CHEPSTOW RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
In the early nineteen twenties, the undulating three hundred and seventy acres of Piercefield Park were purchased by a ten man consortium. The group, which included the three peers of the realm;Lord Tredegar, Lord Glanely, and Lord Queenborough, commissioned the building of the current Chepstow racecourse. After three years of construction, the first meeting was held in the summer of 1926, in front of a crowd of twenty thousand race goers.
However, 1929 saw the start of the Great Depression, and mining areas, like South Wales, suffered immense economic hardship. During these difficult years, seven nearby racecourses were forced to close, but thanks to good management, and the rarity of a sympathetic bank manager, Chepstow survived.
Indeed, the racecourse witnessed a record breaking feat during one year of the Great Depression, for in 1933, the late Sir Gordon Richards, rode eleven successive winners during a two day meeting at Chepstow - a feat which has never been equalled.
After the demise of Caerleon as an official racecourse, the Welsh Grand National moved to Chepstow, with the first running being staged in 1948. The Grade three handicap is now staged during Christmas week, and is boosted by the Grade 1, Coral Future Champion Finale Juvenile Hurdle, which is run on the same day.
Chepstow is a very busy racecourse, and now stages around 30 meetings each calendar year, with the balance being marginally in favour of national hunt meetings over flat meetings.
Track facts:
Chepstow stages both flat and national hunt racing.
The main flat circuit is a long left handed oval, being nearly two miles in circumference. Most of the five furlong home straight is utilised by the four and a half furlong run in to the winning post.
A four furlong chute joins on to the home straight, and creates the straight mile course.
Both the round, and straight courses are amongst the most undulating in the country, and previous course winners are worth following.
The national hunt course is also a left handed oval, and is approximately one mile seven furlongs in circumference. The circuit has severe undulations, including a distinct climb from the winning post to the middle of the back straight, and then a downhill run to the home straight turn.
The steeplechase course has eleven fairly stiff fences, six in the back straight, and five in the home straight. The circuit layout is as follows: two plain fences, the first open ditch, four more plain fences, the tricky open ditch in the home straight, and the final three plain fences. The landing side of the seventh, and tenth fences happens to be lower than the take off side. This misalignment often causes difficulties for inexperienced jumpers.
The hurdles course has seven flights, three in the back straight, and four in the home straight.
Even on good going, the long course, and severe undulations, ensure winners must have a combination of agility and stamina. In the winter months, when the ground is soft, Chepstow becomes one of the most testing courses in the British Isles. As such, seventy per cent of eventual winners have the stamina to stay close to the pace.
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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.
Premier Ticket.
The premier enclosure overlooks the winning post, the parade ring, and winners enclosure. The ticket provides specific access to the premier grandstand and lawns. It also allows entrance to all the other public areas of the racecourse.
Subject to advance booking, premier ticket holders can secure an all day table in the panoramic Silks Restaurant. While enjoying a superb three course lunch, diners can absorb wonderful views of the racecourse and surrounding countryside.
For premier members who like to keep on the go, drinks and snacks can be purchased in the premier bar, the Grandstand and Paddock bar, or the Marquee bar.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
This ticket still provides access to the Grandstand, including excellent views of the course, parade ring, and winners enclosure.
Food and drink is available in the Grandstand and Paddock bar, and the Marquee bar. There are also several kiosks selling hot and cold snacks.
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Disabled Facilities:
Chepstow is disabled friendly. There is designated parking, tarmac pathways and specialist toilet facilities throughout all areas of the course, plus lifts to all sections of the Grandstand. This includes the lift at the front of the stand, which provides wheelchair access to the Silks restaurant.
To encourage a convivial atmosphere, the disabled viewing platform in the premier enclosure is shared with able bodied premier ticket holders.
Carers of disabled race goers are admitted free of charge.
Fixtures:
2011:
Tuesday 24 May
Monday 30 May
Friday 10 June
Monday 20 June
Transport Links:
By road:
The course is situated on the A466 Chepstow to Monmouth road, and is not far from the Severn bridge. As such, there is a comprehensive arterial motorway system within easy reach.
From the M4 – East bound, leave at junction 21, Westbound, leave at junction 23, then take the M48. Exit at junction 2 for Chepstow. The course is well indicated from this point.
By Rail:
The racecourse is just over one mile from Chepstow station.
Direct train services operate into Chepstow from Gloucester and Cardiff. From London, change at Newport. From Bristol, change at Severn Tunnel Junction. But it is worth noting, Bristol Parkway station is only around 20 minutes drive from the course.
By Bus:
It is best to contact the various bus operators, but special bus connections are available from Chepstow town on Saturdays, bank holidays, and race evenings.
By Air:
Bristol airport is thirty miles away, and there is a very regular direct bus service from the airport to Bristol Temple Meads railway station, which in turn, offers rail contact to Chepstow.
Cardiff airport is approximately 45 miles distant. The X91 bus service runs between the airport, and Cardiff railway station. The bus runs hourly, at thirty five minutes past the hour, and the journey to the station takes thirty minutes. Otherwise, there are very good motorway links between the airport and Chepstow racecourse.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse company, helicopters can land on the course.
Contact Details:
Address: Chepstow Racecourse, Chepstow, Monmouthshire, NP16 6BE.
Telephone Number: 01291 62 22 60.
Fax number: 01291 62 70 61.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
St Pierre, a Marriott Hotel & Country Club
Tel: +44 (0)1291 625 261
For the ultimate base from which to enjoy the all-the-year-round racing programme at Chepstow Racecourse, you need look no further than the outstanding resort facilities provided in the nearby St Pierre, A Marriott Hotel and Country Club.
Set in 400 acres of breathtaking Monmouthshire countryside, incorporating it’s own lake and 2 superb golf courses, St Pierre, A Marriott Hotel and Country Club, combines the historic architecture of an original 14th century manor house integrated with outstanding modern facilities and amenities.
Visitors seeking a dream like getaway have access to a range of bedrooms, including our Courtyard rooms, Lakeside Lodges and Mathern rooms that overlook the 18th hole on the Mathern course. All bedrooms offer the Marriott Bedding Package, flat screen TV’s, mini-bar, high speed internet access and 24hr room service.
For those seeking to combine a trip to Chepstow Races with other sporting activity, our 2 golf courses are ideal. The Old Course has hosted 14 European Championships including the 1996 Solheim Cup and our Mathern Course is ideal for golfers of all levels. Our Golf Club also offers a driving range, putting green, and lessons with our PGA Professionals. The Leisure Club offers a full fitness suite, indoor swimming pool, steam room, sauna, Jacuzzi and tennis courts. While those seeking a more relaxing time can book a full range of treatments in our Spa.
With three tempting dining alternatives on offer there’s more than enough to satisfy even the most demanding appetite. Open throughout the day, The Zest Lounge Bar & Restaurant, has an informal style and contemporary menu. In the evening the elegant Trophy Bar is always ready to offer a warm welcome. For a truly memorable night, sample a “Taste of Wales” in the stylish Morgans Restaurant with its views over the Mathern Golf Course.
To find out more about St Pierre, A Marriott Hotel and Country Club, or to ensure you obtain an early booking ahead of your visit to Chepstow Races, please use the link below:
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