Newbury Racecourse
Founded in 1905, the horse racing venue known as Newbury Racecourse is located in Berkshire, England. The racecourse is situated in close proximity to the major road networks as well as being served by a dedicated railway station which opens at the same year as the racecourse. Newbury Racecourse also boasts its own light aircraft runway in the middle of the course.
There are records of horse racing occurring in the Newbury location over a century prior to the racecourse itself was created. The earliest findings mention the “Newbury Races,” an annual two-day race event held at Enborne Heath from 1805 until 1811; and then at Woodhay Heath until 1815. Although horse racing was obviously enjoyed in the area, there was no permanent racing track in existence.
In the early 1900s, a horse trainer called John Porter presented building plans for a new racecourse to the Jockey Club on a number of occasions; however, they declined to authorise any of his ideas. Then something extraordinary happened, John Porter was lucky enough to meet King Edward VII and this led to the King offering his support to the creation of the facility. In 1904, the Newbury Racecourse Company was initiated, land was bought and works began with buildings and stables.
The very first horse racing event at Newbury Racecourse was named the Whatcombe Handicap, it was won by jockey Charles Trigg riding a horse called Copper King. On the second day of racing, and event called the Regulation Plate was won by a horse called, trained by John Porter. The following year, National Hunt racing was included in the racing calendar at Newbury Racecourse for the first time in an event comprising of six days of flat racing and three days of jump events. Some 25 years later, a thoroughbred racehorse called “Golden Miller” made his first appearance at Newbury Racecourse in a steeplechase meeting. The spirited horse went on to claim the Reading Chase victory in 1931, followed by winning the Sefton Steeplechase in 1932. The horse also won the Cheltenham Gold Cup five times.
Another of Newbury’s legends was British jockey and trainer Faulke Walwyn who was exceptionally successful in National Hunt racing. Walwyn claimed his first victory riding Our Hope in the Moderate Handicap Hurdle at Newbury Race course in 1934. He went on to train seven winners of the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup.
Newbury Racecourse hosts about approximately 39 fixtures per annum. Its racing calendar features many prestigious events, in both flat and jump racing categories. Its Group 1 flat horse race known as the Lockinge Stakes takes place in May and is a one mile straight run event. The Lockinge Stakes are classed as a qualifier for the QIPCO British Champions Day hosted at Ascot in October.
Notable Group 1, 2 and 3 races at Newbury Racecourse include the John Porter Stakes, the Hungerford Stakes, the Mill Reef Stakes, the Arc Trial, the World Trophy, the St. Simon Stakes and the Horris Hill Stakes.
Each year in November, Newbury Racecourse hosts the Hennessey Gold Cup, which is a highly popular jump race. It covers a distance of three miles and two-and-a-half furlongs and features 21 fences. The important meeting is scheduled within the three-day Hennessey Heritage Festival. The famous Irish thoroughbred horse named Arkle became well known for winning the event twice in the 1960s.
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