The racecourse is located in a town by the same name within the Hambleton district of North Yorkshire County, England. It is a flat type course, left handed oval, owned by the Thirsk Racecourse Ltd.
History
The course has been hosting races since 1612, with the most remarkable story of its early days being James I’s prize of a gold cup in that year’s race. The present track has been operational since 1855 when Squire Frederick Bell organised a meeting on the estate.
In 1940, in the thick of the World War, the course hosted the St. Leger Stakes, a 1-mile six furlong race that was normally run at the Doncaster track.
The course
Thirsk is a flat type course with a gentle gradient. It has fair turns all round, allowing race horses to exploit speed at any point of a race. The area is picturesque in its architecture and maintenance, with flowered lawns whose manicured is pleasingly standout.
Racegoers can access the course by rail, road or air, with helicopter hauled patrons allowed to land on the cricket pitch in the course up to half an hour before the first race. Landing is not allowed once races are underway.
Races
The track gets a good galloping between April and September, when 17 flat races are run here. The Thirsk hunt Cup is the main race here. The calendar runs between April and September, starting with the Opening Meet and Culminating with the Ladies’ Day Finale.
In between, the May Totepool Thirsk Hunt Cup and the Irish Day headline a host of other afternoon and evening races that attract fans in scores. The Totepool returns as the Summer Cup in August.
Other events
Thirsk boasts exquisite facilities and service for other events that can be held with the races in the background; weddings, conferences, concerts, exhibitions and banqueting, which makes it a prime spot for crowds.