Wincanton Racecourse
Encyclopedia
Wincanton Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Wincanton
, Somerset
, England.
The steeplechase
fences are large, making it a good test of a chaser. Three fences in quick succession in the second half of the home-straight make for exciting racing and often change the complexion of a finish dramatically; resulting in a great many close finishes.
The track stages several big races, including the Kingwell Hurdle
in February, and the CGA Chase on the same day; these races can be significant trials for the Champion Hurdle
and Cheltenham Gold Cup
respectively. Several of the races at the course are shown on Channel 4
.
The track is located near to the yard of the trainer, Paul Nicholls
and as such many of his promising young horses run here.
During the year to 2008, the course had the second highest casualty rate in the country, with 9 deaths.
Wincanton
Wincanton is a small town in south Somerset, southwest England. The town lies on the A303 road, the main route between London and South West England, and has some light industry...
, Somerset
Somerset
The ceremonial and non-metropolitan county of Somerset in South West England borders Bristol and Gloucestershire to the north, Wiltshire to the east, Dorset to the south-east, and Devon to the south-west. It is partly bounded to the north and west by the Bristol Channel and the estuary of the...
, England.
The steeplechase
Steeplechase
Steeplechase may refer to:* Steeplechase, an event in horse racing* SteepleChase, a Danish jazz label* Steeplechase , a 1975 arcade game released by Atari...
fences are large, making it a good test of a chaser. Three fences in quick succession in the second half of the home-straight make for exciting racing and often change the complexion of a finish dramatically; resulting in a great many close finishes.
The track stages several big races, including the Kingwell Hurdle
Kingwell Hurdle
The Kingwell Hurdle is a Grade 2 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. It is run at Wincanton over a distance of about 2 miles , and during its running there are eight hurdles to be jumped. The race is scheduled to take place each year in...
in February, and the CGA Chase on the same day; these races can be significant trials for the Champion Hurdle
Champion Hurdle
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 National Hunt hurdle race in Great Britain which is open to horses aged four years or older. As part of a sponsorship agreement with the online sportsbook StanJames.com, the race is now known as the Stan James Champion Hurdle...
and Cheltenham Gold Cup
Cheltenham Gold Cup
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is a Grade 1 National Hunt chase in the United Kingdom which is open to horses aged five years or older. It is run on the New Course at Cheltenham over a distance of about 3 miles and 2½ furlongs , and during its running there are twenty-two fences to be jumped...
respectively. Several of the races at the course are shown on Channel 4
Channel 4
Channel 4 is a British public-service television broadcaster which began working on 2 November 1982. Although largely commercially self-funded, it is ultimately publicly owned; originally a subsidiary of the Independent Broadcasting Authority , the station is now owned and operated by the Channel...
.
The track is located near to the yard of the trainer, Paul Nicholls
Paul Nicholls (horse racing)
Paul Nicholls is a British National Hunt horse trainer with stables at Ditcheat, Somerset. A relatively successful jump jockey, Nicholls has become the leading National Hunt trainer of his generation, finishing the 2007-2008 season with 155 winners and a record £4 million in prize money...
and as such many of his promising young horses run here.
During the year to 2008, the course had the second highest casualty rate in the country, with 9 deaths.