Fakenham Racecourse is located within the market town by the same name in Norfolk County, England. It is a jump races track owned by the Fakenham Courses Limited, and screened on At The races.
History
The first race run on the track was the West Norfolk Hunt on Easter Monday in 1905. The race was initially hosted by the East Winch; the decision to move it was informed by the thought that Fakenham’s lighter soil made it more suitable. A total of 37 participants took place in that first race, and it henceforth became an annual Easter event.
A hurdle race was then introduced in 1926 in the face of dwindling steeplechase racing.
Racing took a break during World War II, and resumed in 1947. Queen Elizabeth visited Fakenham in 2000, an unlucky year in which bad conditions caused the races to be stopped. The One million-pound worth ��’Prince of Wales stand” was opened by the man himself in 2002.
The course
Fakenham is left handed and gently undulating along its one-mile length. It is shaped like a distorted square, and has sharp turns with obstacles in close proximity at these bends. It has two courses, the traditional steeplechase and the hurdle. The steeplechase moves on the outside of the hunt, with a total of six fences within the circuit.
Within it are golf, tennis and squash playing facilities which were introduced in 1965 to serve the local community. No formal dress code is observed.
Rail is the least convenient way to get to the countryside course, as the nearest station lies 16.9 miles away. Road and air are however convenient, the latter via Norwich Airport or on site with prior arrangement.
Races
There are nine meetings held at the course throughout the year. The Easter Monday Race has retained its appeal and is the headline of all National Hunt competitions held here. The Charity Day race is also a major attraction.