Pontefract Racecourse

Layout

The track is left-handed undulating course with a sharp bend into the home straight. Horses drawn low (i.e. on the inside of the track) usually have the advantage. The final 3 furlongs of the track are uphill, making it quite testing.

The course was originally a horseshoe of 1½ miles, but in 1983, it was converted into a full circuit of about 2m ½f. This made it the longest continuous flat racing circuit in Europe and allowed it to stage one of the longest races in the calendar, the Pontefract Marathon at 2m 5f 139y.

History

Racing is recorded as having taken place in Pontefract as early as 1648, just before the local Castle was taken by the forces of Oliver Cromwell. Races were held in the meadows near the town but these were discontinued by 1769. The townsfolk restarted the sport in 1801 and it has continued ever since. In 1827 the races were held in September and reported as being very fashionably attended.

While it cannot "claim to be one of Yorkshire's major courses" it was used for some major races during World War II when other courses were out of action. These included the war substitute Lincoln and November Handicaps.

Pontefract installed a photo finish in 1952 and was also the first English course to have a dope testing facility.

The course traditionally began its afternoon race meetings at 2.45 pm – later than most other courses – so that miners at the adjacent colliery could finish the morning shift in time to go racing. This remained the case until the colliery closed in 2002.

Facts and figures

Flat

• Number of fixtures (2012) – 15
• Prize money (2012) – £731,810
• Top trainer (2007 – 2011 inc.) – Richard Fahey, 28 wins from 213 races

Notable races

References

Bibliography

References

1. (2013). "Racecourse League Tables". [[Racehorse Owners Association]].
2. Timeform. "Racecourse Maps Flat". Portman Press.