HEREFORD RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
Situated on the beautiful Marches borderland between England and Wales, Hereford is a cathedral city with an impressive history, and there is no doubt cavalrymen stationed in this strategic centre would have staged horseracing, but the first officially recorded races in Hereford occurred on the twenty seventh of August 1771. This involved three races over two miles between a bay horse owned by a Mister Foley, and a brown horse owned by a Mister Dilly. These match races were the forerunners of the regular flat race meetings which commenced in the early part of the nineteenth century.
In the early years, flat racing flourished, and in the 1857 running of the Hereford Queens Plate, the course witnessed a win by the famous horse Fisherman. In the same year, Fisherman ran a total of thirty five races, and recorded twenty two victories, and in his whole career, this wonder horse recorded 70 wins from 121 starts. His triumphs included twenty six different Queens Plates, plus the Ascot Gold Cups of 1858 and 1859.
Hurdle racing had been introduced at Hereford in 1840, but once steeplechase racing was introduced to the course, the flat programme fell into decline, and flat racing was eventually curtailed in 1883.
The Hereford racecourse site was originally public land, and was controlled by the local council, but it was then sold into private ownership in 1946, and one of the strangest decisions made by the privat owners occurred on May Day in 1975, for the course staged fourteen consecutive races which featured two hundred and nineteen runners, all because two meetings had to be amalgamated into one so as not to inconvenience the course caterers.
In modern times, the course holds around fifteen national hunt meetings, and is in action ten months out of twelve, all without any further catering problems.
Due to Herefords proximity to the leading stables in south west England, and South Wales, racing is well supported, and many up and coming stars are tested out on Herefords sharp track.
Track facts:
Hereford is a national hunt course, and apart from bumper races, it does not stage any flat races.
Hereford has minor undulations, and a circuit measuring one mile and four furlongs in circumference. this initial evidence would indicate a generous track. However, Hereford is a surprisingly sharp right handed course. It is constantly turning, and even has fences on half bends.
The steeplechase course has nine fences laid out in the following circuit pattern: the first plain fence situated on a half bend in front of the grandstand, followed by an open ditch, the water jump, two more plain fences, the second open ditch, and three more plain fences, the last of which becomes the only jump on the home straight. After the last fence, there is a short run in to the winning post.
With its constantly turning nature, and stiff fences, Hereford is a good test for novice steeplechasers. It suits well balanced progressive types, who can either make all, or lay close to the pace.
The hurdles course has six unevenly distributed obstacles. The first flight coming on the top turn. There are then two further obstacles in the back straight, two on the bottom turn, and one on the home straight which precedes the short run in to the winning post.
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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.
Grandstand Ticket.
Hereford only has the one enclosure. The Weekend race day ticket is slightly dearer than its Weekday counterpart. Full details on prices and possible discounts are available from the racecourse management.
The Grandstand provides a vista of all the racing action, including close up views of the home straight, winning post, and first jumps.
Silks Restaurant is located on the ground floor of the grandstand. It is possible to book a table as your base for a full day of racing. This includes a three course meal, afternoon tea, and great views across the racecourse. Please note, window seats are very popular, so a premium must be paid to secure these positions.
With views of the home straight, and winning post just a few steps away, the Winning Post Pub offers a good selection of beers wines and spirits, plus a range of hot meals and snacks in its restaurant.
The Paddock Bar is located in the betting hall, and there are various suppliers of hot food and snacks scattered throughout the paddock area.
Disabled facilities:
There is a lift in the grandstand, specialist toilet facilities, and a viewing platform.
Fixtures:
All races at Hereford are run under national hunt rules.
2011:
Wednesday 20 April
Thursday 28 April
Transport Links:
By Road:
Race goers travelling from Leominster and the north, are advised to use the A49 and A4110. From the south, the A49, and A465 are recommended, If travelling from Worcester, use the A4103.
Once in Hereford, the A438 has signs for the racecourse.
Car parking at Hereford racecourse is free of charge.
By Rail:
Travellers from London Paddington, the south and midlands, should catch trains for Newport, or Worcester Foregate Street. Connections to Hereford are available at both these stations. From the north, direct services run between Manchester Piccadilly and Hereford.
Hereford railway station is just over a mile from the racecourse.
By Bus:
There are national express coach links to Hereford from various locations throughout the United Kingdom.
By Air:
Bristol and Cardiff airports are both over forty miles from Hereford.
Subject to prior permission, helicopters may land on the course.
Contact Details:
Address: Hereford Racecourse, Roman Road, Hereford, HR4 9QU.
Telephone Number: 01432 27 35 60.
Fax Number: 01432 35 28 07.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
Castle House Hotel.
Tel no: 01432 365 900
Through many years of effort, the family-owned Castle House Hotel has built a top class reputation for providing Hereford bound race-goers with the perfect base from which to combine and enjoy a trip to the races with a superb overnight stay or mini-break in one of the most beautiful and historic regions of the British Isles.
While the two separate premises that make up the 4 Star Castle House Hotel are both located in the centre of the historic City of Hereford - close to retail, recreational and historic places of interest – they are both still easily accessible by road and on arrival at the hotel, there is secure valet parking available to all guests.
However, for those race-going guests who choose to travel by rail, Hereford Railway Station and Hereford Racecourse are both just a short taxi ride from the hotel front entrance. With pre-arrangement, the hotel will happily organise private transport for visiting guests.
While the Georgian architecture of the hotel and its townhouse Number 25 - are easy on the eye, both buildings provide beautifully decorated, lavishly furnished, and extremely comfortable boutique style hotel accommodation. The main hotel building offering 16 guest rooms and suites, all with remote controlled television, wi-fi internet access, superbly comfortable beds, mini-fridge, tea and coffee making facilities, robes and slippers, en suite facilities with bath/shower, and complimentary toiletries, plus many other room amenities discerning guests would expect to find in a superior 4 Star Hotel.
One of the ground floor garden suites in the main hotel is also specifically designed to be totally accessible. While Number 25, with its wide selection of comfortable rooms, extra privacy and independence, could be ideal for family or corporate groups visiting Hereford Races - (full details being available via the link below).
With leading female Head Chef Claire Nicholls in control of its kitchen, when it comes to fine dining, the Castle House Restaurant is so popular, guests are advised to book their table as part of their room booking.
Claire is a stickler for using only the freshest ingredients in her culinary creations, and while Claire uses many local suppliers to obtain some of her fresh produce, happily, she is very much aided in her goal by the fact the Herefordshire beef and lamb is supplied direct from hotel owner David Watkin’s Ballingham Farm, and the net result is that guests are treated to award winning a La Carte dining during their stay.
The Castle House Bistro is also a very popular choice with hotel guests, for apart from morning coffee and fresh pastries, the Bistro also serves a lunch time menu, afternoon tea, cocktails, and a fine evening menu, and in the warmer weather, drinks and meals can be enjoyed on the hotel terrace, overlooking the hotel's pretty garden, and the remains of the medieval castle moat.
There is a whole lot more to say about the outstanding Castle House Hotel in the City of Hereford, but to obtain further details on the hotel and what it has to offer, or to ensure your room booking ahead of your next trip to Hereford Races, please click on the link below:
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