Stratford Racecourse, situated in Shottery Meadow, Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, has staged regular race meetings since 1849. More recently, in 1969, the course was enlarged and the bends made easier by reincorporating land that was originally part of the racecourse. More recently still, in 1997, a glass-fronted grandstand was opened. Stratford Racecourse stages 19 National Hunt meetings throughout the season.

Course Characteristics

Stratford Racecourse is a left-handed, sharp, flat triangle, approximately a mile and a quarter around. There are eight easy, fences – just one of which is in the short home straight – or five flights of hurdles per circuit and a run-in of 200 yards.

Track Facts

One of the highlights of the season at Stratford is The Stratford Foxhunters Champion Hunters’ Chase, run over 3 miles 4 furlongs in June.

The late Aubrey Brabazon, who won the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Cottage Rake in 1948, 1949 and 1950, rode his last winner at Stratford in 1960.

The late Fred Winter trained his last winner at Stratford in 1988.

Horse racing first took place on Sedgefield Racecourse, in its current location, on the former Sands Hill Estate in Durham, northeast England, in 1846. The racecourse closed between 1915 and 1920 because of World War I, but the number of annual fixtures started to increase from 1927 onwards, following the formation of the Sedgefield Racecourse Company. The late Frank Scotto, who became chairman in 1977, was instrumental in saving the course from closure and, under the auspices of Arena Racing Company (ARC), facilities for jockeys, owners, trainers and the racegoing public have continued to improve ever since. Sedgefield plays host to 18 National Hunt meetings throughout the season.

Course Characteristics

The Sedgefield course consists of a left-handed, sharp, undulating, testing oval about a mile and a quarter around. There are eight easy fences, or five flights of hurdles, per circuit and a run-in of 200 yards. The home turn is the highest point on the course, but some of the uphill sections, notably the last 150 yards, call for intensive effort and make races over three miles or more a thorough test of stamina.

Track Facts

The most valuable race run at Sedgefield, the John Wade Novices’ Hurdle Series Final, is sponsored by the leading owner at the track.

For several months in 2011, a stray collie, who became known locally as “Dwain the Dog”, remained at large on Sedgefield racecourse. A local bookmaker offered a £500 reward for his safe capture.

Sandown Racecourse was established in its current location, in Esher, Surrey, on the outskirts of London, in 1875. It was, in fact, the first racecourse to be designed and constructed specifically for the purpose and the first to be enclosed. The racecourse was closed for refurbishment in 1972 and, under the auspices of Jockey Club Racecourses, which bought it in 1994, has continued to flourish. Today, Sandown hosts 30 Flat and National Hunt fixtures throughout the year.

Course Characteristics

Overall, Sandown Racecourse can be described as a right-handed, galloping, testing track. The round course is an oval, thirteen furlongs in circumference, with a four furlong home straight. The last half mile is uphill until a hundred yards before the winning post, so an abundance of stamina is a prerequisite. The straight five furlong course rises steadily throughout and tends to favour horses drawn low, especially on soft ground. On the National Hunt course, there are eleven, stiff fences – including the three so-called railway fences, which come in quick succession at the end of the back straight – or six flight of hurdles per circuit and a run-in of 220 yards.

Track Facts

The first live televised horse race came from Sandown in 1947.

The Eclipse Stakes, nowadays sponsored by Coral and often referred to as the Coral-Eclipse, was first run in 1886.

The Eclipse Stakes is the first chance of the season for three-year-olds to take on older horses at the highest level.

The most successful trainer in the history of the Bet365 Gold Cup, formerly the Whitbread Gold Cup, was the late Fulke Walwyn with seven wins between 1958 and 1984.

The Tingle Creek Chase is named after a popular steeplechaser who won his last race at Sandown in 1978.

Salisbury Racecourse was established, just outside the cathedral city of Salisbury, Wiltshire, in 1584 and has the distinction of being one of the oldest racecourses in the country. For all its rich heritage, Salisbury is very much a modern racecourse, combining extensive, up-to-date facilities with high quality racing. Salisbury Racecourse stages 16 Flat fixtures throughout the season, including four evening fixtures in May, July and August.

Course Characteristics

Salisbury Racecourse is a right-handed, galloping, testing track. Races up to a mile are run on the straight course, which rises steadily all the way to the winning post and kinks slightly to the right at the three furlong marker. Races over a mile and a half and further start on the home straight and horses travel away from the winning post, around a right-handed loop and back towards the winning post. In sprint races, low drawn horses appear to be slightly favoured.

Track Facts

The Bibury Club, founded in 1681, has been associated with Salisbury since 1899. The Bilbury Handicap is run over a mile and a half at the course in June each year.

In 1970, future Derby winner Mill Reef won the Salisbury Stakes and Brigadier Gerard won the Champagne Stakes at Salisbury.

American jockey Steve Cauthen made a winning British debut at Salisbury in April 1979 on Maquee Universal, trained by Barry Hills.

Lester Piggot had his first ride in public at Salisbury in April 1948, aged just 12.

The Sovereign Stakes, run over a mile in August, is the most valuable race on the Salisbury calendar.

Ripon Racecourse, situated between the Ripon Canal and the River Ure in North Yorkshire, was established in its current location in 1900. However, horse racing had taken place on Bondgate Green, less than a mile away, since 1664. Nowadays, Ripon Racecourse stages 16 Flat fixtures between April and September, including five evening fixtures during the summer months.

Course Characteristics

The round course at Ripon is a right-handed, fairly sharp oval, a mile and five furlongs around, with an undulating five furlong straight. The bends are sharp and the course favours horses that like to race on, or close to, the pace. On the straight course, on which races up to six furlongs are run, there is a definite bias towards horses drawn high, against the stands’ side rail, especially on fast ground.

Track Facts

Ripon is sometimes known as the “Garden Racecourse”, because of its idyllic setting.

Ripon won the “Best Small Racecourse in the North” award from the Racegoers’ Club in 1996, 2003, 2009 and 2011.

The most valuable race run at Ripon is the Great St. Wilfrid Stakes, a handicap run over 6 furlongs, in August. The race is named after St. Wilfrid, the patron saint of Ripon.

The 25-acre lake in the centre of the course is popular for fishing, but fishing is not allowed on racedays.