Yorkshire is a county in the North of England and is home to some of the best horse racing in the country. There are nine racecourses in Yorkshire, all of which offer a variety of different types of racing throughout the year. From flat racing to steeplechases and hurdle races, these racecourses have it all. In this article, we will be taking a look at the nine racecourses of Yorkshire, as well as some of the key features and history of each.
The 9 Racecourses of Yorkshire
- Doncaster Racecourse
- York Racecourse
- Pontefract Racecourse
- Thirsk Racecourse
- Redcar Racecourse
- Catterick Racecourse
- Wetherby Racecourse
- Scarborough Racecourse
- Beverley Racecourse
Doncaster Racecourse
Doncaster Racecourse is one of the oldest and most famous racecourses in the UK. The first race was held here in 1776 and it is now home to the St Leger, which is known as the oldest classic horse race in the world. Doncaster Racecourse is a flat racecourse and hosts many high-profile events throughout the year, including the Doncaster Cup and the Lincoln Handicap.
Notable Races at Doncaster Racecourse
- St Leger Stakes
- Doncaster Cup
- Lincoln Handicap
- Racing Post Trophy
- May Hill Stakes
York Racecourse
York Racecourse is another of the most famous racecourses in the UK and is home to the prestigious Ebor Festival, which takes place every August. The racecourse was opened in 1731 and since then has hosted some of the most prestigious races in the country, including the Nunthorpe Stakes and the Yorkshire Oaks. York Racecourse is a flat course and offers a variety of different types of racing throughout the year.
Notable Races at York Racecourse
- Ebor Festival
- Nunthorpe Stakes
- Yorkshire Oaks
- Betfred Dante Stakes
- Middleton Stakes
Pontefract Racecourse
Pontefract Racecourse is located in West Yorkshire and is one of the oldest courses in the UK. The first races were held here in 1648 and it is now home to the Pontefract Castle Stakes, which is one of the oldest races in the country. Pontefract is a flat racecourse and hosts many high-profile events throughout the year, including the Flying Childers Stakes and the William Hill Sprint Championship.
Notable Races at Pontefract Racecourse
- Pontefract Castle Stakes
- Flying Childers Stakes
- William Hill Sprint Championship
- Lingfield Stakes
- Pontefract Mile
Thirsk Racecourse
Thirsk Racecourse is located in North Yorkshire and is home to some of the most exciting racing in the country. The racecourse was opened in 1853 and is now home to the Thirsk Hunt Cup, which is one of the oldest races in the country. Thirsk is a flat racecourse and hosts many high-profile events throughout the year, including the John Smith’s Northumberland Plate and the Thirsk Summer Cup.
Notable Races at Thirsk Racecourse
- Thirsk Hunt Cup
- John Smith’s Northumberland Plate
- Thirsk Summer Cup
- Thirsk Gold Cup
- Thirsk Ladies’ Day Stakes
Redcar Racecourse
Redcar Racecourse is located in North Yorkshire and is home to some of the most exciting flat racing in the country. The racecourse was opened in 1872 and is now home to the Zetland Gold Cup, which is one of the oldest races in the country. Redcar is a flat racecourse and hosts many high-profile events throughout the year, including the Lincoln Handicap and the Redcar Autumn Cup.
Notable Races at Redcar Racecourse
- Zetland Gold Cup
- Lincoln Handicap
- Redcar Autumn Cup
- Redcar Two Year Old Trophy
- Redcar Stakes
Catterick Racecourse
Catterick Racecourse is located in North Yorkshire and is home to some of the most exciting jump racing in the country. The racecourse was opened in 1776 and is now home to the Sky Bet Chase, which is one of the oldest races in the country. Catterick is a jump racecourse and hosts many high-profile events throughout the year, including the Catterick Bridge Novices’ Chase and the Catterick Hurdle.
Notable Races at Catterick Racecourse
- Sky Bet Chase
- Catterick Bridge Novices’ Chase
- Catterick Hurdle
- Catterick Gold Cup
- Catterick Handicap Hurdle
Wetherby Racecourse
Wetherby Racecourse is located in West Yorkshire and is home to some of the most exciting jump racing in the country. The racecourse was opened in 1891 and is now home to the Sky Bet Chase, which is one of the oldest races in the country. Wetherby is a jump racecourse and hosts many high-profile events throughout the year, including the Charlie Hall Chase and the Towton Novices’ Chase.
Notable Races at Wetherby Racecourse
- Sky Bet Chase
- Charlie Hall Chase
- Towton Novices’ Chase
- West Yorkshire Hurdle
- Wetherby Gold Cup Handicap Chase
Scarborough Racecourse
Scarborough Racecourse is located in North Yorkshire and is home to some of the most exciting flat racing in the country. The racecourse was opened in 1736 and is now home to the prestigious Scarborough Stakes, which is one of the oldest races in the country. Scarborough is a flat racecourse and hosts many high-profile events throughout the year, including the Scarborough Gold Cup and the Scarborough Stakes.
Notable Races at Scarborough Racecourse
- Scarborough Stakes
- Scarborough Gold Cup
- Scarborough Cup
- Spa Stakes
- Scarborough Spring Cup
Beverley Racecourse
Beverley Racecourse is located in East Yorkshire and is home to some of the most exciting flat racing in the country. The racecourse was opened in 1767 and is now home to the prestigious Beverley Bullet, which is one of the oldest races in the country. Beverley is a flat racecourse and hosts many high-profile events throughout the year, including the Beverley Sprint Cup and the Beverley Stakes.
Notable Races at Beverley Racecourse
- Beverley Bullet
- Beverley Sprint Cup
- Beverley Stakes
- Beverley Juvenile Stakes
- Beverley Apprentice Handicap
Conclusion
Yorkshire is one of the most important counties in the UK when it comes to horse racing and is home to some of the oldest and most prestigious races in the country. There are nine racecourses in Yorkshire, all of which offer a variety of different types of racing throughout the year. This article has looked at the nine racecourses in Yorkshire and some of the key features and history of each.