BRIGHTON RACECOURSE.
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Introduction:
Brighton racecourse is only five minutes travel from the town centre, but from its vantage point on an initial ridge of the Sussex Downs, it provides a panoramic vista over Brighton, and right out to the historic waterway of the English Channel.
Recorded in a 1683 copy of The Jockies Intelligencer, is a report of a race meeting at the Hangleton Course, which was to the west of Brighton. This appears to be the first report of horse racing in the Brighton area, but it was 1783 before the first official meeting was recorded in the Racing Calendar. It is known from this record, the first official races were staged on the current racecourse site of Whitehawk Hill.
In August 1784, the Brighton races attracted the presence of the Prince of Wales. For several years thereafter, the Prince and his entourage attended and sponsored races at the course. This royal patronage attracted large crowds, which in turn, attracted suppliers of beer, wines and snacks. To provide the nobles and gentry with a better view of racing, a small grandstand was also built.
In these early years, the course was longer than the current track. In fact, it was two miles in length, and had a loop at the far end. The four mile race staged at that time, involved running away from the finishing line in the wrong direction, then at the far end, taking the loop, before returning in the normal direction to the winning post.
Due to his fathers illness, the Prince of Wales became the Prince Regent, and he was unable to attend the race meetings at Brighton. As a result, the races became infrequent, and poorly attended. Even the introduction of hurdle races in the early eighteen thirties failed to improve matters.
However, when the railway line was completed to Brighton, the railway company helped the local Grandstand Trust to finance the building of a new grandstand, and after this facility opened in 1851, the annual races on Whitehawk Hill were revived.
Although hurdle racing ceased in 1889, flat race meetings continued to develop, and with the growth of the seaside holiday market, they actually began to flourish. By the nineteen thirties, the Brighton races were so successful, they attracted the racecourse gangs, depicted so well in Graham Greenes Brighton Rock.
However, the growth of the foreign package tour in the nineteen sixties led to a drop in seaside visitors, and this created a major decline in the fortunes of Brighton racecourse. Things did not change until after the 1999 take over by the current owners, Northern Racing. A three year capital investment programme saw the rebuilding of the racecourse and its facilities. An accompanying marketing campaign then drew the crowds back to this picturesque modern course.
In 2008, Brighton will stage nineteen meetings, the highlight being the three day meeting in early August, which coincides with the Brighton Festival.
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Track facts:
Brighton only stages flat race meetings.
In relation to the grandstands, the racetrack is a letter U lying on its side, with its curved end to the left of the grandstands. The course has a maximum race distance of 1 and a half miles. The track is raced left handed, and is markedly undulating throughout its length. Most unusually, for longer races, to allow horses safe passage, the public highway of Wilson Road has to be closed, and then turfed.
Brightons sharp nature suits horses that can sit close to the pace. In sprint races, a low draw is generally advantageous.
Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse.
Good views of the racing action are available in most areas, particularly from the recently refurbished, fully covered grandstand.
Premier ticket.
The Grandstand in this section offers covered seating which overlooks the winning post, parade ring, and the winners enclosure.
the Silks restaurant offers premier badge holders fine dining. For the more popular meetings, advance booking is recommended.
The balcony bar offers excellent views of the home straight and winning post. While the facilities offered by the premier enclosure bar are always very popular.
Naturally, premier ticket holders can also enter the facilities in the Grandstand and Paddock Enclosure.
Grandstand and Paddock ticket.
Covered seating in the grandstand, plus access to the parade ring and winners enclosure, come as standard on this ticket.
The enclosure is served by the fully stocked Long Bar on the ground floor, plus there is a smaller bar on the first floor of the grandstand. These bar facilities are complimented by numerous snack food providers.
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Disabled facilities:
Disabled visitors are welcome. The racecourse ensures access to virtually all public areas, with lifts, and specialist toilet facilities available in the grandstand.
Fixtures:
Brighton only stages flat racing.
Tuesday 18 August.
Wednesday 02 September.
Monday 28 September.
Thursday 15 October.
Thursday 22 October.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
If heading into Brighton on the A23, the easiest route involves turning east onto the A27 Brighton bypass, follow the signs for Sussex University, then take the B2123 to Woodingdean. At the first set of traffic lights, turn right, and the racecourse is 1 mile ahead on your left hand side.
If coming via Brighton city centre, head for the sea front, and the Palace Pier. Drive eastbound along Marine Parade, turn right at the first set of traffic lights into Low Rock Gardens, then turn right at the second set of traffic lights into Edward Street. Take the first left into Freshfield Road, and the racecourse is at the top of the hill.
Car parking at the course is free of charge.
Logbook Loans: If you own your own car, you can obtain an un-secured loan for personal or business use. For full details, click below.
By Rail:
Brighton station is 1 hour from London, and regular services operate from, London Victoria, Kings Cross, and London Bridge stations. There are also regular Coastway rail services from, Eastbourne, Lewes, Hastings, Worthing, and Portsmouth.
By Bus:
Two hours before the first race, a shuttle bus service starts to operate between Brighton railway station and the racecourse. The bus parks about 200 yards South of the station, on Queens Road.
After racing, the shuttle bus operates return trips.
By Air:
Gatwick is the nearest London airport, around 22 miles away. However, light aircraft, and helicopters, can obtain permission to land at Shoreham Airport, just 6 miles from the racecourse. Shoreham Airport tel no: 01273 29 69 00.
In addition, helicopters can also obtain prior permission from the racecourse company, for race day landings on the course helipad.
CONTACT Details.
Address: Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 9XZ.
Tel No: 01273 60 35 80
Fax No: 01273 67 32 67
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ACCOMMODATION.
Hilton Brighton Metropole
Tel No: 0870 5 90 90 90
Ideally situated 5 minutes from Brighton train station and 2 miles from Brighton racecourse, step in to the impressive elegance of the Hilton Brighton Metropole hotel and immerse yourself in relaxation, indulgence, spa delights and fine cuisine. Steeped in history and rich in appearance, this magnificent red-brick Victorian hotel sits majestically on Brighton’s seafront and offers a city-break-by-the-sea full of style, comfort, warmth and personality.
Be overwhelmed by the grandness of the sea-facing Windsor Restaurant with it’s elegant décor and sparkling chandeliers where you can dine in style choosing from delicious dishes put together using only the very best fresh, local Sussex produce. Declutter the mind and rejuvenate the soul at the hotel’s Living Well Health Spa and swimming pool. Free for guests, you can dip in and out all day long using the spa pool, sauna, steam room and expansive swimming pool, with Spa extras to splash out on such as top-to-toe massages, marine algae wraps, hot stone treatments and Indian head massages.
http://www.hilton.co.uk/brightonmet
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