Newcastle is a dual-race type course located in Gosforth Park within the City of Newcastle, North East England. It is owned by the Arena Racing Company, with races televised on At The Races.
History
Horse racing in the area has been existent for roughly three-and-a-half centuries, with King George II among the premieres to show interest in and support competitions. After periods of shifting, races finally found a home at the current location in 1882, when the Northumberland plate was first run here. The new course had some amazing facilities by the standards of that time, with flat and chase tracks, a grandstand and 100 horse stables.
More recent history was made at the turn of the 21st Century, when the ascendancy of David Williamson, a Scottish businessman, to the post of managing director saw the turnover rise steadily from £2.5m to £2.5m in six years.
A new upgrade between 2013 and 2016 saw the introduction of an all-weather flat racing track which was first used in May 2016.
The course
The course assumes a figure 9 shape, with two sharp turnings and one other which is much gentler. There are tracks for both National Hunt and flat racing. It sits on 805 acres of land, on which the Golf Clubs of Northumberland and Parklands, a scout camp and a nature reserve have been developed.
Newcastle airport is six miles away for huge plane landing. Helicopter landing can be arranged in advance with the course management.
Races
Newcastle hosts 30 race meetings in its annual calendar. Racing begins in spring and runs all through to December. The most notable race run here is the Northumberland Plate run in June. There are day and night events hosted at Newcastle. The Eider Chase, Fighting Fifth Hurdle and Chipchase Stakes are also key events on the course’s list of fixtures.
The BeeswingStakes and the Seaton Delaval Stakes were traditional races held here but were discontinued in 1999 and 1985 respectively.