SALISBURY RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
Salisburys Downland racecourse has a very long history of staging race meetings, with the first races on the current site traceable back to the sixteenth century.
Another link with the past history of racing at Salisbury is provided by the annual Bibury meeting, for the Bibury Club is in fact the oldest racing club in the world, and can trace it's origin back to 1685.
The Club originally staged its race meetings at the long forgotten racecourses of Bibury and Stockbridge, but once the Club transferred it's patronage to Salisbury in 1899, it's annual Bibury Handicap has become part of the annual racing programme, and so maintains Salisbury's link with the past history of horse racing in the South West of England.
Salisbury stages around 16 days of racing during the turf based flat season, and this competitive programme includes three very popular Sunday race meetings.
However, the highlight of the season is the Group 3 Totesport dot com Sovereign Stakes in August. There are also four Listed races, one in June, one in August, and two staged in September.
As Salisbury is a testing course, it is often used by the major stables as a proving ground for their progressive horses.
Track facts:
Salisbury is used exclusively for flat racing, and it has two adjoining courses.
The straight course is roughly one mile in length, and mainly run over a gradual but consistent climb.
At the seven furlong mark on the straight course, there is an adjoining right handed loop course which is used for races of between one mile two furlongs and one mile six furlongs. In the longest races on the racecourse, horses use an old fashioned flag start, and then commence the first part of the race by running the wrong way down the straight course, before taking the right hand loop course, and then finishing the race by running the correct way down the straight course.
With the consistent uphill finish, both courses are considered to be very stiff, and all winners have to exhibit stamina.
In sprint races on soft going, low drawn horses have a statistical advantage.
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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.
Members Ticket.
The racing action can be observed from two grandstands. The Members Grandstand has a large seating area, which provides close up viewing of the home straight and winning post. The newer, Wiltshire Grandstand provides its patrons with vistas from modern covered terraces. On clear days, both grandstands give background views of the majestic features of Salisbury cathedral.
Day Members can also observe the racing from the members lawns, plus their entrance ticket gives them access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and the other public areas of the racecourse.
Formal dining is available in the Members Restaurant, and Conservatory Restaurant. Both are very popular, and advance booking is strongly advised.
Drinks and snacks are available in the Bibury Suite Bar, and patrons can also use Its viewing balcony.
Members and Tattersalls ticket holders can both utilise the Lester Piggott Bar. This facility is situated on the roof of the grandstand, so, race goers can obtain superb views of the racing action while enjoying their drink or snack.
The enclosure has three other bars which serve drinks and snacks. The Wessex and Paddock Bars have outdoor terraces, and the Persian Punch Bar offers a very convivial atmosphere.
Tattersalls Ticket.
The Tattersalls Grandstand offers good views of the home straight. Ticket holders also have access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and the Course Enclosure.
The Tattersalls Bar, located under the grandstand, offers drinks and snacks.
As stated above, Tattersalls ticket holders can utilise the Lester Piggott Bar, and the Paddock Bar.
At all meetings there are snack kiosks serving hot and cold food. In addition, at the feature meetings, there is a beer tent near the betting ring.
Course Ticket.
Viewing is from a grandstand in the middle of the enclosure, but there is no access to the other course facilities without the payment of a supplement.
Situated under the viewing stand, the Sarum Bar, sells beers, soft drinks, and the more popular spirits.
Mobile catering units sell hot snacks and other refreshments.
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Disabled Facilities:
There are viewing areas and disabled toilet facilities in all enclosures.
For full details on disabled facilities please contact the racecourse company, see below.
Fixtures:
Salisbury only stages flat racing.
2011:
Thursday 12 May
Thursday 19 May
Transport Links:
By Road:
The racecourse is situated around three and a half miles south west of the city of Salisbury on the A3094.
From the north, follow the A360 towards Salisbury, and follow the signs to the racecourse.
Car parking is free of charge.
By Rail:
Salisbury is served by direct train services from London Waterloo. Cross country connections from the north are tricky, and travellers are advised to travel to London, and transfer to London Waterloo.
Salisbury railway station is around 3 miles from the racecourse. There are direct bus connections from the station to the racecourse.
By Bus:
National Express coaches travel to Salisbury from several UK towns and cities.
By Air:
Bournemouth is the nearest regional airport, being around 19 miles from Salisbury. However, at present, the only scheduled United Kingdom internal flights from Bournemouth are to Glasgow Prestwick, and Jersey.
Subject to prior permission, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
Contact Details:
Address:
Salisbury Racecourse,
Netherhampton,
Salisbury,
Wiltshire,
SP2 8PN.
Telephone Number: 01722 32 64 61.
Fax Number: 01722 41 27 12.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
Holiday Inn Salisbury Stonehenge.
UK Tel No: 01980 677 450.
From Eire Tel No: 00 44 1980 677 450.
Just off the A303, and with easy access to the M3, the award winning 4 Star Holiday Inn Salisbury Stonehenge can act as a gateway to Wiltshire and the West Country, while the hotel is also ideally situated for Salisbury race-goers seeking to combine a trip to the races with easy access to the Stonehenge English Heritage pre-historic monument, while the historic City of Salisbury, with its cultural, retail, and entertainment facilities, are just a short ride away.
The hotel was newly opened in June 2007, and has private floodlit on-site parking for 168 cars. However, as part of the hotel’s goal to provide excellent levels of service to all guests, subject to pre-arrangement, the hotel will organise private hire to take guests too and from the spring/summer/autumn race meetings at Salisbury Racecourse.
The accommodation and hospitality facilities of the Holiday Inn Salisbury Stonehenge are dispersed over four lift connected floors, and the hotel can offer a total of 103 Guest Rooms. All rooms are en suite, air conditioned, and are extremely well appointed in a comfortable contemporary style, with all rooms providing: interactive remote controlled flat screen television with satellite channels, wi-fi internet access, comfortable beds and bedding for a good night’s sleep, and the standard room amenities guests would expect in a quality hotel. For guests wishing to secure a totally memorable stay, the Executive facilities at the hotel includes 12 large executive rooms with glass curtain walls each one providing panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. The rooms offer enhanced facilities, such as; complimentary dressing gown and slippers, mini bar, as well as flat screen tv’s with the latest CD/DVD technology. The hotel is fully accessible and also provides five rooms suitable for disabled guests.
Breakfast, lunch and dinner meals are served in the friendly and contemporary Solstice Bar & Grill Rosette Awarded Restaurant. The menus change seasonally, with the Chef Director ensuring the best local and regional produce is transformed into mouth watering and appetising cuisine. The hotel's wine list also offers an excellent array of world wines which perfectly compliment the dinner menu. The hotel bar and lounge incorporates an open fireplace, and offers a light bite menu and a comprehensive selection of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. For guests who would prefer to dine in their room, the hotel offers 24 hour room service.
For a full list of the facilities at the Holiday Inn Salisbury Stonehenge, or to ensure your quality accommodation ahead of your next trip, please click on the link below:
www.hisalisbury-stonehenge.co.uk
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