Fontwell Races

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For the last 17 years the Fontwell Park Racecourse, home of the Fontwell Races, has been voted the "Best Small Racecourse in the South East" by the Racegoers Club. Known as the "Jewel of West Sussex", the staff at the Fontwell Races promise a warm welcome at their course - not only known for horse racing, but also a host to large outdoor events and leisure activities such as concerts. The course itself is conveniently located on the A27, and between the picturesque and classically British towns of Arundel and Chichester. The parkland that surrounds the course were the training grounds of the famous Alfred Day, and the course boasts an almost unique figure of eight circuit - being the only National Hunt course set out in that pattern. Laid down in 1924, with the first Fontwell Races and the official opening of the course held on the 21st of May 1924, the course itself does not boast the history of many other UK courses, but it makes up for it with its state-of-the-art facilities. This is due to The Northern Racing Group taking control of the course along with a huge investment in the facilities at the Fontwell Races in 2002, with a new 90 box Stable Yard built, and later in 2007 a massive refurbishment of the Parade Ring, Winners' Enclosure and the Saddling Boxes. In addition to this, a luxury 40 bedroom hotel along with it's own pub and restaurant was added to the site. There are 23 race meetings held at Fontwell Park each year, and these are spread evenly across the whole of the year except from July when no races are held. There are often many themed fixtures held at Fontwell, with a variety of events to appeal to the whole family.

Fontwell Races Information

The Fontwell Races course is a National Hunt track, and follows left-handed in a figure-of-eight pattern. This course does not suit long-striding galloping horses, and the ground of the track can often be testing on a horse. The circuit is 1mile all the way around. When accompanied by an adult, all children under the age of 15 are admitted for free. On some selected days there is also entertainment provided for a wide range of younger children, such as jugglers, live music, fairground rides and face painting. There is not a strict dress code policy at Fontwell Park, although race goers are asked to dress in a smart casual manner in all the enclosure. Customers in the Premier Enclosure are requested not to wear sports clothing of any kind such as shorts or shirts, ripped denim or trainers. In all enclosures shirts must be worn at all times. A cash machine is available at the course, and can be found in the lobby of the Kerman Grandstand, which is next to the Comedy of Errors Bar.

Getting There

Fontwell Park is situated on the A27 to A29 roundabout between Chichester and Arundel. Free parking is available in some areas around the course. The nearest train station to the course is Barnham, and trains run regularly to Barham from London Victoria, Portsmouth, Brighton, Winchester and Southampton. There is a shuttle bus provided to and from the course and the station on race days. With prior permission from the staff at Fontwell Park, helicopters may land on the course.