Set in 72 acres just off the high street in Redcar, North Yorkshire, Redcar Racecourse was established in its current location in 1872. The racecourse fell into disrepair during the war years, but began a period of rapid improvement in 1946 under the auspices of new Clerk of the Course, Major Leslie Petch. A new grandstand was completed in 1964 and, today, the course hosts 18 Flat meetings throughout the season.

Course Characteristics

The round course at Redcar is a left-handed, flat, galloping oval, approximately a mile and three quarters around, with a five furlong home straight. The bends are sharp but, overall, Redcar provides a fair test for all types of horses. Races up to a mile start on chute that joins the round course between the six and five furlong markers. Over five furlongs, there appears to be an appreciable bias towards low drawn runners although, mystifyingly, the bias is reversed over six furlongs.

Track Facts

Redcar was the first racecourse in the country to install furlong markers.

In 1984, Provideo, trained by Bill O’Gorman, set the modern day record of 16 wins in a juvenile season at Redcar.

Anne, the Princess Royal rode her first winner, Gulfland, at Redcar in 1986.

The Zetland Gold Cup, run over 1 mile 2 furlongs in June, is named after the Zetland family, who have supported Redcar from the beginning. The 1^st Marquis of Zetland became chairman in 1884 and, today, the 4^th Marquis carries out the same role.

Lord Zetland was responsible for introducing the most prestigious race run at Redcar, the Two-Year-Old Trophy, in 1989.

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.