Without race horses, there is no horse racing but without racecourses there isn't anywhere for these beautiful animals to race and compete. With nearly a hundred racecourses spread out across the United Kingdom from the southernmost point to the northernmost, the majority of the country is well catered for in terms of racing action. Whether it's a cluster of courses near a busy city, or a quiet standalone racecourse in the deepest countryside, each racecourse has their own uniqueness and selling points. In this post, I hope to encourage you to visit some of the places I have been to so far, as I aim to complete a bucket list of visiting most if not all of the British racecourses.

YORK: 

As mentioned before, York has played a big part in my life as a local racegoer. It is widely renowned for being the best racecourse in the North of England. A flat, galloping track, it attracts an international interest and is a very fair test for any racehorse. There tend to be few hard luck stories at York. A fantastic, award winning racecourse with lovely floral arrangements, plenty of space and impressive grandstands, there is no questioning why it is known as the Ascot of the North. Feature meetings include the Dante festival which includes trials for the Derby and Oaks, the popular John Smiths Cup meeting and of the historic Ebor festival which is the track's pride and joy. The very best racehorses tend to lock horns in premier events over a variety of distances, including the Nunthorpe Stakes, Yorkshire Oaks, Ebor Handicap and of course the Juddmonte International, won by so many legends of the sport.

DONCASTER:

Just a train stop from York, Doncaster is also an esteemed Northern racecourse steeped in racing folklore. The feature race of their calendar is the St. Leger, the final Classic of the flat season. It has seen memorable moments such as Nijinsky completing the very hard achievement of the Triple Crown by winning the St Leger in 1970 and still remains the last horse to have completed the Guineas-Derby-St Leger treble. Older racing fans will also remember the Queen's horse Dunfermline winning the St Leger in 1977. In more recent times though, the course plays host to high class races on both the flat and over jumps. The track is predominantly flat with a gradual rise and descent at the halfway point of the circuit so is another fair track. The flat turf racing season historically starts with the Lincoln Handicap over a mile and then closes the season with the November Handicap over a mile and four furlongs. There is always racing at the venue all year round as it caters for flat and jumps fans in unison. Feature races over the jumps include the Sky Bet Chase and Grimthorpe Chase, normally seen as trials for the Grand National of that season. A friendly yet buzzing atmosphere during peak summer meetings, it is an enjoyable track to visit. 

WETHERBY:

Wetherby is one of the premier National Hunt venues of the North. The track is highly sought after by jumps racing fans as a venue to visit and is relatively easy to reach with its links to nearby York and the adjacent A1 motorway. The facilities have seen a big renovation in recent times and it is now a professional and open looking racecourse. The racing surface is mostly flat but can have testing fences to catch out those unaware. The feature meetings take place towards the end of the year. The popular Charlie Hall meeting at the end of October is always well attended as the race of the same name is the biggest race of their season and then expect a warm and festive atmosphere at the two day meeting after Christmas, which also features competitive races. While the track is well established as a jumps track, the recently installed flat circuit is growing in stature and represents a fair test for horses, prompting trainers from Newmarket to venture north and have runners at Wetherby.

THIRSK:

A solely flat racing racecourse, Thirsk has a quirky mix of old and new. The facilities have a certain charm as old fashioned grandstands still stand tall as an acknowledgement to the racecourse's past history whereas the parade ring and premium stand have had an upgrade. A close and tight knit racecourse, it offers good views of most of the track as well as the Yorkshire Dales as an impressive backdrop. With good transport links to York and the North East, Thirsk is a track that can be easily missed by people unfamiliar with the area. Providing a nice family atmosphere and good value admission, it brings plenty of nice surprises. 

RIPON:

Ripon is located in the most picturesque area of North Yorkshire and prides itself as being known as Yorkshire's "Garden Racecourse". The town is already nationally renowned for its cathedral and nearby Fountain's Abbey, so visitors to the area can always plan a day at the races during their stay. Ripon racecourse is one of the nicest tracks I have visited in terms of visuals, there is a lot to please the eye. Plenty of green space and horticulture in the form of numerous flower beds and a tree-lined parade ring. The lake that sits in the centre of the grounds catches the eye as well as a different backdrop to most venues. The common friendly atmosphere found in Northern racecourses is prevalent once more at Ripon which makes it a lovely place to attend.  

PONTEFRACT:

Another Northern racecourse, Pontefract is a unique but surprisingly pleasant venue for horse racing. Located in west Yorkshire and just outside the centre of Pontefract, the racecourse feels like an amphitheater as the parade ring and grandstands sit on slightly higher ground than the racetrack so it gives a feel of looking down at the action. Built around a public greenspace, it is easily accessible and even has its own park and pond to wander around whilst the racing takes place across the railings. 

NEWCASTLE:

A dual purpose venue in the capital of the North-East, Newcastle racecourse has racing all year round with an all-weather track and a jumps course to boot. The flat course was in fact a turf racing surface until the early 2010's when course officials decided to change the ground all together to bring in a new all-weather surface made from the Tapeta material. The quality of racing has improved whilst the characteristics of the course have stayed in place with its long home straight and sweeping bends. The feature race of the flat season comes in mid-June with the three day festival which concludes with the Northumberland Plate, or known locally as the Pitman's Derby. The course has also played its part in the early stages in the careers of racing royalty. One of the best staying horses of all time, Stradivarius, raced at Newcastle as a two-year-old and the wondermare Enable won on her racing debut here before going onto achieve a career surpassed only by a few. 
The jumps course also plays its part in the National Hunt season. The premier meeting in early December sees the Grade One Fighting Fifth Hurdle which has been won by the likes of Buveur d'Air, Apples Jade, Harchibald and Katchit, big names in recent times. The Eider Chase is also a key race in the road to the Grand National. The four mile handicap was seen as a stepping stone to the Aintree showpiece in years gone by. 
A course which brings out a very nice atmosphere on feature days but also has die hard racing enthusiasts on the quieter days, it has good views and is only a short distance from the city centre.

WOLVERHAMPTON:

There is a good racing hub in the Midlands area, with Wolverhampton proving to be a popular choice for many punters. A solely flat course on the all-weather surface, it may not attract the very best racehorses but it provides opportunities for smaller stables and lesser abled horses. Whether the racing is under the light of day or under the floodlights at night, the atmosphere and local regulars provide a friendly welcome. A big selling point is how close to the action you can get, at most other all-weather courses, the track is further way from the stands but at Wolverhampton, spectators can get up close and personal with the action. 

BADSWORTH AND BRAMHAM MOOR:

The headline makers of jumps racing may come from the National Hunt scene, but an ever growing number of future stars come from Point to Point racing. Effectively a grassroots level for racehorses, the organisation can be a key moment in a horse's life. It can be a launchpad for a young hopeful to be spotted by talent scouts and promoted to the big league, or it can be a revitaliser for aging racehorses at the end of their careers in a bid to give them one last flourish in easier contests. The riders, trainers and owners are all semi-professional and the atmosphere at race meetings is relaxed and friendly. Badsworth and Bramham Moor racecourse to give its full name, is a hidden gem on the outskirts of York, just a stone's throw from Askham Bryan college. It was such a hidden gem that it wasn't until recently when I discovered its existence. A very tight course with sharp bends, it provides excellent views in the backdrop and has an old-timey feel with its back to basics environment. One I would recommend to visit. 

BEVERLEY:

One of the most challenging racecourses in Britain, Beverley has the reputation of being a course for specialists. The Westwood plays host to a fast, uphill racecourse in which a bias tends to be to the inside rail as the runners charge towards the finish and up a cambered climb. A course which caters only for flat racing, it is usually well attended by all ages. The feature race of the year is the Beverley Bullet over a quick five furlongs, as the title would suggest. In recent times, the course has also played a role in revitalising veteran sprinters. Popular names such as Caspian Prince, Judicial and Take Cover were a few in recent years to roll back time and land valuable races. 

REDCAR:

A trip to the beach usually features sand and amusements, but at Redcar, you can fit in a day at the races into the itinery. The seaside location has a good quality racecourse slap bang in the middle of the town and can be a pleasant surprise. The course is very fair, with a mile-long straight and a round course which has cambered bends at either end. The Zetland Gold Cup is a popular and competitive handicap for older horses and usually attracts a classy lineup each year. 

CARTMEL:

I am including this picturesque racecourse on a technicality, as I have only visited the track on a non-raceday. A racecourse that defines the term "off the beaten track", it requires careful navigation of narrow country lanes until you reach a lovely village which also takes pride as the birth place of the sticky toffee pudding desserts. A tight, narrow but beautiful track that plays host to jumps racing, Cartmel is lined with trees and stone walls which add to the attractiveness. It is a racecourse I really look forward to visiting once again when the sound of hooves and cheering fill the small village, but meetings are very time limited; with meetings normally held on bank holidays. 

SEDGEFIELD:

Another jumps racecourse off the beaten track, Sedgefield is a lovely and old fashioned venue with great views and a unique layout. The defining feature of the track is its steep climbs which horses face. It would be akin to a rollercoaster as the runners endure rollercoaster-like undulations. A gradual descent can catch an unsuspecting horse unawares and outpaced, then a final lung testing climb to the finish line. A feature I liked of the course when I visited there was standing on a bend and facing towards the horses as they climbed the final hill. It really gives an impression of how steep the undulations are and it makes you appreciate the efforts of the winner even more so. 

CHELTENHAM:

When you are young, you always dream of going to Disneyland, but nowadays as a racing fan, I started to dream of going to Cheltenham. I achieved my goal in 2020 and I was in awe of the place all day long. The first day of the Cheltenham Festival was the last big gathering at a racecourse due to the following pandemic but despite this, the atmosphere was incredible. Hearing the 'roar' of the crowd as the first race got underway was spine chilling and even better to experience it in person than on the TV. Cheltenham needs little introduction, the home of British jumps racing and venue to legendary battles of recent times and in the past. 

CHESTER:

The town of Chester has a lot of similarities with my hometown of York, it is steeped in history and it also has a great racecourse. The Roodee is also a unique test for a racehorse as the track layout is never fully straight until the final two furlongs. Constantly turning on a tight radius, the track can have a nasty bite in terms of stalls draw bias. A horse drawn on the outside will always cover more ground than one on the inside and be at a disadvantage. Chester racecourse is very easy on the eye aesthetically, and usually develops course specialists. A popular venue and well attended meetings, there are even great vantage points from the bar walls that look over the racecourse.

UTTOXETER:

Another racing venue in the Midlands, Uttoxeter provides good quality jumps racing throughout the year. A popular venue, it has a rail station linked to the racecourse which makes it very accessible to most people. Racedays through the summer at Uttoxeter have a very warm atmosphere to match the weather. The meetings through the middle of the year are always well attended, but the Midlands Grand National meeting is the biggest raceday. Held on the day after the end of the Cheltenham Festival, there is always a buzz and great atmosphere from national hunt enthusiasts. 

SOUTHWELL:

Nestled in Nottinghamshire, Southwell racecourse brings its own charm and character to those who attend this dual purpose racecourse with a jumps track and an all-weather track. A flat, galloping track, the all-weather surface has been a standalone for many years as it uses the Fibresand surface, the only course in Britain to use this wax and sand mixture. The racecourse has had its critics but I personally enjoyed spending time at the venue. The regulars are hardy locals who would even attend a meeting in an arctic weather front, just like in 2018 where a handful of racegoers braved minus ten degree weather. While the surface of the track didn't create superstars, it still made course specialists. Names like Alpha Tauri and General Tufto gained notoriety for winning fifteen times at the track in their careers. It would also help rejuvenate a horse's form, trainers would experiment running an out of form horse at Southwell to see if the new experience would sharpen their horse up. Most of the time this would work and a previously struggling horse would soon be building up a streak of wins. 
The fibresand is sadly being torn up and replaced by the polytrack surface which will be bad news to some local trainers but it could potentially open up the reputation of the course. The track layout is very fair and with a newly-fitted quick surface, it may attract better quality horses. 

                                                                                                                   HAYDOCK

The north-west is globally associated with Aintree racecourse, but a short drive outside of Liverpool takes you to Haydock Park, a similarly high grade racecourse which hosts both flat and jumps racing throughout the calendar year. Steeped in history, it has been the venue for many unforgettable stories. The venue where hall of fame jockey Lester Piggott rode the first and last winner of his illustrious career and the memorable renewal of the Sprint Cup where legendary commentator Peter O'Sullivan's horse Be Friendly won and his famous commentary call. 
The jumps season takes top ranking at the course, where it hosts the Betfair Chase, the first leg of the "Triple Crown" of jumps racing. No other horse encapsulated the course like Kauto Star, who won the Betfair Chase a record four times between 2006 to 2011. It also hosts important trial races for prestige races at later festivals such as the Champion Hurdle Trial, the Peter Marsh Handicap Chase and Grand National Trial.
There is also plenty to feast on for the flat racing enthusiasts. The emphasis on speed with feature races such as May's Group 2 Temple Stakes over five furlongs and then September's premier race, the Group 1 Sprint Cup. 

A course which offers plenty for new racegoers, a warm friendly atmosphere, plenty of horticulture, great views of the track and surrounding area and a parade ring lined with trees and foliage which is very pleasant to spend time in. The quality of racing is normally very high and plenty of big names on the sport have raced a Haydock at least once in their careers. This course really struck a cord with me and instantly went into my top three racecourses. 

                                                                                                                    NEWBURY

Nestled in west Berkshire, a stone's throw from Reading, Newbury racecourse is another state of the art racecourse which I recently ticked off the list of places to visit. A predominantly flat and galloping racecourse, it plays host to jumps racing and flat racing alike, both of the highest quality. It is only behind Ascot and Newmarket in terms of racing prestige and you can always expect to see an above average horse run at the course. The flat season begins in earnest with the classic trials, the historic Greenham Stakes and Fred Darling Stakes which help to sharpen up the contenders for the 2000 and 1000 Guineas respectively. The Lockinge Stakes over a mile is the first Group 1 race of the entire season and the remainder of Newbury's season involves a Pattern race at least once a meeting. The list of famous names to have won on the track and to have even graced the turf is endless, but to save time, the most illustrious winners of recent times include Hawk Wing's demolition in the 2002 Lockinge Stakes and Frankel's effortless win in the 2011 Greenham which set him up for a sensational 2000 Guineas win and immortal remainder of career. 

The jumps racing at Newbury is just as good. It has been the venue of the start, highlight and even end of incredible careers. It was memorably the scene where AP McCoy rode Mr Mole to victory in the Game Spirit Chase and immediately shocked the racing world by announcing his retirement. The feature jumps race is the historic Ladbrokes Trophy, formerly known as the Hennessey. The destroyer Denman was famed for winning the premier handicap twice, in 2009 and 2011 where on both occasions he holstered top weight to brilliant successes to add his name to a racing "who's who" of superstars to have won the race before. The feature "Super Saturday" meeting is invaluable to preparations for the Cheltenham Festival. Key trial races for the Champion Chase and Gold Cup are both run alongside the richest handicap hurdle in Europe, the ultra-competitive Betfair Hurdle. 

The closeness to London is vital to racegoers in the area and the rail station that lies adjacent to the course is more than handy. A racecourse that makes you feel important when you attend for the first time. A genuine top class venue for horse racing, it is one to aim to visit for anyone who hasn't yet. 

                                                                                               HEXHAM
Nestled in the deepest part of Northumberland, Hexham is one of those venues in which you see on television and think to yourself, "I'll go there some time in my lifetime", and in November 2021 I finally made it. It did not disappoint. Just half an hour by train outside of Newcastle, the designer of Hexham racecourse must have known he was quids in as the surrounding area is one you can't grasp fully until you experience in person. Even when I was travelling on the shuttle bus from the train station, I was in awe of the countryside and rolling hills that went on as far as the eye could see. Race meetings are few and far between but Hexham is a venue for the bucket list of any racing enthusiast. The nature of being exposed to the elements through the winter means plenty of layers of clothing is a necessity but the racing action will surely warm up anyone. An undulating rollercoaster of a track, the circumference is just under two miles and it is a good test for a racehorse and in turn, course specialists can appear and prosper. 

                                                                                     ASCOT

Ascot needs very little introduction, given its worldwide status in the sport of horse racing and a household name with the wider public; even if they follow the sport or not. One of the oldest racecourses in the world, it is home to the famous Royal Ascot event held in June every year. Seen as one of the biggest sporting and social events of the entire year, there is very few events that match the scale of Royal Ascot. On track, it has seen the beginning and endings of many legendary equine names in horse racing as well as witnessing iconic moments over the years such as Frankel's 2011 Queen Anne Stakes romp and the epic duel between Grundy and Bustino in 1974 to name just a couple of memories.

I attended Ascot twice in 2022, once in January for the Grade One Clarence House Chase meeting and again in September for the Lavazza meeting. On the first occasion, I remember walking onto Ascot high street, seeing the grandstands dominate the skyline and felt in awe of the location. A racecourse I had seen plenty of on TV as a kid growing up and getting into horse racing was there in front of my very eyes. It was very much a "kid's first time at Disneyland" feeling of awe. The main race that day was the Clarence House Chase itself, a memorable titanic battle between Shishkin and Energumene rightly claimed its prize of best race of the season.
In September, I returned to Ascot but this time I attended inside the enclosures. The sheer height of the iconic facilities was enough to give you neckache and plenty of racing history was on display in glass cabinets. A truly magical racecourse to visit and one any racing fan needs to visit once in their lifetime. 

                                                                                              AINTREE
A racecourse that holds a special place in the heart of horse racing as well as the general public, Aintree is the home of the biggest jumps race of the year, the Grand National. 
Originally a dual purpose track in its early history with jumps and flat racing, Aintree has provided action of the highest quality in all kinds of horse power. The inside track was used as a circuit on the Formula One calendar and held the British Grand Prix for many years. Those paved roads still remain to this day with racegoers being able to walk on a part of history. The main attraction to Aintree though is the Grand National race. The stamina lapping four and a quarter mile chase over the famous birch fences remains a huge challenge to horse and rider and is always a fantastic spectacle to watch. 
The Grand National unites families, work colleagues and friends to talk about the race each year and they would all gather in front of a screen to hope their selection is the winner. Located in the Liverpool suburbs, Aintree racecourse is still regarded as one of the top five racing venues in the country. The facilities are excellent and there is a real party atmosphere during the National festival. 

                                                                                NEWMARKET (July Course)
The one venue in the world to have two racecourses on the the same patch of land, Newmarket is the home of Engish horse racing. The town was an early settling point for King James II in the 1660's and his love for horses and sport led to events taking place on Newmarket Heath. One of these events included horse racing and from 1666, horse racing was born and has remained in place to the present day. 
The prestige of the Classics may reside on the Rowley Course, but the July Course at a later time when King James II claimed he lost a horse race because the sun was in his eyes, so designed a new layout which would later be known as the July Course. Racing begins each year on the Rowley Course, but from June through to September, the racing hops across Devil's Dyke to the July course. With a tree lined final furlong and plenty of garden-like features, there is a real garden picnic feel to the course. With music and bars providing the entertainment to accompany the track, the course will provide a hit summer party when the sun is shining.
The winners' enclosure may be on the small side, but it retains its vintage feel with original thatched roofed buildings with hanging flower baskets. The grandstands also hold plenty of history but provides a great view of the straight as runners emerge from the dip into the final two furlongs. The more modern Premium Grandstand is designed on an angle and looks over the top of the winning line and further back to the very top of the racecourse, almost a mile away. The course provides a great combination of new and old and therefore is a racecourse to visit at least once in the lifetime. 

Catterick

Catterick racecourse is one of the oldest racecourses in the North Yorkshire region, but still to this day provides quality action in both codes and is often well supported. The first official racing action took place on the grounds of today's racecourse back in 1783, but improvements to the facilities in recent years have seen the venue catch up to its modern day counterparts such as York and Thirsk. 

The racecourse is in use throughout the whole year as it stages flat and national hunt racing at a decent level. There are no Group or Graded races that take place at Catterick, but the feature races include the 'Catterick Dash Handicap' over five furlongs and 'North Yorskshire Grand National Handicap Chase' over a contrasting three miles and six furlongs. In the early 2000's Alan Swinbank's top class horse Collier Hill made his debut at the North Yorkshire venue before going on to win three Group One races around the world and cement his status as an international superstar.

The location of the racecourse is perfect for trainers around the country as it sits adjacent to the A1 motorway which stretches all the way from Edinburgh to London. Therefore, the road links provide opportunities for all stables, whether they are based in Newmarket or in the borders. The venue is also just a short journey from the racing hub of Middleham, which is set in the idyllic settings of the Yorkshire Dales and home to leading Northern trainers Charlie Johnston and Karl Burke. The dual purpose stables of Phil Kirby and Sue Smith are also located a stone's throw away which often sees them well represented throughout the year at Catterick.

The layout of the track offers a test of stamina and can often prove a stiff challenge. An extended branch at the top of the home straight sees the starting point for five furlong races, while the main loop is just over a mile in circumference.  The first part of the back straight is an uphill climb, but the track then starts to fall away approaching the home bend and horses dive downhill into the home straight. There are further undulations in the final stages, which can create course specialists on the flat and over jumps.

A friendly and welcoming experience for racegoers, Catterick provides a good day out for old and young. Big changes are set to take place in the near future as the flat turf course is expected to be replaced by an all-weather surface, which will change the complexion of the course but potentially improve the quality of runners.