List of British racecourses

Last updated

This List of British racecourses gives details of both current and former horse racing venues in Great Britain. As of 23 December 2024, there are 59 racecourses operating in Great Britain (excluding Point-to-Point courses). Hereford racecourse reopened in October 2016 having been closed since 2012. Towcester racecourse is not operating as a horse racing venue as of 2024 and the future of racing there is uncertain.

Contents

Current

Northern Ireland's racecourses

The following British horse racing courses are in operation as of 23 December 2024: [1]

RacecourseCountyCountryCodeOpenedSurfaceOwner
Aintree Merseyside Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1829Turf Jockey Club
Ascot Berkshire Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1711TurfIndependent
Ayr Ayrshire Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Mixed1907TurfIndependent
Bangor-on-Dee Clwyd Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales National Hunt 1859TurfChester Race Company
Bath Somerset Flag of England.svg  England Flat by 1728Turf Arena Racing
Beverley East Riding of Yorkshire Flag of England.svg  England Flat by 1767TurfIndependent
Brighton East Sussex Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1783Turf Arena Racing
Carlisle Cumbria Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1904Turf Jockey Club
Cartmel Cumbria Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt by 1856TurfIndependent
Catterick North Yorkshire Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1783TurfIndependent
Chelmsford City Essex Flag of England.svg  England Flat 2008 Polytrack Independent
Cheltenham Gloucestershire Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1831Turf Jockey Club
Chepstow Gwent Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Mixed1926Turf Arena Racing
Chester Cheshire Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1539TurfChester Race Company
Doncaster South Yorkshire Flag of England.svg  England Mixedby 1595Turf Arena Racing
Epsom Downs Surrey Flag of England.svg  England Flat by 1661Turf Jockey Club
Exeter Devon Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt by 1804Turf Jockey Club
Fakenham Norfolk Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1905TurfIndependent
Ffos Las Dyfed Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg  Wales Mixed2009Turf Arena Racing
Fontwell Park West Sussex Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1924Turf Arena Racing
Goodwood West Sussex Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1802TurfIndependent
Great Yarmouth Norfolk Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1810Turf Arena Racing
Hamilton Park Lanarkshire Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Flat 1782TurfIndependent
Haydock Park Merseyside Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1899Turf Jockey Club
Hereford Herefordshire Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1771Turf Herefordshire Council
Hexham Northumberland Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt c.1740TurfIndependent
Huntingdon Cambridgeshire Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1886Turf Jockey Club
Kelso Roxburgh, Ettrick and Lauderdale Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland National Hunt 1822TurfIndependent
Kempton Park Surrey Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1878Turf & Polytrack Jockey Club
Leicester Leicestershire Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1883TurfIndependent
Lingfield Park Surrey Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1890Turf & Polytrack Arena Racing
Ludlow Shropshire Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt by 1725TurfIndependent
Market Rasen Lincolnshire Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1924Turf Jockey Club
Musselburgh East Lothian Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland Mixed1816TurfMusselburgh Joint Racing Committee
Newbury Berkshire Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1905TurfIndependent
Newcastle Tyne and Wear Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1882Turf & Tapeta Arena Racing
Newmarket [a] Suffolk Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1667Turf Jockey Club
Newton Abbot Devon Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1866TurfIndependent
Nottingham Nottinghamshire Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1892Turf Jockey Club
Perth Perth and Kinross Flag of Scotland.svg  Scotland National Hunt 1908TurfIndependent
Plumpton East Sussex Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1884TurfIndependent
Pontefract West Yorkshire Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1801TurfIndependent
Redcar North Yorkshire Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1870TurfIndependent
Ripon North Yorkshire Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1900TurfIndependent
Salisbury Wiltshire Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1584 [2] TurfIndependent
Sandown Park Surrey Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1875Turf Jockey Club
Sedgefield County Durham Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt by 1732Turf Arena Racing
Southwell Nottinghamshire Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1850Turf & Tapeta Arena Racing
Stratford Warwickshire Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1755TurfIndependent
Taunton Somerset Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1927TurfIndependent
Thirsk North Yorkshire Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1923TurfIndependent
Uttoxeter Staffordshire Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1907Turf Arena Racing
Warwick Warwickshire Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1707Turf Jockey Club
Wetherby West Yorkshire Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1891TurfIndependent
Wincanton Somerset Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt 1867Turf Jockey Club
Windsor Berkshire Flag of England.svg  England Mixed1866Turf Arena Racing
Wolverhampton West Midlands Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1887 Tapeta Arena Racing
Worcester Worcestershire Flag of England.svg  England National Hunt by 1718Turf Arena Racing
York North Yorkshire Flag of England.svg  England Flat 1709TurfIndependent
  1. Newmarket has two courses, the July Course and the Rowley Mile. Part of the racing surface is shared but each course has its own finish and spectator facilities.

Former

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.

21st century

Two racecourses have closed in the 21st century. Closed date refers to the last date on which racing took place at the venue.

RacecourseLocationCountryCodeOpenedClosedNotes
Folkestone Kent Flag of England.svg England Mixed189818 December 2012
Towcester Northamptonshire Flag of England.svg National Hunt19282018 Greyhound racing still takes place at the course

20th century

Between 1900 and 1981, 98 racecourses closed their doors. [3] Opened and closed dates refer to the first and last dates on which racing took place at the venue.

RacecourseLocationCountryCodeOpenedClosedNotes
Aldershot Racecourse [4] Hampshire Flag of England.svg England 13 April 1927Staged military racing from 1928 to 1939 and point-to-point racing from 1948 to 2012. Also known as Tweseldown Racecourse.
Alexandra Park Racecourse [5] North London Flag of England.svg England Flat 30 June 18688 Sep 1970
Anglesey Racecourse Anglesey Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales National Hunt17574 November 1903 [6] Located first in Llangefni, then moved to Beaumaris
Atherstone Racecourse [7] Warwickshire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt190524 March 1909
Banbury Racecourse [8] Oxfordshire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt24 April 1929
Blackpool Racecourse [9] Lancashire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt1 August 191127 April 1915Also known as Clifton Park Racecourse, now the site of Blackpool Airport
Bogside Racecourse [10] Ayrshire Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Mixed7 June 180810 April 1965Staged point-to-point racing until March 1994
Bournemouth Racecourse [11] Hampshire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt17 April 192511 April 1928Also known as Ensbury Park Racecourse
Brocklesby Hunt Racecourse [12] Lincolnshire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt6 April 1935 [13] Bona fide Hunt meetings were staged from 1937 to 1939
Bromford Bridge Racecourse [14] Birmingham Flag of England.svg England Mixed14 June 189521 June 1965
Buckfastleigh Racecourse Devon Flag of England.svg England 21 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. [15]
Cardiff Racecourse [16] Glamorgan Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales National Hunt30 May 185527 April 1939Also known as Ely Racecourse. Staged Flat racing in the 19th century
Chelmsford Racecourse [17] Essex Flag of England.svg England National HuntBef. 184029 April 1935An oval course, just under 2 miles in circumference [18]
Chesterfield Racecourse Derbyshire Flag of England.svg England
Colwall Park Racecourse [19] Worcestershire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt10 May 190025 May 1939Pony racing took place in 1949 and point-to-point racing was staged between 1960 and 1963
Croxton Park Racecourse [20] Leicestershire Flag of England.svg England MixedBef. 18212 April 1914Only Flat and hurdle races were run
Derby Racecourse Derbyshire Flag of England.svg England by 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 Racecourse County Durham Flag of England.svg England Bef. 1840Held three day meeting at beginning of May [21]
Eglinton Racecourse County Londonderry Ulster Banner.svg Northern Ireland
Eridge Racecourse [22] Sussex Flag of England.svg England National Hunt26 April 188617 April 1911 At Eridge Park. Hosted military racing from 1921 to 1948 and point-to-point racing from 1947 to 1952.
Gatwick Racecourse [23] Sussex Flag of England.svg England Mixed7 October 189128 March 1940The land is now part of Gatwick Airport.
Grafton Hunt Racecourse Northamptonshire Flag of England.svg England 1928 [13]
Hambleton Racecourse Yorkshire Flag of England.svg England 1911 [13]
Harpenden Racecourse [24] Hertfordshire Flag of England.svg England Flat21 June 18487 May 1914The land is now the site of Bamville Cricket Club.
Hawthorn Hill Racecourse [25] Berkshire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt16 April 18884 April 1939Used for Household Brigade racing. The course staged pony racing from 1947 to 1951 and in 1961, and Arab racing in 1979
Hethersett Racecourse [26] Norfolk Flag of England.svg England National Huntc18884 May 1939The course staged point-to-racing from 1953 to 1970
Hooton Park Racecourse [27] Cheshire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt22 May 189917 April 1915Subsequently the site of RAF Hooton Park and Vauxhall Ellesmere Port
Hull Racecourse [28] East Riding of Yorkshire Flag of England.svg England 188311 September 1909Also known as Hedon Racecourse
Hurst Park Racecourse [29] Surrey Flag of England.svg England Mixed19 March 189010 October 1962
Ipswich Racecourse Suffolk Flag of England.svg England Mixed171029 March 1911In 1840 it was holding a two-day meeting in early July, highlights of which were a 100 guineas Queen's Plate (dating from at least 1727) and a Town Members' Plate for 50 sovereigns [30]
Keele Park Racecourse [31] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt16 May 189518 October 1906Now the site of Keele services
Lanark Racecourse [32] Lanarkshire Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland Flatc. 1100s18 October 1977
Lewes racecourse [33] East Sussex Flag of England.svg England FlatBef. 172714 September 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. [34]
Lichfield Racecourse Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England
Lincoln Racecourse [35] Lincolnshire Flag of England.svg England Flat 177321 May 1964Used for point-to-point races from 1967 to 1991
Maghull Racecourse Lancashire Flag of England.svg England
Manchester Racecourse Lancashire Flag of England.svg England Mixed16817 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 put forward in recent years. [36] [37]
Melton Racecourse Leicestershire [38] Flag of England.svg England National Hunt27 March 1939Located at Burton Lazars
Newport Racecourse [39] Monmouthshire (Wales)National HuntBef. 184517 May 1948Also known as Caerleon Racecourse
Northampton Racecourse [40] Northampton Flag of England.svg England Bef. 184031 March 1904A 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 Racecourse [41] Middlesex Flag of England.svg England Pony racing4 May 1929June 1940
Pershore Racecourse [42] Worcestershire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt6 October 18471 May 1939Staged one Flat meeting in 1847 and National Hunt racing from 1899 to 1939
Plymouth Racecourse Devon Flag of England.svg England c. 18274 September 1930A spring meeting was held in May, and a grand two-day meeting in August [43]
Portsmouth Racecourse
at Farlington [44]
Hampshire Flag of England.svg England Mixed21 June 189117 April 1915Closed during World War I and turned into an ammunition dump for the War Office.Also known as Portsmouth Park Racecourse.
Portsmouth Racecourse
at Paulsgrove
Hampshire Flag of England.svg England 1920sc. 1946The land was redeveloped as a housing estate.
Rothbury Racecourse [45] Northumberland Flag of England.svg England Bef. 175910 April 1965Held one meeting a year.
Rugby Racecourse
at Clifton-upon-Dunsmore [46]
Warwickshire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt186218 March 1936Still used annually for point-to-point races
Seamer Moor [47] North Yorkshire Flag of England.svg England 28 August 186818 May 1907 [13] Used for point-to-point races until 1935
Shincliffe Racecourse [48] Durham Flag of England.svg England National Hunt15 May 18956 May 1914
Shirley Racecourse [49] Warwickshire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt1 May 189911 March 1940Staged pony racing from 1947 to 1953. The land is now the home of Shirley Golf Club
South Brent Racecourse [50] Devon Flag of England.svg England National Hunt4 June 188925 May 1912
Southend Racecourse Essex Flag of England.svg England 1931 [13]
South Wold Racecourse [51] Lincolnshire Flag of England.svg England National Hunt1 April 1909At Brackenborough, near Louth. Racing also took place at Horncastle from 1892 to 1903.
Stockton Racecourse [52] Durham Flag of England.svg England Sep 185516 June 1981This was the third course in Stockton. The first dated from 1724. Known as Teesside Park from 1967 to 1979 [53]
Tenby Racecourse [54] Pembrokeshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales National Hunt25 August 184729 October 1936
Torquay Racecourse Devon Flag of England.svg England
Totnes Racecourse [55] Devon Flag of England.svg England National HuntBef. 17991 September 1938The scheduled 1939 meeting was cancelled due to the outbreak of war. 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 [56]
Whitehaven Racecourse Cumberland Flag of England.svg England 1852
Wrexham Racecourse Denbighshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales In 1840, it was holding a two-day October meeting which included a 100 sovereign Gold Cup [57]
Woore Racecourse Shropshire Flag of England.svg England 1 June 1963 [13]
Wye Racecourse Kent Flag of England.svg England 29 May 18492 May 1974

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 [58] Cardiganshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales not knownnot knownA mid-August meeting was well and fashionably attended on a meadow near Gogerddan about three miles from the town.
Abingdon Racecourse [59] Berkshire Flag of England.svg England 17671875Early 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 [60] Kent Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a one-day meeting in September, with a £50 town plate being the principal race
Bedford Racecourse [61] Bedfordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownTwo annual meetings recorded in 1840
Belford Racecourse [62] Northumberland Flag of England.svg England not 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 [18] Gloucestershire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot known
Bicester Racecourse [63] Oxfordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a day-long meeting at the end of September, including a Town Plate of £50
Birmingham Racecourse [64] Warwickshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a 'poorly-attended' two-day meeting in early October
Bishop's Castle Racecourse [65] Shropshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownNear Ludlow, it held a day's 'inferior' racing in mid-July
Blandford Racecourse [66] Dorset Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a meeting towards the end of August which included the 100 sovereign Dorsetshire Gold Cup
Bodmin Racecourse [67] Cornwall Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld one day's racing in September
Brecknock Racecourse [68] Brecknockshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales not knownnot knownA course near the town, with a 'commodious' stand held races for two days in late September
Brenwood Racecourse [69] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld two days' racing at the end of September
Bridgenorth Racecourse [65] Shropshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting at the start of August; the course was in bad repair in 1840
Bromyard Racecourse [70] Herefordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a day long race meeting in mid-August
Burnley Racecourse [71] Lancashire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld two days' racing in the middle of August, including a Gold Cup of 100 sovs
Burntwood Racecourse [69] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England 183816 October 1839Held one day's racing in mid-October. Held the 'Ordinaries' at The Star Inn, Burntwood.
Burton-upon-Trent Racecourse [69] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England From '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 [72] Worcestershire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownA small hunter racecourse
Buxton Racecourse [67] Derbyshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld two days' racing in June
Canterbury Racecourse [60] Kent Flag of England.svg England not 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. [73]
Cardiff Racecourse [74] Glamorganshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales not knownnot knownHeld mid-July meetings for two days.
Cheadle Racecourse [75] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld one day's 'inferior racing' at the beginning of September
Chesterfield Racecourse [76] Derbyshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld two days' racing at the start of October
Clifton and Bristol Racecourse [18] Gloucestershire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld two days' racing at the beginning of May
Clitheroe Racecourse [77] Lancashire Flag of England.svg England 1821not knownThe first record of racing was 1617 http://www.greyhoundderby.com/Clitheroe%20Racecourse.html the link has a map too.
Coventry Racecourse [64] Warwickshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownTwo-day race meetings were held in March with a Silver Cup and £100 in prize money
Croxton Park Racecourse [78] Leicestershire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld amateur races at the beginning of April
Croydon Racecourse Surrey England 1871not knownSite now occupied by Long Lane Estate and Ashburton Playing Fields.
Dorchester Racecourse [79] Dorset Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld two days' racing in the middle of September
Dove House Races at Harrow-on-the-Hill [80] Middlesex Flag of England.svg England 1836not knownHeld in mid-August
Dudley Racecourse [81] Worcestershire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld two days racing at the end of June
Dumfries Racecourse [82] Dumfriesshire Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland not knownnot knownAlternately held the Caledonian Hunt meeting, along with Ayr, Edinburgh and Musselburgh
Egham Racecourse [83] Surrey Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownSituated on the plain of Runnymede where King John signed Magna Carta, Egham races were often attended by royalty. The course was a two mile flat oval.
Eglistoun Park [84] Ayrshire Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland not knownnot known
Enfield and Pinner Races [80] Middlesex Flag of England.svg England not knownBy 1836Replaced by Dove House meeting
Gloucester Racecourse [85] Gloucestershire Flag of England.svg England not 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 [86] Hertfordshire Flag of England.svg England 1838not knownHad four courses ranging in length from 5 furlongs 136 yards to two miles
Great Marlow Racecourse [87] Buckinghamshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot known
Hampton Racecourse [80] Middlesex Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownThree-day meetings held in the middle of June on Moulsey Hurst next to the river
Hastings and St. Leonards Racecourse [88] Sussex Flag of England.svg England 1827not 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 [89] Pembrokeshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales not 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 [77] Lancashire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld three days 'excellent' racing in late September
Hednesford Racecourse [75] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England 1835Monday 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 [90] Hertfordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownRaces took place at the beginning of August for two days
Hippodrome Racecourse, Bayswater, London [91] Middlesex Flag of England.svg England 3 June 1837not knownA 'vast establishment' also called the Metropolitan Racecourse
Holywell Racecourse [92] Flintshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales 9 November 176920 October 1852Hunt races took place in the middle of October for two days.
The Hoo Racecourse [90] Hertfordshire Flag of England.svg England 1821not 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 Racecourse [ sic ] (Kington) [93] Herefordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownAn 'inferior' racecourse, with meetings at the end of July
Knighton Racecourse [89] Pembrokeshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales not knownnot knownHeld two-day race meetings in mid-June.
Lancaster Racecourse [94] Lancashire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting in late July
Lee Racecourse [95] Kent Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld races that were only 'of local interest' in 1840
Leith Races [96] Lothian Flag of Scotland.svg Scotland 1504 (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 [97]
Lenham Racecourse [98] Kent Flag of England.svg England 13 September 1848Friday 29 June 1860First held a one day race meeting: The Lenham and Mid Kent meeting, in 1848 on a course of barely 6 furlongs circumference. The final meeting took place on Friday 29 June 1860. [98]
Leominster Racecourse [93] Herefordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld meetings at the end of August
Lichfield Racecourse [75] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England not 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. [73]
Mansfield Racecourse Nottinghamshire Flag of England.svg England 21 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. [99]
Market Weighton Racecourse North Yorkshire Flag of England.svg England 6 March 185714 March 1859A four mile course on Selby High Road.
Middleham Racecourse [100] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England not 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 [101] Monmouthshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales not 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 [102] Northumberland Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownRaces took place over two days at the beginning of September at Cottingwood to the north of the town.
Newcastle-under-Lyme Racecourse [103] Shropshire Flag of England.svg England Mixednot knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting in early August
Newport Racecourse [104] Shropshire Flag of England.svg England Mixednot knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting at the end of July
Newport Paynel [sic] Racecourse [105] Buckinghamshire Flag of England.svg England not knownBy 1840
Northallerton Racecourse [104] North Riding of Yorkshire Flag of England.svg England Mixednot knownnot knownRacing took place in mid-October for two days, and included a £100 Gold Cup and £50 Silver Cup.
Oswestry Race Course Shropshire Flag of England.svg England early 1700s[ citation needed ] or 1804 [104] 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 Racecourse Oxfordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownAn oval of two miles, quite flat
Pontypool Racecourse [101] Monmouthshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales not 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 [103] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting at the start of August including a Stewards' Plate of 100 sovs.
Richmond Racecourse [106] Yorkshire Flag of England.svg England Mixednot knownnot known
Racing 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 [95] Kent Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting at the beginning of September
Royston Racecourse [90] Hertfordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a one day meeting in the middle of May, for 'half-bred horses' of local interest only
Shiffnal Racecourse [107] Shropshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld two days of 'inferior racing' at the end of May
Shrewsbury Racecourse [107] Shropshire Flag of England.svg England 17305 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 [108] Hampshire Flag of England.svg England 31 July 1804 [109] 28 June 1881 [109] Situated on Southampton common on land given by the corporation. Held a two-day meeting at the beginning of August.
Stafford Racecourse [110] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England not 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 [111] Lincolnshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownA mile in circumference on Wittering Heath near the town, held a three day mid-June meeting. The grandstand of 1766 survives
Staverton Racecourse [70] Wiltshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownA meeting of merely local interest was held at the end of April
Stockbridge Racecourse Hampshire Flag of England.svg England 18391898Dates given are for most significant incarnation of the course. There had been racing at another site in Stockbridge from 1775 or earlier [112]
Stone Racecourse [110] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting in early October.
Stowebridge Racecourse [81] Warwickshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld two days of racing at the end of August. Had a Cup Stakes of £100 in value.
St. Albans Racecourse [113] Hertfordshire Flag of England.svg England not 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 [74] Glamorganshire Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg Wales not 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 [56] Devon Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownAn oval, hilly, two mile course with a one day meeting at the beginning of May
Tenbury Racecourse [81] Warwickshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownRacing of a 'very inferior' nature, with the principal race being a £50 plate.
Tiverton Racecourse [56] Devon Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a two-day meeting at the end of August
Tunbridge Wells Racecourse [95] Kent Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a well attended two-day meeting at the end of August on the common
Upton-upon-Severn Racecourse [81] Warwickshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownRaces took place at the end of August
Walsall Racecourse [114] Staffordshire Flag of England.svg England 175513 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 [115] Shropshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld a 'very inferior' race meeting at the beginning of October
Wenlock Racecourse [115] Shropshire Flag of England.svg England not knownnot knownHeld one day's racing at the end of July
Weymouth Racecourse [79] Dorset Flag of England.svg England 1821not knownWell attended meeting held at the end of August. The course was considered 'very good'
Winchester Racecourse [116] Hampshire Flag of England.svg England Bef. 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. [73]

Numbers in the 18th-19th centuries

YearEnglandWalesScotlandIrelandTotalNotes
1727 [a] 1125unknownunknown117 [b]
1800 [118] 66 [c] 5475
1816 [118] 84 [d] 98101
1839 [119] 132993153
  1. Taken from John Cheney's Historical list of all the Horse Matches &c. of 1727, cited in Whyte's History [117]
  2. Excludes Ireland and Scotland
  3. includes Wales
  4. includes Wales

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: [118]

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. [73]

Other sites

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

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