Manchester is synonymous with many things, from the football powerhouses of United and City to the vibrant music scene that has thrown up Oasis and so many other great bands. It played a key role in the Industrial Revolution and was arguably the first city anywhere to be truly industrialised. Those less interested in history might simply associate Manchester with rain. Or maybe Coronation Street.
One thing that is not particularly linked to the city is horse racing. Due to the size of the site needed for the sport of kings, cities rarely have their own dedicated track (York being a notable exception). However, many major cities in the UK have a course that is linked with them, typically positioned in the suburbs or on the outskirts of the city proper. London has Kempton as its nearest racing venue, with Sandown and Epsom not that far away. Newcastle is rare in having Newcastle Racecourse, with Nottingham in a similar position, whilst Liverpool is closely associated with Aintree, home of the Grand National, Leeds has Wetherby and many other courses nearby. Birmingham has Warwick, Worcester and even Stratford quite close by but what of Manchester?
Those living in the birthplace of soft drink Vimto, or others just visiting, who want to have a day out at the races have to work a little bit harder than most. But there are certainly some fine options that can be reached easily enough from Manchester.
Haydock the Closest Option
Haydock is probably the racecourse that is most closely associated with Manchester, although some would consider it more of a “Liverpool track”. Indeed, in 2009 Haydock agreed to become part of the Liverpool City Region from a governance perspective. In 2014 that came to pass, in as much as the area became officially part of the Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.
Leaving matters of local government aside, Haydock is certainly the closest course to Manchester geographically speaking. Officially known as Haydock Park Racecourse, the venue is owned by The Jockey Club, who describe it as being “equidistant from both Manchester and Liverpool”. It is around 20 miles west of Manchester city centre and can be reached in around 45 minutes by car and parking is generally free (though some meetings are excluded). Alternatively, you can get the train to nearby Newton-le-Willows, from where there is a free shuttle for certain meetings, whilst the bus is also an option.
Haydock has a lot of history, dating back to the 19th century. It is a dual-purpose venue, which means it is used for both flat and jumps racing. For those less familiar with horse racing, the key relevance of this is it means that action takes place during most of the year – flat action typically occurs during the warmer months and jump, or National Hunt, when it is colder, wetter, and the ground is softer.
Haydock is known for its frequently muddy ground and whilst this isn’t something that should affect spectators, it is certainly worth thinking about when it comes to your bets. That is especially the case if you come in November for the course’s biggest contest, the Betfair Chase, although conditions can get boggy at pretty much any time of the year.
Haydock is not among the very best or biggest courses in the country and whilst the Betfair Chase is a prestigious event there are not many too-class contests held at the track. Other big races include the Haydock Sprint Cup, often held in September, the Lancashire Oaks in July and the Champion Hurdle Trial in January.
Once again though, for fans, certainly casual racegoers, the quality of action on the track is not hugely significant. What matters is the fact that you can access Haydock easily from Manchester and enjoy a fun day at the races. The facilities are decent and the course has a range of options including some well-priced hospitality ones. It is generally a well-reviewed venue and won Racecourse of the Year in both 1998 and 2000. That is some time ago now but Haydock remains in excellent shape and fun is all-but guaranteed – especially if you land a winner or two!
Chester Another Good Option
Chester is another option for fans looking for a day at the races relatively close to Manchester. It is another venue that is probably more closely lined with Liverpool and it is certainly closer to that city. However, lying about 40 miles southwest of Manchester it can be reached in around an hour by car. Train options are better for Chester too, with there being a direct service from Manchester, albeit not the fastest train you will ever set foot on.
Chester is a delightful cathedral city and is very popular with tourists, so certainly worth a visit in its own right. It boasts a lot of history, having been established as a Roman fort almost 2,000 years ago. Its very well-preserved city walls are Grade 1 listed and there is no shortage of excellent places to eat and drink in the city itself.
However, whilst you could easily spend a day or two roaming its charming streets, you’re here for the racing. Chester Racecourse is a real cracker and, known as the Roodee, like the city itself, it is of great historical significance. Widely accepted as being the oldest racecourse still being used, it dates back to 1539, or even 1512 depending on who you believe. Conveniently for anyone arriving by train and/or staying in Chester, it is a short and pleasant stroll from the centre too.
Unlike Haydock, it is only used for flat racing, which means the action is compressed into the pleasant, warmer – in theory at least – months. There are racedays in May, June, July, August and September, though all of the course’s biggest contests take place during the May Festival. The likes of the Chester Vase, the Cheshire Oaks, the Dee Stakes and the Chester Cup are highlights for racing aficionados, though, as with Haydock, Chester is not a venue that hosts the very biggest races around.
It is, though, widely considered to be one of the prettiest and most alluring venues in UK racing. Unique in many ways, Chester is a course that you really should visit if you like horseracing and, even if you don’t, if you live in or around Manchester, it is very highly recommended.