NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE RACECOURSE.
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Introduction:
For nearly three hundred years, the roman army had large forts and compounds located around the seaward entrances of the River Tyne. It seems certain some form of horse racing would have taken place during this period, but unfortunately, no creditable records survive. From the surviving modern era archives, it would appear horse racing commenced in the Newcastle upon Tyne region as early as the sixteenth century.
However, it was the nineteenth century before Newcastle horse racing found its first spiritual home. In 1833, the Newcastle Town Moor was agreed upon as the venue for the first running of the Northumberland Plate. The very first running of the so called Pitmans Derby being won by Tomboy.
In the early years of Town Moor racing, north east race goers were blessed to witness one of the best mares of all time. Beeswing was bred, owned, and trained by local man William Orde, of Nunny Kirk in Northumberland. During her lifetime, Beeswing not only won forty six of her fifty one races, she was dam and grand dam to 9 Derby winners, 8 Oaks winners, and 11 Saint Leger winners.
Although the Town Moor site was very popular, it lacked the development potential of the Brandling estate, which was acquired in the latter part of the nineteenth century by several north east based entrepreneurs. They built a brand new racecourse incorporating flat and national hunt courses, grandstands, and stabling for one hundred horses. With these state of the art facilities, the new Gosforth Park racecourse took over the staging of the Northumberland plate meeting in 1882.
Over the next 112 years, High Gosforth Park had several owners, but only limited investment in its infrastructure. However, in 1994, the course was acquired by the late Sir Stanley Clarkes Northern Racing Group. In the last few years, this forward thinking company has invested 11 million pounds in the facilities at Newcastle racecourse, and they have plans for even larger investments in the future.
In the 2008 calendar year, Newcastle plans to stage seventeen flat race meetings, and thirteen days of national hunt races. The leading fixtures include, the three day Northumberland Plate meeting in late June, The Fighting Fifth Hurdle in November, and the Totesport Eider Chase in February.
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Track facts:
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Newcastle stages both flat and national hunt racing.
The flat course is run left handed, has easy bends, and is one mile six furlongs in circumference. The last four furlongs of the circuit have a gradual climb, and favour horses with stamina, particularly when the going is testing.
In recent years, the length of the chute joining on to the home straight has been extended. This course now enables the staging of straight races of up to one mile. With its up hill climb over the last few furlongs, this course once again demands stamina.
In races up to seven furlongs, low drawn horses have a statistical advantage, particularly when the going is soft or heavy.
The national hunt courses are run left handed over a moderately undulating track. The courses are actually one mile six furlongs in circumference, with an up hill climb in the home straight, closely followed by a down hill section on the top bend.
The steeplechase course has eleven fairly stiff fences, which are laid out in the following circuit pattern: three plain fences, the first open ditch, three more plain fences, the second ditch fence, and three more plain fences. Four of the fences are situated in the home straight, but on the final circuit, only three have to be jumped.
In 2 mile races, fourteen fences have to be jumped. When this is combined with the stiff nature of the fences, and possible testing ground, it makes Newcastle a supreme test for a novice steeplechaser. In short, if a novice can win at Newcastle, it can win on almost any other course.
In the winter months, the course often has testing ground, and stamina is generally preferred to pace.
The hurdles course has seven flights, three of which are situated prior to the winning post in the home straight. The course is a very fair test, and is often used as preparation for Cheltenham, Aintree, and Punchestown runners.
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.
For race goers who arrive early, there is the opportunity to enjoy a drink and snack at the Border Minstrel public house, which is located next to the racecourse.
Premier Ticket.
Premier ticket holders have access to the Colonel Porter Grandstand, with its excellent views of the racecourse, winning post, and home straight. They also have access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and all the public areas of the racecourse.
There are several refreshment options in the Premier Enclosure. The Gosforth Park Suite and Bar offers a high quality buffet menu, as does the Park View Suite and Bar. In the Charles Brandling Room, diners can choose their meals from the well appointed carvery table.
There are additional bar facilities in the Brandling House Bar, Cocktail Lounge, and the Colonel Porter Premier Bar.
On festival days, there are also Pimms and Champagne marquees.
Grandstand and Paddock Ticket.
The terraced standing area offers good views of the racecourse, including the home straight.
The family Food Hall offers seated dining while enjoying a selection of hot and cold meals and snacks.
Other facilities include the Picnic Basket and the Nosebag, both serving hot and cold snacks. For a drink, race goers can choose from the Blaydon Races Bar, the Eider Bar, and on festival days, the Silver Ring Bar
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Disabled facilities:
For race goers confined to a wheelchair, there are ramps and lifts in both enclosures.
Fixtures:
Friday 28 August Flat Racing.
Monday 31 August Flat Racing.
Monday 07 September Flat Racing.
Wednesday 30 September Flat Racing.
Tuesday 13 October Flat Racing.
Thursday 29 October National Hunt Racing.
Friday 13 November National Hunt Racing.
Saturday 28 November National Hunt Racing.
Saturday 19 December National Hunt Racing.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
Newcastle upon Tyne has one of the best integrated travel systems in the UK, and this provides plenty of options for getting to the racecourse.
By Road:
Newcastle racecourse is located in High Gosforth Park, and is on the northern edge of the city, about three miles from the city centre.
A1 traffic from the North should leave at the junction for Wideopen, thereafter following the brown and white tourist board signs featuring a horse and jockey.
A69 traffic from the West, and A1 traffic from the South, should follow the city by pass section signposted A1 North. Once on the northern edge of the city, follow the brown and white tourist board signs featuring a horse and jockey.
Traffic from Teesside and the East, can use the A19, which goes through the Tyne Tunnel. Then join the A1056, and follow the brown and white horse and jockey signposts indicated above.
All car parking at Newcastle is free of charge.
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 Rail:
Newcastle Central railway station is a major hub on the main east coast railway line between London Kings Cross and Edinburgh Waverley. The station is also served by direct services from many English and Scottish cities and towns.
Newcastle railway station is approximately six miles from High Gosforth Park. There is a large taxi rank at the station, and journey time to the racecourse is around fifteen minutes.
Alternatively, race goers can catch the underground metro train services to Regent Centre metro station, and then catch a bus to the racecourse.
By Bus:
Race day hopper bus services operate from both Regent Centre, and Four Lane Ends Metro stations. The services start two hours before the first race, and finish running one hour after the last race.
Also, from outside the Regent Centre Metro station, race goers can catch the scheduled bus services of the 42, 43, 44, and 45. Just ask to be dropped off at the racecourse. The buses will enable passengers to alight at the entrance gates of Gosforth Park, adjacent to the Marriot Gosforth Park hotel. It is then a short walk down the entrance drive to the turnstiles.
By Air:
Newcastle international airport is around four miles from the racecourse. There are plentiful taxis, or take a metro train from the airport to Regent Centre metro station, and catch one of the bus connections indicated above.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address: Newcastle Racecourse, High Gosforth Park, Newcastle, NE3 5HP.
Tel No: 0191 236 20 20.
Fax No: 0191 236 77 61.
Great Phones, Great Deals only at:
ACCOMMODATION.
Hilton Hotel Newcastle Gateshead.
Tel No: 0191 490 97 00.
If you are travelling to Newcastle Races and you want to combine the spectacle and fun of horse racing with total enjoyment during your stay, the four star Hilton Newcastle Gateshead is the ideal hotel for you.
Situated adjacent to three of Newcastle’s famous bridges, the hotel overlooks the River Tyne and Newcastle Quayside and provides easy access to the many attractions and leisure facilities of both Newcastle and Gateshead. In fact, if you consult our friendly Concierge Team, they will be happy to advise and book local attractions, thereby helping you to get the most out of your stay on Tyneside.
The hotel provides a range of high quality accommodation, including Hilton guest rooms, executive rooms, suites, and specially adapted rooms for visitors with low mobility. All of the hotel’s guest rooms provide air conditioning, high speed internet access, remote controlled television, attractive granite style bathrooms and the usual room amenities guests expect from a superior hotel.
The hotel’s spacious and extremely well appointed executive rooms are located on the top floor, with some of the rooms offering balconies with superb views. All executive guests also have access to the Executive Lounge with its relaxing atmosphere and complimentary refreshments. 24 hour room service is available throughout the hotel, and a same day dry cleaning service is also available on request.
In the comfortable and contemporary surroundings of the Windows on the Tyne Restaurant, guests can enjoy views over the River Tyne as they sample quality traditional and international cuisine prepared from the finest local ingredients.
A Lounge menu and a full range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages can also be enjoyed in the Windows on the Tyne Bar. For guests who wish to keep in trim during their stay, the LivingWell Health Club offers a heated indoor swimming pool, fully equipped gymnasium, sauna and solarium. A full range of beauty treatments by [Comfort Zone] is also available in our newly launched Quayside Spa. To obtain more details on Hilton Newcastle Gateshead, or to book directly, use the link below.
http://www.hilton.co.uk/newcastlegateshead
