Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse

Published on: 08/08/2016

Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse is located just 25 minutes from Chester in the heart of the Welsh countryside near Wrexham. It remains the only horse race track in the UK without a dedicated grandstand.

The flat left-handed course features three sharp bends and is used for National Hunt jumping and amateur Point-to-Point races. A total of 16 meetings are held throughout the year - however, there is no racing in January or June.

In 1858, a cross country race between two hunt members for a £50 prize was the first race to be held at the site. A year later, the first Steeplechase meeting was held and the course has barely changed since that day.

The very first race (the Grand Wynnstay Steeplechase) was run over three miles and featured 12 runners. The first winner was a six-year-old called Charley, owned by Mr. Jones and mounted by a jockey known simply as Gaff.

In 1868, the race was won by a horse called Maid of Trent ridden who was ridden by a 10-year-old boy named Fred Archer. The young Master Archer went on to become one of the greatest jockeys in the history of the sport.

Bangor-on-Dee was also the location for jockey-turned-author Dick Francis’ first ever ride (1947) and his first ever treble. Since then, a host of famous horses, jockeys and trainers have graced the picturesque course.

In recent years, the course and facilities have been modernised significantly and in 2006, amateur Point-to-Point races were added to the schedule. Race meetings at Bangor-on-Dee can attract crowds of up to 600 in size.

Bangor-on-Dee racetrack has become an integral part of the local community, providing employment and boosting the economy. It is a popular venue for social gatherings, weddings, conferences and celebrations. It has two restaurants, a café and an outside terrace where clients can enjoy a close-up view of the horses.

The course has its own totalizer betting pool system known as BangorBET. Screens located around the course give punters a live indication of how much can be won.

Published on: 08/08/2016 © Bet Bind