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DONCASTER RACECOURSE.
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Introduction:
In historic terms, Doncaster is one of the most interesting racecourses in the United Kingdom.
From existing archives, it is known horse racing was being staged in Doncaster as early as the sixteenth century. By 1600, the Doncaster corporation, at the request of the gentlefolk of the town, tried to stop these unofficial gatherings, as they allegedly attracted drunkards and ruffians into the town.
After several years of ineffective legislation, the corporation decided the best policy was in fact to take control of horse racing in the Doncaster area. As a result, the Corporation mapped out and constructed their own racecourse, and staged there first official fixture in 1614. The races, and the change in policy, both proved very successful, and led to over three hundred years of local Corporation control of horse racing in Doncaster.
By 1766, Cantley Common had become established as the regular venue for Doncaster race meetings, and in that same year, the course staged the first running of the Doncaster Gold Cup. As the race has been run almost continuously ever since, in historic terms, the Doncaster race is the oldest Gold Cup horse race in the world.
To enhance the quality of racing, and accommodate the growing crowds, in 1776, the Doncaster corporation switched racing to its current home on the Doncaster Town Moor. To coincide with the opening of the new course, Colonel Anthony Saint Leger, organised and sponsored an endurance trial for three year old thoroughbreds. The race was immediately recognised as a classic race by the British racing establishment, and this makes the Saint Leger the oldest classic horse race in the world.
During the First World War, a Royal Flying Corp aerodrome was built adjacent to the Town Moor racecourse. Naturally, this made horse racing impossible, so the Doncaster fixtures were transferred to Newmarket, and the Town Moor racecourse remained closed between 1915 and 1918.
However, after the end of world war one, the local demand for horse racing brought about the reopening of the course.
The closure of Manchester and Lincoln racecourses around 1964, was to be of significant historical importance to Doncaster, for both the Lincoln and November handicaps were transferred to the Yorkshire course. As a result, centred around the Lincoln Handicap, Doncaster now stages the first turf meeting of the season, and centred around the November Handicap, the course also stages the last meeting of the flat turf season.
More history befell Doncaster in 1992, for the racecourse staged the very first Sunday race meeting in the United Kingdom. Although there were no betting facilities, a crowd of twenty three thousand, including many families, turned up to enjoy the racing. In many ways, this meeting set the trend for family participation at Sunday fixtures.
The thirty five million pound redevelopment of Doncaster racecourse, which took place between 2006 and 2007, has made it one of the most modern race tracks in the United Kingdom. In 2008, the course will stage twenty three days of top quality flat racing, and eight days of competitive national hunt racing.
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Track facts:
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Doncaster hosts both flat and national hunt racing.
The main flat course is pear shaped, and is run left handed. The circuit is nearly two miles in circumference, with a four and a half furlong run in along the home straight. Most of the course is flat, but there is a climb and descent around the one mile post, where the course encounters the natural phenomenon of Rose Hill. The home straight is joined by a four furlong chute, which produces a one mile straight course. The one mile round course starts at Rose Hill, and only encounters a gradual bend into the home straight.
Between 2006, and 2007, the racecourse was closed for redevelopment. Part of the investment involved a one million pound face lift for the race track. This included improvements to the drainage and condition of the turf.
The national hunt course is left handed, galloping, and apart from Rose Hill, it is relatively flat. The circuit is around one mile seven furlongs in circumference, and like its flat counterpart, it has a four and a half furlong
run in from the home turn to the winning post.
The steeple chase course has eleven fences, laid out in the following circuit pattern: the water jump, a plain fence, the first open ditch, two more plain fences, the second open ditch, and then five plain fences, four of which are in the home straight. As seven of the fences come in the last mile of the circuit, pace has to be combined with jumping ability. Also, in large fields, winners tend to come from horses who can maintain a prominent position.
The hurdles course has seven flights, with four in the last mile, three of which are situated in the home straight. On good going, pace is essential, but on soft going, stamina and jumping ability are also important.
Enclosures and hospitality:
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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.
The thirty five million pound redevelopment of Doncaster in 2006 2007 included the construction of the five storey Urban I Grandstand. This facility provides various options to potential race goers.
Premier Suite Ticket.
On the third floor of the grandstand, the new Lincoln Restaurant offers a combination of fine dining, with uninterrupted panoramic views of the racecourse, parade ring, and winners enclosure. The restaurant even has its own viewing balcony. However, with a limited capacity of around three hundred race goers, advance booking is essential.
County Enclosure Tickets.
This ticket is equivalent to the old members enclosure, but it caters for a larger capacity. Access is available to seating on the first two floors of the Grandstand, plus there is also access to the new County Lawn, the parade ring, and winners enclosure.
Hospitality is available in the County bar and bistro, plus the Silks champagne and seafood restaurant.
County ticket holders also have access to all the other public areas of the racecourse.
Due to the demand for this enclosure, advance booking is strongly recommended.
Grandstand Enclosure Tickets.
The ticket provides access to the remainder of the grandstand, including its entrance hall, which has bars and food outlets. There is also external terraced
Seating, which overlooks the racecourse, parade ring, and winners enclosure.
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Disabled facilities:
The new Urban I Grandstand was built to the new accessibility codes. There are lifts to all floors, viewing platforms on various levels, and plentiful disabled toilet facilities.
The various paths and corridors on the racecourse are accessible to wheelchairs.
Hoists provide access to the Food Court and parade ring.
There is access to the Silver Patriarch Bar in the Family Grandstand.
Carers of wheelchair visitors are entitled to free admission.
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Fixtures:
Wednesday 09 September Flat Racing.
Thursday 10 September Flat Racing.
Friday 11 September Flat Racing.
Saturday 12 September Flat Racing.
Friday 23 October Flat Racing.
Saturday 24 October Flat Racing.
Saturday 07 November Flat Racing.
Friday 11 December National Hunt Racing.
Saturday 12 December National Hunt Racing.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
From most points of origin, traffic should try to join the A1M, as Doncaster is well signposted from this route. Traffic from the south can also use the M18.
Doncaster Racecourse is about a mile from the town centre, and is well signposted on race days.
Car parking at the racecourse is free of charge.
By Rail:
Doncaster Central railway station has direct train connections with many United Kingdom towns and cities.
The station is about a mile and a half from the racecourse, but only a short walk from the main bus interchange.
London based race goers should note, on Saint Leger day, there is a special Ladbroke Pullman train service, which provides a high quality day return between the capital, and Doncaster racecourse. The service includes, meals, all transfers, and entrance tickets. For full details, contact the racecourse sales department.
By Bus:
Many local bus routes stop at the racecourse roundabout, and the course is then a three hundred yard walk.
By Air:
The Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield airport is only four miles away, and offers connections to Belfast City, Dublin and Jersey.
The airport is a reasonable taxi ride, or alternatively, there are bus links from the airport to the racecourse roundabout.
Humberside airport is around thirty two miles from the racecourse.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse management, helicopters may land on the course.
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CONTACT DETAILS.
Address:
Doncaster Racecourse, The Grandstand, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6BB.
Tel No: 01302 30 42 00.
Fax No: 01302 32 32 71.
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ACCOMMODATION.
Holiday Inn.
Tel No: 08704 42 87 61.
The Holiday Inn Hotel Doncaster is situated In its own picturesque grounds just off junction 36 of the A1M. This non smoking hotel is only 3 miles from Doncaster racecourse, and is in close proximity to the M1, M18, and M62. Doncaster railway station, and Robin Hood Airport Sheffield Doncaster are also easily accessible. The hotel has 102 modern air conditionedbedrooms, including 14 executive rooms. Wireless wifi is available throughout the hotel, and there are over 250 car parking spaces which are complimentary to guests.
The Holiday Inn Doncaster offers many ways for our guests to relax during their stay. The Restaurant provides fine cuisine and comfortable surroundings, whilst the Lounge is the ideal venue to relax and chat. There are also on site leisure facilities, including; a pool, sauna, steam room, whirlpool, and gymnasium, all of which are complimentary to residents. For a real pamper, beauty treatments are available , but these must be booked in advance, and extra charges apply.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/925/en/hd/dsaww
Owston Hall Hotel.
Tel No: 01302 72 28 00.
Just a few miles from Doncaster and the Town Moor Racecourse, the current site of the Owston Hall Hotel can trace its history all the way back to the Doomsday Book. Located in picturesque grounds, the main section of the hotel is a listed building which has been sympathetically but magnificently redeveloped to produce a hotel of stature. Including its converted out buildings, Owston Hall now offers 63 luxurious heritage en suite guest rooms. All bedrooms include remote controlled television, high speed internet access, and the standard room fittings of a quality hotel.
The Conservatory Restaurant offers our guests a light and airy dining area in which to enjoy high quality international cuisine. For our more sporting guests, The hotel has its own championship golf course, a new swimming pool, and an excellent fitness suite including; a solarium, sauna and mini gym.
