Newcastle Races

Newcastle Race course, home of the Newcastle Races is in the North East's premier race course and is home to 30 race meetings a year which span not only the National Hunt Seasons, but thrilling flat races, too. As well as being one of the UKs most popular race courses, the Newcastle Races also hosts a nature reserve, two 18-hole golf courses, a driving range, top of the range conference and banqueting facilities and a traditional public house. The Newcastle Races are set in the 812 acre High Gosforth Park Estate, which is only three miles north of the city of Newcastles' city centre, meaning it is easy to access by either road, rail or even by air. Newcastle has been host to horse-racing for the past 350 years, with the first records of racing beginning at Killingworth in the early part of the 17th Century. Key Newcastle races include the Northumberland Plate, which was first hosted at the Town Moor in 1833 and won by Tomboy, with the race continuing there until 1881 when it was transferred to Gosford Park - where it is still hosted today. Over the years, and up until 1994 the Gosford Park race course fell into decay, and was saved by a bid by Sir Stanley Clarke's Northern Racing. In his tenure, the estate has seen an investment of over £11million, which includes new and modern facilities to Newcastle Races racegoers, a parade ring, new stands and a straight mile flat track. But the investments in the Gosford Park estate and the Newcastle Races don't stop there -there are still plans to invest over £25 million in a brand new hotel adjacent to the course, as well as a new hotel, caravanning facilities and even more golfing action.

Getting There

Whether travelling by car or rail, it is easy to find the Newcastle Races. By car, from the A1 follow the brown and white tourist board signs that bear the horse and ride symbol, the A19 and the main roads that approach the city. Car parking at the racecourse is free of charge. If you prefer travelling by train, you will find Newcastle Central Station is on the main East Coast line and is only a 15 minuite drive to the Newcastle Racecourse.

Newcastle Races Facts

The Gosforth Park Estate has held races for over 120 years, which include the Blaydon Races and the Beeswing Ladies Day, which is named after the most famous horse that has never won the plate at Gosforth. Beeswing herself won 46 out of the 51 races she run, as well as producing many children and grand-children, with nine of these winning the Derby, 11 succeeding in the St Leger and eight winning the Oaks. There are two main enclosures available at the Newcastle Races - the Premier Enclosure and the Grandstand and Paddock Enclosure. The Premier Enclosure allows access to all of the public areas of the course, with smart attire preferred. No sportswear or trainers may be worn in the Premier Enclosure. Race goers that prefer to go casual will find themselves at home in the Grandstand and Paddock Enclosure, with both enclosures offering hot and cold food, a bar and betting facilities, as well as views across the race course.