Ripon Racecourse

Ripon Racecourse, situated between the Ripon Canal and the River Ure in North Yorkshire, was established in its current location in 1900. However, horse racing had taken place on Bondgate Green, less than a mile away, since 1664. Nowadays, Ripon Racecourse stages 16 Flat fixtures between April and September, including five evening fixtures during the summer months.

 

Course Characteristics

The round course at Ripon is a right-handed, fairly sharp oval, a mile and five furlongs around, with an undulating five furlong straight. The bends are sharp and the course favours horses that like to race on, or close to, the pace. On the straight course, on which races up to six furlongs are run, there is a definite bias towards horses drawn high, against the stands’ side rail, especially on fast ground.

Track Facts

Ripon is sometimes known as the “Garden Racecourse”, because of its idyllic setting.

Ripon won the “Best Small Racecourse in the North” award from the Racegoers’ Club in 1996, 2003, 2009 and 2011.

The most valuable race run at Ripon is the Great St. Wilfrid Stakes, a handicap run over 6 furlongs, in August. The race is named after St. Wilfrid, the patron saint of Ripon.

The 25-acre lake in the centre of the course is popular for fishing, but fishing is not allowed on racedays.

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