Newcastle Racecourse
Encyclopedia
Newcastle Racecourse is a horse racing
course located at Gosforth Park
near Newcastle upon Tyne
in England
. It stages both flat
and National Hunt racing
, with its biggest meeting being the Northumberland Plate
held annually in June.
in the early 17th century. The Town Moor
hosted the first recorded Northumberland Plate in 1833 and did so until 1881 when the race transferred to High Gosforth Park
. 1882 saw the first running of the Plate at Gosforth Park with a new flat and chase course, new stand and stabling for 100 horses.
In April, 2002 the Scottish
businessman David Williamson
joined Newcastle Racecourse as managing director and during a six year period he transformed their fortunes and helped boost turnover from £2.5m to £6.5m. The Northumberland Plate weekend now brings in £30m to the regional economy and he also introduced Ladies' Day which now attracts over 15,000 racegoers. In April, 2008 he was headhunted by Newcastle United
and appointed Executive Director (Operations). Williamson was replaced by Mark Spincer.
There are currently plans to invest £
25-million in new hotel, golfing and caravanning facilities on the site adjacent to the racecourse.
National Hunt races:
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...
course located at Gosforth Park
Gosforth Park
Gosforth Park is a park north of Gosforth in the borough of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It houses Newcastle Racecourse, a Marriott hotel, two golf courses, a garden centre and a football centre....
near Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne
Newcastle upon Tyne is a city and metropolitan borough of Tyne and Wear, in North East England. Historically a part of Northumberland, it is situated on the north bank of the River Tyne...
in England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. It stages both flat
Flat racing
Flat 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...
and National Hunt racing
National Hunt racing
National 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...
, with its biggest meeting being the Northumberland Plate
Northumberland Plate
The Northumberland Plate is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newcastle over a distance of 2 miles and 19 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.-History:The event was established in...
held annually in June.
History
Horseracing began in the north east over 350 years ago, beginning in KillingworthKillingworth
Killingworth, formerly Killingworth Township, is a town north of Newcastle Upon Tyne, in North Tyneside, United Kingdom.Built as a planned town in the 1960s, most of Killingworth's residents commute to Newcastle, or the city's surrounding area. However, Killingworth itself has a sizeable...
in the early 17th century. The Town Moor
Town Moor, Newcastle upon Tyne
The Town Moor is a large area of common land in Newcastle upon Tyne. It covers an area of around 400ha, and is larger than Hyde Park and Hampstead Heath combined, stretching from the city centre and Spital Tongues in the south out to Cowgate/Kenton Bar to the west, Gosforth to the north and...
hosted the first recorded Northumberland Plate in 1833 and did so until 1881 when the race transferred to High Gosforth Park
Gosforth Park
Gosforth Park is a park north of Gosforth in the borough of Newcastle upon Tyne, England. It houses Newcastle Racecourse, a Marriott hotel, two golf courses, a garden centre and a football centre....
. 1882 saw the first running of the Plate at Gosforth Park with a new flat and chase course, new stand and stabling for 100 horses.
In April, 2002 the Scottish
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
businessman David Williamson
David Williamson (businessman)
David Williamson is a successful Scottish businessman, and former Executive Director at Newcastle United.-Biography:...
joined Newcastle Racecourse as managing director and during a six year period he transformed their fortunes and helped boost turnover from £2.5m to £6.5m. The Northumberland Plate weekend now brings in £30m to the regional economy and he also introduced Ladies' Day which now attracts over 15,000 racegoers. In April, 2008 he was headhunted by Newcastle United
Newcastle United F.C.
Newcastle United Football Club is an English professional association football club based in Newcastle upon Tyne, Tyne and Wear. The club was founded in 1892 by the merger of Newcastle East End and Newcastle West End, and has played at its current home ground, St James' Park, since the merger...
and appointed Executive Director (Operations). Williamson was replaced by Mark Spincer.
There are currently plans to invest £
Pound sterling
The pound sterling , commonly called the pound, is the official currency of the United Kingdom, its Crown Dependencies and the British Overseas Territories of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands, British Antarctic Territory and Tristan da Cunha. It is subdivided into 100 pence...
25-million in new hotel, golfing and caravanning facilities on the site adjacent to the racecourse.
Notable races
Flat races:- Beeswing StakesBeeswing StakesThe Beeswing Stakes was a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which was open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It was run at Newcastle over a distance of 7 furlongs , and it was scheduled to take place each year in late July....
(last run in 1999) - Chipchase StakesChipchase StakesThe Chipchase Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newcastle over a distance of 6 furlongs , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July....
- Northumberland PlateNorthumberland PlateThe Northumberland Plate is a flat handicap horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbreds aged three years or older. It is run at Newcastle over a distance of 2 miles and 19 yards , and it is scheduled to take place each year in late June or early July.-History:The event was established in...
- Seaton Delaval StakesSeaton Delaval StakesThe Seaton Delaval Stakes was a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain which was open to two-year-old thoroughbreds. It was run at Newcastle, and it was scheduled to take place each year in August....
(last run in 1985)
National Hunt races:
- Fighting Fifth HurdleFighting Fifth HurdleThe Fighting Fifth Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Newcastle over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are nine hurdles to be jumped...
- Rehearsal Chase
- Eider ChaseEider ChaseThe Eider Chase is National Hunt race in Great Britain. It is run at Newcastle Racecourse in February, over a distance of 4 miles and 1 furlong....