Wolverhampton Racecourse facts for kids
 |
|
| Location | Wolverhampton, West Midlands |
|---|---|
| Owned by | Arena Racing Company |
| Screened on | Sky Sports Racing |
| Course type | Flat |
| Notable races | Lady Wulfruna Stakes |
Wolverhampton Racecourse is a cool place in Wolverhampton, England, where thoroughbred horse racing happens. It was the very first racecourse in Britain to have special floodlights. This means races can take place in the evening, which is pretty unique! Since 2014, the track has a special surface called Tapeta.
Contents
The History of Wolverhampton Racecourse
There has been a racecourse in Wolverhampton for a long time, since 1825. The original track was in a different spot, where West Park is now. In 1878, that land was sold. After a short break, a new racecourse was built at Dunstall Park.
In 1993, the racecourse stopped holding National Hunt races, which are races where horses jump over obstacles. Later that year, in December, the course got a big makeover! They added floodlights and a new all-weather track made of Fibresand. A new hotel, a grandstand (where people watch races), a restaurant, and special viewing boxes were also built.
The Queen herself officially reopened the racecourse in January 1994. In 1999, a company called Arena Leisure bought the course. In 2004, the Fibresand track and the grass track were replaced with a single Polytrack surface. Since then, only flat races (where horses don't jump) have been held here.
Later, the racecourse became part of a bigger company called Arena Racing Company. In 2014, the course closed for another upgrade. They changed the track surface to Tapeta, which is a different type of all-weather surface. The racecourse reopened on August 11, 2014.
The local council has also approved plans to make the hotel much bigger, from 54 to 170 rooms. There are also plans for a casino, which would make it the first "racino" (a place with both racing and a casino) in the UK.
Famous Races and Jockeys
The most important race at Wolverhampton is called the Lady Wulfruna Stakes. A famous horse named Sovereign Debt won this race and later won another big race in 2017. A very successful jockey, Ryan Moore, has won the Lady Wulfruna Stakes four times, more than anyone else!
About the Racecourse Track
The track at Wolverhampton is one mile (about 1.6 kilometers) long. It has tight turns that go to the left, which makes it a bit like race tracks you might find in the United States. The final straight part of the track, leading to the finish line, is quite short.
Over the years, the track surface has changed. It started as Fibresand, then became Polytrack in 2004, and finally Tapeta in 2014. These are all different types of all-weather surfaces that allow racing in various weather conditions.
Fun Events and Concerts
Wolverhampton Racecourse isn't just for horse racing! It has also hosted many concerts with popular bands and singers. Some of the famous acts that have performed here include Madness, Jess Glynne, Kaiser Chiefs, UB40, and The Human League.
Dunstall Park Greyhound Stadium
Inside the horse racing course, there is also a track for greyhound racing. This new greyhound track opened in September 2025. It's similar to the idea of Towcester Greyhound Stadium, where the greyhound races happen within the same area as the horse races.
