Leicester Races

Owned by the Leicester Racecourse Company Ltd, the Leicester Races offer flat and jump races throughout the year. The course comprises of two main races - the flat with a right-handed, undulating oval which around 1 mile around with a 5f run-in and the National Hunt being right handed and undulating, with many tight turns at both ends. The National Hunt race at Leicester Races is unusual, and is a surprising test of stamina for the horses, as the runners will climb gradually throughout the last three furlongs. It is rare in National Hunt courses to find there are more hurdles in the home straight than there are steeplechase fences, and the Leicester Races provides a real challenge - often with surprising results. In addition to this, the ground on the hurdles course on the Flat track is known to be very testing in the winter months, while on the chase course it us much less so. In 2008, the Leicester Racecourse hosted 11 National Hunt races and 20 Flat fixtures, with the most popular race the Leicestershire Stakes, a group three event. Although the Leicester Races are relatively small, with the course itself and its more modern grounds relatively new, it is rated as one of the top flight of the smaller courses in Britain, with races very popular.

Getting There

The Leicester Races are held in Oadby, Leicestershire, which can be reached in a variety of ways. By car the racecourse is around two miles to the south east of Leicester on the A6 Market Harborough road. To get there, take the M1 and exit on Junction 21 or the M69. Also, the race course can be reached by train, from the London St Pancras station to Leicester. A bus is available to take punters the two miles to the race course from Leicester station only on race days.

Leicester Races Facts

A new glass fronted grandstand was opened in 1997 at the Leicester Races, which provides an interesting an unique venue for functions and non-raceday events, and available for parties, weddings, celebrations, Christmas parties and conferences. Children are welcome at the Leicester Races course and all under 16s are admitted free when accompanied with an adult - with 4 family fun days held in 2008 with rides and entertainment for the children, as well a great racing action. In addition to this they also hold live music events, and giant screen dates where all the action can be easily seen without having to jostle for a prime place by the course. New hospitality facilities offer sweeping views of the racecourse, with in house catering available for any occasion - facilities currently include club rooms, a restaurant, luxury executive boxes, marquees available for hire, picnic areas, conference facilities and exhibition halls. In addition to this if the restaurant and numerous mobile food stalls don't appeal, there is a picnic car park available, with prices charged per vehicle based on a maximum of three adults