Author: GC

For a large chunk of its existence, Wetherby has been a staple for National Hunt, but this shifted a little when the site became home to fat racing for the first time in 2015. It sits at Wetherby and is just 12 miles off the Leeds Town Centre. Wetherby has three enclosures, each with facilities that come at different levels of luxury and charge differently.

History

The racecourse has been around for ages, becoming a venue steeped in history and intertwines with the story of Wetherby as a town. Since the later years of the 1800’s, locations have shifted a little, and improvements have been made decade after decade. Despite its elite allure, Wetherby had to wait for a long time before it could boast of terraces, which came on in the 30’s. Since then, there have been other additions and renovations, with the latest addition being the Millennium Stand, which was unveiled in 1999.

Structures and amenities

Wetherby is the full package. It has practice areas for horses, has stables, cafes and bars. It is also home to bookies, first aid medics and people looking to place bets on their favourite horses. There are also great restaurants where fans can grab dinners after races.

Depending on the time of the year and activities taking place, the admittance fee ranges between two and twenty seven pounds. The course management has not established a dress code, but fans are generally advised to wear casual clothes.

Races

As indicated earlier, Wetherby thrives on National Hunt but has been opening its terraces to flat racers as well. Some of the notable races in the course are Charlie Hall, Castleford Chase, and Wetherby Hurdles. The venue is home to intense face-offs, especially when it comes to hurdles and related competitions.

Over the years, Wetherby has galloped and woven its way into the pop culture fabric. It has been referenced on mainstream media in shows from ITV and BBC.

Wincanton town is located in the beauteous rural area of South Somerset overlooking the gorgeous Blackmore Vale. It is an irresistible setting that most probably prompted huntsmen in the local area to make Wincanton the spot for the yearly Easter Monday horseracing competitions over 200 years ago. Wincanton Racecourse currently hosts nearly 20 races in every winter National Hunt season, which is between the months of October and May.

Wincanton Racecourse History

The first regular racetrack was made in 1800s at Hatherleigh Farm in south west Wincanton and mainly hosted local gentlemen riders, and started hosting national races only in the late 1890s. World War I forced a closure of racing at Hatherleigh, which resulted in financial problems when racing resumed in 1920’s Easter Monday. Lord Stalbridge salvaged Wincanton racing. He also acquired and developed Kingwell Farm where the Wincanton Racecourse currently sits. The first race at the new location was staged in 1927. The Racecourse Holdings Trust bought the Wincanton Racecourse in 1966 from some ten local businesspersons who had took over the operations after Lord Stalbridge relinquished his support.

Wincanton Racecourse Racetrack

The actual racetrack of Wincanton Racecourse has a circumference of one mile and three furlongs. It is run to the right and has small undulations but its rectangular shape makes the corners somewhat sharp. Jumps at Wincanton Racecourse are big and offer a stern test. The steeplechase and hurdles courses provide a considerable test and since the latter are at the end of the race, it provides for a breathtaking close shave finish.

Wincanton Racecourse Highlight Races

The acme in every campaign includes November’s Badger Ales Trophy, Boxing Day’s Lord Stalbridge Memorial Handicap Chase as well as February’s Kingwell Hurdle Day.

Wincanton Racecourse Future

The course is undergoing an expansion program to the tune of 3 million pounds, where amenities and services are upgraded annually, which makes for interesting scenes.