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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are designated viewing and specialist toilet facilities in all enclosures.
Saturday 21 May
Thursday 09 June
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.
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.
First Group operate bus services in Berkshire. Telephone, 01753 524 144.
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.
Just twenty minutes drive from Newbury racecourse, the Holiday Inn Reading West offers all its guests a combination of comfort and high quality four star services. The hotel is surrounded by its own gardens, and has parking for up to 200 vehicles.
Occupying two floors, the hotel has 50 en suite air conditioned guest rooms, including; 2 suites, 3 executive rooms, and 2 rooms especially adapted for guests with low mobility. All of the hotel’s guest rooms offer remote controlled televisions with satellite channels, high speed wi-fi internet access, and the standard room amenities of a quality hotel. Executive guests also enjoy additional facilities, such as; a mini bar, free dressing gown and slippers, etc. Naturally, there is 24 hour room service, 24 hour porterage, and a Same Day Dry Cleaning Service.
The Padworth Restaurant offers a delicious range of locally sourced brasserie style meals, including a daily selection of Chef’s Specials. Alternatively, guests can choose to relax in the hotel’s Bar and Lounge. This latter facility overlooks the hotel courtyard, and is a most convivial area in which to enjoy a wide range of bar meals and beverages. In the warmer weather, the hotel also offers an ‘al fresco’ area which is available in the Hotel gardens.
The Holiday Inn Reading West also has an in-house Fitness Centre. For full details on all our facilities, use the link below.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/reaws?_requestid=305656
Tel no: 01635 52 9000.
Right in the heart of the charming Berkshire market town of Newbury, the Hilton Newbury Centre is the ideal oasis for race goers attending the nearby Newbury Racecourse. Easy access is available from the M3 and M4 motorways, with the hotel providing 120 free car parking spaces for residents. 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 offers a full spectrum of well appointed en suite guest rooms, with all rooms being decorated in contemporary warm colours. 24 hour room service is available throughout the hotel, and business services and same day dry cleaning are available on request.
The hotel’s Stubbs Restaurant is reknowned for its outstandin carvery cuisine, while snacks, cocktails, and a fine range of beers, wines and spirits are also available in the Piano Bar. On a Friday evening, the latter facility provides entertainment from a live pianist, and on cold days, guests can enjoy a drink, while warming themselves in front of the bar’s roaring fire.
With its array of weight and cardio vascular equipment, the hotel’s gymnasium is available to guests who wish to keep in trim during their stay. For more information on the facilities at the Hilton Newbury Centre, or to book directly, please use the link below.
http://www.hilton.co.uk/newburycentre
Tel no: 01635 24 70 10.
With 149 secure car parking spaces, and just off junction 13 of the M4, the Hilton Newbury North is surrounded by beautiful Berkshire countryside, and provides easy access to Newbury Racecourse and many nearby tourist attractions.
The hotel’s well appointed en suite guest rooms are all of the highest calibre. For guests seeking a more luxurious stay, our spacious deluxe rooms provide extra comfort and enhanced facilities. We also provide especially adapted rooms for guest with low mobility. Naturally, there is 24 hour room service throughout the hotel, and when required, we can offer a same day dry cleaning service.
In the hotel’s Newbury Restaurant, guests dine under a stainglass centrepiece while they enjoy traditional roasts and mouthwatering international dishes created and served by professional and caring staff. Caffe Cino serves all day snacks and a range of superb coffees, and in the evening, it is the ideal place to relax while sipping a wine or beer after your evening meal. For guests who want to keep in trim, there is access to our fitness centre.
To obtain more information on the Hilton Newbury North, or to book directly, use the link below.
http://www.hilton.co.uk/newburynorth