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For around two hundred years, locally organised competitive horse racing was staged on Newton Common, near the Lancashire town of Newton le willows. But demands by local people for a better quality venue, led to the establishment of the new purpose built Haydock Park racecourse in 1897.
The new race track and amenities were constructed on a relatively flat and well drained 127 acre site, and with its proximity to the large urban conurbations of Lancashire, Cheshire and Merseyside, the new Haydock Park racecourse proved an instant success.
However, one reminder of the old course was retained, with the historic Newton Cup flat race being moved to the new course, but for obvious reasons, it was renamed the Old Newton Cup, and this race still forms one of the highlights of the modern racing programme at the Merseyside track.
After the closure of Manchester racecourse in the early 1960's, the Lancashire Oaks began its association with Haydock Park, and after 1990, the race was opened to older mares and fillies, and by 2004, it had been upgraded to Group two status, now forming one of the main races of the modern Haydock Park racing programme.
However, the premier flat race at Haydock is the Sprint Cup. First run in 1966, this Group One race was originally run in November, at the end of the flat racing season. It was also open to two year olds, and in 1973, the race saw its only juvenile winner when The Blues triumphed against a field of older horses. In 1979, after thirteen years of encountering soft ground or foggy conditions, the decision was made to switch the race to its current September position.
Haydock's mixture of old and new quality flat races is very adequately supported by several major national hunt races during the colder months of the year. Highlights of the jumping season include, the grade one Betfair Gold Cup in November, the Red Square Vodka Gold Cup, The Peter Marsh Chase, the Rendlesham Hurdle, and the Swinton Handicap Hurdle, (the latter run in May, and regarded as the first major race of the new national hunt season).
In total, Haydock hosts around twenty eight days of racing, with approximately one quarter being national hunt fixtures, and the remainder being flat meetings.
Haydock Park hosts both flat and national hunt racing. However, to ensure quality rather than quantity, in recent times, the number of jumping fixtures has been reduced.
The flat course is a left handed oval, just over one mile five furlongs in circumference. The bends on the course are gradual, and apart from a very slight climb in the home straight, the track has no undulations. The stamina sapping four and a half furlong run in often sees a change in leadership over the last furlong.
When there is soft going on the run in, it is also not unusual for horses to split into groups, as they search for the best ground.
A chute joins the run into create the straight six furlong sprint course. This course is used for many races, including the September running of the group one Haydock Sprint Cup. It is worth noting, on soft going, high drawn horses are often at an advantage in sprint races.
The left handed steeplechase course runs around the outside of the hurdle track. It is flat, with relatively easy bends, and is ideally suited to long striding gallopers. The circuit is around one mile five furlongs in circumference, with ten fences laid out in the following pattern, four plain fences, the first open ditch, another three plain fences, the second ditch, and then the water jump. Similar to Aintree, on the final circuit, the last two fences are bypassed by a two furlong run in to the winning post.
Only the Grand National fences are considered more difficult than the imposing fences at Haydock. The Haydock jumps are not only large, they have drops on the landing sides, and this makes them a real jumping test for any national hunt horse.
On soft or heavy ground, the steeplechase course becomes a real test of stamina.
The left handed hurdles course is flat, sharp and galloping. It is just under one mile five furlongs in circumference, and has six evenly spaced hurdles, with three being sited in the long home straight. There is usually a long run in after the final hurdle, with the exception of the Swinton Hurdle in May, when the final flight is sited much closer to the winning post.
With tighter bends, the hurdles course is best suited to well balanced horses with lots of stamina and speed.
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 Premier Suite offers up to four hundred and fifty race goers unrivalled hospitality on the second floor of the Centenary grandstand. As this ticket is exceptionally popular, advance booking is essential.
Situated above the County Enclosure, the Premier Suite has its own balcony offering great views of the racecourse, home straight, and winning post. Ticket holders also have access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and all the other public areas of the racecourse.
The ticket also provides food and drink in the relaxing atmosphere of Harrys Bistro.
The County Enclosure has one seated, and two standing terraces, all of which overlook the home straight and winning post. Like the premier ticket, there is access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and all the other public areas of the racecourse.
Once again, this ticket is very popular, and advance booking is strongly recommended.
Hospitality is available in several areas. In the Centenary grandstand, Colours Restaurant on the ground floor, the Horseshoe Suite and Bar, and the Sandon Bar. In the Tommy Whittle grandstand, there is the Whittle Suite and Bar, and the Champagne and Seafood Bar. The Makerfield Stand also has the Park Suite.
Although situated slightly further down the home straight, the one seated and two standing terraces in Tattersalls still provide good views of the run in and winning post. The ticket also provides access to the parade ring and winners enclosure.
The Food Hall, and the Sports Bar are among the facilities in this enclosure.
Newton Ticket.
In the Newton Enclosure, a covered raised viewing area provides a vista of the home straight. Although there is no access to the paddock areas, with several attractions for children, this enclosure is ideal for families.
The enclosure is served by the Newton Cafeteria and Bar.
By booking in advance, disabled badge holders can utilise designated parking areas near to the entrances. Furthermore, the entrance gates are designed to be accessible to wheel chair visitors.
Lifts are available in all the grandstands, and specialist toilet facilities are strategically positioned in all areas of the racecourse.
There is an elevated viewing area adjacent to the parade ring, plus designated viewing areas on the first floor of the Centenary stand, and the Makerfield stand. For a head on view, a platform has even been located close to the stewards box. Finally, there are elevated areas in the Park Suite, and several of the private boxes.
In every enclosure, low counters are available for refreshments and tote betting.
A wheel chair race goer and carer are admitted for the price of one ticket, but advance booking is required.
Thursday 19 May
Friday 20 May
Saturday 21 May
Friday 27 May
Saturday 28 May
Wednesday 08 June
Thursday 09 June
Saturday 18 June
Haydock Park is situated on the A580 Manchester to Liverpool road. The main racecourse entrances are found on the above road, and are within only a mile of junction 23 of the M6. Within a few miles of junction 23, the M6 links up with the M61, M58, and M56.
To gain access to the reserved car parking, and the coach park, it is necessary to approach the racecourse on the A49.
Apart from the reserved parking areas, car parking at Haydock is free of charge, and should be approached via the A580 east.
The nearest railway station is Newton le willows, which is a stop on the rail line between Manchester Piccadilly and Liverpool Lime Street.
On the main west coast line between London Euston and Glasgow Central, the nearest railway stations are at Warrington and Wigan. Both are around 8 miles from the racecourse.
The 620 bus service runs from Ashton under Lyne bus station to Haydock. While the 320 Saint Helens to Wigan bus service stops near the racecourse.
Liverpool John Lennon airport is approximately 14 miles from Haydock Park.
Subject to prior permission, helicopters may land at the racecourse.
Haydock Park Racecourse,
Newton le willows,
Merseyside,
WA12 0HQ.
The De Vere Venues Daresbury Park Hotel is the ideal base for all race goers attending Haydock Park who wish to extend their visit with a stay in one of the areas leading hotels.
Just off junction 11 of the M56, close to the M6, within 30 minutes travel of Manchester and Liverpool airports, and just 5 miles from the west coast mainline station at Warrington Bank Quay, plus other mainline services via Runcorn Mainline station, the hotel is just 20 minutes from Haydock Races.
Renowned for its impeccable service and venue excellence, the hotel offers 189 bedrooms and suites, including adapted rooms, extra bed rooms, and cots for children. Each of the well appointed bedrooms provides satellite channels, free high speed broadband, tea/coffee tray, iron & ironing board, and 24 hour room service.
The new Steam Bake & Grill Restaurant provides comfortable surroundings while catering for every culinary taste. The hotel bar is also an ideal venue to meet, or just relax and chat. For the sporting visitor, the hotel offers an indoor pool, mini gym, spa bath, sauna, a squash court, and relaxing ESPA treatments.
http://www.deverevenues.co.uk/find-venue/daresbury-park.html
The Macdonald Kilhey Court Hotel was originally a magnificent Victorian style mansion. Lovingly restored and redeveloped, it opened as a hotel in 1984. The hotel is set in 27 acres of grounds adjacent to Worthington Lakes. There is a secure gated entrance leading to the hotel, with 300 free car parking spaces. The hotel provides easy access to the M6 and M61 motorway network, with Haydock Park race course within a 15 minute drive.
The Hotel’s fantastic facilities incorporate; 62 bedrooms including executive rooms and feature suites, an award winning AA rosette Laureate Restaurant overlooking the hotel gardens, and private dining areas. Our head chef, Colin Gannon, creates outstanding and wholesome menus using the finest ingredients, much of the produce being sourced from organic and environmentally conscious suppliers. As you would expect, our exquisite food can be accompanied by a superb range of wines from our extensive wine cellar. For a fine selection of other beverages including cocktails and night caps, guests can enjoy the ambience of our well appointed Burns bar.
The Hotel’s on site Vital Leisure and Beauty Spa is a place to relax and rejuvenate, offering a swimming pool, sauna, steam room, spa bath, gymnasium, dance studio, and beauty treatment rooms with relaxation room. Pamper days and spa breaks are also available.
For further information, visit our website.
http://www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/kilheycourt/