MARKET RASEN RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
Following the Demise of Lincoln racecourse in the early 1960's, Market Rasen now hosts the sole remaining racecourse in Lincolnshire.
Surrounded by truly beautiful countryside, the national hunt track is on the east side of the market town, and occupies a position at the base of the Lincolnshire Wolds.
The first recorded horse racing in the Market Rasen area occurred in 1800, and came about after local gentlemen riders formed the White Hart Friendly Society, and then staged matches between pairs of gentleman riders.
Later in the nineteenth century, Market Rasen inn keepers rented land off local farmers to stage unofficial racing events, but it was the twentieth century before regulated racing came to the town.
In 1923, six local entrepreneurs bought the Legsby Road site, and in a remarkably short time, they built a racecourse and grandstand, incredibly staging the first official race meeting on Easter Monday in the following year of 1924, and the large crowd drawn to the first race meeting indicated the great support Market Rasen would enjoy in the coming years.
Today, the family friendly course stages twenty fixtures each calendar year. This includes a very active summer jumps programme, incorporating the televised Tote Summer Plate. While the course is also used by top trainers, like Nicky Henderson, to educate up and coming novices.
Track facts:
All racing takes place under national hunt rules.
Races are run right handed on a sharp, mildly undulating oval course, which has a circumference of one mile two furlongs.
The steeplechase course has eight relatively straightforward jumps, laid out in the following circuit pattern: an initial plain fence, the first open ditch, another plain fence, the second ditch, three plain fences, and a water jump. The last two plain fences and the water jump are situated on the home straight. On the final circuit, the water jump is by passed by the run in.
Although the undulations are minor, the plain fifth fence is situated on falling ground, and can often catch out inexperienced jumpers.
The hurdles course has five obstacles, with two being situated prior to the winning post in the home straight.
Both courses are sharp, and maintaining a prominent position, particularly in larger fields of runners, becomes essential. Nearly a quarter of winners at Market Rasen lead from start to finish, with three quarters of winners coming from horses who can 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.
County Enclosure Ticket.
This ticket provides access to the County Grandstand, plus the enclosure lawns which gently slope to the parade ring. There is also access to the winners enclosure, and all the other public areas of the racecourse.
The County Grandstand provides a superb vista of the whole racecourse, including, close up views of the home straight and winning post.
The Brocklesby Suite Restaurant provides an a la carte luncheon menu, plus an optional afternoon tea facility. While dining, patrons enjoy excellent views of the racing action. Similar views are also available from the adjacent Brocklesby Bar.
County Enclosure ticket holders also have access to the County Bar. This facility has great views of the racecourse, either from inside the bar, or from its external terrace. This bar serves all forms of drinks, plus hot and cold snacks, including a dish of the day.
There is also access to the facilities of the Champagne and Seafood Bar.
Tattersalls Ticket.
Ticket holders can obtain good views of the racing from the Tattersalls, or Silver Ring Grandstands. There is also access to the pre parade ring, main parade ring, and winners enclosure.
The Red Rum Bar serves drinks, plus hot and cold snacks, including a dish of the day.
The floor to ceiling windows of the Tote Exacta Bar enable patrons to enjoy racing action with their drinks.
For food on the go, there are plenty of options from the Tattersalls Food Court.
Family Picnic Area Ticket.
These two car park areas offer armchair viewing of much of the racing action.
The relatively newly built Victor Lucas Bar is equipped with floor to ceiling windows. While enjoying their drinks in very pleasant surroundings, race goers can simultaneously obtain a great head on view of the racing action in the home straight.
Food and drinks can also be obtained from the Willingham Buffet, and Family Food Court.
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Disabled Facilities:
There are disabled parking facilities in all car parks. In most cases, these spaces are located near to entrance gates adapted for wheelchair access.
A lift, plus the archive corridor, provide access between the Brocklesby Suite viewing area, and the first floor of the County Grandstand.
Situated adjacent to the Tote Exacta Bar in the Tattersalls enclosure, an elevated viewing platform provides wheelchair patrons with excellent views of the racing action.
Disabled toilet facilities are available in the Tattersalls and Family enclosures, and these should be used by County enclosure ticket holders.
Refreshment, bar, and betting areas provide lowered counter facilities.
All forms of official guide dogs are welcome.
Fixtures:
All races at Market Rasen are run under National Hunt rules.
2011:
Saturday 16 July
Transport Links:
By Road:
Market Rasen is roughly equidistant from the cathedral city of Lincoln, and the fishing port of Grimsby, being about twelve miles from each.
The racecourse is on the A6531, just to the east of the town. From the South, take the A1, then leave at the A46 junction. When approaching Market Rasen, follow the signs for the racecourse. From the North and East, use the M62, M18, and M180 link to the A15. At Caenby Corner join the A631. Once again, when approaching Market Rasen, follow the signs to the racecourse.
Parking is free in all enclosures except the Family Picnic car park, where admission is charged on a vehicle and occupant basis.
By Rail:
Market Rasen railway station is just over a mile from the racecourse, and is on the railway line connecting Newark with Grimsby and Cleethorpes. Newark offers direct connections to station such as London Kings Cross and Newcastle upon Tyne.
By Bus:
National Express coaches operate into Lincoln and Grimsby, with Stagecoach operating local services between Market Rasen and the two above destinations.
By Air:
Humberside international airport is the nearest regional hub, being around twenty miles distant.
Light aircraft can obtain permission to land at Wickenby airfield, which is five miles from the racecourse. For details, telephone, 01673 88 53 45.
Subject to prior permission, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
Contact Details:
Address: Market Rasen Racecourse, Legsby Road, Market Rasen, LN8 3EA.
Telephone Number: 01673 84 34 34.
Fax Number: 01673 844532.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
Holiday Inn Hotel Lincoln.
UK Tel no: 01522 544 244.
From Eire Tel No: 00 44 (0) 1522 544 244.
Located on Brayford Wharf next to the river Witham, and renowned for its warm and friendly service, the Holiday Inn Lincoln forms the perfect base for Market Rasen race-goers who want to combine their trip to the races with access to the history, and the entertainment and retail outlets readily available in the beautiful City of Lincoln.
The attractive brick built wharf style hotel has ample parking, and is only 20 minutes drive from Market Rasen Racecourse, and by prior arrangement, the hotel can arrange private hire transport for hotel guests wishing to travel to the races. alternatively, Market Rasen railway station is only a 16 minute direct train ride away from Lincoln Central, the latter being just a mile from the Holiday Inn Lincoln.
With 97 air conditioned en suite guest rooms, the Holiday Inn Lincoln enables visitors to choose between high quality standard room accommodation, or to opt for the extras available in a number of superbly appointed executive rooms. While disabled visitors can select between either of the above, or they can opt to stay in one of 4 rooms specifically designed to provide maximum accessibility. All of the hotel’s guest rooms offer a choice of views over the river, or the city, and all are fitted out to the highest standards, including; remote controlled colour televisions with satellite channels, direct dial telephone, internet access, and the many other room amenities guests would expect in a top quality hotel. The hotel also provides 24 hour room service, and a same day dry cleaning service on request.
The Holiday Inn Restaurant is located on the first floor of the hotel, and with its floor to ceiling windows, it provides superb views over the river and marina areas. Full english or continental breakfast is served in a buffet style, while in the evenings, the chef and his kitchen team use their flair and experience to transform the very best local produce into a varied and attractive dinner menu.
The Bar area on the ground floor is an all-day meeting place, where guests can enjoy morning coffee, or sample a light meal from a varied menu, while in the evenings, guests gather to chat and to enjoy ambient and pleasant surroundings as they sample from a wide range of liquid refreshments, and in the warmer weather, it is possible to wander on to the terrace and enjoy a drink while watching the activity on the river.
For guests wishing to keep in trim during their stay, the Holiday Inn Lincoln also provides access to a well equipped mini-gym.
To obtain full information on the Holiday Inn Lincoln, or to ensure quality accommodation on your next visit to Market Rasen Races, please click on the link below:
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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