Newbury Racecourse facts for kids
The Berkshire Stand and The Grandstand
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| Location | Newbury, Berkshire, England |
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| Coordinates | 51°23′40″N 1°18′2″W / 51.39444°N 1.30056°W |
| Date opened | 26 September 1905 |
| Screened on | Sky Sports Racing |
| Course type | Flat National Hunt |
| Notable races | Lockinge Stakes, Hennessy Gold Cup, Challow Novices' Hurdle |
Newbury Racecourse is a famous place in Newbury, Berkshire, England, where horse races and other events happen. It has special tracks for two types of horse racing: flat races and races over jumps (called National Hunt). One of the biggest races held here is the Lockinge Stakes, which is a very important flat race in Great Britain.
This racecourse is close to a major horse training area called Lambourn. This means many talented horses from nearby stables often race here. Newbury is also known for its exciting races like the Lockinge Stakes and the Coral Gold Cup, which used to be called the Hennessy Gold Cup.
Contents
History of Newbury Racecourse
How the Racecourse Started
Horse racing in Newbury began a long time ago, with the first recorded races happening in 1805. These early races took place at different locations nearby. The idea for the current racecourse came from a famous horse trainer named John Porter in the early 1900s. He thought the flat land near the railway and River Kennett in Newbury would be perfect for a racecourse. This area was ideal because many horse training stables were located within 30 miles.
At first, the Jockey Club, which oversees horse racing, said no to Porter's idea. They felt there were already enough racecourses. However, King Edward VII heard about Porter's plan and supported it. With the King's backing, the Jockey Club changed its mind and gave permission. In 1904, the Newbury Racecourse Company was formed. They bought the land and built all the necessary buildings and stables. A special train station was also built nearby, making it easy for people to visit.
First Races and Growth
The very first race meeting at Newbury Racecourse happened on September 26 and 27, 1905. About 15,000 people came to watch. The first race ever, the Whatcombe Handicap, was won by a horse named Copper King. Soon after, National Hunt racing (races over jumps) also started at Newbury. Since then, the racecourse has hosted both flat and jump races, celebrating its 100th birthday in 2005.
Newbury During Wartime
During the First World War, the racecourse was used as a camp for German prisoners. In the Second World War, the American Army took over the site. They built many railway tracks over the grass. After the war, new grass had to be laid across the entire course. Racing started again in April 1949.
Royal Visits and Recent Events
Queen Elizabeth II often attended race meetings at Newbury. She even celebrated her 86th birthday there in 2012. More recently, in September 2020, the racecourse faced financial challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, in January 2021, it helped the community by becoming a COVID-19 vaccination center.
The Racecourse Tracks
Newbury Racecourse is well-liked by riders and fans because of its excellent tracks. The ground is usually good, and the tracks are wide and fair for the horses.
Flat Course Details
The flat course is about 1 mile and 6 furlongs long in a round shape. It also has a straight section that is 1 mile long. This straight part joins the round course to create a 5-furlong home stretch. Some races, like those over 7 furlongs or 1 mile, start on a special chute that connects to the round course.
National Hunt Course Details
The National Hunt course, for jump races, is about 1 mile and 5 furlongs long. It has eleven fences for the horses to jump over. These include eight plain fences, two open ditches, and a water jump. There are four fences in the final straight section before the finish line.
Concerts and Entertainment
Newbury Racecourse has become a popular spot for live music concerts. These often happen during the summer as part of "Party in the Paddock" events. After a day of exciting horse racing, a live concert takes place.
One of the first bands to play here was Skindred in 2006. Since 2008, many famous artists have performed. These include Madness, Tom Jones, Simply Red, and Olly Murs. In 2012, American singer Lionel Richie had to cancel a show due to illness. The American girl group Pussycat Dolls also had a concert cancelled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The "Party in the Paddock" returned in 2021. Olly Murs performed to a crowd of 17,000 people. He returned again in August 2023 for his third performance at the venue.
Racecourse Facilities
Newbury Racecourse has its own train station. This station gets very busy with extra trains on race days. Besides racing, the racecourse is also used for other events. It hosts conferences, meetings, and even weddings.
2011 Incident at the Paddock
On February 12, 2011, a serious incident happened in the Paddock area before a race. Two horses, Marching Song and Fenix Two, sadly collapsed and died. Two other horses also seemed affected. The first race still went ahead, but the rest of the day's races were cancelled.
An investigation quickly began. Experts found that an electrical cable running under the parade ring had leaked electricity. The horses died from sudden cardiac arrest, which was caused by accidental electrocution. The investigation confirmed there were no burn marks around the horses' mouths, as some people had thought.
Important Races at Newbury
Newbury Racecourse hosts many important races throughout the year. Some of the most famous ones include:
- The Lockinge Stakes in May, which is a top-level flat race.
- The Coral Gold Cup in November, a major jump race.
- The Challow Novices' Hurdle in December, an important hurdle race for younger horses.
Images for kids
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Crowds at Newbury Racecourse
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Cois Farraig jumps the last in front at Newbury
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Tony McCoy, Aigle D'or, J. P. McManus & Nicky Henderson
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Newbury Racecourse Road, view from the main corner with the main entrance
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Vaccination centre in January 2021
