Ffoslas Racecourse
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Introduction
Opening in June of 2009, Ffoslas in South West Wales is the first dual purpose grass surface racecourse to open in Britain in around eighty years. Built on the site of Europe's largest former opencast mine, the racecourse is just outside the village of Trimsaran, and is located between the South West Wales towns of Llanelli and Carmarthen.
The areaaround the new racecourse is well known for its racehorse trainers and stud farms, and racing has a long tradition in the region, although some of the history is chequered, such as the infamous betting scam scandal which shocked the nation in 1927, and eventually led to the closure of Tenby as a racecourse in 1937.
However, the new racecourse at Ffoslas has the wise guiding hand of David Walters to keep it on the road to future success, and as Chairman and founding owner of the Walters Group, it was his dream and his company who were responsible for turning an industrial wasteland into a manicured racecourse with full equestrian, spectator and conference facilities, all of which are now surrounded by picturesque countryside and rolling hills. Spectators visiting the new racecourse can also enjoy superb views down the Gwendraeth Valley to the distant coastel images of Carmarthen Bay.
Now under the day to day management of the Northern Racing Group, Ffoslas offers a mixture of racing during each calendar year, including; flat racing, national hunt, and the unusual spectacle of Arabian thoroughbred racing.
As part of their strategy to put the new racecourse firmly on the racing map, in 2010, the racecourse management are intent on re-establishing a Welsh Champion Hurdle, and a prestigious three day flat festival during August.
Track Facts
Ffoslas is specifically designed to stage both flat and national hunt racing. All the courses are run left handed, and the racing surfaces have the finest underground drainage systems to ensure racing in all but the worst possible conditions. In addition, all three courses are level throughout there entire length. The available racing surface from the innermost running rail offers a superb sixty metres of width at all points of the circuit - this ensures in even the most dire circumstances, fresh ground is always available for racing.
The main flat course is a mile and a half in circumference, with long home and back straights and easy graduated bends. There are two shutes - the first joins directly on to the far end of the home straight, and produces a straight course which can stage six or five furlong flat sprint races. The other shute joins the beginning of the back straight, and is used as the starting point for one and a half mile races, thus ensuring over the classic middle distance course, runners only have to negotiate the one bend which joins the back straight with the home straight.
The hurdles course is simple, with three hurdles in the back straight, and three more hurdles in the home straight. With this symmetrical lay out, a flat running surface, and easy bends, it is expected the course will favour speedy types.
Using the winning post as the starting point for a circuit, the steeplechase course is laid out as follows: an immediate bend into the back straight, then on the back straight, two plain fences, an open ditch, and two more plain fences. The course then takes the turn into the home straight, and on the home run, fence six is a plain fence, then there is the second open ditch, and two more plain fences which have to be jumped prior to the run-in to the winning post.
Two mile hurdle and steeplechases begin in the shute at the far end of the home straight, while national hunt races over two miles six furlongs begin in the shute at the start of the back straight.
Enclosures and Hospitality
Annual Members Tickets - The initial £100 Annual Members Badge is for the eight meetings to be staged during 2009. It entitles wearers to utilise the Grandstand facilities put aside for annual members, along with access to the annual members bar.
Grandstand Badge - £15 or £17.
Ffoslas operates a one enclosure policy, and apart from obtaining grandstand seating with great views of the home straight, finishing line, paddock and winners enclosure, all ticket holders have access to all Public areas of the course, including the champagne lawn, bars, tote and bookmaker betting facilities.
For those seeking total relaxation during their visit to Ffoslas races, by booking well in advance, race-goers can secure full meeting facilities, including a three course meal, in the 150 seater Bridles Restaurant.
Located on the first floor of the grandstand, the restaurant offers superb views of the racing action, including a 3 metre wide external balcony which overlooks the finishing line, paddock and unsaddling area. In addition, Bridles Restaurant offers all day diners the perfect combination of good food and quality drinks while taking in the very best of the racing action. For guests who enjoy taking it easy, the restaurant even has its own Tote betting booth.
For non-dining spectators, drinks and snacks are available from several outlets scattered strategically throughout the racecourse enclosures.
Disabled Facilities
Currently, the racecourse has limited disabled facilities. There is an accessible lift in the grandstand, and wheelchair guests purchasing the hospitality package in the Bridles Restaurant have access to the restaurant's viewing balcony.
Most of the pathways around the public areas of the racecourse are solid and flat, and are suitable for wheelchair access.
Guide dogs are welcome at the course.
Fixtures
Friday 28 August National Hunt Racing.
Saturday 12th September Flat Racing.
Sunday 13 September Flat Racing.
Sunday 11 October National Hunt Racing.
Sunday 08 November National Hunt Racing.
Monday 23 November National Hunt Racing.
Monday 21 December National Hunt Racing.
Transport Links
By road
Ffoslas racecourse is located 15 minutes from junction 48 of the M4, and is only an hours ride from the Irish Ferry Terminals of Pembroke Dock and Fishguard.
Traffic coming from the East should leave the M4 at junction 48, and then join the A4138 for Llanelli. In due course, they will see the first brown sign for the racecourse, and they should then follow the various signs which lead directly to the track car parks.
Traffic from the West should follow the A40 to Carmarthen, then join the A484 to Llanelli. Thereafter, follow the brown signs directly to the racecourse car parks.
Logbook Loans: If you own your own car, you can obtain an un-secured loan for personal or business use. For full details, click below.
By Bus
Between Monday and Saturday, (excluding Bank Holidays), the First Cymru bus service 197 from Llanelli to Carmarthen has a drop off point just outside the entrences to the racecourse.
By Rail
The nearest railway station is Kidwelly, which is only 1 mile from the racecourse, but train services are not very frequent, and trains to Llanelli, which is five miles
from the racecourse are more frequent, and may present a better option for long distance race-goers, or visitors seeking overnight accommodation.
By Air
Cardiff is the nearest international airport offering regular domestic and international flights, and dependant on road conditions, travelling time is around forty five minutes.
With its own passenger terminal building, restaurant, and refuelling facilities for private aircraft, Pembrey Airport is just three miles from Ffoslas racecourse.
Parties of up to nine people can also book aircraft and helicopter charter from South West Airlines. The company offer flights from anywhere in the UK or Europe, and full details are available on request.
Subject to prior permission, on race days helicopters may land on the racecourse.
By Ferry:
Ferry services to Ireland operate from the near by ports of Pembroke Dock and Fishguard. For full details on tickets, etc. Click Below:
Contact Details
Address: Ffoslas Racecourse, Trimsaran, Carmarthen, SA17 4DE.
Tel No: 01554 811 092.
Fax No:
Accommodation
Stradey Park Hotel Llanelli.
Tel No: 01554 75 81 71.
Nestling on a wooded hillside on the outskirts of Llanelli, the four star Stradey Park Hotel is a former Edwardian Mansion House which now combines stylish modern comfort and friendly attentive service with traditional hotel standards. With many rooms overlooking Carmarthen Bay and the Gower Peninsula, the hotel forms the ideal base for Ffoslas race-goers, but for other sport lovers, it is also within easy reach of two major golf clubs, Llanelli Scarlets rugby union football club, and Pembrey motor racing circuit.
The Stradey Park Hotel offers a full range of en suite twin, double, family and even triple rooms. All guest bedrooms are fitted out to four star standard, with remote controlled colour television, complimentary internet access, tea and coffee making facilities, and the other room amenities guests expect in a quality hotel. For guests celebrating a special occasion, or who are just looking for some extra comfort during their stay, the hotel also has a range of suites with enhanced amenities.
The Brazz Restaurant is the perfect place to relax and unwind, and as an added bonus, it offers diners sweeping vistas of the local bay through its distinctive half crescent windows. The restaurant also offers an ever changing menu based on the finest local produce, all prepared, cooked and served to the highest cullinary standards. Guests can also enjoy the pre-dinner or post dinner facilities of the hotel's attractive and beautifully lit bar. Serving a range of real ales, draught and bottled beers, wines and spirits, including a selection of fine single malt whiskeys, the bar is a popular place to meet, chat and relax, while friendly and attentive staff cater for your needs.
For full details - Click Here.
Best Western Diplomat Hotel Llanelli.
Tel No: 01554 75 61 56.
Located within its own grounds in a small village on the outskirts of Llanelli, the Best Western Diplomat Hotel was originally built in 1810, but over the years, it has been expanded and refurbished to provide a main hotel building and annex, both of which combine modern comfort with the charm and character of a traditional quality hotel. The Diplomat is an ideal base for visitors attending the Ffoslas races, and for those wishing to extend their stay, the hotel is in close proximity to the many facilities and venues of the Carmarthen Bay area.
All of the Diplomat hotel's guest rooms are comfortable and well appointed, offering; en suite bathrooms, remote controlled colour television, wi-fi internet access, and the other standard room amenities of a three star quality hotel.
Quality fayre is available in the hotel's restaurant and bar, and a limited room service menu is also on offer during the day. Live music is also on offer on Thursday and Saturday nights.
For guests who wish to keep in trim during their stay, Chasen's Health Club provides all hotel guests with free access to the superb swimming pool, sauna, gymnasium, and solarium.
For full details - Click Here.
