The distinction of having the longest, uniterrupted circuit in Britain, without breaks or chutes, belongs to Pontefract Racecourse. Established in 1790 and situated in Pontefract Park, on the outskirts of the historic market town of the same name in West Yorkshire, Pontefract Racecourse is exclusively a Flat racing venue, although it did stage hurdle and steeplechase races earlier in its history.
Originally, the course was horseshoe-shaped, approximately a mile and a half from start to finish, but in 1983 was extended to form a complete, left-handed oval, a little over two miles in circumference.Pontefract Racecourse is characterised by pronounced undulations which, together with a sharp turn into the home straight, which is just a little over two furlongs long, make it fairly sharp in character. That said, the last six furlongs, especially the last three, are uphill, so the course is testing. There is no straight course and sprint races, over five and six furlongs, are run around a left-handed bend.
Despite being the longest continuous circuit in the country, Pontefract Racecourse is not home to the longest Flat race run in Britain, at least not quite. That honour belongs to the Queen Alexandra Stakes, a conditions race run over two miles, five furlongs and 143 yards on the final day of Royal Ascot in June. Nevertheless, the Pontefract Marathon Handicap, run over two miles, five furlongs and 139 yards in April, has the distinction of being the longest Flat handicap run in Britain.