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THIRSK RACECOURSE.
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
The modern racecourse of Thirsk is positioned in a pocket of most pleasant countryside, being flanked on one side by the raw beauty of the north Yorkshire moors, and on the other side by the iconic Yorkshire dales.
In the seventeenth century, the area around Thirsk had already established itself as a major horse training centre. This resulted in races being staged on the nearby Hambleton Hill. These races enjoyed the royal patronage of the king, James the first. In fact, for the Royal Plate race of 1612, the monarch donated a gold cup as the prize for the winner.
The modern racecourse was the brainchild of Frederick Bell of Thirsk Hall. In 1854, he gathered together a group of his friends, naturally enough in the local Golden Fleece hostelry, and it was agreed to build Thirsk racecourse on Frederick Bells estates. The first meeting being staged on the fifteenth of March 1855.
For the first twenty years of its existence, Thirsk catered very much for the local racing fraternity, with horses often being stabled in local inns and taverns.
However, in 1875, the eccentric Thomas Dawson junior, was made clerk of the course. Although absent minded, such as the time he left £25,000 in a hat box on a train, he was also intelligent and lucky, as through a cleverly worded advertisement, he got all the money back. Using his various qualities to their best effect, he increased prize money and started to attract owners and trainers from further a field. This policy proved very successful, and by 1895, the course once more received royal patronage in the form of a visit from the Prince of Wales.
Between 1914, and 1924, the knock on affects of the first world war caused a ten year hiatus in racing. It took the formation of the racecourse company by Sir Loftus Bates to relaunch the fortunes of Thirsk as a racecourse. As the chairman of the newly formed company, he oversaw the total redevelopment of the track and amenities, and racing was able to restart on the eighth of August 1924.
Apart from a break for the second world war, racing at Thirsk has thrived, and now, between April and September of each calendar year, Thirsk stages 14 flat race meetings.
Greats odds, with loads of extra's, when you join:
Track facts:
Thirsk stages flat racing during the spring and summer of each year.
The long course is a left handed oval measuring one mile two furlongs in circumference. The bends are fairly sharp, and the track has no undulations.
A chute which starts near the railway station joins the home straight three furlongs from the winning post. This produces a straight course which can stage straight sprint races of up to six furlongs.
On the straight course, high drawn horses have a statistical advantage. Whereas, on the round course, in races of seven furlongs and a mile, low drawn horses seem to have a statistical advantage.
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.
Club Members Ticket.
The Club Grandstand is located adjacent to the winning post, and due to the flat nature of the racecourse, it provides views of all the racing action. Club members have exclusive access to the club lawns, and they can visit the parade ring, winners enclosure, and all the other public areas of the racecourse.
For a fine meal, Club ticket holders can pre book an all day table in the Hambleton Rooms.
The Cherry Tree Bar has outdoor seating on its accompanying lawns, and there are top quality bar facilities in the Manton Suite.
Paddock formerly tattersalls Ticket.
Views are available from terraced grandstands near to the finishing line. Ticket holders can also visit the parade ring, winners enclosure, and the Family enclosure.
Bar and snack facilities are located in the Grimthorpe Hall. Refreshments are also available in the Saddle Room Bar.
Family Ticket.
There is terraced viewing on the inside of the home straight, plus close up observation from the running rails.
Although this is predominantly a picnic area, there are bars, and course facilities serving hot food and drinks.
Ensure a better view of the Racing, See our range of Binoculars:
Disabled facilities:
There is a designated viewing platform adjacent to the winning post.
Specialist toilet facilities are available to all race goers.
For further details on facilities for the disabled race goer, please contact the racecourse company, see below.
Fixtures:
Thirsk only stages flat racing.
Saturday 06 September.
Sunday 07 September.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
From the south using the A1. Join the A168 at Dishforth. After six miles join the B1448 to Thirsk. At the mini roundabout near Tesco, bear left, and the racecourse is on the right.
From the north on the A1, join the A61, and head east towards Thirsk. The racecourse is on the left, about half a mile past the railway station.
Teesside traffic should exit the A19 at the Thirsk signpost. Pass through the town centre, and pick up the A61 to Ripon. The racecourse is signposted from this point, and traffic is directed to the Tesco roundabout as above.
From York on the A19. Approaching Thirsk, go straight ahead at the first roundabout, and then turn left at the second roundabout. Proceed through the town centre, and head for the Tesco roundabout as above.
Scarborough traffic will approach Thirsk on the A170. Go straight ahead at the first roundabout, and proceed to the Tesco roundabout as above.
Car parking at the racecourse is free of charge. Club ticket holders may park in the Members car park.
By Rail:
Thirsk has direct connections to Newcastle, Middlesborough, York, Leeds, Manchester, and Liverpool. Travellers on the main east coast line will have to change at York.
Thirsk railway station is a straight half mile walk to the racecourse entrances.
By Bus:
There are regular services to Thirsk from Darlington, Ripon, and York.
By Air:
Durham Tees Valley Airport is around 20 miles from Thirsk.
Fixed wing aircraft can land at RAF Leeming, which is 12 miles from the racecourse. For details, call 01677 42 30 41.
Light aircraft can land at Bagby airfield, which is only 3 miles from Thirsk. For full details, call 01845 59 73 85.
Subject to permission, helicopters may land on the cricket pitch adjacent to the racecourse.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address:
Thirsk Racecourse Ltd,
Thirsk Racecourse,
Station Road,
Thirsk,
North Yorkshire,
YO7 1QL.
Tel No: 01845 52 22 76.
Fax No: 01845 52 53 53.
The latest phones and Super deals:
ACCOMMODATION.
Solberge Hall Hotel, Newby Whisk.
Tel No: 01609 77 91 91.
Situated close to the A1, A19, and the mainline station at Northallerton, Solberge Hall is a luxury hotel situated in nine acres of award winning gardens. This former Country House combines timeless and idyllic views of the surrounding North Yorkshire countryside with the most modern hotel facilities. The hotel has twenty four individually decorated en suite rooms, including: four poster rooms, period double rooms, an executive suite, standard doubles, and also twin and single facilities. Each room has the standard fittings you would expect from a top hotel, plus the remote controlled television provides satellite channels including
Racing UK.
Visitors can relax in the hotel bar and lounge, where they can also order many favourite dishes. For more elaborate dining, the Garden Room Restaurant offers a seasonal menu, which is served by an attentive but unobtrusive staff. While diners who prefer contemporary surroundings and meals, will love our Silks Brasserie. Adjacent to Silks Brasserie and the Stables Bar, there is a partially covered al fresco courtyard area, where diners can enjoy drinks, afternoon tea, or food from the Silks menu.
http://north-yorkshire.thoroughbredhotels.co.uk/
Swinton Park, Masham.
Tel No: 01765 680 900.
Judged by many to be one of the best hotels in Yorkshire and Cumbria, Swinton Park is a multiple award winning luxury castle hotel. The ancestral home of the Cunliffe Lister family, this superb hotel is located in a 200 acre park, incorporating a lake, gardens, and parkland. The hotel grounds are then surrounded by a larger 20,000 acre estate, which provides access to rivers, reservoirs, hills, woods and dales. Swinton Park is within easy reach of Catterick, Thirsk and Ripon racecourses, and with its lavish interiors, it offers the discerning race goer the chance to relax in a truly unique and memorable setting.
Each of the 30 spacious en suite guest rooms is superbly appointed, and is themed to mirror the individuality of the views across gardens, parkland, lake, or the gate house. Four of the rooms are suites, and incorporate spacious sitting rooms, while the Turret Room is spread over three floors, and is connected by steep staircases. All of the hotel rooms incorporate; sumptious furnishings, remote controlled television with satellite channels, wi-fi internet access, drinks tray, and the standard room amenities of a superior hotel. Four of the en suite bathrooms are equipped with low mobility fittings, and there is wheelchair access to most guest rooms.
Swinton Park has its own 4 acre walled garden, and this provides head chef Simon Crannage with most of the hotel’s fresh seasonal fruit and vegetables. In addition, the remainder of the estate supplies venison, game, fish and various other fresh meats. It is therefore little wonder, Samuel’s is a 3R Rosette award winning restaurant, which receives accolades in culinary circles throughout the UK and Europe. Light meals are available in the Bar and Lounge area, and room service and private dining are also available upon request. For guest seeking a total pamper during their stay, the hotel offers residents a full range of face and body treatments in the hotel’s conservatory style Spa.
For further details on Swinton Park, or to book directly, use the link below.
Holiday Inn Harrogate.
Tel No: 0870 443 17 61.
The Holiday Inn Harrogate is situated adjacent to the International Conference Centre and is extremely close to the majority of the town’s major shops, restaurants, and bars. The hotel is the perfect base for race goers who wish to combine a trip to a North Yorkshire racecourse with; exploration of historic Harrogate, shopping in nearby Leeds, visits to many of the nearby tourist attractions, or just general sightseeing in a most beautiful part of the UK.
The award winning 4 Star Holiday Inn Harrogate has been extensively refurbished in recent years, and now offers comfortable contemporary surroundings. Our guests can also expect a genuine warm and friendly welcome, and our professional and experienced staff will endeavour to provide all our guests with a memorable stay. The hotel has 214 en suite guest rooms, including executive rooms, 9 suites, and 2 rooms especially adapted for visitors with low mobility. All rooms provide remote controlled television with satellite channels and movies on demand, wi-fi internet access, and the standard room amenities guests would expect from a superior hotel. Executive rooms and suites provide superb views over Harrogate and the surrounding countryside, and incorporate little extras, such as; complimentary dressing gown and slippers, mini bar, etc.
The hotel has two restaurants. The Abbey Restaurant serves a hot and cold buffet style breakfast, lunch and dinner meals. Meanwhile, the 701 Restaurant is reknowned for its superb traditional and international a la carte menus. Light snacks and refreshments are available from the Classics Bar, and the hotel also offers 24 hour room service. For guests wishing to keep in trim during their stay, the hotel has its own mini gym, and residents also have free access to the nearby Academy Health and Fitness Centre.
To obtain full details on the Holiday Inn Harrogate, or to book directly, use the link below.
http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/h/d/hi/1/en/hotel/hrtuk?_requestid=319010
