Newcastle Racecourse

Last updated

Newcastle
Newcastle rc.jpg
View of the stands at Newcastle Racecourse.
Location Gosforth Park, Newcastle upon Tyne
Owned by Arena Racing Company
Date opened1882
Screened on Sky Sports Racing
Course typeLeft-handed, Flat
National Hunt
Official website

Newcastle Racecourse is a horse racing course located at Gosforth Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, owned by Arena Racing Company. It stages both flat and National Hunt racing, with its biggest meeting being the Northumberland Plate held annually in June.

Contents

History

Horseracing began in the North East over 350 years ago, beginning in Killingworth in the early 17th century. A King's Plate for 5 year olds, run in 3 mile heats was instigated by George II in 1753. [1] The Town Moor hosted the first recorded Northumberland Plate in 1833 and did so until 1881 when the race transferred to High Gosforth Park. 1882 saw the first running of the Plate at Gosforth Park with a new flat and chase course, new stand and stabling for 100 horses.

In 1994 Sir Stanley Clarke's Northern Racing company acquired Newcastle Racecourse. [2]

In April, 2002 the Scottish businessman David Williamson joined Newcastle Racecourse as managing director and during a six-year period he transformed their fortunes and helped boost turnover from £2.5m to £6.5m. The Northumberland Plate weekend now brings in £30m to the regional economy and he also introduced Ladies' Day which now attracts over 15,000 racegoers. In April, 2008 he was headhunted by Newcastle United and appointed Executive Director (Operations). [3] Williamson was replaced by Mark Spincer.

In 2007, Newcastle's owners, Northern Racing, changed hands and came under control of the businessmen David and Simon Reuben, who then subsequently merged it with another of their companies, Arena Racing Company in 2012 forming the current company that owns the racecourse, Arena Racing Company. [4]

In December 2013, Arena Racing Company, announced plans to change the flat turf course into an all-weather track while retaining a turf jump racing course. [5] The new Tapeta track was completed in early 2016 with the first meeting held on 17 May of that year. [6]

Notable races

MonthDOWRace NameTypeGradeDistanceAge/Sex
FebruarySaturday Eider Chase ChaseHandicap4m 1f5yo+
Mar/AprGood Friday Burradon Stakes FlatListed1m 5y3yo
Mar/AprGood FridayAll-Weather Championships MarathonFlatHandicap2m 56y4yo+
Mar/AprGood FridayAll-Weather 3yo ChampionshipsFlatHandicap6f3yo
Mar/AprGood FridayFillies' & Mares' ChampionshipsFlatHandicap7f 14y4yo+
Mar/AprGood FridayAll-Weather SprintFlatHandicap6f4yo+
Mar/AprGood FridayAll-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance HandicapFlatHandicap1m 2f 42y4yo+
Mar/AprGood FridayAll-Weather Championships MileFlatHandicap1m 5y4yo+
June/JulyFriday Hoppings Stakes FlatGroup 31m 2f 42y3yo+ f
June/JulySaturday Chipchase Stakes FlatGroup 36f3yo+
June/JulySaturday Northumberland Plate FlatHandicap2m 56y3yo+
NovemberSaturday Churchill Stakes FlatListed1m 2f 42y3yo+
NovemberSaturday Golden Rose Stakes FlatListed6f3yo+
Nov/DecSaturday Fighting Fifth Hurdle HurdleGrade 12m4yo+
Nov/DecSaturday Rehearsal Handicap Chase ChasePremier Hcap2m 7½f4yo+

Discontinued Flat races:

References

  1. ↑ Whyte, James Christie (1840). History of the British turf, from the earliest period to the present day, Volume I. London: H. Colburn. p. 402. OL   6544990M.
  2. ↑ "Newcastle Racecourse History". Greyhound Derby. Retrieved 18 May 2023.
  3. ↑ "Toon win for the racetrack wizard". journallive.co.uk. Retrieved 30 July 2008.
  4. ↑ "Arena Racing Company corporate website" . Retrieved 8 April 2013.
  5. ↑ "Newcastle Racecourse plans all-weather floodlit track". BBC Sport. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  6. ↑ "News | Newcastle Racecourse Racing & Events". www.newcastle-racecourse.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 June 2016. Retrieved 1 June 2016.

55°1′51″N1°36′42″W / 55.03083°N 1.61167°W / 55.03083; -1.61167

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