PONTEFRACT RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
To show horse racing can some times take prescidance over even war, the first recorded races at Pontefract are mentioned in despatches written by the parliamentary troops of Oliver Cromwell at the time of there first siege of Pontefract Castle in 1642.
Horse racing is also known to have taken place around Pontefract during the eighteenth century, but the first grandstand on the current course was recorded as having opened in 1801, and racing on the current course has been almost continuous ever since.
The Pontefract Racecourse Company was formed and registered in 1916, and since then, the quantity and quality of race meetings has improved, and in recent years, Pontefract has muscled its way up the list of British racecourses.
The above achievement can be attributed to three positive actions. The Racecourse Company have spent the last fifteen years continually improving spectator facilities. The development of the motorway system around Pontefract has mades it easier and quicker to visit the racecourse. Finally, the quality of racing has been improved, and now, during each flat season, Pontefract stages five Listed races, two in June, and one each in the months of July, August, and October.
In all, the course now stages 16 flat race meetings between April and October of each calendar year. Amongst the total, there are usually three evening meetings, and three Sunday meetings.
In the early months of the flat season, Pontefract is often used by leading stables to provide valuable experience of racing to their novice two and three year old horses. While later in the year, the course is often used to give major handicappers sound preparation races for the major handicaps staged in the late autumn.
Track facts:
Pontefract stages flat racing.
The course is run left handed over an undulating circuit two miles in circumference, with a two furlong home straight.
The last six furlongs of the course are essentially run up hill. This means in longer races, particularly on soft or heavy going, stamina is very important.
Low drawn horses are favoured in sprints up to six furlongs.
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Enclosures and hospitality:
Apart from a brief mention of one corporate facility, 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.
Club Ticket.
Ticket holders have access to the Club Grandstand. This provides the best views of the home straight and winning post. Ticket holders can also visit all the other public areas of the racecourse, including, the parade ring, and the winners enclosure.
On the first floor of the Grandstand, the air conditioned Park Suite Restaurant provides an all day package of fine dining. This restaurant has to be pre booked, and is available to corporate parties, and general race goers alike. Also on the first floor, the Club Dining Room offers an a la carte menu, on a first come first served basis. Both restaurants offer great views of the racing action, and have balcony viewing areas.
The Champagne Bar is among four bars situated in the Club Enclosure.
Paddock Ticket.
The Grandstand in this enclosure is close to the Club Grandstand, so race goers obtain good views of the whole racecourse including the winning post.
This enclosure has a self service restaurant, and five bars.
Silver Ring Ticket.
Due to its sloping lawns, this enclosure still provides good views of the racing action.
There is a bar and restaurant, plus three other bars.
Third Enclosure Ticket.
This is mainly a parking and picnic area with a large play area for children.
There is a bar which serves some snacks.
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Disabled Facilities:
The sloping lawns in front of the grandstands at Pontefract provide excellent viewing, but the race company realised they were a problem for wheelchair patrons. As a result, major improvements were made to accessibility. Now, a step free path runs around the back of the grandstands, and offers a link to all enclosures. There are also tarmac paths leading to the viewing lawns.
Access to the paddock area can be made through a gate which is constantly manned.
A lift is available in the Club Grandstand, and another lift gives access to the private facilities in the Dalby Grandstand.
There are reserved viewing areas next to the running rails in all enclosures, plus reserved viewing on the first floor in both the Club and Paddock Enclosures.
There are unisex disabled toilets on the ground floor in all enclosures.
For additional information, or assistance with your visit to Pontefract, telephone 0197778 13 07.
Fixtures:
Pontefract only stages flat racing.
2012:
Tuesday 10 April
Monday 23 April
Wednesday 02 May
Friday 01 June (Evening – Britain’s Got Talent Night’)
Monday 11 June (Evening – Singles Night)
Sunday 24 June (Family Day)
Monday 02 July
Tuesday 10 July
Friday 20 July (Evening – Red Shirt Night)
Sunday 29 July (Family Day)
Wednesday 08 August (Ladies Day)
Sunday 19 August (Family Day)
Thursday 20 September
Thursday 27 September
Monday 08 October
Monday 22 October
Transport Links:
By Road:
Pontefract is only nine miles from Leeds, and is positioned very close to several major routes.
The entrances to Pontefract racecourse are situated just a half mile from junction 32 of the M62. The M62 actually skirts the northern edge of the racecourse, and the motorway then links up with the M1, M18, and A1M, all within a ten mile radius of the racecourse.
Car parking at the racecourse is free of charge.
By Rail:
Pontefract is served by three railway stations.
The nearest is Pontefract Baghill, which is only a third of a mile from the racecourse. This particular station is on the York to Sheffield line.
Pontefract Tanshelf railway station is also within walking distance of the racecourse, whereas Pontefract Monkhill is a short taxi drive. Both stations are on the Leeds to Knottingley rail line.
By Bus:
National Express coaches travel from many destinations to Leeds and Wakefield.
The newly redeveloped bus station at Pontefract is well served by bus services from all over West Yorkshire.
By Air:
Leeds Bradford international airport is around 19 miles from Pontefract. Apart from taxis, a regular bus service operates into central Leeds. It is then possible to catch onwards bus or rail journeys to Pontefract.
Subject to Race Company permission, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
Contact Details:
Address:
Pontefract Park Race Company Ltd,
33 Ropergate,
Pontefract,
West Yorkshire,
WF8 1LE.
Telephone Number: 01977 78 13 07.
Fax Number: 01977 78 13 33.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
Holiday Inn Leeds Garforth.
UK Tel No: 0113 286 6556.
From Eire: 00 44 (0)113 286 6556.
The Holiday Inn Leeds Garforth is an award winning hotel located in a rural setting on the east side of the cosmopolitan City of Leeds, and with its easy access to the A1M, M62, and M1, it provides the perfect location for Pontefract and Wetherby bound race-goers who are looking for that perfect oasis to turn an overnight stay or racing mini-break into something special.
With both of the above Yorkshire racecourses just a short drive from the hotel, whether it’s summer flat racing at Pontefract, or autumn/winter/spring national hunt racing at Wetherby, the Holiday inn Leeds Garforth provides discerning race-goers with all-year-round comfort and service, along with quick and easy access to the historic City of York, and the retail and recreational facilities of the nearby City of Leeds.
If you would prefer to leave your personal transport at the hotel during your trip to the races, not only does the hotel have a floodlit car park with full CCTV coverage, but by prior arrangement, the hotel’s staff can arrange alternative private hire transport to and from your chosen race meeting.
The Holiday Inn Leeds Garforth offers 144 air conditioned en suite guest rooms, and visitors to the hotel can choose from a wide range of accommodation, including; well appointed standard rooms, family facilities, and there are two rooms set aside for guests with disability needs. All rooms provide; remote controlled colour television with cable\satellite channels, wi-fi internet access, tea and coffee making facilities, comfortable beds and bedding for a great night’s sleep, and the usual high specification room amenities guests expect from a quality hotel. While for those seeking that extra bit of luxury during their stay, our stylish and ultra comfortable Executive Rooms provide more space and enhanced in-room facilities – For more details, use the link below.
Should you want a snack in your room the hotel offers 24 hour Room Service , plus a same day dry cleaning service is available on request.
The contemporary Aiolis Restaurant serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner, which is popular with local diners as well as hotel guests. The head chef sources from the freshest local ingredients to produce a dinner menu, with its choice of carvery or a la carte cuisine, which is both popular and delicious.
Lighter meals, pre dinner drinks, cocktails, and a wide range of all day beverages, can be enjoyed in the Aiolis Bar and Lounge. This latter facility, with its log fire in the winter months, and al fresco patio in the warmer months, is the perfect place to relax with a newspaper, watch sky sports, or meet up with old and new friends.
For guests who like to keep in trim, or keep those extra pounds off, the Triangle Health and Fitness Centre offers a fully equipped gymnasium, swimming pool, steam room and sauna, and is available free of charge to all hotel guests.
To obtain full details on the Holiday Inn Leeds Garforth, or to ensure your room booking in a quality hotel ahead of your next trip, please click on the link below:
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