Ffos Las racecourse
Encyclopedia
The Ffos Las racecourse (strictly: Ffos Las Racecourse & Conference Centre) is a horse racing
, equestrian
sports and conferencing
venue situated just off the B4317 road, opposite the Glyn Abbey Golf Club, in a rural area called Ffos Las
between Trimsaran
and Carway
and is about 5 miles (8 km) north of Llanelli
. The Ffos Las racecourse was built at the site of an open cast coal mine after mining operations ceased.
for 80 years, and Wales's third racecourse. Ffos Las Racecourse was built at a cost of £20 million. The racecourse development site is about 600 acres (2.4 km²) in size and is located in a natural amphitheatre setting. The racetrack itself is an oval which is 12 furlongs in length and has a flat topography.
The initial phase of the development was completed in 2009 and features:
initially confirmed a programme of eight race meetings for 2009. An extra fixture was added to the schedule later on creating a two day flat event in September.
The Ffos Las Racecourse opened on 18 June 2009 when it held its first race meeting to a sell-out crowd of 10,000. It was an evening National Hunt meeting which included a Ladies Night. The first ever race at Ffos Las was won by 15-8 second favourite Plunkett ridden by Donal Fahy, trained by Evan Williams, and owned by Hywel Jones. The first race at Ffos Las to feature Arabians
was held on 27 June 2009.
The first ever flat race at Ffos Las, the EBF/Jamie Yeates Memorial Maiden Stakes, was held on 21 July 2009. The race was dedicated to schoolboy and aspiring jockey Jamie Yeates from nearby Llanelli, who died under tragic circumstances the previous January. The winner of the race was Dream Queen ridden by Michael Hills. Dream Queen was trained by Barry Hills
.
The official opening ceremony, conducted by racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan
, was held on 28 August 2009, with an audience of over 12,000. Following the final race of the day, there was concert with Cerys Matthews
performing.
The first ever race meeting featuring harness racing was held on 9 May 2010.
Future developments at the racecourse will include:
The racecourse management intend to stage other types of equestrian events at Ffos Las inclusing Show jumping
, hunter chase meetings, pony racing and harness racing
.
's 'Race Horse Death Watch' website.
, number 197 from Monday to Saturday, which stops at the racecourse entrance. The Ffos Las racecourse offers a dedicated shuttle bus service on race days between Llanelli railway station
and the racecourse.
By sea, Pembroke Dock
is about 1 hour away to the west and Fishguard
is about 1 hour 15 minutes away to the west. Ferries from both Pembroke Dock and Fishguard sail to and from Rosslare
in the Republic of Ireland
. Irish Ferry operator Fastnet Line
operate the Swansea Cork ferry
between Swansea
Docks and the port of Cork
in Ireland. Swansea docks is about 45 minutes away by road.
Pembrey Airport
, which handles private and charter flights, is a 10 minute drive away to the west. Helicopters can land at the racecourse by arrangement with the racecourse management.
Horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian sport that has a long history. Archaeological records indicate that horse racing occurred in ancient Babylon, Syria, and Egypt. Both chariot and mounted horse racing were events in the ancient Greek Olympics by 648 BC...
, equestrian
Equestrianism
Equestrianism more often known as riding, horseback riding or horse riding refers to the skill of riding, driving, or vaulting with horses...
sports and conferencing
Meeting
In a meeting, two or more people come together to discuss one or more topics, often in a formal setting.- Definitions :An act or process of coming together as an assembly for a common purpose....
venue situated just off the B4317 road, opposite the Glyn Abbey Golf Club, in a rural area called Ffos Las
Ffos Las
Ffos Las is a rural area between the villages of Carway and Trimsaran, north of the town of Llanelli in the Gwendraeth Valley in Carmarthenshire, Wales....
between Trimsaran
Trimsaran
Trimsaran is a former mining village which lies on the B4308 between Llanelli and Kidwelly, in the Welsh county of Carmarthenshire.Trimsaran is six miles from Llanelli, and from Carmarthen...
and Carway
Carway
Carway is a village situated to the north of the town of Llanelli in the county of Carmarthenshire, Wales, in the Gwendraeth Fawr valley. It is part of the Llanelli Rural community....
and is about 5 miles (8 km) north of Llanelli
Llanelli
Llanelli , the largest town in both the county of Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed , Wales, sits on the Loughor estuary on the West Wales coast, approximately west-north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarthen. The town is famous for its proud rugby...
. The Ffos Las racecourse was built at the site of an open cast coal mine after mining operations ceased.
Development
After the completion of the first phase of construction for a first race meeting in June 2009, the Ffos Las racecourse became the first new National Hunt racecourse to be built in the United KingdomUnited Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
for 80 years, and Wales's third racecourse. Ffos Las Racecourse was built at a cost of £20 million. The racecourse development site is about 600 acres (2.4 km²) in size and is located in a natural amphitheatre setting. The racetrack itself is an oval which is 12 furlongs in length and has a flat topography.
The initial phase of the development was completed in 2009 and features:
- Turf National HuntNational Hunt racingNational Hunt racing is the official name given to the sport of horse racing in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland in which the horses are required to jump over obstacles called hurdles or fences...
& flat racingFlat racingFlat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles... - Enclosure & Grandstand
- Hotel, pub, restaurant, etc.
- Technical Facilities
- Betting Facilities
- Residential Development for racing staff
Opening meetings
The British Horseracing BoardBritish Horseracing Board
From 10 June 1993 until 30 July 2007, the British Horseracing Board was the governing authority for horseracing in Great Britain. It was created in 1993, and took on responsibilities previously held by the Jockey Club...
initially confirmed a programme of eight race meetings for 2009. An extra fixture was added to the schedule later on creating a two day flat event in September.
The Ffos Las Racecourse opened on 18 June 2009 when it held its first race meeting to a sell-out crowd of 10,000. It was an evening National Hunt meeting which included a Ladies Night. The first ever race at Ffos Las was won by 15-8 second favourite Plunkett ridden by Donal Fahy, trained by Evan Williams, and owned by Hywel Jones. The first race at Ffos Las to feature Arabians
Arabian horse
The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is also one of the oldest breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses...
was held on 27 June 2009.
The first ever flat race at Ffos Las, the EBF/Jamie Yeates Memorial Maiden Stakes, was held on 21 July 2009. The race was dedicated to schoolboy and aspiring jockey Jamie Yeates from nearby Llanelli, who died under tragic circumstances the previous January. The winner of the race was Dream Queen ridden by Michael Hills. Dream Queen was trained by Barry Hills
Barry Hills
Barry Hills is a British thoroughbred horse trainer. He lives in Lambourn, England.-Biography:Barry Hills had three sons in his first marriage: John, Michael, and Richard. John is a horse trainer, and both Michael and Richard are jockeys. After his divorce, he married Penny Hills, and had two more...
.
The official opening ceremony, conducted by racing commentator Sir Peter O'Sullevan
Peter O'Sullevan
Sir Peter O'Sullevan is a retired horse racing commentator for the BBC from 1947 to 1997, and correspondent for the Press Association, Daily Express and Today.-Early life:...
, was held on 28 August 2009, with an audience of over 12,000. Following the final race of the day, there was concert with Cerys Matthews
Cerys Matthews
Cerys Elizabeth Matthews is a Welsh singer and songwriter. She is known as the lead singer of the Welsh rock band Catatonia, her more recent bilingual solo career, and for a 1998 Christmas duet with Tom Jones.-Biography:...
performing.
The first ever race meeting featuring harness racing was held on 9 May 2010.
Future plans
In 2010, there will be 28 race meetings (12 flat and 16 jumps) including a three day Flat programme in August and a two mile £60,000 conditions race on 9 January 2010. The racecourse owners intend to introduce a new Celtic Festival in future years to be held around St. David's Day. The racecourse developers plan for the venue to have a capacity for 20,000 people and there will be 120 horse boxes.Future developments at the racecourse will include:
- Development of Hotel & Leisure Facilities
- Equestrian Centre, EventingEventingEventing is an equestrian event comprising dressage, cross-country, and show jumping. This event has its roots in a comprehensive cavalry test requiring mastery of several types of riding...
, Point-to-Point - Racecourse Training Establishment
- Live/work small holdings
The racecourse management intend to stage other types of equestrian events at Ffos Las inclusing Show jumping
Show jumping
Show jumping, also known as "stadium jumping," "open jumping," or "jumpers," is a member of a family of English riding equestrian events that also includes dressage, eventing, hunters, and equitation. Jumping classes commonly are seen at horse shows throughout the world, including the Olympics...
, hunter chase meetings, pony racing and harness racing
Harness racing
Harness racing is a form of horse racing in which the horses race at a specific gait . They usually pull a two-wheeled cart called a sulky, although racing under saddle is also conducted in Europe.-Breeds:...
.
Race horse deaths
There have been 8 race horse deaths at Ffos Las since the racecourse opened in 2009 according to Animal AidAnimal Aid
Animal Aid, founded in 1977, is a British animal rights organisation. The group campaigns peacefully against all forms of animal abuse and promotes a cruelty-free lifestyle. It also investigates and exposes animal cruelty....
's 'Race Horse Death Watch' website.
Transport
First Cymru operate a bus between Llanelli and CarmarthenCarmarthen
Carmarthen is a community in, and the county town of, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is sited on the River Towy north of its mouth at Carmarthen Bay. In 2001, the population was 14,648....
, number 197 from Monday to Saturday, which stops at the racecourse entrance. The Ffos Las racecourse offers a dedicated shuttle bus service on race days between Llanelli railway station
Llanelli railway station
Llanelli railway station is the railway station serving the town of Llanelli, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It is located on the West Wales Line and the Heart of Wales Line...
and the racecourse.
By sea, Pembroke Dock
Pembroke Dock
Pembroke Dock is a town in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, lying north of Pembroke on the River Cleddau. Originally a small fishing village known as Paterchurch, the town was greatly expanded from 1814 onwards following the construction of a Royal Naval Dockyard...
is about 1 hour away to the west and Fishguard
Fishguard
Fishguard is a coastal town in Pembrokeshire, south-west Wales, with a population of 3,300 . The community of Fishguard and Goodwick had a population of 5043 at the 2001 census....
is about 1 hour 15 minutes away to the west. Ferries from both Pembroke Dock and Fishguard sail to and from Rosslare
Rosslare Europort
Rosslare Europort is a modern seaport located at Rosslare Harbour in County Wexford, Ireland, near the southeastern-most point of Ireland's coastline, handling passenger and freight ferries to and from Wales and France....
in the Republic of Ireland
Republic of Ireland
Ireland , described as the Republic of Ireland , is a sovereign state in Europe occupying approximately five-sixths of the island of the same name. Its capital is Dublin. Ireland, which had a population of 4.58 million in 2011, is a constitutional republic governed as a parliamentary democracy,...
. Irish Ferry operator Fastnet Line
Fastnet Line
Fastnet Line operate a passenger & freight ferry service from Ringaskiddy, Cork, Ireland to Swansea, Wales.-History:From 1987 to 2006, the Swansea Cork ferry was operated by Swansea Cork Ferries Limited, an Irish-based company. The service ceased operating after the 2006 season...
operate the Swansea Cork ferry
Swansea Cork ferry
The Swansea Cork ferry is a ferry route linking Swansea in Wales with Ringaskiddy in County Cork, Ireland operated by Fastnet Line. The service was previously operated by Swansea Cork Ferries Ltd between 1987 and 2006.-History:...
between Swansea
Swansea
Swansea is a coastal city and county in Wales. Swansea is in the historic county boundaries of Glamorgan. Situated on the sandy South West Wales coast, the county area includes the Gower Peninsula and the Lliw uplands...
Docks and the port of Cork
County Cork
County Cork is a county in Ireland. It is located in the South-West Region and is also part of the province of Munster. It is named after the city of Cork . Cork County Council is the local authority for the county...
in Ireland. Swansea docks is about 45 minutes away by road.
Pembrey Airport
Pembrey Airport
-Former operators:Other airlines that have operated at Pembrey:*Air Wales*Air Independence*Air Winton...
, which handles private and charter flights, is a 10 minute drive away to the west. Helicopters can land at the racecourse by arrangement with the racecourse management.