NEWBURY RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
From surviving archive information, it is known the first modern era horse racing took place in the Newbury area in 1738, and six different venues were used prior to the siting of horse racing on the current racecourse site.
While the history of horseracing in the Newbury area may be vague, it is well known the modern Newbury racecourse was the brainchild of the Kingsclere based horse trainer John Porter. this determined individual felt Newbury would be an ideal location for a racecourse, as he knew the town had good communications, and was close to many horse training centres, particularly the large concentration of training yards at Lambourn.
However, after having had his plans rejected several times by The Jockey Club, Porter had a chance meeting with King Edward VII, and after convincing the monarch of the viability of his plan for racing at Newbury, the king introduced Porter to Lloyd H Baxendale, the Lord of the Manor of Greenham, and his lordship immediately warmed to Porter's ideas. Initially, he provided a section of his Baxendale estate, thereby enabling John Porter to meet the racecourse criteria set down by the Jockey Club, and Porter was then able to proceed with the building of the racecourse on the current site.
As part of the overall plan for the racecourse, and to ensure greater access for potential race-goers, an adjoining section of the Baxendale estate was sold to the Great Western Railway, on the strict condition they built Newbury station in close proximity to the racecourse.
After several years of hard work, the first meeting took place on 26 September 1905. The first race being the Whatcombe Handicap, won by Copper King, ridden by Charles Trigg, and trained by Charles Marnes.
In the intervening years Newbury racecourse has gone from strength to strength, and in the 2011 calendar year, Newbury will stage around 30 days of top quality horseracing, and this includes a good mix of flat and national hunt meetings.
With well over two million pounds of prize money on offer, the course attracts top quality horses from both codes of racing.
Since 1960, the highlight of the Newbury jumps season has been the November running of the Hennessey Gold Cup, a race won in recent years by quality horses such as Denman and Diamond Harry. While the summer flat campaign has the Group One standard bearer of the Juddmonte Lockinge Stakes - the first major 1 mile race of the season for older horses.
Track facts:
Newbury is a grade one track for both flat and national hunt racing.
The main flat racing circuit is run left handed, and is relatively flat throughout its one mile seven furlongs circumference. At four and a half furlongs, the home straight makes up nearly a third of the total circuit length.
A one mile straight course is created by means of a Shute start, which joins on to the long course at the beginning of the home straight. This course exhibits some minor undulations.
There is an additional spur on the long course, and this is used as the starting position for races over one mile five furlongs.
When there are large fields of runners, and soft ground conditions are prevailing, high drawn horses have a statistical advantage.
The national hunt courses are both run left handed. They are flat, and approximately one mile seven furlongs in circumference. They both possess long gentle bends, making them the ideal racing circuits for true gallopers.
The steeplechase course has eleven fences laid out in the following circuit pattern: an initial plain fence, the first open ditch, five plain fences, the second open ditch, another two plain fences, and the water jump. The last four jumps are located in the home straight, but the water jump is by passed on the final circuit.
Although evenly spaced, the jumps are amongst the largest in the United Kingdom, and sound jumping is essential. This is particularly true of the cross fence, which is situated on falling ground just before the turn into the home straight.
Unless the ground conditions are very fast, stamina and jumping ability are preferred to pace.
The hurdles course has seven flights. Three are positioned in the back straight, with four in the home straight. The first three of the four hurdles positioned in the home straight, come in quick succession, and this gives preference to fast and capable jumpers.
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.
Due to the relatively flat nature of the racetrack, good viewing of the racing action can be obtained from most of the public enclosures.
Premier Ticket.
Provides access to the Hampshire Grandstand, with its excellent views of the winning post, home straight, parade ring, and winners enclosure. This ticket also gives its holders access to all the other public areas of the racecourse.
There are numerous refreshment options in this enclosure. Top of the list is the New Hennessey Restaurant. Situated on the top floor of the Hampshire Grandstand, this restaurant provides superb panoramic views of the whole racecourse. With its high quality menu, and excellent service, it forms a great base for a days racing at Newbury. The restaurants popularity means advance booking is essential.
Other facilities include, the Champagne Bar, Blewbury Bar, and the Lambourn Suite, the latter of which overlooks the run in.
In the Berkshire Grandstand, which also provides superb views of all the racing action, food and drink facilities include, the Concourse Bar, Café Toscana, and the Long Room with its food hall.
Grandstand Ticket.
Once again, there are excellent views of the racecourse and home straight.
The inner race goer is catered for by the Race goers Restaurant. This facility is very popular, and has to be booked in advance.
The Copper King Bar serves a full selection of beers, wines, and spirits, along with its renowned fish and chips. There are also other bar facilities in this enclosure.
Picnic Area Ticket.
There is a small grandstand, but no access to the other public areas of the racecourse.
For those not bringing their own food and drinks, there are a range of bar and snack outlets in this enclosure.
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Disabled Facilities:
There are designated viewing and specialist toilet facilities in all enclosures.
Fixtures:
2011:
Friday 15 July
Saturday 16 July
Transport Links:
By Road:
Newbury is situated in close proximity to several major roads, including the M3, M4, A4, A34, and the A339.
From the East and London, the M4 is the suggested route. Leave the motorway at junction 12, and join the A4. Thereafter, follow the signs to the racecourse. From the West, leave the M4 at junction 13.
Newbury has over three thousand free car parking spaces. However, race goers using the Picnic car park have to pay a £5 admission fee.
By Rail:
Newbury railway station is situated adjacent to the racecourse. Trains from London Paddington and the West country stop at Newbury.
It is also possible to purchase a combined rail and racecourse entrance ticket from Thames Trains. For details, telephone, 0800 358 35 67.
By Bus:
First Group operate bus services in Berkshire. Telephone, 01753 524 144.
By Air:
Southampton is the nearest regional airport, but this facility is still situated over thirty miles from Newbury racecourse.
Subject to permission from the racecourse company, helicopters may land on the course.
Contact Details:
Address: Newbury Racecourse plc, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 7NZ.
Telephone number: 01635 400 15.
Fax Number: 01635 52 83 54.
E-Mail General: info@newbury-racecourse.co.uk
E-Mail Hospitality: sam.pedder@newbury-racecourse.co.uk
Accommodation:
Hilton Hotel Newbury Centre.
Tel no: 01635 52 9000.
Located close to the historic market town of Newbury, the Hilton Newbury Centre is the closest hotel to the Newbury Racecourse, with glorious countryside nearby, and excellent access to both the M3 and M4. Newbury railway station is also very close to the hotel, and there are rail services running directly to and from London Gatwick airport. The hotel also offers complimentary parking for residents, with 120 spaces.
Relax with a cocktail or a coffee in the Piano Bar, dine on classic dishes from the carvery in the Stubbs Restaurant, and enjoy recently refurbished bedrooms. At this conveniently located hotel, you can take advantage of Wi-Fi, available in the lounge and bar, a business centre, and 14 function rooms for up to 220, while all bedrooms have wired high speed internet access.
Guests of the Hilton Newbury Centre can also use the Health Club facilities at the nearby Hilton Newbury North hotel. For more information on the facilities at the Hilton Newbury North, or to book directly, please use the link below.
Hilton Hotel Newbury North.
Tel no: 01635 24 70 10.
Located on the edge of the historic market town of Newbury, the Hilton Newbury North hotel is close to glorious countryside, with excellent accessibility, just off junction 13 of the M4. Newbury railway station is also very close to the hotel, and there are rail services running directly to and from London Gatwick airport. The hotel also offers parking for residents, with 149 spaces.
Enjoy healthy options and traditional favourites at The Space, our new all-day dining concept. Merging a restaurant, bar and lounge into a single cohesive space, the menu has been specially created with foods geared towards productivity and natural energy boosts. At this conveniently located hotel, business is easy, with secluded work stations, casual meeting areas and Wi-Fi available in The Space and 6 meeting rooms for up to 70, while all bedrooms have wired high speed internet access.
Relax at the Hilton Newbury North in the LivingWell Health Club, offering indoor pool, sauna and steam room, and enjoy recently refurbished bedrooms.
For more information on the facilities at the Hilton Newbury North, or to book directly, please use the link below.
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