Wetherby Racecourse, on the outskirts of Wetherby, West Yorkshire, staged its first fixture in 1891. The first grandstand was completed in 1906, but it wasn’t until after World War I and the expansion of the passenger railway network that the popularity of the course started to increase. The railway line serving the course closed in 1959, but Wetherby remains a popular racing venue, staging 20 Flat and National Hunt fixtures throughout the season.
Course Characteristics
The National Hunt track at Wetherby Racecourse is a left-handed, galloping oval, a mile and a half in circumference. There are nine stiff fences, or six flights of hurdles, per circuit and a short, uphill run-in. Jumping ability is at a premium, but the easy bends mean that Wetherby is a fair test for all types of horses, including long-striding, galloping types.
The Flat track at Wetherby is a fairly recent addition, with the first Flat racing fixtures being held as recently as April, 2015. The Flat course shares the hurdles course so, unsurprisingly, has the same characteristics. Wetherby Racecourse has no straight course, so sprint races over 5 furlongs 110 yards start on a chute at the end of the back straight. Statistics suggest that horses ridden prominently do best on the Flat track at Wetherby.
Track Facts
The Millenium Stand, which cost £4 million, was opened in February 2000.
The highlight of the National Hunt season at Wetherby is the Charlie Hall Chase, run over 3 miles 1 furlong in November. The 2012 winner, Silviniaco Conti, looked like being involved in the finish of the Cheltenham Gold Cup the following March until falling at the third last fence.