Wetherby Racecourse
Encyclopedia
Wetherby Racecourse is a National Hunt racecourse situated near the market town of Wetherby
in West Yorkshire
, England
, located 12 miles (19.3 km) from Leeds city centre
.
. There are new access roads between North and East Wetherby and the A1(M). The racecourse can also be accessed from Walton Road at the rear of the stands.
. In the 1930s the first terraces were erected, a new two tear stand was erected adjacent to this in the 1970s and then in 1999 the new Millennium Stand was opened, providing the racecourse with executive banqueting and conference facilities. Up until 1963, Racecourse Specials ran to Wetherby railway station
from Bradford Interchange on racedays. As the station on York Road had closed many years before, for decades the only rail access was via the station on Linton Road at the other end of Wetherby from the racecourse.
Wetherby Racecourse is the only racecourse in Yorkshire that hosts only National Hunt jump meetings, although there are plans in the pipeline to build an additional all-weather track to cater for horse racing in the winter months, when many Wetherby meetings are cancelled due to adverse
weather
conditions. Wetherby hosts the Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) and the Skybet Castleford Chase (Grade 2).
Paddock Enclosure The largest of the three enclosures is the mid spec, Paddock Enclosure. This is set within the two older stands and has access to the A1 Bar as well as most of the book makers including the large Tote
betting shop.
Course Enclosure The cheapest of the enclosures is situated in the centre of the course. It has its own bar, cafe, Tote Betting Shop, Bookmakers stands and 'big screen', however it lacks many of the facitities, the other enclosures benefit from.
Wetherby
Wetherby is a market town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, in West Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Wharfe, and has been for centuries a crossing place and staging post on the Great North Road, being mid-way between London and Edinburgh...
in West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, 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...
, located 12 miles (19.3 km) from Leeds city centre
Leeds City Centre
Leeds city centre is the central business district of Leeds, England. It is within the Leeds Central parliamentary constituency, represented by Hilary Benn as MP since a by-election in 1999...
.
Location
The Racecourse is located on the B1224 York Road, directly adjacent to the A1(M). It is situated opposite Wetherby (HM Prison)Wetherby (HM Prison)
HMP/YOI College of Secure Learning Wetherby is a male juveniles prison, located in Wetherby, West Yorkshire, England. The prison is operated by Her Majesty's Prison Service.-History:...
. There are new access roads between North and East Wetherby and the A1(M). The racecourse can also be accessed from Walton Road at the rear of the stands.
History
Horse racing in Wetherby was first took place on Scaur Bank (now officially known as King George V playing fields although still most commonly referred to as 'Scaur Bank' or 'The Ings') In 1891 racing moved to a new site situated off York Road. From the 1920s to the 1950s the racecourse was served by Wetherby Racecourse railway stationWetherby Racecourse railway station
Wetherby Racecourse railway station was a railway station serving Wetherby Racecourse in Wetherby, West Yorkshire.When Wetherby's original station on York Road closed in 1902, for two decades the only rail access was via Wetherby's new station on Linton Road...
. In the 1930s the first terraces were erected, a new two tear stand was erected adjacent to this in the 1970s and then in 1999 the new Millennium Stand was opened, providing the racecourse with executive banqueting and conference facilities. Up until 1963, Racecourse Specials ran to Wetherby railway station
Wetherby railway station
Wetherby railway station can refer to three railway stations in Wetherby, West Yorkshire:*Wetherby railway station - The last operating railway station in the town*Wetherby railway station - The first railway station in the town...
from Bradford Interchange on racedays. As the station on York Road had closed many years before, for decades the only rail access was via the station on Linton Road at the other end of Wetherby from the racecourse.
Today
Adverse
Adverse or adverse interest, in law, is anything that functions contrary to a party's interest. This word should not be confused with averse.-Adverse possession:...
weather
Weather
Weather is the state of the atmosphere, to the degree that it is hot or cold, wet or dry, calm or stormy, clear or cloudy. Most weather phenomena occur in the troposphere, just below the stratosphere. Weather refers, generally, to day-to-day temperature and precipitation activity, whereas climate...
conditions. Wetherby hosts the Bet365 Charlie Hall Chase (Grade 2) and the Skybet Castleford Chase (Grade 2).
Facilities
The Racecourse features the following facilities, areas and amenities:- The Wetherby Millennium Stand & Premier Enclosure
- The Paddock Stands and Paddock gallery
- Parade Ring and Winners Enclosure
- The A1 Bar
- Saddling-Up-Bar
- Administration Office & Weighing Room Complex.
- First Aid Room
- Pre-Parade Ring & Saddling-Up area
- Tote Credit Club
- The Paddock Bar
- Owners & Trainers Bar
- Stables Complex
- Cafe and Bar.
- Tote Betting Shop
- Paddock Bookmakers
- Course Bookmakers
- Betting Ring Information
- Course Enclosure Parking
- White Horse Restaurant
- White Horse Mezzanine Bar
- Marston Moor Bar
- Dine and View Restaurant
- Course Bar
- Course Cafe
Enclosures
Premier Enlcosure This is housed within the Millennium Stand. Although there is no dresscode, the management advise a smart-casual attire.. Spectators in this enclosure have access to the most luxurious bars and restaurants including the White Horse Restaurant and Mezzanine Bar.Paddock Enclosure The largest of the three enclosures is the mid spec, Paddock Enclosure. This is set within the two older stands and has access to the A1 Bar as well as most of the book makers including the large Tote
Tote
Tote may refer to:*Tote, abbreviation for Tote board, the name for the computerised system which runs parimutuel betting, calculating payoff odds, displaying them, and producing tickets based on incoming bets...
betting shop.
Course Enclosure The cheapest of the enclosures is situated in the centre of the course. It has its own bar, cafe, Tote Betting Shop, Bookmakers stands and 'big screen', however it lacks many of the facitities, the other enclosures benefit from.
Pricing
Admitance pricing varies from £2 to £27. This pricing is only general and may vary depending on the race meeting.Other events
- The Racecourse is the starting point for the Great Yorkshire Bike Ride, from WetherbyWetherbyWetherby is a market town and civil parish within the metropolitan borough of the City of Leeds, in West Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Wharfe, and has been for centuries a crossing place and staging post on the Great North Road, being mid-way between London and Edinburgh...
to FileyFileyFiley is a small town and civil parish in North Yorkshire, England. It forms part of the borough of Scarborough and is located between Scarborough and Bridlington on the North Sea coast. Although it started out as a fishing village, it has a large beach and is a popular tourist resort...
. This is currently receiving much publicity on BBC Radio LeedsBBC Radio LeedsBBC Radio Leeds is the BBC Local Radio service for the English metropolitan county of West Yorkshire.- Frequencies :It broadcasts from its studios at St...
, from DJ Paul Carrington, who is attempting the ride this year.
- The market holds a market and carboot sale every Sunday. This is held in the Course Enclosure, although it is still large, it no longer receives the popularity it had in the 1980s and 1990s.