DONCASTER RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
From an historic perspective, Doncaster is one of the most interesting racecourses in Britain, for from existing archives, we know horse racing was being staged in the Doncaster area as early as the sixteenth century.
In 1600, the Doncaster corporation, at the request of the gentlefolk of the town, tried to stop these unofficial gatherings, as they allegedly attracted drunkards and ruffians into the town. But after several years of ineffective legislation, the corporation decided the best way forward was in fact to take control of all local horse racing and to concentrate it at one point. As a result, the Corporation mapped out and constructed their own racecourse, and staged there first official fixture in 1614.
Thereafter, the resultant race meetings, and the change in policy which had brought them about, both proved to be a great success, and this was to lead to over three hundred years of Doncaster Corporation control of horse racing in the Yorkshire town.
By 1766, Cantley Common had become established as the regular venue for Doncaster race meetings, and in that same year, the course staged the first running of the Doncaster Gold Cup. As the race has been run almost continuously ever since, it is regarded by most racing purists as the oldest Gold Cup horse race to be staged anywhere in the world.
To enhance the quality of racing, and accommodate the growing crowds, in 1776 the Doncaster corporation switched racing to its current home on the Doncaster Town Moor.
To coincide with the opening of the new course, Colonel Anthony Saint Leger, a leading light in British horse racing of the time, organised and sponsored an endurance trial for three-year-old thoroughbreds. The race was immediately recognised as a classic race by the British racing establishment, and this makes the Saint Leger the oldest classic horse race to be staged anywhere in the world.
During the First World War a Royal Flying Corp aerodrome was built adjacent to the Town Moor Racecourse. Naturally, this made horse racing impossible, so the Doncaster fixtures were transferred to Newmarket, and the Town Moor Racecourse remained closed between 1915 and 1918.
However, after the end of world war one, the local demand for horse racing brought about the reopening of the course, and racing in some form or other has taken place at Doncaster ever since.
The closure of Manchester and Lincoln racecourses around 1964 was to be of significant historical importance to Doncaster, for both the Lincoln and November handicaps were transferred to the Yorkshire course. As a result, centred around the Lincoln Handicap, Doncaster now stages the first important turf meeting of the season, and centred around the November Handicap, the course also stages the last important turf meeting of each year's British flat racing calendar.
Doncaster obtained another racing historic footnote in 1992, for the racecourse staged the very first Sunday race meeting in Britain. Although there were no betting facilities, a crowd of twenty three thousand, including many families, turned up to enjoy the racing. In many ways, this meeting set the trend for family participation at Sunday fixtures, a trend which has continued to the present day.
The thirty five million pound redevelopment of Doncaster racecourse, which took place between 2006 and 2007, has made it one of the most modern race tracks in Britain. In 2011, the course will stage well over 20 days of top quality flat racing, and eight days of competitive national hunt racing.
Track facts:
Doncaster hosts both flat and national hunt racing.
The main flat course is pear shaped, and is run left handed. The circuit is nearly two miles in circumference, with a four and a half furlong run in along the home straight. Most of the course is flat, but there is a climb and descent around the one mile post, where the course encounters the natural phenomenon of Rose Hill. The home straight is joined by a four furlong chute, which produces a one mile straight course. The one mile round course starts at Rose Hill, and only encounters a gradual bend into the home straight.
Between 2006, and 2007, the racecourse was closed for redevelopment. Part of the investment involved a one million pound face lift for the race track. This included improvements to the drainage and condition of the turf.
The national hunt course is left handed, galloping, and apart from Rose Hill, it is relatively flat. The circuit is around one mile seven furlongs in circumference, and like its flat counterpart, it has a four and a half furlong
run in from the home turn to the winning post.
The steeple chase course has eleven fences, laid out in the following circuit pattern: the water jump, a plain fence, the first open ditch, two more plain fences, the second open ditch, and then five plain fences, four of which are in the home straight. As seven of the fences come in the last mile of the circuit, pace has to be combined with jumping ability. Also, in large fields, winners tend to come from horses who can maintain a prominent position.
The hurdles course has seven flights, with four in the last mile, three of which are situated in the home straight. On good going, pace is essential, but on soft going, stamina and jumping ability are also important.
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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.
The thirty five million pound redevelopment of Doncaster in 2006 2007 included the construction of the five storey Urban I Grandstand. This facility provides various options to potential race goers.
Premier Suite Ticket.
On the third floor of the grandstand, the new Lincoln Restaurant offers a combination of fine dining, with uninterrupted panoramic views of the racecourse, parade ring, and winners enclosure. The restaurant even has its own viewing balcony. However, with a limited capacity of around three hundred race goers, advance booking is essential.
County Enclosure Ticket.
This ticket is equivalent to the old members enclosure, but it caters for a larger capacity. Access is available to seating on the first two floors of the Grandstand, plus there is also access to the new County Lawn, the parade ring, and winners enclosure.
Hospitality is available in the County bar and bistro, plus the Silks champagne and seafood restaurant.
County ticket holders also have access to all the other public areas of the racecourse.
Due to the demand for this enclosure, advance booking is strongly recommended.
Grandstand Enclosure Ticket.
The ticket provides access to the remainder of the grandstand, including its entrance hall, which has bars and food outlets. There is also external terraced
Seating, which overlooks the racecourse, parade ring, and winners enclosure.
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Disabled Facilities:
The new Urban I Grandstand was built to the new accessibility codes. There are lifts to all floors, viewing platforms on various levels, and plentiful disabled toilet facilities.
The various paths and corridors on the racecourse are accessible to wheelchairs.
Hoists provide access to the Food Court and parade ring.
There is access to the Silver Patriarch Bar in the Family Grandstand.
Carers of wheelchair visitors are entitled to free admission.
Fixtures:
2011:
Thursday 14 July
Transport Links:
By Road:
From most points of origin, traffic should try to join the A1M, as Doncaster is well signposted from this route. Traffic from the south can also use the M18.
Doncaster Racecourse is about a mile from the town centre, and is well signposted on race days.
Car parking at the racecourse is free of charge.
By Rail:
Doncaster Central railway station has direct train connections with many United Kingdom towns and cities.
The station is about a mile and a half from the racecourse, but only a short walk from the main bus interchange.
London based race goers should note, on Saint Leger day, there is a special Ladbroke Pullman train service, which provides a high quality day return between the capital, and Doncaster racecourse. The service includes, meals, all transfers, and entrance tickets. For full details, contact the racecourse sales department.
By Bus:
Many local bus routes stop at the racecourse roundabout, and the course is then a three hundred yard walk.
By Air:
The Robin Hood Doncaster Sheffield airport is only four miles away, and offers connections to Belfast City, Dublin and Jersey.
The airport is a reasonable taxi ride, or alternatively, there are bus links from the airport to the racecourse roundabout.
Humberside airport is around thirty two miles from the racecourse.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse management, helicopters may land on the course.
Contact Details:
Address:
Doncaster Racecourse, The Grandstand, Leger Way, Doncaster, DN2 6BB.
Telephone Number: 01302 30 42 00.
Fax Number: 01302 32 32 71.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
Forest Pines Hotel and Golf Resort.
UK Tel No: 01652 650 770.
From Eire Tel No: 00 44 (0) 1652 650 770.
Within easy reach of junction 4 of the M180, 11 miles from Humberside Airport, and around 30 minutes drive from both Doncaster and Market Rasen Racecourses, the award winning Forest Pines Hotel and Golf Resort provides the perfect haven for race-goers who want to get a lot more out of their trip to the all-year-round racing programmes at both Doncaster and Market Rasen.
With a perfect location on a 190 acre site, and surrounded by woodlands and the rolling heathland of North Lincolnshire, the hotel provides discerning race-goers with a range of attractive ‘getaway’ options.
Guests can enjoy a Racing - Golf Mini Break, where trips to the races can be combined with play on the hotel’s 27 championship standard holes. But if guests are looking to combine their love of horseracing with a tranquil stay in luxurious and beautiful surroundings, the Forest Pines Hotel and Golf Resort is equipped to deal with every need.
The hotel has 400 parking spaces, and 188 spacious and luxurious en suite guest rooms, and a range of warm, comfortable, and guest friendly public areas.
When it comes to accommodation, the hotel’s Standard Guest Rooms are anything but standard, being spacious, beautifully decorated, and sumptiously fitted out, and incorporating all the modern room amenities discerning guests would expect from a superior 4 Star hotel. For Guests seeking even more luxury during their stay, the hotel’s Superior Rooms, Q Star Rooms, and 4 Suites, are all equipped with air-conditioning, remote controlled flat screen televisions, in-room refrigerators, top range toiletries, and lots of other extras. Naturally, there is 24 hour room-service throughout the hotel, and the hotel’s staff take pride in going the extra yard for all hotel guests.
When it comes to dining, Forest Pines guests are spoilt for choice. The AA Rosette award winning Eighteen57 Restaurant is able to offer guests a combination of contemporary and classic cuisine utilising only the freshest ingredients to produce a range of fish, meat, pasta, and vegetable dishes, incorporating the kind of creative twists that are guaranteed to tempt even the most jaded palate.
The ever popular Grill’ restaurant enables diners to sample traditional and international cuisine while enjoying superb views over the hotel’s well appointed gardens and the beautiful countryside of North Lincolnshire.
While relaxing on one of the many comfortable sofas in the Lounge area, guests can enjoy tasty snacks, seasonal meals, and lite-bites.
Last, but not least, the Pines Bar is a popular all day venue where guests can enjoy a morning coffee, a varied lunch menu, a drop of afternoon wine on the terrace, or an evening meal and nightcap in friendly and atmospheric surroundings looking over the 27 championship golf course.
The Forest Pines Hotel and Golf Resort also provides its guests with access to a modern and well equipped Health and Fitness Club, which includes a 18 metre heated indoor swimming pool, techno gym, sauna, and steam room. Guests wishing to soothe away aches and pains and stress,can book an appointment with our master masseurs, and for those wishing a complete pamper, it is possible to book a full range of beauty treatments in the Spa.
To view full details on all of the facilities at the Forest Pines Hotel and Golf Resort, or to ensure early booking of quality accommodation ahead of your next visit to Doncaster or Market Rasen Races, please click on the link below:
Click here
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