List of British racecourses

This List of British racecourses gives details of both current and former horse racing venues in Great Britain. There are, as of 15 January 2021, 59 racecourses operating in Great Britain (excluding Point-to-Point courses). In addition, there is a former racecourse, Folkestone, which is mothballed pending a decision over its future. There are currently no plans for Folkestone to operate fixtures although the basic racecourse infrastructure remains intact. Hereford racecourse reopened in October 2016 having been closed since 2012. Towcester racecourse is currently in administration and the future of racing at the venue is uncertain.

Current racecourses

The following British horse racing courses are in operation as of 15 January 2021:

RacecourseLocationCountryCodeOpenedSurfaceOwnerNotes
Aintree RacecourseMerseyside EnglandNational Hunt1829TurfJockey ClubTwo left-handed courses. Grand National circuit, 2m2f, is flat and has big fences with drop on landing side and a long run-in. Mildmay Course, 1m3f, flat with conventional fences, is sharper than hurdles course.
Ascot RacecourseBerkshire EnglandMixed1711TurfIndependentAscot is a right-handed triangular-shaped, galloping and stiff track. It has a steep climb out of Swinley Bottom from the back-straight and is just over 1mile 6 furlongs on the round course, with 2 and a 1/2f furlong run-in. There is both a straight mile and also a round mile course. All races ran between 5 furlongs and 7 furlongs are ran on the straight course.[1]
Ayr RacecourseAyrshire ScotlandMixed1907TurfIndependent
Bangor on Dee RacecourseWrexham WalesNational Hunt1859TurfChester Race Company
Bath RacecourseSomerset EnglandFlatby 1728TurfArena Racing Company
Beverley RacecourseEast Riding of Yorkshire EnglandFlatby 1767TurfIndependent
Brighton RacecourseEast Sussex EnglandFlat1783TurfArena Racing Company
Carlisle RacecourseCumbria EnglandMixed1904TurfJockey Club
Cartmel RacecourseCumbria EnglandNational Huntby 1856TurfIndependent
Catterick RacecourseNorth Yorkshire EnglandMixed1783TurfIndependent
Chelmsford City RacecourseEssex EnglandFlat2008PolytrackIndependent
Cheltenham RacecourseGloucestershire EnglandNational Hunt1831TurfJockey Club
Chepstow RacecourseMonmouthshire WalesMixed1926TurfArena Racing Company
Chester RacecourseCheshire EnglandFlat1539TurfChester Race Company
Doncaster RacecourseSouth Yorkshire EnglandMixedby 1595TurfArena Racing Company
Epsom Downs RacecourseSurrey EnglandFlatby 1661TurfJockey Club
Exeter RacecourseDevon EnglandNational Huntby 1804TurfJockey Club
Fakenham RacecourseNorfolk EnglandNational Hunt1905TurfIndependent
Ffos Las RacecourseCarmarthenshire WalesMixed2009TurfArena Racing Company
Fontwell Park RacecourseWest Sussex EnglandNational Hunt1924TurfArena Racing Company
Goodwood RacecourseWest Sussex EnglandFlat1802TurfIndependent
Great Yarmouth RacecourseNorfolk EnglandFlat1810TurfArena Racing Company
Hamilton Park RacecourseLanarkshire ScotlandFlat1782TurfIndependent
Haydock Park RacecourseMerseyside EnglandMixed1899TurfJockey Club
Hereford RacecourseHerefordshire EnglandNational Hunt1771TurfHerefordshire Council
Hexham RacecourseNorthumberland EnglandNational Huntc.1740TurfIndependent
Huntingdon RacecourseCambridgeshire EnglandNational Hunt1886TurfJockey Club
Kelso RacecourseScottish Borders ScotlandNational Hunt1822TurfIndependent
Kempton Park RacecourseSurrey EnglandMixed1878Turf & PolytrackJockey Club
Leicester RacecourseLeicestershire EnglandMixed1883TurfIndependent
Lingfield Park RacecourseSurrey EnglandMixed1890Turf & PolytrackArena Racing Company
Ludlow RacecourseShropshire EnglandNational Huntby 1725TurfIndependent
Market Rasen RacecourseLincolnshire EnglandNational Hunt1924TurfJockey Club
Musselburgh RacecourseEast Lothian ScotlandMixed1816TurfMusselburgh Joint Racing Committee
Newbury RacecourseBerkshire EnglandMixed1905TurfIndependent
Newcastle RacecourseTyne and Wear EnglandMixed1882Turf & TapetaArena Racing Company
Newmarket RacecourseSuffolk EnglandFlat1667TurfJockey Club
Newton Abbot RacecourseDevon EnglandNational Hunt1866TurfIndependent
Nottingham RacecourseNottinghamshire EnglandFlat1892TurfJockey Club
Perth RacecoursePerth and Kinross ScotlandNational Hunt1908TurfIndependent
Plumpton RacecourseEast Sussex EnglandNational Hunt1884TurfIndependent
Pontefract RacecourseWest Yorkshire EnglandFlat1801TurfIndependent
Redcar RacecourseNorth Yorkshire EnglandFlat1870TurfIndependent
Ripon RacecourseNorth Yorkshire EnglandFlat1900TurfIndependent
Salisbury RacecourseWiltshire EnglandFlat1500sTurfIndependent
Sandown Park RacecourseSurrey EnglandMixed1875TurfJockey Club
Sedgefield RacecourseCounty Durham EnglandNational Huntby 1732TurfArena Racing Company
Southwell RacecourseNottinghamshire EnglandMixed1850Turf & FibresandArena Racing Company
Stratford-on-Avon RacecourseWarwickshire EnglandNational Hunt1755TurfIndependent
Taunton RacecourseSomerset EnglandNational Hunt1927TurfIndependent
Thirsk RacecourseNorth Yorkshire EnglandFlat1923TurfIndependent
Uttoxeter RacecourseStaffordshire EnglandNational Hunt1907TurfArena Racing Company
Warwick RacecourseWarwickshire EnglandNational Hunt1707TurfJockey Club
Wetherby RacecourseWest Yorkshire EnglandMixed1891TurfIndependent
Wincanton RacecourseSomerset EnglandNational Hunt1867TurfJockey Club
Windsor RacecourseBerkshire EnglandFlat1866TurfArena Racing Company
Wolverhampton RacecourseWest Midlands EnglandFlat1887TapetaArena Racing Company
Worcester RacecourseWorcestershire EnglandNational Huntby 1718TurfArena Racing Company
York RacecourseNorth Yorkshire EnglandFlat1709TurfIndependent

Closed racecourses

There are two further racecourses in Britain that still exist, but are currently closed and do not operate any thoroughbred racing fixtures.

Former race courses

Through the centuries, racing has taken place at various courses throughout Britain which have since closed down. Some were very significant in their day and held major races which persist to this day. For example, the flat season's traditional curtain raiser, the Lincolnshire Handicap was once held at the racecourse that gave it its name in Lincoln but is now held at Doncaster.

Closed during 20th century

Between 1900 and 1981, 97 racecourses closed their doors.[4]

RacecourseLocationCountryCodeOpenedClosedNotes
Aldershot RacecourseHampshireEngland1927[5]
Alexandra Park RacecourseNorth LondonEnglandFlat30 June 18688 September 1970
Anglesey RacecourseAngleseyWales1903[5]
Atherstone RacecourseWarwickshireEngland
Banbury RacecourseOxfordshireEngland
Blackpool RacecourseLancashireEngland1915[5]
Bogside RacecourseAyrshireScotlandMixed7 June 180810 April 1965
Bournemouth RacecourseHampshireEngland1928[5]
Brocklesby Hunt RacecourseLincolnshireEngland1935[5]
Bromford Bridge RacecourseBirminghamEnglandMixed189421 June 1965
Buckfastleigh RacecourseDevonEngland21 June 188327 August 1960The dilapidated main grandstand survives, and is a well known local landmark, and the fields around it are still in use for point-to-point races.[6]
Cardiff RacecourseGlamorganWales1939[5]Also known as Ely Racecourse[5]
Chelmsford RacecourseEssexEnglandBef. 1840April 1935An oval course, just under 2 miles in circumference[7]
Chesterfield RacecourseDerbyshireEngland
Colwall Park RacecourseWorcestershireEngland1949[5]
Croxton RacecourseLeicestershireEngland
Derby RacecourseDerbyshireEnglandby 17079 August 1939Three different venues, the last of which opened in 1848. Still open parkland known as the Racecourse Playing Fields. The County Cricket Ground, located within the track, is still in use.
Durham RacecourseCounty DurhamEnglandBef. 1840Held three day meeting at beginning of May[8]
Eglinton RacecourseCounty LondonderryNorthern Ireland
Eridge RacecourseSussexEngland
Gatwick RacecourseSussexEngland18911940The land is now part of Gatwick Airport.
Grafton Hunt RacecourseNorthamptonshireEngland1928[5]
Hambleton RacecourseYorkshireEngland1911[5]
Hawthorn Hill RacecourseBerkshireEngland1939[5]
Harpenden RacecourseHertfordshireEnglandBef. 1914The land is now the site of Bamville Cricket Club.
Hethersett RacecourseNorfolkEngland1939[5]
Hooton Park RacecourseCheshireEngland1915[5]
Hull RacecourseEast Riding of YorkshireEngland1909[5]
Hurst Park RacecourseSurreyEngland18901962[5]
Ipswich RacecourseSuffolkEnglandMixed171029 March 1911In 1840 it was holding a two-day meeting in early July, highlights of which were a 100gs Queen's Plate (dating from at least 1727) and a Town Members' Plate for 50 sovs[9]
Keele Park RacecourseStaffordshireEngland1906[5]
Lanark RacecourseLanarkshireScotlandc. 1100sOctober 1977
Lewes RacecourseEast SussexEnglandBef. 1727September 1964Situated on the chalk downs near the town, it was also home to the East Sussex Hunt. Held a Royal Plate Race for 6 year olds from 1727 at the latest. A stand was erected in 1772. In 1840, the course was "one of the finest four mile courses in the kingdom". Races took place in mid-August.[10]
Lichfield RacecourseStaffordshireEngland
Lincoln RacecourseLincolnshireEnglandFlat17731965
Maghull RacecourseLancashireEngland
Manchester RacecourseLancashireEnglandMixed16817 November 1963There was racing at three successive sites in Manchester, the last being at Castle Irwell. Various plans to create a new racecourse on rural land such as Kersal Moor have been touted in recent years.[11][12]
Melton RacecourseLeicestershireEngland
Newport RacecourseMonmouthshireEngland1948[5]
Northampton RacecourseNorthamptonEnglandBef. 18401904[5]A one and a half mile oval, with a straight half mile run in. In 1840 was holding a two-day meeting at the end of August.
Northolt Park RacecourseMiddlesexEngland1940[5]
Pershore RacecourseWorcestershireEngland1939[5]
Plymouth RacecourseDevonEnglandc. 18274 September 1930A spring meeting was held in May, and a grand two-day meeting in August[13]
Portsmouth Racecourse
at Farlington
HampshireEngland18911914Closed at the outbreak of World War I and turned into an ammunition dump for the War Office.
Portsmouth Racecourse
at Paulsgrove
HampshireEngland1920sc. 1946The land was redeveloped as a housing estate.
Rothbury RacecourseNorthumberlandEnglandBef. 17591965[5]Held one meeting a year.
Rugby Racecourse
at Clifton-upon-Dunsmore
WarwickshireEnglandStill used annually for point-to-point races
Shincliffe RacecourseDurhamEngland18951914[5]
Shirley RacecourseWarwickshireEngland1940[5]The land is now the home of Shirley Golf Club
South Brent RacecourseDevonEngland
Southend RacecourseEssexEngland1931[5]
Southwold RacecourseLincolnshireEngland1909[5]
Stockbridge RacecourseHampshireEngland18391898Dates given are for most significant incarnation of the course. There had been racing at another site in Stockbridge from 1775 or earlier[14]
Stockton RacecourseTeessideEnglandSeptember 185516 June 1981This was the third course in Stockton. The first dated from 1724[15]
Tenby RacecoursePembrokeshireWales1936[5]
Torquay RacecourseDevonEngland
Totnes RacecourseDevonEngland1939[5]Requisitioned by the Admiralty, it was sold in the early 1950s. At this course long distance steeplechases involved crossing the River Dart and the Totnes-Newton Abbot road. Sometimes called the Totnes and Bridgetown races[16]
Whitehaven RacecourseCumberlandEngland1852
Wrexham RacecourseDenbighshireWalesIn 1840, it was holding a two-day October meeting which included a 100 sovereign Gold Cup[17]
Woore RacecourseShropshireEngland1963[5]
Wye RacecourseKentEngland29 May 18492 May 1974

Operating during 19th century

Many courses that were prominent in earlier times did not survive into the modern era. The list below is a selection of these, taken from Whyte's History of the British Turf. Where dates are not given for closure, it is possible they were still extant in the 20th century. No distinction has been made between enclosed courses of the type that are familiar now and those that were run over unenclosed courses, more akin to point-to-point racing. Indeed, some of these racecourses or parts of them are still used for that purpose.

RacecourseLocationCountryCodeOpenedClosedNotes
Aberystwyth Racecourse[18]CardiganshireWalesnot knownnot knownA mid-August meeting was well and fashionably attended on a meadow near Gogerddan about three miles from the town.
Abingdon Racecourse[19]BerkshireEngland17671875Early records show that racing took place at Abingdon as early as 1767.The flat, oval racecourse had a circumference of 10 furlongs and a separate 6 furlong section for sprint races.
Ashford Racecourse[20]KentEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a one-day meeting in September, with a £50 town plate being the principal race
Bedford Racecourse[21]BedfordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownTwo annual meetings recorded in 1840
Belford Racecourse[22]NorthumberlandEnglandnot knownnot knownRun at a course one mile south-west of the town, on the site of what is supposed to have been a Danish camp. Formerly at Beadnell.
Bibury Racecourse[7]GloucestershireEnglandnot knownnot known
Bicester Racecourse[23]OxfordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a day-long meeting at the end of September, including a Town Plate of £50
Birmingham Racecourse[24]WarwickshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a 'poorly-attended' two-day meeting in early October
Bishop's Castle Racecourse[25]ShropshireEnglandnot knownnot knownNear Ludlow, it held a day's 'inferior' racing in mid-July
Blandford Racecourse[26]DorsetEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a meeting towards the end of August which included the 100 sovereign Dorsetshire Gold Cup
Bodmin Racecourse[27]CornwallEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld one day's racing in September
Brecknock Racecourse[28]BrecknockshireWalesnot knownnot knownA course near the town, with a 'commodious' stand held races for two days in late September
Brenwood Racecourse[29]StaffordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld two days' racing at the end of September
Bridgenorth Racecourse[25]ShropshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting at the start of August; the course was in bad repair in 1840
Bromyard Racecourse[30]HerefordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a day long race meeting in mid-August
Burnley Racecourse[31]LancashireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld two days' racing in the middle of August, including a Gold Cup of 100 sovs
Burntwood Racecourse[29]StaffordshireEngland183816 October 1839Held one day's racing in mid-October. Held the 'Ordinaries' at The Star Inn, Burntwood.
Burton-upon-Trent Racecourse[29]StaffordshireEnglandFrom 'a very early period'not knownHeld a two-day meeting at the end of August which included the Bretby Cup, given by the Earl of Chesterfield
Burton Constable Racecourse[32]WorcestershireEnglandnot knownnot knownA small hunter racecourse
Buxton Racecourse[27]DerbyshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld two days' racing in June
Canterbury Racecourse[20]KentEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld on Barham Downs, within 3 miles of the city. Had a 'commodious stand'. Was awarded a King's Plate by George II in 1729.[33]
Cardiff Racecourse[34]GlamorganshireWalesnot knownnot knownHeld mid-July meetings for two days.
Cheadle Racecourse[35]StaffordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld one day's 'inferior racing' at the beginning of September
Chesterfield Racecourse[36]DerbyshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld two days' racing at the start of October
Clifton and Bristol Racecourse[7]GloucestershireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld two days' racing at the beginning of May
Clitheroe Racecourse[37]LancashireEngland1821not knownThe first record of racing was 1617 http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Clitheroe%20Racecourse.html the link has a map too.
Coventry Racecourse[24]WarwickshireEnglandnot knownnot knownTwo-day race meetings were held in March with a Silver Cup and £100 in prize money
Croxton Park Racecourse[38]LeicestershireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld amateur races at the beginning of April
Croydon RacecourseSurreyEngland1871not knownSite now occupied by Long Lane Estate and Ashburton Playing Fields.
Dorchester Racecourse[39]DorsetEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld two days' racing in the middle of September
Dove House Races at Harrow-on-the-Hill[40]MiddlesexEngland1836not knownHeld in mid-August
Dudley Racecourse[41]WorcestershireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld two days racing at the end of June
Dumfries Racecourse[42]DumfriesshireScotlandnot knownnot knownAlternately held the Caledonian Hunt meeting, along with Ayr, Edinburgh and Musselburgh
Egham Racecourse[43]SurreyEnglandnot knownnot knownSituated on the plain of Runnymede where King John signed the Magna Carta, Egham races were often attended by royalty. The course was a two mile flat oval.
Eglistoun Park[44]AyrshireScotlandnot knownnot known
Enfield and Pinner Races[40]MiddlesexEnglandnot knownBy 1836Replaced by Dove House meeting
Gloucester Racecourse[45]GloucestershireEnglandnot knownnot knownA mile and a half oblong course in a meadow on the banks of the River Severn, with a straight, 400 yard run-in
Gorhambury Park Racecourse[46]HertfordshireEngland1838not knownHad four courses ranging in length from 5 furlongs 136 yards to two miles
Great Marlow Racecourse[47]BuckinghamshireEnglandnot knownnot known
Hampton Racecourse[40]MiddlesexEnglandnot knownnot knownThree-day meetings held in the middle of June on Moulsey Hurst next to the river
Hastings and St. Leonards Racecourse[48]SussexEngland1827not knownHeld a two-day meeting at the end of September which included the Town Plate and St. Leonard's Plate, both of 50 sovereigns
Haverfordwest Racecourse[49]PembrokeshireWalesnot knownnot knownSituated on a common near the town called Portfield or Poorfield. Two-day meetings were held at the beginning of August.
Heaton Park Racecourse[37]LancashireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld three days 'excellent' racing in late September
Hednesford Racecourse[35]StaffordshireEngland1835Monday 30 October 1871Races were held on the 'heathy downs' at Cannock Chase which had long been famed for racehorses. A day long meeting was held in early July and again in October and November. These races did not run from 1835 to 1871 consecutively. The first meeting was on Tuesday 27 October 1835 and ran for seven years until Tuesday 8 November 1842. Another meeting was held on Tuesday 26 November 1850 with the final meeting being on Monday 30 October 1871.
Hertford Racecourse[50]HertfordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownRaces took place at the beginning of August for two days
Hippodrome Racecourse, Bayswater, London[51]MiddlesexEngland3 June 1837not knownA 'vast establishment' also called the Metropolitan Racecourse
Holywell Racecourse[52]FlintshireWales9 November 176920 October 1852Hunt races took place in the middle of October for two days.
The Hoo Racecourse[50]HertfordshireEngland1821not knownRacing, mainly hunter chases, took place at the end of April and for a short time in the 1820s and 1830s the course was very fashionable
Kingston (sic) Racecourse (Kington)[53]HerefordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownAn 'inferior' racecourse, with meetings at the end of July
Knighton Racecourse[49]PembrokeshireWalesnot knownnot knownHeld two-day race meetings in mid-June.
Lancaster Racecourse[54]LancashireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting in late July
Lee Racecourse[55]KentEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld races that were only 'of local interest' in 1840
Leith Races[56]LothianScotland1504 (or earlier)1816Races were held on the sands at low tide in late July or early August for four or five days, until the events were moved to Musselburgh. A 4 mile King's Plate was run at Leith from at least 1728[57]
Leominster Racecourse[53]HerefordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld meetings at the end of August
Lichfield Racecourse[35]StaffordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownThe course was on the Tamworth road, about two miles from the city and raced at the end of March and in mid-September. Was awarded a King's Plate for 5 year olds by George II in 1748.[33]
Mansfield RacecourseNottinghamshireEngland21 August 173413 July 1874The course was situated just over a mile east of the town, the area between the straights (which crossed both Eakring Road and Southwell Road) is still used for recreational purposes.[58]
Middleham Racecourse[59]StaffordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownRaces were held annually in November on Middleham Moor, but in 1840 they were deemed 'of little interest'. Middleham is still home to many racing stables.
Monmouth Racecourse[60]MonmouthshireWalesnot knownnot knownSituated on the banks of the River Wye near the junction with the River Monnow on Chippenham meadow. A two-day meeting was held in mid-October.
Morpeth Racecourse[61]NorthumberlandEnglandnot knownnot knownRaces took place over two days at the beginning of September at Cottingwood to the north of the town.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Racecourse[62]ShropshireEnglandMixednot knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting in early August
Newport Racecourse[63]ShropshireEnglandMixednot knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting at the end of July
Newport Paynel (sic) Racecourse[64]BuckinghamshireEnglandnot knownBy 1840
Northallerton Racecourse[63]North Riding of YorkshireEnglandMixednot knownnot knownRacing took place in mid-October for two days, and included a £100 Gold Cup and £50 Silver Cup.
Oswestry Race CourseShropshireEnglandearly 1700s or 1804[63]1848Racing started on the common west of the town over a unique figure-of-eight course. A grandstand was built at the start of the 19th century. but the last meeting was held in 1848. Its regular meeting was two days in September and included the Shropshire Stakes and a Gold Cup.
Oxford RacecourseOxfordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownAn oval of two miles, quite flat
Pontypool Racecourse[60]MonmouthshireWalesnot knownnot knownSituated between the River Avon and the canal to Newport, Wales. A two-day meeting was held at the start of August.
The Potteries Racecourse[62]StaffordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting at the start of August including a Stewards' Plate of 100 sovs.
Richmond Racecourse[65]YorkshireEnglandMixednot knownnot knownRacing took place for two days in mid-September on Whitcliffe Meadow, an area of common ground, which was "an excellent course". The link below provides a wonderfully detailed description of the course and plans to transform it into a conservation area:-

https://www.richmondshire.gov.uk/media/4936/richmond-racecourse-conservation-area-study.pdf

Rochester and Chatham Racecourse[55]KentEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting at the beginning of September
Royston Racecourse[50]HertfordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a one day meeting in the middle of May, for 'half-bred horses' of local interest only
Shiffnal Racecourse[66]ShropshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld two days of 'inferior racing' at the end of May
Shrewsbury Racecourse[66]ShropshireEngland17305 November 1886Situated on Bicton Heath, 2 miles west of Shrewsbury. It was 1 mile 185 yards round. Races took place in mid-September for 3 or 4 days and included a Queen's Plate of 100gs. In Chris Pitt's book, A Long TIme Gone, he states the meetings began in 1774 but there is evidence on John Slusar's website, The Greyhound Derby, that shows it was 1730.
Southampton Racecourse[67]HampshireEnglandnot knownnot knownSituated on Southampton common on land given by the corporation. Held a two-day meeting at the beginning of August.
Stafford Racecourse[68]StaffordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownA one mile course, almost completely oval except for a quarter mile straight run-in. Held 'very inferior' races at the start of October.
Stamford Racecourse[69]LincolnshireEnglandnot knownnot knownA mile in circumference on Wittoring Heath near the town, held a three day mid-June meeting.
Staverton Racecourse[30]WiltshireEnglandnot knownnot knownA meeting of merely local interest was held at the end of April
Stone Racecourse[68]StaffordshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting in early October.
Stowebridge Racecourse[41]WarwickshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld two days of racing at the end of August. Had a Cup Stakes of £100 in value.
St. Albans Racecourse[70]HertfordshireEnglandnot knownc. 1838Held at a place called Noman's Land. Home to the St. Albans' Steeple Chase. Racing ceased on the establishment of Gorhambury Park.
Swansea Racecourse[34]GlamorganshireWalesnot knownnot knownCommonly called 'Swansea and Neath races', the course was on Cremlyn Burrows on the Neath Road. Meetings were held at the end of August.
Tavistock Racecourse[16]DevonEnglandnot knownnot knownAn oval, hilly, two mile course with a one day meeting at the beginning of May
Tenbury Racecourse[41]WarwickshireEnglandnot knownnot knownRacing of a 'very inferior' nature, with the principal race being a £50 plate.
Tiverton Racecourse[16]DevonEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting at the end of August
Tunbridge Wells Racecourse[55]KentEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a well attended two-day meeting at the end of August on the common
Upton-upon-Severn Racecourse[41]WarwickshireEnglandnot knownnot knownRaces took place at the end of August
Walsall Racecourse[71]StaffordshireEngland175513 August 1876The majority of race meetings were held over two days at the end of September although some years the meeting was held in October and towards the end, in August.
Wem Racecourse[72]ShropshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld a 'very inferior' race meeting at the beginning of October
Wenlock Racecourse[72]ShropshireEnglandnot knownnot knownHeld one day's racing at the end of July
Weymouth Racecourse[39]DorsetEngland1821not knownWell attended meeting held at the end of August. The course was considered 'very good'
Winchester Racecourse[73]HampshireEnglandBef. 1727Circa 1914 requisitioned during WW I and remains in military ownershipRaces were held on Worthy Down, 4 miles from Winchester for two days in the middle of July. Held a Royal Plate race for 6 year olds from at least 1727.[33]

Closed during 18th century

Whyte's History of the British Turf (1840) lists 48 places where racing was discontinued in the latter half of the 18th century:[74]

North

Midlands

London

East

South

West and Wales

NB Racing is recorded at various of these places after 1840. There is also reference to a Royal Plate race being held at Guilford (sic) from 1727 at the latest and Burford from 1755.[33]

Other racing sites

Race results from places not listed by Whyte can also be found in the historical record. These include:

Number of racecourses

YearEnglandWalesScotlandIrelandTotalNotes
1727[lower-alpha 1]1125unknownunknown117[lower-alpha 2]
1800[74]66[lower-alpha 3]5475
1816[74]84[lower-alpha 4]98101
1839[83]132993153

Notes

  1. Taken from John Cheney's Historical list of all the Horse Matches &c. of 1727, cited in Whyte's History[82]
  2. Excludes Ireland and Scotland
  3. includes Wales
  4. includes Wales

References

  1. "List of British Racecourses". British Racecourses. Retrieved 17 August 2020.
  2. "Folkestone Racecourse holds 'last' horse racing meeting". BBC News. 18 December 2012.
  3. "Towcester Racecourse closed and remaining fixtures sold". BBC Sport. 1 October 2019.
  4. "Courses for horses". BBC News. 21 July 2008.
  5. BBC News, "Racecourses of yesteryear", 8 July 2008
  6. BBC Devon gallery
  7. Whyte 1840, p. 234.
  8. Whyte 1840, p. 233.
  9. Whyte 1840, p. 309.
  10. Whyte 1840, pp. 332, 402.
  11. Herbery, Ian (14 April 2004). "Racing: Manchester aims to revive glorious racing history". The Independent. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  12. "Salford racecourse on track". Manchester Evening News. 6 June 2007. Retrieved 27 December 2011.
  13. Whyte 1840, p. 228.
  14. "Stockbridge Racecourse". greyhoundderby.com. Retrieved 17 April 2013.
  15. "Stockton Racecourse". greyhoundderby.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  16. Whyte 1840, p. 230.
  17. Whyte 1840, p. 359.
  18. Whyte 1840, p. 357.
  19. Whyte 1840, pp. 194–195.
  20. Whyte 1840, p. 255.
  21. Whyte 1840, pp. 190–191.
  22. Whyte 1840, pp. 252.
  23. Whyte 1840, p. 286.
  24. Whyte 1840, p. 334.
  25. Whyte 1840, p. 287.
  26. Whyte 1840, p. 231.
  27. Whyte 1840, p. 224.
  28. Whyte 1840, p. 356.
  29. Whyte 1840, p. 299.
  30. Whyte 1840, p. 337.
  31. Whyte 1840, p. 257.
  32. Whyte 1840, p. 342.
  33. Whyte 1840, p. 402.
  34. Whyte 1840, p. 362.
  35. Whyte 1840, p. 302.
  36. Whyte 1840, p. 225.
  37. Whyte 1840, p. 258.
  38. Whyte 1840, p. 271.
  39. Whyte 1840, p. 232.
  40. Whyte 1840, p. 273.
  41. Whyte 1840, p. 338.
  42. Whyte 1840, p. 367.
  43. Whyte 1840, p. 309-310.
  44. Whyte 1840, p. 379.
  45. Whyte 1840, p. 241.
  46. Whyte 1840, p. 250-252.
  47. Whyte 1840, p. 205.
  48. Whyte 1840, p. 332.
  49. Whyte 1840, p. 364.
  50. Whyte 1840, p. 253.
  51. Whyte 1840, p. 274.
  52. Whyte 1840, p. 360.
  53. Whyte 1840, p. 249.
  54. Whyte 1840, p. 259.
  55. Whyte 1840, p. 256.
  56. Whyte 1840, p. 366-368.
  57. Whyte 1840, p. 403.
  58. "Nottinghamshire history > The History of Mansfield (1894)". www.nottshistory.org.uk. Retrieved 30 December 2014.
  59. Whyte 1840, p. 349.
  60. Whyte 1840, p. 277.
  61. Whyte 1840, p. 283.
  62. Whyte 1840, p. 304.
  63. Whyte 1840, p. 289.
  64. Whyte 1840, p. 204.
  65. Whyte 1840, p. 350.
  66. Whyte 1840, p. 291.
  67. Whyte 1840, p. 245-246.
  68. Whyte 1840, p. 306.
  69. Whyte 1840, p. 272.
  70. Whyte 1840, p. 250.
  71. Whyte 1840, p. 307.
  72. Whyte 1840, p. 294.
  73. Whyte 1840, p. 247.
  74. Whyte 1840, p. 189.
  75. Whyte 1840, p. 308.
  76. Whyte 1840, p. 363.
  77. "Allsop (sic), Fred". Jockeypedia. Retrieved 11 October 2017.
  78. "Racing Calendar". The Sporting Magazine; Or Monthly Calendar of the transactions of the Turf, the Chace, And every other Diversion Interesting to The Man of Pleasure and Enterprize. London. October 1792.
  79. Mortimer, Onslow & Willett 1978, p. 431.
  80. "Racing Calendar". The Sporting Magazine; Or Monthly Calendar of the transactions of the Turf, the Chace, And every other Diversion Interesting to The Man of Pleasure and Enterprize. London. November 1792.
  81. "Racing Calendar". The Sporting Magazine; Or Monthly Calendar of the transactions of the Turf, the Chace, And every other Diversion Interesting to The Man of Pleasure and Enterprize. London. December 1792.
  82. Whyte 1840, p. 386.
  83. Whyte, 1840 & p-190.

Bibliography

  • Mortimer, Roger; Onslow, Richard; Willett, Peter (1978). Biographical Encyclopedia of British Flat Racing. Macdonald and Jane’s. ISBN 0-354-08536-0.
  • Whyte, James Christie (1840). History of the British turf, from the earliest period to the present day, Volume I. London: H. Colburn. OL 6544990M.
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