Haydock Racecourse Guide

Welcome to our official guide to Haydock Racecourse. In this section we explore this great dual-purpose racecourse in detail, looking at its history, a guide to the track, local hotel picks, fixtures, travel information, betting guides and even the weather!

Haydock Park Racecourse

Overview

Haydock Racecourse is a dual-purpose horseracing course used for both flat and National Hunt racing, situated in Merseyside between Liverpool and Manchester. The course surroundings are misleading – you’d be excused for thinking you were in deep countryside, with tree-lined roads and vast fields on all sides!

Owned and operated by The Jockey Club, Haydock Racecourse is not just one of the North’s leading horseracing venues, but also one of the largest and busiest conferencing facilities in the North West of England.

It holds some 30+ race meets a year as well as non-racing events almost every day of the year! The town of Haydock has become synonymous with horseracing, although it is also home to several golf courses.

The track at Haydock Racecourse is a flat left handed oval of one mile five furlongs, with a slight rise toward the end. A straight chute of up to six furlongs is added for longer race distances. The emphasis is very much on stamina and the going is often hard. The steeplechase course sees ten fences with five hurdles run inside the chase course. It’s the premier year-round course for the North of England with major races including the Betfair Chase won famously be Kauto Star and the Haydock Park Sprint Cup in summer.

As such a major events venue, the on-site facilities are vast and varied. Haydock Racecourse boasts four grandstands, thirty-three private viewing suites, restaurants, bars, street food options and conferencing and business facilities. Various enclosures cater for all (and all budgets!) and Haydock, as with other racecourses in the North, is well renowned for its Ladies Day and frequently fashionable racegoers attending in haute couture. If the weather is good, picnics are very popular – so if you’re considering visiting, pack up your picnic hamper and enjoy some al-fresco dining while you’re there!

Racecourse History

Horseracing events are documented having been held as far back as 1752 in Newton-le-Willows, some two miles away from the current course. Racing continued there until 1898 (with just a few brief breaks) and was sponsored by members of the local Newton Hunt.

In 1898, the course moved to its current home, Haydock.

The inaugural event was a two-day National Hunt meeting in February the following year, and by May, race meets were held under Jockey Club results. Haydock Racecourse got its first big break in 1908, when Sydney Sandon became the course’s Secretary. Under his leadership, Haydock Racecourse saw mass redevelopment and marketing, securing its future as one of the most popular and prestigious courses in the country.

In 1947, Sheila’s Cottage won a three-and-a-half mile chase at Haydock and went on for Grand National success the following year! In 1963, The Lancashire Oaks was transferred here and in 1966, the Vernon’s Sprint Cup was also introduced.

The most recent grandstand opened in 1990 and its timeless design meant that there’s only needed to minor refurbishments and redecoration ever since. The course is owned and operated by The Jockey Club.

Main Races and Events

Haydock Racecourse has a fairly packed racing calendar, but four events stand out.

  • Grand National Trial – this happens in February and is a grade three steeplechase run over three miles and four-and-a-half furlongs. Currently sponsored by William Hill, anyone with an interest in the Grand National should attend – be that for training, betting or otherwise!
  • The Betfair Chase – won famously by Kauto Star this is one of the premier steeplechasers in the entire National Hunt calendar and forms part of the 1 million triple scheme which includes the King George and Gold Cup.
  • The Lancashire Oaks – a Group two flat race The Lancashire Oaks is open to fillies and mares every July. Its run over one mile, three furlongs and one-hundred-and-seventy-five yards; and is tough enough that its most successful horse has only won it twice.
  • Sprint Cup – lastly, the Haydock Sprint Cup is held every September. It’s currently sponsored by 32Red and its leading jockey is the famous Lester Piggott!

Haydock Park Racecourse Map

Haydock Park Flat Track
Courtesy of At The Races.

Flat course – Haydock is left handed and flat track. It is oval-shaped is just over twelve furlongs around. It has a home straight of 4 furlongs which is on a slight incline. Although essentially a galloping track with a long straight a good position turning in is often important with runners often slipping the fields. Sprints take place on the straight six-furlong course.

Haydock Park Jumps Track
Courtesy of At The Races.

Jumps course – similar to the flat track it is left-handed and flat but the trips take some getting with Conditions often get testing in winter. The fences have a reputation for being stiff.

Haydock Racecourse Address

The official address is:

Haydock Racecourse
Newton-le-Willows
WA12 0HQ

How To Get To Haydock Racecourse

By car – Haydock Racecourse is located just one mile off the M6 in an area of parkland between Haydock, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Newton-le-Willows and Golborne. Signs for ‘Haydock Park and Conference Centre’ are displayed on all routes in from Liverpool and Manchester. All parking is free of charge. Sat navs systems are (unusually!) effective using the course postcode, as above or typing in Newton le willows Merseyside.

By train – the nearest train station is Newton-le-Willows, and there’s usually plenty of taxis outside. Free shuttle buses run from the station on racedays, or you can take a direct bus from Liverpool city centre.

Hotels Near Haydock Racecourse

Most racegoers attending Haydock Racecourse will stay in nearby Manchester or Liverpool, but there are some accommodation options slightly closer to the action. Closest to the course is the Mercure Haydock, a Georgian hotel with very reasonable rates and free WiFi! Budget options nearby include the Premier Inn and Travelodge, along the main roads. For something smaller and with more of a countryside feel, check out the Kirkfield, the Pied Bull Hotel or the Bay Horse.

Further roadside chain hotels can be found up on the M6, including the Ibis Styles and Holiday Inn. For the best rates check out Booking.com as below: 
Booking.com

Best Haydock Betting Sites

At British Racecourses we often recommend betting online and via apps. This is because you can often get the best odds, great offers when signing up and you can place bets quickly and safely without having to queue.

If you are looking to bet online we recommend the following great deals:

Betting Shops Local to Haydock Racecourse

Haydock Racecourse has a variety of traditional betting shops located around the course, as well as Tote facilities. Independent bookmakers can also be found on the course, near to the parade ring. Mobile signal here can be a bit hit-or-miss (it is the countryside, after all!) so if you’re looking to bet online, log on to the course’s free WiFi.

The nearby towns and villages aren’t large, but there are betting shops about locally to Haydock – just, they’re primarily in residential areas. Branches of Betfred, William Hill and Coral can be found close to the course, with Ladbrokes a little further afield. If you’re staying in Liverpool or Manchester, you’ll find essentially every chain of bookies you can think of!

Haydock Park Fixtures

Due to Covid 19 fixtures are tbc but we will update you shortly.

Haydock Park Racecourse Weather

Punters and race-goers love to keep up with the weather to predict going conditions, as well as making sure what they wear is suitable. Here’s the current weather forecast for Haydock Park:
HAYDOCK WEATHER

Other Events

As a multi-purpose event venue, there’s always something on at Haydock Racecourse. Upcoming gigs include the Pussycat Dolls, and charity days are planned for a variety of causes. Haydock has a reputation for announcing big name artists booked to perform – previous acts include Kylie Minogue and Nile Rodgers!

Haydock Park Racecourse

Haydock Park Summary

Haydock is a brilliant and lively course – it is actually the home course of The British Racecourses team! With a packed schedule, top-class racing and fun crowds there is something for racing fans and those just on a night out. Owned by the Jockey Club major races include the Betfair Chase (won by the legend Kauto Star) and Haydock Sprint. Sandwiched between Manchester and Liverpool there are plenty of options and places to stay and you can combine your visit with staying in those great cities. Great customer service to boot – a top pick!

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