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Known locally as Dunstall Park, Wolverhampton racecourse is currently one of the busiest horse racing venues in Britain. Indeed, in 2011, the course intends to stage around ninety meetings. Many of these fixtures are twilight or evening meetings, and when added to the current one Sunday fixture, the course caters for racing enthusiasts who may miss out on afternoon racing.
According to the historic archives, the first purpose built racecourse in the Wolverhampton area was sited at Hungry Leas. This venue staged its first two day fixture on the fifteenth and sixteenth of August 1825, but its narrow oblong shape caused a limitation on the number of runners in each race. Despite changing the name of the racecourse to Broad Meadow, the limitation on runners caused the track to close in 1878.
Although an attempt to restart flat racing in 1881 failed, national hunt racing
was re established at the first Dunstall Park site on the nineteenth of October 1886. The following year, a limited company was formed, and 130 acres of Dunstall Park were purchased for the purpose of building a new modern racecourse. When the new course opened in 1888, the existing national hunt programme was supported by a newly introduced flat fixture.
Over the years, Dunstall Park underwent many changes to its facilities, but it remained a sleepy turf course staging a mixture of flat and national hunt racing.
However, in 1993, the racecourse underwent a major redevelopment. A fibre sand flat circuit replaced the old turf flat course, and with the building of floodlight pylons, Wolverhampton became the first British racecourse to stage flat racing under artificial illumination. The track alterations were complimented by the construction of a new Grandstand, paddock and restaurant facilities, and a track side Hotel.
Over the next few years, the all weather flat racing programme continued to expand, and eventually, the decision was made to curtail the remaining national hunt fixtures.
In 2004, the fibresand and turf courses were removed, and a state of the art polytrack took their place. The material used to construct the polytrack racing surface is considered to produce extremely fair racing, with very little kick back, and insignificant draw bias.
Amongst the list of annual competitive fixtures staged at Dunstall Park, the highlight is probably the Lincoln trial day in March. This very well supported fixture includes the running of the Lincoln Trial Heritage Handicap, and the Listed Lady Wulfruna Stakes.
Wolverhampton stages all year round all weather flat racing.
The track is run left handed around an oval shaped circuit measuring one mile in circumference. The straights are fairly short, the home straight being around one and a half furlongs in length. As a result, the bends are not too sharp.
Six and seven furlong races are started from a wrap around chute, which is located on the outside of the main circuit.
The polytrack surface minimises kick back, and generally negates any draw advantage.
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 Grandstand is located opposite the winning post, and offers great views of the whole racecourse. Ticket holders also have access to the parade ring and winners enclosure.
The air conditioned Horizons Restaurant seats up to 370 guests, in palatial and contemporary surroundings. It offers great menus, and panoramic views of the racecourse. With a dance floor, and accompanying lounge, it is ideally suited to provide after racing entertainment on Saturday nights. Pre booking is required.
Premier ticket holders have exclusive access to the Members Bar, which is located in the grandstand.
The Ringside Restaurant is only open on Saturday nights. It is located adjacent to the parade ring, and serves its three course carvery meals to up to 350 guests. After racing, it offers live band entertainment. Pre booking is required.
The Parade Restaurant is located within the Holiday Inn, and it offers a large window overlooking the parade ring. This restaurant is located adjacent to the Parade Bar. The restaurant offers a full a la carte menu during evening race meetings, while the bar offers bar snacks.
Please note, priority is given to hotel guests in the Parade Restaurant, and the Parade Bar is only open to race goers during normal licensing hours.
Good views are available from the main grandstand, and there is access to the parade ring and winners enclosure.
Between the parade ring and trackside, the Weigh In offers a fully stocked bar and a selection of hot snacks.
On Saturday evenings and boxing day, Chasers Bar, and the Paddock Grill are both open for business. Chasers is located on the ground floor, next to the Ringside Restaurant. It has a fully stocked bar, and also serves hot food. While on the ground floor concourse, the Paddock Grill is trackside, and offers race goers a selection of hot snacks.
There are designated blue badge parking spaces in the Holiday Inn car park, and wheelchair patrons can gain access to the racecourse through the Holiday Inn reception area.
In the grandstand, there are lifts to all areas. Operating buttons have a Braille overlay.
Restaurants and bars are wheelchair friendly, and provide the main viewing areas for disabled race goers.
Specialist toilet facilities can be found in the hotel, and in both the racecourse enclosures.
On all race days, accredited carers are admitted free of charge. There are also two designated Enable Days, when disabled race goers are also admitted free of charge.
May: 16.
June: 20,
Wolverhampton racecourse is to the north of the city centre, and is just off the A449 dual carriageway. The course is well signposted by the brown tourist signs indicating, Dunstall Park.
Race goers travelling from the north can use the M6, exiting at junction 12, then joining the A5 Westbound, and then the A449 Southbound.
From the south, it is advised to exit the M6 at junction 10A, and join the M54. Leave the M54 at junction 2, and join the A449 Southbound.
Car parking at the racecourse if free of charge.
Wolverhampton station is situated on a major railway junction, and has direct connections with many British towns and cities.
The railway station is located around 2 miles from Wolverhampton racecourse.
National Express coaches have several connecting services to Wolverhampton.
Birmingham International Airport is around 25 miles from Wolverhampton. There are regular train connections between Wolverhampton and Birmingham International railway station.
Light aircraft and helicopters can land at Wolverhampton Halfpenny Green airport. This developing facility is located at Bobbington, and is around seven miles south west of Wolverhampton racecourse.
Wolverhampton Racecourse,
Dunstall Park,
Wolverhampton,
WV6 0PE.
Situated in Tettenhall, and within easy reach of Wolverhampton’s Dunstall Park Racecourse, the York Hotel offers race goers a unique choice of accommodation facilities.
The main hotel has fifteen stylishly decorated en suite bedrooms, with each of the rooms offering; comfortable beds for a good night’s sleep, remote controlled colour television, free internet access, and the other standard room amenities discerning guests expect in a quality hotel. The hotel also provides one adapted room suitable for a visitor with low mobility requirements.
For guests who may be attending one or more of the fifteen multiple day fixtures at Wolverhampton Racecourse, and who would prefer to relax in a home from home rather than a hotel bedroom, the York also offers two magnificently appointed self contained adjacent properties; a two bedroom cottage, and an apartment opposite the hotel. Full details on these superb facilities are available on our website.
Under the stewardship of head chef Adam Robinson, the York Restaurant is already reknowned for its superb home cooked and mouthwatering predominantly british cuisine. Using traditional methods, all the hotel’s dishes are freshly prepared from the finest locally sourced ingredients. Guests have access to their table for as long as they like, so it is possible to relax, savour each course, and perhaps enjoy one of our fine wines with the meal.
The York Bar offers a wide selection of beers wines and spirits, including a comprehensive array of single malts. The bar also offers a good selection of coffees and non-alcoholic beverages. For guests who would prefer to dine in their room, the hotel also offers a room service menu.
For further information on the York Hotel, or to book directly, use the link below.