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WINCANTON RACECOURSE.
Skip to Enclosures and Hospitality.
Introduction:
The town of Wincanton is situated amongst the rural beauty of south Somerset, and it has the rare privilege of overlooking Blackmore Vale. In this wonderful setting, it is easy to understand why over two centuries ago, the local huntsmen decided to use Wincanton as the venue for there annual Easter Monday racing competitions.
In the nineteenth century, the first regular racecourse was situated to the south west of Wincanton, on a prepared site at Hatherleigh Farm. It is worth noting, for many years this venue only catered for local gentlemen riders, and in fact, the race meetings at Wincanton did not come under full national hunt rules until 1895.
After the enforced break caused by the first world war, the races at Hatherleigh incurred financial troubles, and Lord Stalbridge had to come to the rescue of racing at Wincanton.
In 1920, a new racecourse company, with Lord Stalbridge as chairman, set about rebuilding the racing traditions of the town. The lease on the site at Hatherleigh was not renewed, and the current site at Kingwell Farm was acquired. Lord Stalbridge provided much of the capital for the development of the new course, and racing started on the modern course in 1927.
After the second world war, Lord Stalbridge was too unwell to continue his support. As a result, the course was sold to ten local businessmen. These custodians kept Wincanton ticking over, and eventually, the racecourse was sold to the Racecourse Holdings Trust in 1966.
Wincanton currently stages around 17 meetings during each winter national hunt campaign. This means between October and May, Wincanton has a race meeting at least twice a month. Eight of these race days are either staged at weekends or on bank holidays.
The highlights of each season include, The Badger Ales Trophy in November, the Lord Stalbridge Memorial Handicap Chase on Boxing Day, the Connaught Cup in January, and the Kingwell Hurdle day in February.
The course is currently in the middle of a 3 million pound development programme, with facilities being upgraded each year.
Placepot, Dual Forecast, and Super7, are all online when you sign up with:
Track facts:
Wincanton specialises in the staging of national hunt racing.
The course is run right handed, has slight undulations, and although one mile three furlongs in circumference, its rectangular shape makes the bends relatively sharp.
Using the finishing line as the starting point for a single circuit, the nine fences on the steeplechase course are laid out in the following circuit pattern: After the turn out of the home straight, the water jump is located in isolation on the top side of the course. Upon turning into the back straight, runners jump the first plain fence, then the first open ditch, another plain fence, and the second open ditch. On the top side of the course, there is a single but tricky plain fence. After turning back into the home straight, runners have to jump three more plain fences before the short run in to the winning post.
All the jumps are big, and they are considered a stiff test. There is also a slight uphill run at the start of the home straight. Conversely, on the cross section from the end of the back straight to the home turn, the course has a slight downhill momentum, and this often catches horses out at the fourth last fence.
The hurdles course has six flights, the last two being sited in the home straight prior to the winning post. Like its steeplechase counterpart, the hurdles course is considered a good test, and many winners of the Kingwell Hurdle have gone on to run well in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Wincanton is usually blessed with good going. In these circumstances, pace is the preferred quality for potential winners. However, if the going does become soft to heavy, it makes conditions very testing, and stamina becomes the dominant factor.
Enclosures and hospitality:
The listings below do not include all the facilities available to Annual Members, Owners and Trainers, and Corporate Guests. These can be obtained by contacting the racecourse.
Premier Ticket.
In this enclosure, viewing of the racecourse is from the Hatherleigh Grandstand, which is situated opposite the winning post. The stand offers covered seating, and an indoor viewing gallery.
Premier ticket holders have access to the parade ring and winners enclosure. They can also use the public facilities in the other enclosures.
The enclosure is served by numerous food and drink facilities.
In the paddock area, the Kingwell Restaurant overlooks the parade ring, and offers fine dining in comfortable surroundings. Due to its popularity, this restaurant must be booked in advance.
The Paddock Bar also overlooks the parade ring.
The Winning Post restaurant is on the second floor of the grandstand, and apart from fine dining, it offers great views over the racecourse.
The Hatherleigh Room is a private dining room on the ground floor of the grandstand, but it becomes a public restaurant for the Boxing Day meeting.
The Hatherleigh Viewing Gallery Bar, which is open for supplemental gold members, provides views of the racecourse from the gallery in the grandstand.
The See More Business Bar serves seafood and drinks. The menu includes, fish soup, lobster, and smoked salmon. While the Stalbridge Bar also has a food menu, including, cottage pie, seasonal dishes, plus home made cakes and pies.
Grandstand Ticket.
Viewing of the racing is from the main terraced grandstand. Ticket holders also have access to the parade ring, winners enclosure, and Course enclosure.
The Chasers Bar and Restaurant is open for a hot buffet lunch on premier race days. On other occasions, this facility can be hired by private parties of up to 50 people.
The Badger Bar is located at the back of the grandstand, and in its convivial atmosphere, race goers can sample drinks and seasonal dishes, plus home made cakes and pies.
The enclosure also has other bar and hot food facilities.
Course Ticket.
There is a grandstand situated near the third last fence in the home straight. There is also viewing from the car park of the picnic area. However, there is no access to the parade ring and winners enclosure, but a giant television screen helps to keep race goers in touch with all the racing action.
The enclosure is served by a cosy bar, and hot food kiosks.
For winter attire, Binoculars & Racing Accessories Visit our Amazon shop:
Disabled facilities:
Disabled parking spaces are available to blue badge holders in every enclosure.
The course entrance gates are equipped to admit wheelchairs.
In the Premier enclosure, there is a designated viewing area for disabled race goers, and this is located in the Hatherleigh Grandstand.
In the Grandstand enclosure, there is an elevated viewing platform next to the running rails.
Toilets suitable for disabled race goers have been built in every enclosure.
Official assistance dogs are welcome on the racecourse.
Fixtures:
All races at Wincanton are run under National Hunt rules.
Thursday 08 October.
Sunday 25 October.
Saturday 07 November.
Thursday 19 November.
Thursday 03 December.
Saturday 26 December.
TRANSPORT LINKS.
By Road:
Wincanton is located 37 miles from Bristol, and 16 miles from Yeovil.
The town of Wincanton is served by several major trunk roads. Traffic from the east or west should approach on the A303 route, which links London with the West country.
From Bristol and the motorway system, pick up the A37 to Shepton Mallet. At Shepton Mallet take the A371 signposted to Castle Cary and Wincanton. Once in Wincanton follow the signs for the racecourse. The entrances to the course are located a mile south of the town, and are just off the B3081 Wincanton to Bruton road.
Car parking is free, except in the Course enclosure, where a £6 fee applies.
By Rail:
Although Wincanton does not have its own railway station, it is surrounded by several alternative destinations.
Trains running between London Waterloo and Exeter stop at Templecombe station. As this station is just four miles south of Wincanton, a shuttle bus service connects with specific trains, see below.
Cross country travellers can head for Bristol Temple Meads station, where they can catch Bristol to Weymouth trains. These services stop at nearby Bruton, four miles, and Castle Cary, which is eight miles from the racecourse. Taxi services are then available to race goers at both stations.
By Bus:
A shuttle bus service from the racecourse connects with specific trains stopping at Templecombe railway station. For precise times of the buses on race days, it is necessary to telephone the racecourse company on the telephone number listed below.
By Air:
Being around 27 miles from Wincanton, Bristol International is the nearest regional airport.
Light aircraft can land at Henstridge airfield, which is located 7 miles south of the racecourse. Telephone 01963 36 42 31.
Subject to prior permission from the racecourse management, helicopters may land on the racecourse.
CONTACT DETAILS.
Address: Wincanton Racecourse Co Ltd, Wincanton, Somerset, BA9 8BJ.
Tel No: 01963 32 344.
Fax No: 01963 34 668.
Great Phones, Great Deals only at:
ACCOMMODATION.
Best Western Royal Chase Hotel Shaftesbury.
Tel no: 01747 85 33 55.
Just off the A350 Blandford to Salisbury road, and close to the centre of historic Shaftesbury, the Royal Chase Hotel is the expanded and refurbished incarnation of a building originally constructed during tudor times. Surrounded by beautiful Dorset countryside, the hotel gives superb access to the major attractions and rural splendour in the nearby counties of Hampshire, Somerset, and Wiltshire. Supporters of national hunt racing should also note, the hotel is only 10 miles from Wincanton Racecourse, and therefore forms the ideal oasis for a most enjoyable racing break.
The Royal Chase Hotel has 33 well appointed en suite guest rooms. All of the hotel’s rooms offer; remote controlled television with satellite channels, access to internet services, and the other room amenities discerning guests expect in a quality hotel. The Royal Chase also offers Family rooms, and stylishly decorated and attractively furnished luxury Crown Rooms, the latter offering a range of thoughtful extras. For guests seeking total luxury during their stay, the hotel can also offer the sumptious Thomas Hardy Suite. This spacious facility provides unabashed luxury and comfort, and includes; a four poster bed, spa bath, and a full entertainment centre incorporating television, CD, Video, and DVD player. Room service is also available on request, and our staff pride themselves on always providing our guests with a friendly and professional response to all requests.
Guests dining in the hotel’s Byzant Restaurant can sample the fayre prepared by our talented team of chefs, this includes theirexciting and creative interpretation of many classic and modern dishes, and for guests who enjoy a good wine with their meal, the hotel wine list offers a full range of quality wines from around the world. For guests preferring a snack, in our bar and lounge, residents can enjoy some of the exciting light bites which are available on our bar menu.
For our sporting guests, apart from racing at Wincanton, the hotel can organise golf at the nearby Rushmore Golf Club. While residents can also combine fitness and relaxation in the hotel’s own indoor swimming pool, turkish steam room and spa bath. To obtain further details on the facilities at the Royal Chase Hotel, or to book directly, use the link below.
