Welcome to our official guide to Newbury Racecourse. In this section, we explore this great national hunt and flat racing racecourse in detail, looking at its history, the big races, a guide to the track, hotel picks, fixtures, travel information, betting guides and even the weather!
Situated just adjacent to the town of Newbury in Berkshire, Newbury Racecourse is something of an understated racing venue.
Having hosted racing for over 100 years, it is currently home to 29 race meetings annually – a mixture of flat and national hunt – as well as a range of other events. The Lambourn training centre is nearby and so the course is often home to locally-grown talent as well as attracting horses from further afield, especially for its major races which include the Group 1 Lockinge Stakes, the ultra-competitive Betfair Hurdle and perhaps its most famous race the Hennessy Gold Cup.
Unlike many racecourses in the UK, it remains independently run and as such has branched out in its business offerings. The course attracts not just some of the best horses in the world for races, but also companies of all shapes and sizes flock to their conferencing facilities, food buffs to their restaurants, tourists to their on-site hotel and even families to their on-site day-care nursery!
Newbury is one of the favourite courses with the team here with its perfect blend of great racing, great customer service and exciting atmosphere.
Online reviews for Newbury are favourable from race-goers of all levels and types: the team on-site manage to deliver a fantastic customer experience time and time again.
Racecourse History
Newbury held its first race in September 1905 on its current site. 100 years prior to that, in 1805, racing did take place in Newbury, but on another course across town. The site that exists now was proposed by Kingsclere trainer John Porter, but the Jockey’s Club rejected several of his plans and delaying any construction. Luckily, Porter had a chance meeting with King Edward VII and raised with him his idea – lodging another proposal with his support. Unsurprisingly, it was accepted!
In 1904, the Newbury Racecourse Company, who still exist today, were formed and construction began on the site. The first-ever race was the Whatcombe Handicap, with the top prize of £25 won by Copper King ridden by Charlie Trigg. The very next day, John Porter himself trained Zelis, who won the Regulation Plate – the only race ever to be won involving the course’s founder and owner.
National Hunt racing began the year after with nine race days planned. However, the course later closed during the First World War; and was used as a prisoner-of-war camp for German spies.
Once re-opened, it continued to enjoy success, perhaps at its height with a visit from Queen Elizabeth II on her 86th birthday. She watched two of her own horses race, but unfortunately, neither won.
Newbury is a destination for horse racing fans and tourists alike, and is considered a ‘great day out’ no matter the racing experience of the attendee.
Check out our online review video here:
Main Races and Events at Newbury
The course hosts a lot of racing throughout the year, both quality racing in both codes.
Its major flat races are considered to be:
The Lockinge Stakes – a Group 1 race which is run in mid-May. The race is named after a town just north of the racecourse and is specifically for horses aged four and over. The top class one-mile race has been won in the past by some amazing horses such as Brigadier Gerard, Hawk Wing and more recently Frankel.
The Greenham Stakes and Fred Darling Stakes – both these races are run over 7 furlongs in April, the Greenham is for colts and The Fred Darling for fillies, both for 3-year-olds. They are considered to be key trails for the 1000 and 2000 Guineas held at Newmarket in May. Frankel was a great winner of the Greenham whilst Bosra Sham won the Fred Darling before both going on to claim their respective Guineas at Newmarket Racecourse.
Super Sprint – held in July this is a super-fast 5-furlong sprint held for 2-year-olds.
Geoffrey Freer Stakes – held in August over a staying trip over 1mie 5 furlongs is a race open to 3 years old and above, it has proven a good stepping stone for 3 years old looking to go for the St Leger (the final classic) at Doncaster at the end of the season.
The venue equally hosts outstanding jumps racing, with the main races being:
The Hennessy Gold Cup – usually run at the end of November this is one of the major races of the entire national hunt calendar. The Hennessy Gold Cup is a handicap chase over three miles and 2 furlongs and many top-class horses have won it before going on to win the Cheltenham Gold Cup and other Grade 1 races at The Festival. Superb winners of the Hennessey Gold Cup have included the brilliant One Man and the mighty Denman, who put up an unbelievable weight-carrying performance when winning in 2009 and won the race twice.
The Betfair Hurdle – is part of a bumper race fixture in mid-February. The Betfair Hurdle race is a two-mile handicap hurdle and is one of the major betting races of the season. Other notable races as part of this meeting include the Game Spirit Chase and Denman Chase, both leading trials for Champion Chase and Gold Cup respectively. Won recently by Altoir and Native River respectively.
Racecourse Map
Newbury is a left-handed track measuring one mile and seven furlongs round and is oval in shape. As the track hosts both flat and national hunt below we show you both the courses:
Courtesy of At The Races
Newbury’s flat track is generally considered to be a fair and galloping track, with a long and wide home straight, this most horses (if good enough) will get a chance. The course has both a straight mile, so all races from 5-7 furlongs are run on the straight course, however, there is also a mile track around the bend as well. The ground can become testing in wet weather and when this happens, those racing down the centre can sometimes be at an advantage. It is predominately flat with some slight undulations throughout.
Courtesy of At The Races.
The jumps track is known for its stiff fences, even though there are not many fallers, and it is galloping in nature. Most horses that win on the hurdles and chase courses are blessed with good stamina. The water-jump is positioned in front of the grandstand and on the final circuit, after the last fence, the horses run around an elbow to the finishing line. A fair and mainly flat track means that it has seen many of the national hunt greats race over its course over the years.
There are lots of different ways to reach the course. The most popular are:
By Car -there is ample free parking available, if you choose to drive, for your stat nav the details are – RG14 7NZ
By Train – many choose to travel by train to the course as its serviced by its own rail station! Those arriving by train can simply walk across a road bridge straight onto the course grounds. Trains stop at the racecourse from London Paddington on all major race days and from Newbury itself, just one stop away, every day of the week.
Bus and Coach – on race days and concert dates, the course is well serviced by bus and coach companies.
Hotels Near Newbury Racecourse
Newbury boasts an on-site hotel called The Lodge, and well, you can’t get more convenient! The 36 en-suite rooms are all individually designed and perfect for an overnight stay before or after your day at the races – but need booking in advance to avoid disappointment, especially for the Hennessey Gold Cup weekend.
For a more budget option, chain Premier Inn has two hotels within a short distance. For a list of other great options nearby check out the options available on the brilliant Booking.com below: Booking.com
Best Online Newbury 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:
New Customers Only. Min deposit £5. Bet Credits available for use upon settlement of bets to value of qualifying deposit. Min odds, bet and payment method exclusions apply. Returns exclude Bet Credits stake. Time limits and T&Cs apply. Full T&C's Apply
New UK & NI customers only. 18+. Sign up using promo code ‘SPORTS60’. Deposit & place first sports bet at a minimum of £10 in one bet transaction at evens (2.0) +. £30 paid in free bets within 48 hours of bet settlement, expires 7-days after issue. Doesn’t apply to customers who place their first bet on the Virtual Grand National. E-Wallet & Prepaid Card restrictions apply. Your first bet must be settled within 60 days of bet placement. SMS validation may be required. Game restrictions apply. Maximum 30 Free Spins on selected games. Free Spins expire after 7 days. Full T&Cs apply. Full T&C's Apply
Important info: 18+. UK+IRE only. Min first bet £5. Must be placed within 14 days of account reg. £20 credited as 4 x £5 free bets. Not valid with CashOut. Free bet valid for 4 days. Free bet stake not returned. T&Cs Apply. Full T&C's Apply
18+. UK+IRE only. Promo code 'G30' required. Min first bet £10. Must be placed within 14 days of account reg. £30 credited as 3 x £10 free bets. Not valid with CashOut. Free bet valid for 7 days.T&Cs Apply. Full T&C's Apply
New William Hill online customers only. Min. unit stake of £10/€10 at odds of 1/2 or greater. Only the “win” part from EW bets will count. Free bet terms, payment method & country restrictions apply. Free bets credited as 3 x £10/€10. Free bet stakes are not returned as part of the settlement of successful free bets. All Free Bets must be wagered within 30 days. Full T&C's Apply
New customers only. 18+, BeGambleAware.org. Min deposit £10. Money back as bonus. Wagering requirements: Sportsbook 3x at min. odds of 1.40 (2/5), Casino 25x. Only one bonus can be used at a time, Sportsbook bonus must be wagered before using the Casino, unless the bonus has been forfeited. Bonus will expire after 7 days of opt-in. Full T&C's Apply
New Customer Offer. T&Cs Apply. 18+. Please Gamble Responsibly. Full T&C's Apply
Betting Shops Local to Newbury
Newbury has independent bookmakers next to the course, as well as Totepool windows throughout the venue. It’s worth betting at the course itself or online, as betting shops in the nearby area are sparse; simply because of course, the town is so small! However, if you do venture into Newbury itself, you’ll find a branch of Ladbrokes and one of MegaBet close to the Business Park, and a Coral in nearby Wash Common.
Newbury Races Fixtures
January – afternoon jump racing
February – two meetings including the Betfair Super Saturday with the Betfair Hurdle, West Berkshire Mencap Charity Raceday and Greatwood Charity Raceday.
March – Be Wiser Jumps Season Finale
April – Dubai Duty-Free Spring Trials Family Weekend
May – Group 1 Lockinge Stakes meeting
June – afternoon race meeting and the Big British BBQ meeting
July – 5 meeting in July; including an evening meeting and the Weatherby’s Super Sprint
Aug – 3 meetings, including a charity race day and the Hungerford Stakes
Sep – the brilliant Dubai Duty-Free international meeting
Oct – 2 meetings, one flat and one national hunt
Nov – 2 national hunt meetings with Ladbrooks Trophy Day the main race and the second featuring the Hennessy Gold Cup
Dec – two meetings including the Challow Hurdle
For specific information on the fixtures visit the official course website.
Newbury 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 Newbury:
Other notable races include the trainer John Porter Stakes, the Legacy Cup and the Ladbrokes Trophy: but there’s so much more to the course than just the racing.
Since 2010, when boy band Westlife visited and performed at the course as part of their nationwide tour, the course has been home to annual music gigs, including recently the likes of Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Olly Murs and Sir Tom Jones.
Summer concerts take on a festival feel with Pimms stands and the sunset across the course as bands play.
Summary
We hope you have enjoyed our guide; as you can gather it is a racecourse that we really love here. From the top-class Group 1 Lockinge Stakes through to the brilliant Hennessy Gold Cup, this superb course offers high-quality racing all year round, with other key races including the Ladbrokes Trophy, Betfair Hurdle and the Greenham. The course has seen amazing performances across both disciplines from the mind-blowing Frankel to the sheer power of Denman. Combine that sporting excellence with great customer service and ease of transport and you couldn’t ask for much more. A racecourse to visit at any time of year. A top pick.
Other Racecourses You May Like
Our team as of May 2020 have reviewed the following racecourses that are also all worth a visit:
Newbury boasts an on-site hotel called The Lodge, and well, you can’t get more convenient! The 36 en-suite rooms are all individually designed and perfect for an overnight stay before or after your day at the races – but need booking in advance to avoid disappointment. For a more budget option, chain Premier Inn have two hotels within a short distance.
🏇What should I wear to Newbury racecourse?
Racegoers are encouraged to wear smart attire. Men are asked to wear a collared shirt. Smart denim and long, tailored shorts are allowed. The course are clear that no sports shorts, T-shirts, vests, sports and supporter shirts, tracksuits or sportswear are permitted. Trainers are not allowed.
Ladies are also asked to dress smart casual, although many like to make an effort and go smarter.
🏇Who owns Newbury racecourse?
Unlike many racecourses in the UK, Newbury remains independently run and as such has branched out in its business offerings. The course attracts not just some of the best horses in the world for races, but also companies of all shapes and sizes flock to their conferencing facilities, food buffs to their restaurants, tourists to their on-site hotel and even families to their on-site day-care nursery!
