Newbury Racecourse Guide

Welcome to our official guide to Newbury Racecourse.

We explore this renowned national hunt and flat racecourse in detail, examining its history, the major races throughout the year, a guide to the track, hotel recommendations, fixtures, travel information, and betting guides.

If you are looking for the latest betting tips for Newbury, check out our complete guide to Newbury Racecourse tips.

Newbury is a highly popular horse racing track in Berkshire, hosting numerous exciting betting events throughout the year.

Find out more about Newbury racecourse now:

Overview of Newbury Racecourse

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 events, 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 or as it is now known Coral Gold Cup.

Unlike many racecourses in the UK, it remains independently run and, as such, has expanded its business offerings.

Newbury racecourse 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 team’s favourite courses, thanks to its perfect blend of great racing, excellent customer service, and an 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.

Newbury Racing Tips

Newbury Racecourse History

Newbury held its first race in September 1905 on its current site.

One hundred years before that, in 1805, racing did take place in Newbury, but on a different course located across town.

Kingsclere trainer John Porter proposed the site that exists now, but the Jockey’s Club rejected several of his plans and delayed any construction. Luckily, Porter had a chance meeting with King Edward VII and presented his idea to him, raising the possibility of lodging another proposal with his support. Unsurprisingly, it was accepted!

In 1904, the Newbury Racecourse Company, which still exists today, was 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 following year 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 reopened, it continued to enjoy success, perhaps at its height with a visit from Queen Elizabeth II on her 86^th 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.

Main Newbury Races and Events at Newbury Racecourse

Newbury Racecourse hosts a variety of racing throughout the year, featuring high-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 Lockinge Stakes 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 trials for the 1000 Guineas Stakes and 2000 Guineas Stakes held at Newmarket in May. Frankel was a great winner of the Greenham whilst Bosra Sham won the Fred Darling before both went 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 of 1 mile 5 furlongs is a race open to 3 years old and above. It has proven a good stepping stone for 3-year-olds looking to go for the St Leger (the final classic) at  Doncaster racecourse at the end of the season.

Other primary flat races include:

• The John Porter Stakes
• Newbury Spring Cup
• Aston Park Stakes
• Carnarvon Stakes
• Fillies’ Trial Stakes
• Abingdon Stakes
• Rose Bowl Stakes
• Hackwood Stakes
• Steventon Stakes
• Hungerford Stakes
• St Hugh’s Stakes
• Denford Stakes
• The Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup Stakes
• The Dubai International Airport World Trophy Stakes
• Mill Reef Stakes
• Haynes, Hanson And Clark Stakes
• Dubai Duty Free Cup
• Horris Hill Stakes
• The St Simon Stakes
• Radley Stakes

The venue equally hosts outstanding jumps racing, with the primary races being:

• The Hennessy Gold Cup, now known as the Ladbrokes Trophy, is typically 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 the Champion Chase and the Gold Cup, respectively. Won recently by Altoir and Native River, respectively.

Other main hurdle races:

• Long Distance Hurdle
• Challow Novices Hurdle
• Greatwood Gold Cup

Need some tips on what to wear at the races – check out our guide!

Newbury Racecourse Map

The course at Newbury is a left-handed track measuring one mile and seven furlongs, which is oval.

The track hosts both flat and national hunt. Below we show you both the courses:

Newbury’s flat track is generally considered to be fair and galloping, with a long and wide home straight, so most horses (if good enough) will get a chance.

Newbury racecourse features both a straight mile, where all races from 5 to 7 furlongs are run, and a mile track that encircles the bend.

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 predominantly flat with some slight undulations throughout.

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 essentially flat track means that it has hosted many of the national hunt greats over its course over the years.

Is there a draw bias at Newbury Racecourse?

Newbury Racecourse does not exhibit a significant draw bias, with an even distribution of winning stalls across most distances. However, there may be a slight advantage to being drawn high for some races.

For example, over 7 furlongs, horses drawn in stalls 7-10 have won almost 30% of the races in recent years.

Additionally, there may be a slight advantage to being drawn low over 1 mile, as the inside rail can provide a good position for the first turn.

What is the Draw Bias at Newbury 5 Furlongs?

The data available suggests that there is no significant draw bias at Newbury over 5 furlongs.

The winning stall numbers are pretty evenly spread out, and the advantage of being drawn low appears to be negligible.

The most critical factor for success may be the speed of the race, rather than the draw. It is worth noting, however, that there are more winners from low stalls when the ground is soft.

What is the Draw Bias at Newbury 6 Furlongs?

There doesn’t seem to be a clear draw bias over the 6-furlong course at Newbury.

The winning stall numbers appear to be evenly distributed, indicating that any particular stall position confers no specific advantage.

This suggests that the outcome of races at this distance is more likely to be influenced by other factors such as the form and ability of the horses involved, as well as the pace of the race.

What is the Draw Bias at Newbury 7 Furlongs?

According to the analysis of past races, there seems to be no significant bias favouring any particular draw over 7 furlongs at Newbury racecourse.

Although many people believe that being drawn low is advantageous, especially in large fields, due to the sharp left-hand turn into the straight shortly after the start.

However, the data shows that this is not the case, and there is no apparent bias in the results.

What is the Draw Bias at Newbury 1 Mile?

According to the available data, there appears to be a slight bias towards high-drawn runners at Newbury over the straight mile, particularly when the number of runners is 12 or fewer.

However, it’s worth noting that the sample size is limited, so the results may not be entirely conclusive.

The straight mile at Newbury is considered a fair course, with a long run to the finish line giving horses ample opportunity to make up ground.

As such, there doesn’t seem to be a significant draw bias for most races over this distance. Factors such as pace and track conditions may have a greater impact on the outcome of races at Newbury.

Newbury Racecourse Address

The full address of Newbury racecourse is below:

Newbury Racecourse
Racecourse Road
Newbury
RG14 7NZ

How To Get to Newbury Racecourse

There are several different ways to access the course. The most popular ways to get to Newbury are:

• By Car -there is ample free parking available, if you choose to drive, for your sat nav the details are – RG14 7NZ
• By Train – Many choose to travel by train to the course, as a rail station serves it. Those arriving by train can 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-served by bus and coach companies.

Hotels Near Newbury Racecourse

Newbury boasts an on-site hotel called The Lodge, and it’s hard to 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 Hennessy Gold Cup weekend.

For a more budget option, the Premier Inn chain has two hotels within a short distance.

Local Betting Shops Close to Newbury Racecourse

Here are the local betting shops nearest to Newbury Racecourse:

• Coral Betting Shop – 5-7 Market Pl, Newbury, RG14 5AA
• Ladbrokes Betting Shop – 60 Northbrook St, Newbury RG14 1AH
• Coral Betting Shop – 2 Monument Cl, Newbury RG14 6QW

Newbury On-course Bookmakers for That Day’s Racing

Totepool windows can be found throughout all enclosures on the course.

If we were to wager a single bet, we would recommend betting with the bookmaker’s stalls that are situated in the betting ring in front of the grandstand.

On-course, there is a Betfred betting shop where you can wager any bets you fancy placing, including popular multiple bets such as Lucky 15s, Lucky 31s or possibly an accumulator.

Other Notable Events at Newbury Racecourse

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 recent appearances by Rudimental, Jess Glynne, Olly Murs, and Sir Tom Jones.

Summer concerts take on a festival feel, complete with Pimm’s stands and the sunset across the course, as bands play.

Newbury Racecourse Facts and Stats

• Newbury Racecourse is located in the town of Newbury, Berkshire, England.
• The racecourse was established in 1905 and has been hosting horse racing events ever since.
• The racecourse is home to the prestigious Hennessy Gold Cup, now known as the Ladbrokes Trophy, both of which are National Hunt races.
• The course is a left-handed, galloping track with a circumference of 1 mile and 4 furlongs.
• The course is made up of two tracks: the inner and outer tracks. The inner track is used for flat racing, and the outer track is used for National Hunt racing.
• The racecourse has a capacity of 25,000 spectators and is the largest racecourse in the south of England.
• The racecourse is owned by The Jockey Club, which is the largest commercial group in British horseracing.

Summary of Newbury Racecourse

We hope you have enjoyed our guide; as you can see, it’s a racecourse that we 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.

Newbury Racecourse has seen impressive performances across both disciplines from the mind-blowing Frankel to the sheer power of Denman.

Combine that sporting excellence with excellent customer service, a stunning parade ring and ease of transport, and you couldn’t ask for much more. A racecourse to visit at any time of year.

A top pick.