Wetherby horse racing course info

Wetherby Racecourse is a National Hunt racecourse situated near the market town of Wetherby in West Yorkshire, England, situated on the outskirts of Leeds. Wetherby Racecourse is the only racecourse in Yorkshire that hosts only National Hunt jump meetings, although there are plans in the pipeline to build an additional all-weather track to cater for horse racing in the winter months, when many Wetherby meetings are cancelled due to adverse weather conditions.[1] Wetherby hosts the Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) and the Skybet Castleford Chase (Grade 2).

History
Horse racing in Wetherby was first took place on Scaur Bank (now officially known as King George V playing fields all though still most commonly referred to as 'Scaur Bank' or 'The Ings') In 1891 racing moved to a new site situated off York Road. In the 1930s the first terraces were erected, a new two tear stand was erected adjacent to this in the 1970s and then in 1999 the new Millenium Stand was opened, providing the racecourse with executive banqueting and conference facilities. Up until 1963, Racecourse Specials ran to Wetherby railway station from Bradford Interchange on racedays. As the station on York Road had closed many years before, for decades the only rail access was via the station on Linton Road at the other end of Wetherby from the racecourse.

Notable Races Castleford Chase
The Castleford Chase is a National Hunt handicap chase in the United Kingdom for five-year-old and above horses. It is run over a distance of 2 miles (3,219 metres) at Wetherby Racecourse in December. There are twelve fences to be jumped in the race. The Castleford Chase's recent history has seen a number of changes in conditions and status. Until 1989 it was run as a limited handicap. In 1990 it was upgraded to a Grade 1 race and run as a conditions chase for the first time. From 1998 it reverted to a limited handicap and was downgraded to Grade 2 status. In 2006 it was replaced as a Grade 2 chase in the calendar by Kempton Park's newly-inaugurated Desert Orchid Chase and became a handicap chase for horses rated between 0 and 145.

Charlie Hall Chase
The Charlie Hall Chase is a Grade 2 National Hunt steeplechase for five-year-old and above horses. It is run over a distance of 3 miles 1 furlong (5,029 metres) at Wetherby Racecourse in late October or early November. There are eighteen fences to be jumped in the race. It is the first significant three mile steeplechase of the season and often sees the reappearance of horses who will contest the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National later in the season. Prior to 1992 the race was run over 3 miles 100 yards and between 1992 and 1995 it was run over 3 miles 110 yards.

Course Details National Hunt Course:
Left-handed oval, with easy bends. Circuit 1m4f. Old hurdles course (used occasionally) much sharper.


5 day horse racing weather forecast for Wetherby race course

Contact Wetherby race course

The Racecourse
York Road
Wetherby
West Yorkshire
LS22 5EJ

Tel: (01937) 582 035
Fax: (01937) 588 021

e-mail: info@wetherbyracing.co.uk
Internet site: https://secure.wetherbyracing.co.uk/

How to get to Wetherby race course