Ffos Las Racecourse
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Introduction:
Opened in June of 2009, Ffos Las in South West Wales was the first dual purpose grass surface racecourse to open in Britain in around eighty years.
Built on the site of Europe's largest former opencast mine, the racecourse is just outside the village of Trimsaran, and is located between the South West Wales towns of Llanelli and Carmarthen.
The areaaround the racecourse is well known for its racehorse trainers and stud farms, and racing has a long tradition in the region, albeit some of the history has infamous undertones, such as the betting scam scandal which shocked the nation in 1927, and eventually led to the closure of nearby Tenby Racecourse in 1937.
However, Ffos Las Racecourse has the wise guiding hand of David Walters to keep it on the road to on-going success, and as Chairman and founding owner of the Walters Group, it was his dream and his company who were responsible for turning an industrial wasteland into a manicured racecourse with full equestrian, spectator and conference facilities, all of which are now surrounded by picturesque countryside and rolling hills. Indeedd, on clear days, spectators visiting the racecourse can enjoy superb views down the Gwendraeth Valley to the distant coastel images of Carmarthen Bay.
Under the day to day management of the Northern Racing Group, Ffos Las offers 29 days of mixed racing during each calendar year, including; flat racing, national hunt, and the unusual spectacle of Arabian thoroughbred racing.
In the current racing programme, the William Hill sponsered Welsh Champion Hurdle in January or February, and a prestigious three day flat festival during August, are the main highlights for the South Wales course.
Track Facts:
Ffos Las is specifically designed to stage both flat and national hunt racing. All the courses are run left handed, and the racing surfaces have the finest underground drainage systems to ensure racing in all but the worst possible conditions. In addition, all three courses are level throughout there entire length. The available racing surface from the innermost running rail offers a superb sixty metres of width at all points of the circuit - this ensures in even the most dire circumstances, fresh ground is always available for racing.
The main flat course is a mile and a half in circumference, with long home and back straights and easy graduated bends. There are two shutes - the first joins directly on to the far end of the home straight, and produces a straight course which can stage six or five furlong flat sprint races. The other shute joins the beginning of the back straight, and is used as the starting point for one and a half mile races, thus ensuring over the classic middle distance course, runners only have to negotiate the one bend which joins the back straight with the home straight.
The hurdles course is simple, with three hurdles in the back straight, and three more hurdles in the home straight. With this symmetrical lay out, a flat running surface, and easy bends, the course favours speedy types.
Using the winning post as the starting point for a circuit, the steeplechase course is laid out as follows: an immediate bend into the back straight, then on the back straight, two plain fences, an open ditch, and two more plain fences. The course then takes the turn into the home straight, and on the home run, fence six is a plain fence, then there is the second open ditch, and two more plain fences which have to be jumped prior to the run-in to the winning post.
Two mile hurdle and steeplechases begin in the shute at the far end of the home straight, while national hunt races over two miles six furlongs begin in the shute at the start of the back straight.
Enclosures and Hospitality:
Annual Members Tickets - £250 for full 29 meetings in 2011 - This badge entitles wearers to utilise the Grandstand facilities put aside for annual members, along with access to the annual members bar.
For a cost of £120, a 'Pick Ten' Annual Members Badge is available for those who only wish to attend the major meetings, but this badge does not include entry into the Annual Members Bar.
Grandstand Ticket - £15 or £17.
Ffos Las operates a one enclosure policy, and apart from obtaining grandstand seating with great views of the home straight, finishing line, paddock and winners enclosure, all ticket holders have access to all Public areas of the course, including the champagne lawn, bars, tote and bookmaker betting facilities.
For those seeking total relaxation during their visit to Ffos Las races, by booking well in advance, race-goers can secure full meeting facilities, including a three course meal, in the 150 seater Bridles Restaurant.
Located on the first floor of the grandstand, the restaurant offers superb views of the racing action, including a 3 metre wide external balcony which overlooks the finishing line, paddock and unsaddling area. In addition, Bridles Restaurant offers all day diners the perfect combination of good food and quality drinks while taking in the very best of the racing action. For guests who enjoy taking it easy, the restaurant even has its own Tote betting booth.
For non-dining spectators, drinks and snacks are available from several outlets scattered strategically throughout the racecourse enclosures.
Disabled Facilities:
Currently, the racecourse has limited disabled facilities. There is an accessible lift in the grandstand, and wheelchair guests purchasing the hospitality package in the Bridles Restaurant have access to the restaurant's viewing balcony.
Most of the pathways around the public areas of the racecourse are solid and flat, and are suitable for wheelchair access.
Guide dogs are welcome at the course.
Fixtures:
2011:
Monday 11 July
Transport Links:
By road:
Ffos Las racecourse is located 15 minutes from junction 48 of the M4, and is only an hours ride from the Irish Ferry Terminals of Pembroke Dock and Fishguard.
Traffic coming from the East should leave the M4 at junction 48, and then join the A4138 for Llanelli. In due course, they will see the first brown sign for the racecourse, and they should then follow the various signs which lead directly to the track car parks.
Traffic from the West should follow the A40 to Carmarthen, then join the A484 to Llanelli. Thereafter, follow the brown signs directly to the racecourse car parks.
By Bus:
Between Monday and Saturday, (excluding Bank Holidays), the First Cymru bus service 197 from Llanelli to Carmarthen has a drop off point just outside the entrences to the racecourse.
By Rail:
The nearest railway station is Kidwelly, which is only 1 mile from the racecourse, but train services are not very frequent, and trains to Llanelli, which is five miles
from the racecourse are more frequent, and may present a better option for long distance race-goers, or visitors seeking overnight accommodation.
By Air:
Cardiff is the nearest international airport offering regular domestic and international flights, and dependant on road conditions, travelling time is around forty five minutes.
With its own passenger terminal building, restaurant, and refuelling facilities for private aircraft, Pembrey Airport is just three miles from Ffos Las racecourse.
Parties of up to nine people can also book aircraft and helicopter charter from South West Airlines. The company offer flights from anywhere in the UK or Europe, and full details are available on request.
Subject to prior permission, on race days helicopters may land on the racecourse.
Contact Details:
Address: Ffos Las Racecourse, Trimsaran, Carmarthen, SA17 4DE.
Telephone Number: 01554 811 092.
Fax Number:
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
Stradey Park Hotel Llanelli.
Tel No: 01554 75 81 71.
From the virtual Welsh anthem made famous by Sir Harry Secombe and Shirley Bassey, the line ‘We’ll keep a welcome in the hillside’ could not be more apt than for the Stradey Park Hotel.
Tucked into its own picturesque hillside, the Stradey Park Hotel is a beautifully and thoughtfully converted former Edwardian Mansion House that affords superb views over the Gower and Carmarthen coastlines, offering all guests personal service and attention to detail, the hotel has also earned every one of its 4 Stars.
The Stradey Park is just minutes away from Ffos Las Racecourse, and offering tailor-made packages, which can include transport to and from Ffos Las Racecourse, the hotel can provide race-goers with the perfect base to enjoy an overnight or longer stay in one of the most beautiful and interesting regions of the principality.
Choose from 82 stylish and comfortable en suite guest rooms, all offering flatscreen televisions, free wi-fi access, and the standard room amenities discerning guests expect from a superior hotel, and if you really want to push the boat out, take a close look at the fantastic suites, or our boutique rooms offering in-room extras, and superb views over the nearby Gower and Carmarthen coastline. For those seeking total relaxation during their visit, the hotel also offers 24 hour room-service.
For guests looking for a culinary treat during their stay, Samphires Restaurant is the place to go. Their team of chefs source the best seasonal local produce to create perfect Welsh breakfasts and a dinner menu that is second to none, and while you enjoy your fine repast, you can also sample wonderful views of the local bays through the restaurant’s stylish half crescent windows.
To enjoy a lighter bite or to sample a fine selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks, including the locally brewed real ale and single malt whiskey, the superbly lit art deco Parc Bar offers a stylish yet informal place to unwind and chat with friends, colleagues or relatives.
In fact, the Stradey Park Hotel has so much to offer to potential race-goers, it is impossible to cover it all here, but if you would like to find out more, or ensure you have quality accommodation during your next visit to Ffos Las Races, just click on the link below:
Click here for more information
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