Favourite Tracks

A day at the races is one of my favourite things to do.

The form study beforehand, the walk to the track, finding a good bar, standing at the parade ring, being appalled at sockless youths, striking a few bets, slowly hearing the hoof beats as the horses run towards you, paying £15 for a burger and a slice of cheese, your Racing Post becoming crumpled beyond use between race 2 and 3 etc etc etc.

I’ve got an ambition to do them all in a single calendar year, but until then, here is my list – in order of preference – of all the ones I’ve been to so far. It should be said that I like them all, so courses towards the bottom aren’t rubbish, they’re just my least favourite. The order also changes extremely regularly.

York – My local track and one of the best in the country in my very humble opinion. Superb facilities, great racing and walkable into the city for excellent beer. The Dante and Ebor festivals are some of the highlights of my year.
Newmarket (Rowley Mile) – I know the views aren’t amazing but for me, being at the home of horse racing is magical. Love it. And every course should have an Adnams bar.
Cheltenham – Tremendous. A special place. Not much else needs to be said really.
Hexham – Perhaps a shock that this is so high but I love Northumberland and this is probably the most picturesque course of the lot. A different world from Cheltenham, but charming because of it.
ioAintree – I wouldn’t go on Grand National day again, but there’s little to dislike at Aintree.
Newmarket (July) – Like the Rowley, the views aren’t great but can think of few better places to be on a summer afternoon (unless there’s a music night on!).
Sandown – Only been once but was impressed. Some great racing, good facilities and I like the wall that you see as horses make their way to and from the parade ring.
Kelso – I like Kelso for many of the same reasons I like Hexham. Northern, not huge, picturesque. Once got absolutely (and accidentally) smashed on Aspall’s cider there and hugged a stranger when winning the lucky last. Happy days.
Thirsk – Lovely setting, friendly people and just a really, really good small course with plenty of space to move around and some good facilities. My 2nd favourite Yorkshire course after York.
Ripon – Just lovely. Green and friendly and in a nice town with some good pubs.
Perth – Maybe it was because I was on holiday, or maybe because I bagged the winner of the first, but I really enjoyed Perth, despite some of the er, outfits, on show. Excellent value for money and beautiful surroundings.
Hamilton– Despite being hugely underdressed and not as drunk as 98% of the patrons, we had a great time at the track. Stayed in the hotel right next door. Great stuff.
Salisbury – Similar to Ripon. Always know it’s a good course when you don’t have any winners but still have a great day.
Catterick – Good old Catterick. Another one which is a bit of a pain to get to on public transport, but once you’re there there’s not much to dislike. Small, but perfectly formed. I’ve got a lot of time for Catterick.
Doncaster – Has got it all and would be much higher if it wasn’t in, you know, Doncaster. Sorry.
Beverley – A local track to me and one where I love to go. I would generally avoid it on the weekend when Hull’s finest come to town, but had some great days there during the week or at quieter meetings.
Wetherby – The third closest course to my home. A great place to visit on Boxing Day and the Charlie Hall is another yearly highlight of mine. Plenty to like about it, although the transport connections aren’t the easiest.
Epsom – went for Oaks day when the Coronavirus lockdown restrictions were slowly lifting. It absolutely pissed it down for the entire day but was grateful to see Snowfall win the big race. Would like to go again without being confined to one bar and it may well appear higher in this list.
Pontefract – Very pleasant. Some good action on a Friday evening and home of the longest flat handicap in Europe.
Yarmouth – Visited once in the summer. Really enjoyed it despite the modest action served up by the inmates of Newmarket on day release. Not too busy, friendly and fun.
Market Rasen – An absolute bugger to get to but worth it. Really friendly track and close to Lincoln which is great for a weekend’s stay.
Haydock – Been 3 or 4 times to Haydock and always had a good day. No good pubs anywhere near the course though.
Southwell – Costa Del Rolleston. The Saracen’s Head in the town itself is great, it’s close to Newark which is a fabulous little town and who can’t fail to love a 5f sprint where the horses run in slow motion?
Newcastle – Brilliant city and a decent course. Had some great days up there, Constitution Hill winning the fighting fifth an obvious highlight.
Carlisle – Always great to visit after you’ve bagged a Wainwright or two (fell and pint). Feel this probably should be higher.
Ayr – Very Scottish and a grand old track. Accidentally gave a £12 tip to a waiter here.
Clonmel – My first and – to date – only Irish course. Did a great pint of Bulmers. Found a STUNNING pub in the town called Phil Carrolls Bar.
Musselburgh – Pleasant enough and close enough to Edinburgh to make it a worthwhile visit.
Wolverhampton – The course is better than the town. But Wolves is always reliable.
Nottingham – I’m advised by a friend and good judge that this should be higher. It probably should to be fair. Some very tasty end of season maidens.
Sedgefield – Very northern, very national hunty. Once I went to a ‘family fun day’ there. Took my then 4 year old boy. The ‘family fun’ literally consisted of an elderly magician sat in the corner of the bar making balloon animals. Tremendous.
Redcar – Once got a 2/9 jolly (I think it was called Font) turned over with a 25/1 shot. Thought I was the king of the paddock. I wasn’t. Nice for a walk down the beach. Always enjoy the 2yo trophy.
Warwick – ventured down for the 2024 Kingmaker. The town itself is lovely but the course, despite their best efforts, seemed a bit old and tired and the views aren’t great with a big hill in the middle. Would like to return on a day that wasn’t so grey and dank.
Bangor On Dee – By far the smallest place in the UK to have a racecourse, and the racecourse itself is the only one in the UK not to have a grandstand! Despite that, the punter is pretty well catered for and it’s a small but friendly track offering low grade action. Very bizarre thougth that the winning post is a) 100 yards away from you, and b) at right angles to all the crowd. You’re screwed if the big screen goes on the blink.
Uttoxeter – Popular midlands track, who host some very decent racing. The Sunday that I visited, it was absolutely packed and there were a few too many pissed up sockless gelboys for me to enjoy it. The Horse and Dove micropub in the town is excellent.
Huntingdon – Reminded of Wetherby, just nowhere near as good. Absolutely fine, though, really.
Leicester – Perfectly fine. Saw Bristol De Mai hack up one Christmas whilst availing myself of some excellent champagne.
Hereford – a friendly course, in a nice town with some decent enough action, but there’s just nothing really there. Two rooms and some outdoor space. Not great for a cold winter’s day.