TOWCESTER RACES

CONTACT DETAILS

Address: The Racecourse, Easton Neston, Towcester, Northants NN12 7HS Tel: 01327 353414 Fax: 01327 358534 Email: info@towcester-racecourse.co.uk Website: www.towcester-racecourse.co.uk.

HISTORY

The first Towcester races took place in 1928 with the formation of the Towcester Racecourse Company, instigated by Lord Hesketh of Northamptonshire. The racecourse was built on the grounds of the Easton Neston estate, with its main grandstand built to accommodate spectators for Towcester's inaugural race. In 1997, a second grandstand (the Grace Grandstand) was built, the result of a £7.5 million investment to attract corporate clientele and improve the facilities for conferences and other non-racing events. In addition to the new grandstand, the investment was used to develop a restaurant, a range of food outlets, bars, additional betting facilities and a number of private balconies. The racecourse hosts a variety of non-racing events throughout the year to promote the site and raise income, including gigs, greyhound racing, car boot sales and exhibitions.

HOSPITALITY

Hospitality packages are available, starting from £55 per person. Such packages include a four-course meal, entertainment and a private balcony which provides a spectacular panoramic view of the racecourse. There is no dress code at Towcester races, but spectators dining in the restaurant are required to wear smart casual attire.

HOW TO GET TO TOWCESTER RACE

By Car: Towcester is at the intersection of the A43 and A5 and the racecourse is a mile to the south east. Take the M1 exiting Junction 15a and from Towcester town centre follow the signs to Towcester races. By Train: Milton Keynes station is 11 miles away and Northampton station 9 miles from the course. For information on all train services, contact National Rail enquiries on 08457 484950 or visit their website at www.nationalrail.co.uk. By Bus: For information on all bus services, contact Stage Coach on 01604 676060 or visit their website at www.stagecoachbus.com.

USEFUL INFORMATION

Information on taxis and accommodation can be found at the Towcester races website.

COURSE DETAILS

Towcester is a right-handed course (horses race in a clockwise direction), 1m 6f in circumference. The last six furlongs are a steep, uphill climb and horses can get caught close home having turned into the straight with a seemingly unassailable lead. The steep descent after the winning post to the back straight often catches out horses with less than perfect balance. A consequence of this is that big-priced winners are not uncommon, especially on soft ground.

FIXTURES

Towcester races hosts eighteen National Hunt (jumps) meetings which run from October to June. The most popular fixtures are held on Boxing Day and Easter Sunday. Admission on these two days is £10 per person, with accompanied children admitted free. Tickets for the Boxing Day and Easter Day fixtures should be booked by contacting Towcester races on the number above. Each year these fixtures attract up to 10,000 spectators to watch high quality racing on one of the country's most difficult courses. The fixtures also provide entertainment for all the family including a bouncy castle and crèche facilities for children. For all other meetings, admission to all the racecourse enclosures is free. A full fixture list is available at the Towcester races website (address above).

TRAINER AND JOCKEY STATISTICS

Unfortunately, Towcester races statistics for trainers and jockeys are not generally available. However, such statistics for Towcester races are available from www.racingpost.co.uk on racedays, or the previous evening, from approximately 6 p.m.