Wetherby Races

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Located on the North bank of the River Wharfe, an area steeped in horse racing history, there has been horse racing at Wetherby for hundreds of years. Historians believe that the Wetherby races first began with the Romans, as they raced their Arab horses at Nertherby, a settlement situated only a few miles upstream. The first modern recorded race meeting at Wetherby, though, was in March 1891 and, since then, Wetherby town and the Wetherby Races have thrived, with the Wetherby racecourse becoming one of the Country's most popular and leading jumping tracks. Although proud of it's racing history and traditional steeple-chasing heritage, the racecourse at Wetherby has embraced change and modernisation over the years - allowing it to adapt and modernise its facilities to some of the best available in horse racing today, as well as keeping old key features and aspects in a subtle blend of both old and new. Location wise the view from the Wetherby races certainly has not changed, it nestles in 300 acres of beautiful park farmland, while still being conveniently close enough to the A1.

Wetherby Races Information

There are two courses used at the Wetherby Races - the National Hunt course and the occasionally used hurdles course. The hurdles course is much sharper than the National Hunt track, and a little shorter with the Hunt course being 1 mile 4 furlongs in total. Both courses are left handed ovals, and offer easy bends. There is a cash machine available at Wetherby, which can be accessed by all enclosures in a separate area - there is no cash machine within the enclosures themselves, although Tote kiosks do offer a "Cash-Back" service to all customers that place a bet. Children are welcome at the racecourse, and all children under the age of 16 are admitted free to all enclosures, when accompanied by a paying adult. Although there is no formal dress code in any of the enclosures, racegoers that would like to use the Premier Enclosure are requested to dress for the weather in smart casual clothing. There are three enclosures at the Wetherby Races, each offering a host of facilities - from luxury restaurants to cheaper food stalls. There is a children's play area in the Course Enclosure.

Getting There

On foot from Wetherby Market place, take the road to North Street then walk north until you reach the "Esso" garage. Apon arrival there, turn right onto York Road. The entrance to the Racecourse can be found on the far side of the A1 motorway, which is around half a mile. Travelling by road, take the A1 North or South, then J46 follow the signs posting for the 'Racecourse'. The nearest railway station to the Racecourse is Leeds Station, approximately 12 miles away with York Station 14 miles. There are several bus routes available, from Leeds City Centre Bus Station the number 770 runs every half hour. As well as this, a service from York Rougier Street Bus Station is available, which calls at the Railways Station, with the 42 service running to the Wetherby Market Place then a short walk to the racecourse. The closest international airport to the racecourse is Leeds Bradford, and helicopter landings at the racecourse can be arranged by prior agreement.