Pontefract Racecourse was established in Pontefract, West Yorkshire in 1790. The first grandstand was built in 1802 and rebuilt shortly after World War I, but the course has undergone major redevelopment over the years, including the introduction of a watering system in 1980, the opening of the Dalby Stand in 1995 and the refurbishment of the Silver Stand in 1999. Notwithstanding the modifications to York racecourse for the Royal Meeting in 2005, Pontefract has the distinction of being the longest continuous circuit in the country. The course hosts 16 Flat meetings throughout the season.

Course Characteristics

The round course – in fact, the only course – at Pontefract is a left-handed, undulating oval, with a home straight just two furlongs long. The undulations, short home straight and the sharp turn into the home straight make Pontefract fairly sharp in character, but the up the uphill climb for the last three furlongs places an emphasis on stamina. There appears to be very little draw bias in sprint races at Pontefract, despite those races being run around a bend.

Track Facts

Along with Stockton Racecourse, Pontefract Racecourse was just one of two racecourses in the north of England that was allowed to operate during World War II.

The mile start at Pontefract was moved in 1971, during construction of the M62 motorway.

The course at Pontefract was originally horseshoe-shaped, but was extended to a complete circuit, two miles and a furlong around, in 1983.

The most valuable race of the year at Pontefract is the Flying Fillies’ Stakes’, run over 6 furlongs in August.

Plumpton Racecourse, situated on the South Downs, East Sussex, near Brighton, was originally established as a hare coursing venue in 1876. The course staged its first National Hunt fixture in 1884 and subsequently received support from the South Downs Hunt until 1914. More recently, it was rescued from closure by Adrian Pratt and Peter Savill in 1998 and, today, plays host to 16 National Hunt fixtures throughout the season.

Course Characteristics

Plumpton Racecourse is a left-handed, sharp, undulating oval, just nine furlongs in circumference. There are seven moderately stiff fences, or five flights of hurdles, per circuit and a run-in of 200 yards. The turn into the home straight is the lowest point on the course, but the steady climb to the winning post does not present a stern test of stamina, unless conditions are testing. The tight bends and pronounced undulations tend to favour swift, accurate jumpers who like to race prominently.

Track Facts

The highlight of the racing year at Plumpton is the Sussex National, run over 3 miles 5 furlongs in January.

Prince Charles made his debut as a jockey at Plumpton in 1980, finishing second in a charity race on 13/8 favourite Long Wharf.

The water jump at Plumpton was used for the last time in 1999.

At Plumpton in 2009, multiple National Hunt champion jockey Tony McCoy reached the landmark of 3,000 career winners.

Perth Racecourse has stood in Scone Palace Park, on the banks of the River Tay in central Scotland, less than 50 miles north of the Scottish capital, Edinburgh, since 1908. Today, Perth Racecourse has excellent modern facilities, but the track itself has changed very little since the first two-day fixture over a hundred years ago. Perth plays host to 14 National Hunt fixtures a year. In 2013, the opening fixture, the Perth Festival in April, celebrated 400 years of racing in Perth. On a similar note, the closing fixture of the season, the Glorious Finale in September, is one of the oldest fixtures on the Perth calendar.

Course Characteristics

Perth Racecourse is a right-handed, flat, trapezoid, approximately a mile and a quarter around. There are eight easy fences, or five flights of hurdles, per circuit and a long run-in. The fence immediately before the winning post, the water jump, is omitted on the final circuit of steeplechases. The course has easy, sweeping bends and is generally considered a fair test for all types of horses.

Track Facts

Jonjo O’Neill, now a successful trainer, broke the world record the number of winners ridden by a National Hunt jockey in a single season (125) at Perth in 1978.

The highlight of the Perth calendar is the City of Perth Gold Cup Handicap Chase, run over 3 miles in June.

Nottingham Racecourse was established in Colwick Park, just two miles east of Nottingham City Centre, in 1892, replacing Forest Racecourse, which closed two years earlier. Although a dual purpose venue for most of its existence, the last National Hunt meeting took place at Nottingham Racecourse in 1996. Today, Nottingham plays host to 18 Flat fixtures throughout the season.

Course Characteristics

The round course at Nottingham is a left-handed, flat, galloping oval, approximately a mile and a half around, with a four and a half furlong home straight. The galloping nature of the track is reduced slightly by the sharp turn into the straight, but this is amply compensated for by the length of the straight itself. Races over six furlongs and two and a quarter miles start on a chute, which joins the round course at the top of the home straight.

Track Facts

Five-time Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Golden Miller won a steeplechase at Nottingham in 1931.

The Cambridgeshire, usually run at Newmarket, was run at Nottingham for the only and only time in 1940.

At Nottingham in 1971, Stan Mellor became the first National Hunt jockey in history to ride 1,000 winners.

In 1984, subsequent fillies’ Triple Crown heroine, Oh So Sharp, made a winning debut at Nottingham.

Prior to retiring for the first time in 1985, Lester Piggott rode his last winner at Nottingham.