Bangor on Dee Racecourse Guide

Welcome to our official guide to Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse.

We explore this small Welsh racecourse in detail, examining its history, providing a guide to the track, recommending top local hotels, offering travel information, and providing fixtures and betting guides for Bangor-on-Dee.

Check out all Bangor on Dee betting tips today.

Find out more about Bangor Racecourse now:

Overview of Bangor Racecourse

Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse, or just Bangor Racecourse as it is often known, is one of three active racecourses in Wales and the only one in the north of the country.

Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse hosts National Hunt racing and although isn’t well known nationally, can boast the title of being the only horseracing venue in the country without a grandstand!

Despite not having a traditional grandstand, Bangor offers all the modern hospitality facilities you’d expect – restaurants, bars, conference facilities, and private raceday facilities for hire. It’s just all more ground-level than is often the case with racecourses. The lack of tall buildings on-site means that there are some great views out across the Welsh countryside, so the surroundings are unique and offer excellent photo opportunities.

Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse is owned independently by the same firm that owns Chester Racecourse, and the two venues share a Course Clerk. The company also own an on-site (at Chester) Holiday Inn Express Hotel, two on-site restaurants and a bar in Chester city centre: the Commonhall Social.

Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse has a schedule of around 15 race fixtures per year, and racing takes place throughout the year, albeit with busier events in late autumn and winter.

The track at Bangor is left-handed and relatively sharp, with an almost triangular shape. Surface undulations are minor, and the fences are regarded as being pretty stiff. Races are well-run at Bangor-on-Dee, mainly because horses are almost always on the turn.

Bangor on Dee Racing Tips

Bangor Racecourse History

Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse has hosted National Hunt racing since 1859, and, except for the World Wars and the coronavirus pandemic, has continued uninterrupted since then.

The first-ever race was for a prize of fifty guineas and was contested between the Hon Lloyd Kenyon and Richard Myddleton Biddulph of Chirk Castle. Richard won easily, but the crowds drawn to the race cemented the popularity of Bangor-on-Dee as a racing venue. An annual meeting was arranged in response to the local ‘hype’.

The hurdles track was constructed in 1947 when racing resumed after World War II, and in 1953, a proper stable block and accommodation for stable staff were built.

Amateur point-to-point racing has been held at Bangor since 2006, taking place within the regular track. This marks the first time races have been run right-handed at Bangor.

In 2018, new facilities for trainers and owners were opened, but still no grandstand – and for now, it looks as though Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse won’t ever have one on its site!

Bangor Racecourse Map

Below is a map of Bangor-on-Dee racecourse:

The track at Bangor is left-handed and reasonably sharp. It has minor undulations throughout.

Fences are known to be stiff, and races on both the hurdles and chase courses are typically well-run affairs.

Main Races and Events Held at Bangor Racecourse

Bangor doesn’t have a packed racing calendar, nor does it attract a great deal of significant prominent events – but that’s primarily because of its size and the fact that, of course, it doesn’t have a grandstand to house all of its spectators. That said, the charity events hosted at Bangor-on-Dee are always popular, and jockey Tony McCoy frequently makes a point of racing in them.

Corporate brands sponsor most race meets, so they change their names annually. Whilst none of these could be considered ‘major’ in the industry, one does carry a hefty prize fund: the Anne Duchess of Westminster Memorial Handicap Steeple Chase is worth £26,000!

Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse Address

The address of Bangor Racecourse is:

Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse
Althrey Court
Bangor-on-Dee
Wrexham
LL13 0DA

How To Get To Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse

The ways to get to Bangor races are:

• By road – it is just a 25-minute drive from Chester and well signposted from the A483. Motorists travelling from all directions can follow signs to Wrexham and then use local signage. Car parking is free, and many attending choose to erect a gazebo near their cars – this can be done for a one-off fee of £10.
• By train – Wrexham General Station is the nearest rail station to the racecourse and is served by free shuttle buses every race day. Taxis are available outside Wrexham General at all times, and the journey is less than 15 minutes away.
• By bus – buses aren’t grand here (this is rural Wales, after all!), but local and national routes serve Wrexham.
• By air – helicopters can land, but arrangements must be made in advance, and the exact landing area may change, so further communication on the day of travel may be necessary.

Bangor Racecard and Bangor-on-Dee Race Tips

The Bangor racecards are released the day before the races. Find out where to view tomorrow’s and today’s racecards here.

You can also, of course, purchase a racecard from the track, which carries much of the same helpful information.

Other Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse Events

Many spectators are drawn to Bangor for its point-to-point racing, which, although amateur, is far from low-quality.

Point-to-point racing offers a distinctly different experience from traditional horse racing. Still, it’s an excellent way for racegoers to spend a day out and see some up-and-coming talent in both jockeys and horses.

Betting Shops Local to Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse

There are no betting shops in Bangor-on-Dee itself, but nearby Wrexham has branches of Coral, William Hill, Corbett Bookmakers, Betfred and Ladbrokes.

Here are the local betting shops nearest to Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse:

• Ladbrokes betting shop – 19 High St, Wrexham LL13 8HP
• Betfred betting shop – 34 Regent St, Llandudno, Wrexham LL11 1SA
• William Hill betting shop – 27, 31 Lord St, Wrexham LL11 1LS

Bangor On Dee’s On Course Bookmakers

There are approximately 8 Bangor Totes based on the track or any of the independent bookmakers.

It’s better to visit the parade ring before placing your bets, as seeing the horses could change your mind, and that one horse could catch your eye.

Bangor On Dee Races Facts

Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse is a horse racing venue located in Bangor-on-Dee, Wrexham County Borough, Wales.

• It is situated on the banks of the River Dee, close to the border with England.
• The racecourse is owned and operated by Chester Race Company Ltd.
• It hosts both National Hunt and Flat racing.
• The course is a left-handed oval of around 1 mile 5 furlongs (2,414 m) in length.
• The course record for the National Hunt course is held by Mr Mulligan, who ran the 3 miles 5 furlongs (5,834 m) in 6 minutes 8.6 seconds in 1998.
• The course is used for National Hunt racing and is one of the most popular jumps courses in Wales.
• It hosts around 18 fixtures each year.
• The most valuable race held at the course is the Grade 3 Betfair Novices’ Chase, which is run over 2 miles and 1 furlong (3,330 metres).
• The course has been voted as the ‘Best Small Racecourse’ in Wales for the last 3 years.

Summary of Bangor Racecourse and Bangor-on-Dee races

A charming, small racetrack, close to the River Dee and a left-handed jumps racecourse, Bangor is something of a hidden gem of a course owned by the Chester race company. Its setting is the glorious countryside of Wales.

Although it lacks a grandstand, it boasts superb facilities and excellent customer service, which is why it has remained a popular destination for years. It is a brilliant day’s racing.

Although Bangor-on-Dee horse racing doesn’t host many major races, the racing it does host is always competitive and well-run.

Local jockey & trainer combo Donald McCain’s horses often run well here.

If you are looking for a stunning, quiet and popular racecourse, Bangor could be for you. Highly recommended by the teams here.