Wales is a country known for its stunning landscapes, friendly culture and unique history, but it is also home to some of the most exciting horse racing in the UK. Wales has a long, proud history of horse racing, with the first recorded race in the region taking place in 1519 at Cardiff Castle. Since then, the sport has grown in popularity and today there are a number of racecourses in Wales that host regular meetings. In this article, we will look at how many racecourses are in Wales, the different types of races that take place and the facilities available at each venue.
Racecourses in Wales are varied and diverse, ranging from small, rural tracks to larger, more modern venues. In total, there are nine racecourses in Wales, seven of which are Flat courses and two of which are National Hunt courses.
Flat Racing in Wales
Flat racing is the most common type of racing in Wales and takes place on flat or level surfaces. The seven Flat racecourses in Wales are: Bangor-on-Dee, Chepstow, Ffos Las, Hereford, Newbury, Pembroke Park and Welshpool.
Bangor-on-Dee is one of the oldest racecourses in Wales and has been running races since 1776. It is a small, rural track that is known for its friendly atmosphere and is popular with locals and visitors. The course is a left-handed, oval-shaped track with a run-in of two furlongs.
Chepstow is one of the largest racecourses in Wales and hosts a wide range of flat and National Hunt races. The track is a left-handed, oval-shaped track and the surface is a combination of turf and all-weather.
Ffos Las is a relatively new course, having opened in 2009. It is located in Carmarthenshire and is a flat and galloping course. The track is a left-handed, oval-shaped track with a run-in of two and a half furlongs.
Hereford is a small, rural track that is popular with locals and visitors alike. The track is a left-handed, oval-shaped track with a run-in of two furlongs.
Newbury is a large, modern racecourse located in Berkshire. The track is a left-handed, oval-shaped track and the surface is a combination of turf and all-weather.
Pembroke Park is a small, rural track located in Pembrokeshire. The track is a left-handed, oval-shaped track with a run-in of two furlongs.
Welshpool is a small, rural track located in Powys. The track is a left-handed, oval-shaped track with a run-in of two furlongs.
National Hunt Racing in Wales
National Hunt racing is another popular type of racing in Wales and takes place on steeply inclined surfaces. The two National Hunt racecourses in Wales are Chepstow and Hereford.
Chepstow is a large, modern racecourse that hosts a wide range of flat and National Hunt races. The track is a left-handed, oval-shaped track and the surface is a combination of turf and all-weather.
Hereford is a small, rural track that is popular with locals and visitors alike. The track is a left-handed, oval-shaped track with a run-in of two furlongs.
Facilities at Racecourses in Wales
Racecourses in Wales offer a range of facilities to make your day at the races as enjoyable as possible. Most racecourses offer a range of restaurants, bars and cafes, as well as bookmakers, betting facilities and public viewing areas. Some racecourses also offer accommodation and a range of other activities such as golf and cycling.
Types of Race Meetings in Wales
There are a number of different types of race meetings in Wales, including flat and National Hunt races. Flat races take place on flat or level surfaces and are usually run over distances of between 5 furlongs and 2 miles. National Hunt races take place on steeply inclined surfaces and are usually run over distances of between 2 miles and 4 miles.
Notable Races in Wales
There are a number of notable races that take place in Wales each year, including:
- The Welsh Grand National: This is the most prestigious race in Wales and takes place at Chepstow each year. It is a National Hunt race run over a distance of 3 miles and 5 furlongs.
- The Welsh Derby: This is a flat race run over a distance of 1 mile and 6 furlongs and takes place at Newbury each year.
- The Welsh Oaks: This is a flat race run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs and takes place at Chepstow each year.
- The Welsh National: This is a flat race run over a distance of 2 miles and 5 furlongs and takes place at Hereford each year.
Events at Racecourses in Wales
In addition to regular race meetings, several racecourses in Wales host a number of other events throughout the year. These include concert events, family days, corporate hospitality days and fun days.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are nine racecourses in Wales, seven of which are Flat courses and two of which are National Hunt courses. Each racecourse offers a range of facilities and hosts a variety of different types of race meetings and events throughout the year. Wales has a long and proud history of horse racing and is home to some of the most exciting racing in the UK.
References
- https://www.bangorondeeracecourse.co.uk/
- https://www.chepstow-racecourse.co.uk/
- https://www.ffoslasracecourse.com/
- https://www.hereford-racecourse.co.uk/
- https://www.newburyracecourse.co.uk/
- https://www.pembrokeparkracecourse.co.uk/
- https://www.welshpool-racecourse.co.uk/
- https://www.britishhorseracing.com/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horse_racing_in_Wales