festival’s atmosphere is electric and as its summer, the fashions on display deserve a mention too. Other Goodwood events in the racing calendar include May’s Spring Meeting, and Septembers Autumn Meeting (featuring the Foundation Stakes listed race).

The racecourse offers plenty of scope for getting a great view too, from the grandeur of the Richmond Enclosure, which also provides top dining experiences, to the more relaxed atmosphere of the Gordon and Lennox Enclosures. Each provides fantastic vantage points from which to watch the action unfold and to cater to different budgets and preferences. You can even stay at The Goodwood Hotel at the heart of the Goodwood Estate. With 91 rooms it is said to offer ‘the very essence of British style.’ There’s the Hound Lodge and Goodwood House too for further attractive accommodation options.

There are numerous bars and hospitality suites, and membership options including tours of the course, and meetings with jockeys and trainers. What better way to get inside the action and to be on the receiving end of insightful glimpses and tidbits not known to the masses. Other non horse racing experience days on the Goodwood esate include driving, flying, and golf. What a feature packed place.