Wetherby Racecourse

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Welcome to our official guide to Wetherby Racecourse.

We explore this charming Yorkshire racecourse in detail, looking at its history, a guide to the track, travel information, and betting guides.

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

Find out more about Wetherby Racecourse:

Wetherby Racecourse

Overview of Wetherby Racecourse

Based a mere twelve miles from Leeds city centre, Wetherby Racecourse is a focal point of equestrianism in West Yorkshire. A fun course that boasts events through most of the year – primarily National Hunt racing but also flat racing – Wetherby is a grand day out for any Yorkshire native or visitor.

Wetherby Racecourse is a popular and lively course, praised for its atmosphere, competitive racing and good old Yorkshire charm!

Until comparatively recently, Wetherby Racecourse was the last holdout in Yorkshire that only hosted jumps racing, however, since 2015 it has also now runs a handful of flat racing meetings throughout the year, though these are vastly outnumbered by the jump which is more famous for.

The main jumps event of the season at Wetherby Racecourse is the Charlie Hall Chase, one of the first main chase races of the entire UK jumps season.

When backing a horse at Wetherby, often good jumpers and front runners fare well. This isn’t a course for making up much ground, even though it is fairly galloping in nature. Basically, it will not reward getting too far back. Instead, the straight sprint track on the flat and sharp turning jumps course greatly reward a runner that takes the initiative and is bold. Essentially when it comes to racing at Wetherby, fortune favours the brave.

Wetherby Racecourse is essentially a relaxed and course, with no fixed dress code. In fact, many of the racing meet at this course are themed. This means that tasteful fancy dress is often welcomed which is not the case at many UK racecourses and racecourses in Ireland. This relaxed and informal atmosphere makes it a great day out for family, friends and racing fans.

Wetherby Racecourse is ran by Wetherby Steeplechase Committee Ltd and many of the races are covered on Racing TV.

Wetherby Racecourse Guide

History of Wetherby Racecourse

It’s no secret that Yorkshire has a long history with horse racing.

Wetherby initially hosted equestrian events at the King George V playing fields in the 19th Century, also known as Scaur Bank.

In the year 1891 Wetherby racing moved to a new site just off York Road, however, the main racecourse as we know it was built in the 1930s.

Wetherby Racecourse has naturally been improved over time, with the Millennium stand the latest addition, built-in 1999.

Other local courses include Ripon, York and Thirsk which we have also reviewed.

Wetherby Racecourse Map

Below is a map of Wetherby’s two many tracks.

Wetherby Racecourse Flat Track

Below is a map of the Wetherby Racecourse’s flat course:

Wetherby Course Map

The flat course is left-handed. It is the same course used for hurdle races.

It is approximately 12 furlongs or a mile and a half per circuit.

There is no straight sprint track on the flat course as the run-in is short, in light of this 5-furlong races start on a chute and there is a tight bend into the home straight. The final furlong is known to be quite stiff.

Wetherby Racecourse’s Jumps Course

Below is a map of Wetherby’s Jump Course:

Wetherby Jumps Track
Courtesy of At The Races

The jumps course at Wetherby Racecourse is similarly left-handed and it is known as being galloping in nature.

It features 9 fences per circuit, 4 of which are in the home straight.

The fences are stiff and a good jumper is essential as mistakes can be costly.

It is generally considered a fair track although tends to suit galloping horses who are able to sit close to the pace.

Main Races and Wetherby Racing Fixtures

The course boasts a full calendar of events and racing meetings throughout the year.

Officially, the National Hunt season commences in October and runs through to early April. The course then hosts a handful of flat races in June, before embarking on a three-month break (to let the grass grow back) ahead of the recommencement of the jumps season.

A typical fixture list will be:

  • October – October is the start of the Wetherby season and the main NH season in earnest, marked by an Opening Meeting on a midweek afternoon. Toward the end of the month, it hosts a two-day event, currently sponsored by Bet365 horse racing. This festival of jump racing will play host to a range of popular races, including The Charlie Hall Chase, the Towton Novices Hurdle, the Towton Novices Chase and the Wetherby Mares’ Hurdle and the West Yorkshire Hurdle – all of which are top-class races and have been won by famous jockey & trainer combinations over the years.
  • November – November sees the National Hunt party continue at Wetherby. The Peaked Cap & Pearls Raceday is followed up later in the month by a traditional, midweek National Hunt race day.
  • December – December is filled with festive cheer at Wetherby. Christmas Cracker Saturday is an exciting event at the start of the month, while Boxing Day and December 27th play host to The Yorkshire Christmas Meeting. These meets are headlined by the Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase and Castleford Chase respectively – again two of the main chases held anywhere in the UK season.
  • January – Don’t pack away your festive attire on January 5th, as you’ll need it for Wetherby’s Christmas Jumper Raceday in mid-January. There is also a midweek race day later in the month.
  • February – The beginning of February sees the themed Medieval Day, which is headlined by the Towton Novices’ Chase. A midweek race day follows later in the month – we are still firmly in the National Hunt season at this point of the year.
  • March – March is another bumper month at Wetherby. The months begins in low-key fashion with a traditional race day, but this is followed by Irish Day – which, naturally, is a celebration of St. Patrick. Wear a Hat Day follows later in the month.
  • April – If Easter falls in April, the opening of the school holidays will be marked with a Family Fun Day. This is also traditionally the final National Hunt meet of the Wetherby season. Another Family Day follows later in the month, but this one is focused on Flat racing – headlined by the Mascot Gold Cup.
  • May – This is a lower-key month for Wetherby, with a solitary Flat race meet mid-month.
  • June – Wetherby concludes its season with Ladies Night in mid-June, another Flat race meet that celebrates everything we love about this sport.

Always be sure to investigate that a racing event is going ahead before making arrangements and check an official fixture list released by the course directly.

All race meets are subject to change due to a wide array of external circumstances.

Wetherby Racecourse Address

The official Wetherby Racecourse address is:

Wetherby Racecourse
York Road
Wetherby
West Yorkshire
LS22 5EJ

How to Get To Wetherby Racecourse

There are lots of options to consider when travelling to Wetherby Racecourse:

  • By car – if driving to Wetherby Racecourse, you can punch the postcode into your Sat Nav. It’s a simple venue to find, as it is central between Leeds, York and Harrogate, with the former being the closest major city. Just leave the A1(M) at Junction 46 and you’ll find the venue a few minutes later, along the B1224. Details for your sat nav are Wetherby Racecourse, York Road, Wetherby, West Yorkshire ls22 5EJ.
  • By train – if you’re using public transport, head to the aforementioned Leeds, York or Harrogate stations – Wetherby has not had its own rail station since the 1950s. All these stations are served by major routes and are a short taxi ride from the racecourse.
  • By foot – you could take a bus into the town centre, but you’re still almost two miles from the racecourse here. That’s a 40-minute walk that you’d prefer to avoid in bad weather (check our weather guide below).
  • By air – if you’re keen to fly or are visiting from overseas, Leeds and Bradford Airport is not far and you can take a taxi when landing.

Hotels Near Wetherby Racecourse

You won’t struggle for accommodation when making an overnight trip to Wetherby races.

With three cities nearby, there will be countless chains and boutique hotels vying for your business. If you’re keen to get even closer to Wetherby Racecourse, however, there are a handful of options.

The Bridge Hotel and Spa is around three miles from the venue but is widely regarded as the finest hotel in the area (albeit with a price tag to match.)

If you’d prefer something a little less luxurious but even closer to the racecourse, you’ll find a Days Inn and Mercure within a mile of the venue.

Best Wetherby Betting Sites

Having a flutter on the horses is all part of the race day experience for many when visiting Wetherby Racecourse, however, remember betting should always be fun and within your means.

Our teams have reviewed and compared betting sites compiling the best betting sites reviews around to help you find suitable. The ones of this page are what we consider to be the best betting sites in March 2024, check them out for yourself today. 

Whatever bet you choose to balance don’t forget to use our brilliant bet calculator to work out your winnings!

Tickets for Wetherby Races

Tickets for Wetherby can be bought via their official website, it’s worth pointing out that Wetherby racecourse prices will differ depending on the event and often there are great offers when booking early and in advance.

Other Events Held at Wetherby Racecourse

Surrounded by rolling hills and occupies many acres of greenery, Wetherby Racecourse frequently hosts external outdoor events including dog shows, Sunday markets, car boot sales, antique fayres and outdoor cinema screenings – they are all frequent occurrences.

Naturally, the venue is also available for private hire.

Wetherby Racecourse is a popular destination for weddings events thanks to its picturesque settings and state-of-the-art catering facilities.

For more information simply contact Wetherby Racecourse who will be more than willing to help and supply any literature or info that you need.

Wetherby Races

Wetherby Races 2024

Here is the horse racing calendar for Wetherby Races in 2024:

DateRacecourseWeekday
13/1/2024WetherbySaturday
25/1/2024WetherbyThursday
3/2/2024WetherbySaturday
29/2/2024WetherbyThursday
19/3/2024WetherbyTuesday
28/3/2024WetherbyThursday
5/4/2024WetherbyFriday
28/4/2024WetherbySunday
3/6/2024WetherbyMonday
11/6/2024WetherbyTuesday
16/10/2024WetherbyWednesday
1/11/2024WetherbyFriday
2/11/2024WetherbySaturday
16/11/2024WetherbySaturday
27/11/2024WetherbyWednesday
7/12/2024WetherbySaturday
26/12/2024WetherbyThursday
27/12/2024WetherbyFriday

Check out our guide for the full list of UK horse racing fixtures in 2024.

Wetherby Racecard and Wetherby Tips

The racecards for Wetherby races will be released the day before the races are set to happen. You can view full racecards in advance, check out  – tomorrow’s horse racing meetings and today’s horse racing meetings. In these, you will get an advance look at all the runners, trainers, form and riders.

You can also of course purchase a racecard from the track which carries much of the same useful information. Many like to keep these as souvenirs, especially from big horse racing events.

Popular Questions

✅How do I get to Wetherby Racecourse?

The ways to get to Wetherby Racecourse are:

  • By car – if driving to Wetherby, you can punch the postcode into your Sat Nav. It’s a simple venue to find, as it is central between Leeds, York and Harrogate, with the former being the closest major city. Just leave the A1(M) at Junction 46 and you’ll find the venue a few minutes later, along the B1224. Details for your sat nav are Wetherby Racecourse, York Road, Wetherby, West Yorkshire ls22 5EJ.
  • By train – if you’re using public transport, head to the aforementioned Leeds, York or Harrogate stations – Wetherby has not had its own rail station since the 1950s. All these stations are served by major routes and are a short taxi ride from the racecourse.
  • By foot – you could take a bus into the town centre, but you’re still almost two miles from the racecourse here. That’s a 40-minute walk that you’d prefer to avoid in bad weather (check our weather guide below).
  • By air – if you’re keen to fly or are visiting from overseas, Leeds and Bradford Airport is not far and you can take a taxi when landing.

✅Who owns Wetherby Racecourse?

Wetherby Racecourse is privately owned by the Steeplechase Committee.

✅How many horse racing courses are there in Yorkshire?

There are 8 racecourses in Yorkshire. These are:

✅What is the address of Wetherby Racecourse?

The address of Wetherby Racecourse is:

Wetherby Racecourse
York Road
Wetherby
West Yorkshire
LS22 5EJ

✅Is there a dress code for Wetherby Races?

Wetherby is a relaxed racecourse, with no fixed dress code.

In fact, many of the racing meets at this course are themed. This means that tasteful fancy dress is often welcomed.

Summary of Wetherby Racecourse

Wetherby Racecourse is a great track that has a packed calendar of both jumping and flat racing.

It balances a quality racing programme with a great inclusive and relaxed atmosphere.

Wetherby Racecourse has masses of Yorkshire charm and style, even hosting a fab Sunday market.

Something of an understated Yorkshire course we love it and can see why it is so popular with locals and those coming from further afield.

Wetherby Racecourse is definitely worth a visit – especially the Boxing Day meeting which is superb.

Other Racecourses in the UK and Ireland

Our team as of March 2024 have reviewed the other following racecourses, all of them definitely worth a visit: