Category: Racecourses

Pontefract is located within the market town by the same name in the metropolitan county of West Yorkshire, England. It is a flat-race type course owned by Pontefract Park Race Company Ltd, who have races listed on Racing UK.

History

Racing at Pontefract was introduced by townspeople in 1801, putting a professional touch to a sport that had existed in the town since the 15th century. In 1802, the course management sold £50 silver badges to racegoers, which would allow them to go to races for 20 years. The money raised was used to build the first grandstand.

The course opened a new grandstand in 1922 as it resumed hosting competitions after the World War I closure. It was one of few courses to remain open during the second World War, when it was used as an alternative venue for Lincoln Handicap and November Handicap.

Pontefract was the first course in England to introduce dope testing.

The course

The track is left handed flat, with a length slightly over two miles. It is the longest continuous flat track throughout Great Britain. It has a sharp turn and a five-furlong uphill towards the finish, challenging horses to develop their finishing kick.

Access is manly by road and rail, with the closest of three train stations in the town just 0.3 miles away. Traditionally, Pontefract started its races later that other courses in the country, to allow coal miners from an adjacent colliery to be in time for competitions after their morning shift. The colliery is now closed, and kick off times have been since re-adjusted.

2017 will see Pontefract offer the largest prize money package in their records, with a total of £1.13m up for grabs.

Races

Competition is active between April and October, the flat races period across the UK. 16 race days appear on its calendar, headlined by races like the Pontefract Castle Stakes, Flying Filly, Pipalong and Silver tankard.

Plumpton Racecourse is sited in East Sussex at the village of Plumpton near Brighton and Lewes. It is a small National Hunt course running counter clockwise. The circuit is slightly hilly and covers 1.6 km. The chase and hurdles courses share an uphill finish since the hurdles was moved to the outside of the chase course.

History of the course

The racecourse had its first official meeting on 11 February 1884. It was a good day for Cowslip, who won the first race of the day and won again later in the day. The rider, Harry Escott, got himself a treble. Plumpton is also remembered as the ground on which Tony McCoy got his 3000th win riding Restless d’Artaix, trained by Nicky Henderson.

Through its long existence, Plumpton has been kept going by the efforts of Thomas Henry, Isidore Kerman, Peter Savill and Adrian Pratt, who played different roles over the years which have modeled the racecourse to what it is today.

Notable events

The racecourse gives many race lovers what they don’t get too often, a close up look at the races. Being small as it, it offers a good view of the horses during the parade and all through the race. There are a number of notable races such as Ladies day, Friday Party Night Evening Race-meeting and Easter Family Festival.

The racecourse hosts 16 races in year and comes alive during the prominent events. Though the racecourse is not as big as most, it pulls in a crowd of over 2,000 people when it’s time for that anticipated fixture.

Hospitality and facilities

The racecourse is mostly managed by individuals rather than large companies. Even so, there have been great efforts to improve the facilities and quality of services, transforming the place into a suitable rural getaway. It also helps that the train station is just close by, you can easily make your way there from London.

Perth Racecourse is located at Scone Palace by Perth, Scotland. The racecourse has been a venue for thoroughbred horse racing since 1908. The racecourse has the perfect rural setting with the picturesque Parkland landscape and the historic Scone Palace just by.

Perth has a long history of horse racing that dates back to 1613. Scone Palace soon became the new venue for horse racing as a drinking ban drove it out of the North Inch. Lord Mansfield then offered a large acreage so that horse racing enthusiasts could continue enjoying the sport.

The course has a circumference of ten furlongs and is made as a steeplechase course. The course has eight fences with the water jump well placed in front of the grand stand.

History of the course

In 1908 as the racecourse was just starting, it hosted 2 meetings. This number went up to 13 and thus the sport of Kings had established itself professionally at a regal venue. Away from the fact that the scenic racecourse is close to a palace, it has entertained royalty when the Queen Mother attended race meetings twice, in the 70s.

Notable Races

Perth Racecourse comes alive with a packed calendar that runs from April to September. The known crowd pullers are the Perth Gold Cup Day which is famous because it comes just before Aintree and Cheltenham meetings. As such, it draws a lot of top class jockeys who test their fluidity on the obstacles.

Stan James.com Perth festival is also another favourite fixture. The festival is a 3 day treat of National Hunt racing and family fun.

Glorious Finale Meeting also lives up to the fanfare of an awaited fixture. As the season draws to a close, horseracing fans enjoy an annual celebration of the entrenched culture of the sport in Perth. The fixture dates back to the 17th century.

Other events

The racecourse is set in the ideal location for a wholesome experience and it does not let down one bit. When it is not busy hosting races, the venue is welcoming guests. The Nelson Stand has been designed for corporate events and has a stunning view of the racecourse.