WORCESTER RACECOURSE
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Introduction:
Worcester racecourse is known locally as Pitchcroft. Like its counterparts at Chester, Stratford and Windsor, the course is enclosed on one side by a natural waterway. In Worcesters case, it is the River Severn, and in recent years this proximity to a major waterway has proved costly, as the racecourse has been flooded and put out of action twice in the last 5 years.
Despite it's flooding problems, racing has been taking place at Pitchcroft since 1718, and this makes the current Worcester racecourse one of the oldest consistent racing venues in Britain.
Originally, Worcester was a flat racing circuit, and in the nineteenth century, the course staged major flat races, such as the Worcester Stakes and the Worcester Gold Cup.
However, the 1880 redevelopment of the course into a figure of eight circuit proved a disaster, as the new course was very unpopular with flat trainers, and the quality and quantity of flat runners began to gradually decline. Around the same time, national hunt racing grew in popularity amongst race-goers, and consequently, the quality of national hunt races at Worcester began to improve, and although the figure of eight circuit was abandoned in favour of an oval shaped track, in 1966, flat racing was discontinued, and the course concentrated all its efforts on producing a successful national hunt campaign.
In latter years, the flooding of the course mentioned above has led to Worcester switching to the increasingly popular Summer Jumping programme.
Under the management of Arena Leisure, who took over the day to day running of the racecourse in 2000, the summer jumping programme has been extended. In fact, between April and October of each year, Worcester now stages around twenty summer jump meetings.
Track facts:
Worcester is a national hunt course which currently only operates during the summer jumping campaign.
Horses run left handed over a course without undulations. The circuit is an oval shape, and measures one mile five furlongs in circumference. With easy bends and long straights, it suits gallopers and juveniles.
The steeplechase course has nine fair fences laid out in the following pattern: an initial plain fence, the first open ditch, three plain fences, the second open ditch, and three more plain fences. The last four fences are situated on the home straight prior to the winning post.
The hurdles course has six brush type hurdles, with three in the back straight, and three in the home straight. The run in to the finishing line varies, and is dependant on the positioning of the last flight.
Both Worcester courses have their obstacles laid out in an even and balanced format. This makes the course ideal for juveniles.
On soft going, the course requires stamina.
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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.
Premier Ticket.
Located opposite the winning post, this section of the grandstand offers great views of the whole racecourse. Ticket holders have access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and all the other public areas of the racecourse.
To enjoy good food and superb views of the racing action, the best option is to book a table in the Severn Suite Restaurant. This facility is on the second floor of the grandstand, and a table can be used as a base for the whole meeting, an includes an excellent lunch, with the option of afternoon tea.
The Premier Enclosure Bar is located on the first floor of the grandstand. It offers a fully stocked bar, and a non reservation self service cafeteria.
Grandstand Ticket.
The main grandstand offers terraced viewing over the racecourse and the river Severn. There is also access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and the Course Enclosure.
The Grandstand Bar on the ground floor offers drinks, hot and cold snacks, and tea and coffee.
On the Grandstand Concourse, there are a number of concessionary outlets, and hot food kiosks.
Centre Course Ticket.
Viewing is from the picnic car park or running rails.
There is a Course Bar with limited snacks. There are also a number of hot food kiosks.
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Disabled Facilities:
Designated car parking for blue badge holders is available in the main
car park, which is located in the centre of the racecourse. On race days, stewards will direct disabled race goers to these reserved positions.
Lift access is available to all floors and facilities within the grandstand. However, the terraces of the grandstand are not suitable for wheelchair viewing.
A ramped and elevated viewing platform is located next to the rails on the home straight, and this facility is available to disabled race goers from both main enclosures.
Separate male and female specialist toilet facilities are available on the ground floor of the grandstand, plus there is a unisex facility in the Course enclosure.
The Course enclosure bar is not suitable for wheelchair users, but there are alternative bar facilities to be found within this area.
Single carers with a disabled race goer are admitted free of charge.
For any additional information on disabled facilities at Worcester racecourse, please contact the main racecourse telephone number.
Fixtures:
All races at Worcester are run under national hunt rules.
2012:
Sunday 13 May
Wednesday 23 May - Evening
Saturday 09 June
Sunday 10 June
Wednesday 20 June
Wednesday 27 June
Wednesday 04 July
Wednesday 11 July - Evening
Wednesday 18 July - Evening
Wednesday 25 July
Tuesday 31 July - Evening
Tuesday 21 August - Evening
Wednesday 29 August
Tuesday 11 September
Friday 28 September
Thursday 11 October
Wednesday 24 October
Transport Links:
By Road:
Race goers travelling from the north or south are advised to use the M5. It is then possible to leave at junction 6, and pick up the A449 leading directly to Worcester city centre. Brown tourist signs then direct traffic to the racecourse.
From the west, the A443 and A44 are both good routes into Worcester city centre, where the brown tourist signs can be easily spotted and followed.
Centre course car parking is free of charge.
By Rail:
There are direct train services from London Paddington, Birmingham New Street, Cardiff, and Bristol, all of which stop at Worcester Foregate Street.
Worcester Foregate Street railway station is around 10 minutes walk from the racecourse.
By Bus:
National Express coaches offer services to Worcester from several British towns and cities.
By Air:
Birmingham International is the nearest airport, being around 28 miles distant.
Subject to permission from the Clerk of the Course, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
Contact Details:
Address: Worcester Racecourse, Pitchcroft, Worcester, WR1 3EJ.
Telephone Number: 0870 220 2772.
Fax Number: 0870 220 2882.
E-Mail:
Accommodation:
Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel.
UK Tel No: 01684 296 200
From Eire Tel No: 00 44 1684 296 200
Located just a few minutes from junction 1 of the M50, and close to junction 8 of the M5, a short ride from Ashchurch railway station on the Birmingham to Bristol main line - the Hilton Puckrup Hall Hotel is located within 140 acres of secluded parkland site on the edge of the Cotswolds, and being in close proximity to both racecourses, the hotel is the perfect base for race-goers attending meetings at either Cheltenham or Worcester.
For those seeking a comfortable and relaxing mini-break, the hotel provides 24 hour service from welcoming and professional staff. Sites of historic, cultural, and retail interest are also close at hand, while for the sports minded, apart from obtaining easy access to Cheltenham and Worcester Racecourses, Puckrup Hall has its own 18 hole championship golf course, and a LivingWell Health Club, which provides hotel guests with access to an indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, steam-room, and a 19 station gymnasium.
Hilton Puckrup Hall can offer a range of accommodation with the majority of rooms in our modern building but with 16 rooms in The Regency Manor house. All rooms are en suite, and offer spacious and comfortable surroundings. Each room offers; 32 inch remote controlled plasma television, Wi-Fi internet access, and the many other room amenities guests expect in a Hilton hotel. For that extra bit of comfort and luxury, the hotel also offers; deluxe and deluxe plus rooms – Full details available on our website, (see link below).
With its attentive service, and pleasant views of the golf course, Balharries Restaurant is the perfect place to enjoy both breakfast and dinner. The restaurant specialises in a range of modern and international dishes and all meals can be enjoyed with a fine wine from our extensive range of world wines. If guests choose to dine in their room, the hotel also offers a 24 hour room service menu.
For a range of light bites and sandwiches, the comfy sofas and subdued lighting of the Terrace Bar is warm and welcoming in the winter months, while in the summer months, a glass of wine can be enjoyed on the terrace overlooking the golf course.
Some other extras of note at Puckrup Hall include:
The hotel is able to offer a range of beauty treatments through its Spa facility
Transport to and from race meetings can be organised by pre-arrangement with hotel staff.
To obtain full details on all the facilities offered by Hilton Puckrup Hall, or to ensure your quality accommodation ahead of your next trip, please click on the link below:
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