CARLISLE RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
Near to the World Heritage site of Hadrians Wall and the historic region of the Scottish Borders, Carlisle has fiercely defended its sentinel role as Englands most northerly city, and in keeping with the city's independent historic tradition, some of Britain's earliest flat race meetings were staged at sites around Carlisle, with official archives indicating racing was taking place as early as 1599.
During the seventeenth century, Carlisle emerged as a site for annual official race meetings, and two of its premier modern races, the Carlisle Belle, and Cumberland Plate trophy, can trace their origins back to this time.
The current Carlisle racecourse can easily persuade a modern race goer to imagine they are in a more tranquil time, for with the track situated in a country park, with excellent views of wonderful Cumbrian landscapes, it becomes hard to imagine the horse racing is taking place on a site so close to a busy modern city and the M6 motorway.
With both flat and national hunt tracks, Carlisle hosts racing throughout the year, and the summer flat race meetings are certainly well supported by competitive national hunt cards which take place from autumn until the early spring.
Over the year's , Carlisles autumn steeplechases have proved to be a guide to useful performers: Red Rum used preparation runs at Carlisle as a stepping stone towards his Grand National triumphs. While in 2007, the now retired top class chaser Monets Garden ran at Carlisle before winning big races at Sandown and Aintree, and in 2010, Little Josh won at Carlisle before going on to win the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham.
Track facts:
Carlisle stages both flat and national hunt racing.
The flat course is pear shaped, and is run right handed. It is an undulating circuit, approximately one and a half miles in circumference. Over the last four furlongs, horses have to race uphill, and also against the collar of the track. As a result, high drawn horses have a statistical advantage in races up to 1 mile. Despite this , the course is said to suit Gallopers with reserves of stamina.
The national hunt course is also run right handed. It is slightly longer than the flat track, being about one mile five furlongs in circumference, and it includes a slight right hand kink at the start of the home straight.
On each circuit, the steeplechase fences are laid out as follows: Three plain fences, an open ditch, another plain fence, another open ditch, and the remaining three plain fences. The last two plain fences form part of the home straight.
Taking the winning post as a starting point, horses have a continuous climb until after the second fence in the back straight, then they run a downhill section, level off, and encounter a climb over the last two fences in each circuit. Although the nine fences are not difficult, the long uphill sections of the course make Carlisle a very stiff track, and when the going is soft, stamina becomes essential.
The hurdles course has six obstacles, with two being sited on the run in. Like the flat, and steeplechase courses, horses have to combine stamina with an ability to keep up a good gallop.
In national hunt races, four fifths of eventual winners are hold up horses, who use their reserves of stamina to snatch victory over the last two jumps. Not surprisingly, Carlisle favours course specialists.
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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.
County Stand ticket.
County Stand day members are provided with covered seating in the county section of the grandstand. They obtain excellent views of the racecourse, parade ring, and winners enclosure. They also have specific access to the Patterson bar, and Swift’s Restaurant, which serves two and three course lunches, and afternoon tea. They can also use the first floor, and upper terraces of the Jubilee Stand. These badge holders also have access to all the other public areas of the racecourse.
Tattersalls ticket.
The grandstand facilities in the Tattersalls area, provide a mixture of covered and open seating, but still provide excellent views across the racecourse. These ticket holders also have access to the parade ring and winners enclosure.
Tattersalls race goers have access to the Bell Hall, with its hot food and bar facilities. They can also enjoy the hospitality of the Red Rum, and Paddock bars, which includes the sale of delicious baguettes and sandwiches. On the ground floor of the Jubilee Stand, there is a grill, and coffee shop, in addition to another bar.
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Disabled Facilities:
There are designated parking spaces for disabled drivers.
Lifts in the grandstands provide good access to most facilities.
Specialist disabled toilet facilities are available in both enclosures.
For County Stand badge holders, there is a special viewing platform accessible from both Swifts restaurant, and the Patterson bar.
There is also a viewing platform available in the Tattersalls enclosure.
Fixtures:
2011:
Monday 23 May
Monday 30 May
Monday 13 June
Transport Links:
By Road:
From the North and South, join the M6, leave at junction 42, and follow the signs to the racecourse.
From the East, A1 traffic should use the A69, and A66, to link up with the M6.
The fee for the trackside car park is, £5 on weekdays, and £7 on Saturdays, bank holidays, and for evening meetings in the summer. All the other car parks are free of charge.
By Rail:
Carlisle is a major stop on the London Euston to Glasgow main line. There is also a direct service from Newcastle upon Tyne.
Carlisle railway station is 2.3 miles from the racecourse.
By Bus:
There are several services from Carlisle bus station to the Black Lion at Durdar. On race days these buses stop outside the racecourse.
By Air:
Newcastle international airport is fifty one miles from Carlisle. The Newcastle Metro underground runs from the airport to Newcastle Central Station, where, as stated above, a direct train can be caught to Carlisle.
The nearby Carlisle airport offers landing facilities for private aircraft.
Subject to prior permission, helicopters can also land directly on the course.
Contact Details:
Address: Carlisle Racecourse Co Ltd, Durdar Road, Carlisle, Cumbria, CA2 4TS.
Telephone Number: 01228 55 47 00.
Fax Number: 01228 55 47 47.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
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