Yorkshire Racecourses: Best Courses for Horse Racing in Yorkshire

For such a small nation, Britain boasts an impressive number of racecourses, with a total of 59 contained within its borders. From Perth up in Scotland, down to the major southern establishments of Cheltenham and Newmarket, and on to Newton Abbot, Exeter, and Brighton on the south coast, the Brits’ love of racing is visible in almost every county.

There are, however, few counties that boast quite the concentration of tracks with Yorkshire being a prime example. Beginning at the coastal town of Redcar in the north and ending at Doncaster in the south of the county, the land of the White Rose is home to an impressive tally of nine tracks, including a mixture of Flat and National Hunt venues.

Whether you are a local or are simply paying a visit to this beautiful part of the world, you certainly aren’t short of options when it comes to organising a day at the races. Each of the nine tracks offers an excellent race day experience, enhanced by a liberal helping of Yorkshire charm.

Beverley

Lying only around 27 miles from the city of York, the charming market town of Beverley resides amidst the stunning scenery of the East Riding Hills. A thriving market town, drenched in history, Beverley boasts its very own Minster and is a popular summertime hotspot for tourists. Those dropping in for a visit will quickly appreciate why the town is frequently voted as one of the best places to live in the UK.

The summer months are the time to pay a visit to the small flat-only racecourse, which sits only around a mile outside the town centre. Now close to 300 years old, the track can accommodate up to 12,000 punters on the busiest of its 19 annual race days – which tend to be the three summertime Saturday fixtures.

Dress Code

In keeping with the relaxed summer vibe, there is no dress code in place in either the Course or Grandstand Enclosures. Jeans and sportswear are a common site at many meetings, with the main exception being Ladies Day, where smart attire is the norm in all areas of the course.

The Premier Enclosure is a little stricter, with racegoers being expected to arrive in relatively smart attire. Most ladies opt for a dress or trouser suit, often paired with a hat, whilst for the gents, anything from a smart shirt and pair of chinos to a three-piece suit will fit the bill.

Public Transport

Getting to the town is a straightforward task, with Beverley Train Station receiving regular services from the directions of York, Sheffield and London. The track is then but a five-to-ten-minute walk from the town centre. Alternatively, the Number 46 bus service departs from the central bus station and will take you directly to the course.

Big Meetings

From a racing perspective, easily the biggest day of the season comes in late August/early September each year, with the annual edition of the Beverley Bullet meeting. One of the track’s prime-time Saturday afternoon fixtures, the Listed class headline act sees a field of talented speedsters do battle over the flying five furlongs. Other highlights include Ladies Day of August, and the “Very British Raceday” of May/June which comes complete with the prestigious Hilary Needler Stakes, and an all bells and whistles old-fashioned fairground.

Catterick

The North Yorkshire town of Catterick, in the district of Richmondshire, is famous for two things: an army garrison, and a rather more charming racecourse. Catterick Racecourse – or Catterick Bridge to give the track its official title – may not be the biggest or most prestigious of the Yorkshire tracks, but it is one of the busiest.

Making maximum use of its facilities, the twisting and turning course plays host to both flat and National Hunt action. In most years, there will be at least one fixture in every month of the year, with the flat season running from April through to October, before the jumps action takes over during the winter months.

Dress Code

Relaxed and comfortable is the order of the day at this small but friendly racecourse, with no official dress code in place in any areas of the track. Those attending the hospitality areas may wish to opt for smarter attire to fit in with the crowd, but other than that, the main advice is to always remember to take account of the weather – particularly at the winter jumps meetings, as large areas of the course are exposed to the elements.

Public Transport

For such a rural course, Catterick enjoys reasonable transport links with most areas of the country. If you can get to Darlington Train Station – which receives frequent services from the north and south – you are almost there. From Darlington, take the x26 or x27 bus, alight at Richmond Town Centre and hop onto the free shuttle bus service which runs directly to the track on all race days.

Big Meetings

Everyone loves a Grand National, and Catterick racecourse doesn’t let local fans down, with the North Yorkshire Grand National of January being the track’s biggest meeting. The highlight of the flat campaign comes on the final day of the season in October, with the annual edition of the £25,000 Catterick Dash. Away from the racing focus, one of the track’s most well-attended meetings comes in August with the hugely popular Ladies Day fixture.

Doncaster

The most southerly of Yorkshire’s racecourses, Doncaster is also one of the county’s most famous tracks. Located on Town Moor, Doncaster Racecourse has captivated fans for over 400 years, and continues to thrive as a dual-purpose flat and jumps racing venue.

Whilst there is a healthy smattering of quality throughout the jumps season, it is for flat racing that the track is best known. The big reason for that is the historic St Leger Stakes – the oldest of Britain’s five Classic contests. Offering top-class racing and excellent facilities, all at a very reasonable price, “Donny” is well worth a visit at any time of year.

Dress Code

In common with many tracks, what you are required to wear at Doncaster depends on which of the enclosures you will be attending. Pretty much anything goes (within reason) in the Grandstand and Family Enclosures. In the County Stand, Ladies are advised to dress smartly, whilst the gents must wear a collared shirt with trousers or chinos as a minimum. Moving up to the Premier Enclosure, gentlemen must add a jacket and tie to their shirt/trousers combo, with the ladies advised to dress as if for a formal occasion.

Public Transport

Doncaster Train Station enjoys strong transport links with most areas of the country and lies only around 1.5m from the course. That is certainly walkable on a pleasant day, but the most convenient option is to make use of the shuttle bus service which runs from the train station to the course on all race days. Fares are reasonably priced, with return tickets also available. Alternatively, the number 98 local bus service departs from the train station and will have you trackside in around 24 minutes.

Big Meetings

September sees the eyes of the racing world turn towards Doncaster for the high-profile St. Leger meeting. Running from Wednesday through to Saturday, the track’s biggest and best fixture encompasses a Ladies Day event and a whole host of high-quality contests – headlined by the St Leger Stakes itself on the closing Saturday.

The final classic of the season is far from the only standout out meeting at this quality course, with March’s Lincoln Handicap helping to kick off the British flat season, and the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Stakes of October regularly featuring a future superstar. Over the jumps, January’s Great Yorkshire Chase meeting rarely fails to draw in the crowds.

Pontefract

Home to the most famous liquorice cake confectionary in the world, the West Yorkshire town of Pontefract lies in the heart of rugby league country, being a relative stone’s throw from both Wakefield and Castleford. The oval ball game is not the only sporting pursuit in vogue in this historic market town, as Pontefract also boasts an excellent flat racecourse.

As a flat-only turf track, Pontefract operates exclusively during the warmer months of the year. As such, there is a fair chance that your day at the races will be accompanied by at least a few rays of sunshine. Independently owned throughout its lifetime, the track offers a range of ticketing options to suit all tastes, from families hoping to enjoy a picnic to groups looking for a swanky day out, and everything in between.

Dress Code

Racegoers are free to dress as they please in the Picnic areas and the Grandstand and Paddock Enclosures. The Premier Enclosure and hospitality areas are a little more demanding in requiring smart casual attire. Smart jeans with a pair of shoes will be fine, but racegoers should avoid trainers, ripped jeans and sportswear in these areas.

Public Transport

Pontefract racecourse is easily reached by rail, with the town centre stations of Baghill, Monkhill, and Tanshelf providing strong links with Hull, York, Sheffield, and Leeds. At around 0.6 miles away, the station at Tanshelf is the closest of these to the course. Walking from the town centre to the track is certainly an option, but many racegoers opt to take either the 410 or 411 bus service, which runs from the central bus station and stops just outside the track.

Big Meetings

Pontefract isn’t renowned for staging high-profile racing, but whilst there are few races of national significance, the average quality of the action is higher than at many other tracks. June, July, August, and October all feature at least one Listed class contest – the most prestigious of which is the Pipalong Stakes of July. Elsewhere in the year, the Ladies Day fixture in August awards cash prizes and holidays to the best dressed, whilst June’s Father’s Day meeting may be the only fixture in the world which comes with an attached Yorkshire Pudding throwing competition.

Redcar

The scenic seaside town of Redcar has been selected as the set for a number of Hollywood movies, including Atonement starring Keira Knightly. The chance of spotting Miss Knightley strutting her stuff on the shoreline may be slim these days, but Redcar does boast several more permanent attractions, including a traditional seafront amusement parade and a gaggle of plastic penguins who are always up for a photo opportunity.

Whilst not quite as popular as in its heyday, the town does still draw in the crowds during the holiday season, with many tourists opting to add a day at Redcar Racecourse to their itinerary. Located just outside the town centre, the track boasts high-quality facilities and rates as an excellent option for a summer day trip, or as part of a mini-break in the area.

Dress Code

As a track which generally targets the tourist and family markets, the dress code at Redcar is amongst the most relaxed in the land. There are no strict rules in place in any area of the course, although most racegoers opt for smart casual attire in the Grandstand Enclosure. Elsewhere you are largely free to dress as you please, but the track does state a preference against sportswear or arriving straight from the beach in your swimsuit.

Public Transport

The town of Redcar is easy to reach by both road and rail, with Redcar Central Station enjoying strong links with the south via Eaglescliffe, and the North via Middlesborough. The train station is only around a seven-minute walk from the course, but for those who don’t fancy a stroll, a taxi is the only real alternative, as no bus services stop any closer to the track.

Big Meetings

The action at Redcar is almost always competitive, without perhaps being of the highest quality. The main exception to this statement comes at the big Saturday meeting in October which features the Listed class double act of the valuable Two-Year-Old Trophy, and the Guisborough Stakes. Elsewhere on the calendar, the Zetland Gold Cup in June pays tribute to the Zetland family who have backed the course for decades. Also in June, the track’s signature Ladies Day features all of the usual Best Dressed and Best Hat competitions, and regularly attracts a capacity crowd.

Ripon

Situated around 27 miles to the west of York, the cathedral city of Ripon enjoys a prime location on the eastern edge of the beautiful Yorkshire Dales National Park. The picturesque surroundings spill over onto the racecourse at Ripon, with the plush manicured lawns, and vibrant floral displays earning the track the title of “Yorkshire’s Garden Racecourse”.

Easily reached from both York and Leeds, the flat-only racecourse operates solely during the warmer months of the year – enabling racegoers to take a break from the city and enjoy the surroundings in their full splendour. In common with the majority of Yorkshire tracks, Ripon provides everything you need for a top-class day out and represents excellent value for money.

Dress Code

Those attending the Paddock and Course Enclosures are largely free to dress as they please, with the only stipulations being against bare chests, or anything likely to offend. The Club Enclosure represents the track’s premier ticketing option and has slightly stricter rules in place, although still far less stringent than many other tracks in the land. Both ladies and gents are advised to arrive in smart attire, with a shirt and smart trousers being the recommendation for male racegoers.

Public Transport

Ripon no longer has a train station of its own, meaning those travelling by rail will need to alight at either Thirsk, Harrogate, or York, all of which offer regular bus services to Ripon. Take the number 36 from Harrogate or York, or the 843 from Thirsk. Once in Ripon the Yorkshire Coastliner number 22 departs from the City Centre and will drop you off a short walk from the track.

Big Meetings

The views provided by the naturally beautiful setting at Ripon are hard to beat, but in general, the racing on offer is of average quality. The track can however be counted upon to attract decent field sizes, making for exciting betting events, and there is a selection of more prestigious contests scattered throughout the season.

The pick of the 17 meetings on offer both come at Saturday fixtures in August. The first of which is the Listed class Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy, which is followed by the major handicap of the Great Wilfrid Stakes later in the month. If fabulous frocks, heavenly hats, and an overload of bubbles are more your thing, Ladies Day takes place on a Thursday afternoon in late June.

Thirsk

The low-key North Yorkshire town of Thirsk doesn’t have too many claims to fame, perhaps being best known as the town which inspired James Herriot’s fictional setting for All Creatures Great and Small. The local’s penchant for yarn bombing (essentially wrapping knitwear around trees and other landmarks) seems to have remained confined to Thirsk’s borders.

The town does however possess one attraction which draws visitors from across Yorkshire and further afield, and it comes in the shape of its rather excellent racecourse. Conveniently located close to the town centre, Thirsk Racecourse celebrated its centenary in 2023 and remains one of the nation’s underappreciated tracks – offering excellent facilities, a cracking atmosphere, and competitive racing for a very reasonable price.

Dress Code

What you should wear at Thirsk depends upon which of the enclosures you are attending. Anything goes in the Grandstand, Paddock and Picnic Enclosures, with the usual stipulations of avoiding anything indecent or offensive. Do note however that even in these areas, many racegoers opt for a smarter outfit on the bigger race days – particularly Ladies Day.

Whatever the fixture, Premier Enclosure ticket holders are required to dress smartly. Many ladies opt for a hat or a fascinator to complement their outfit, whilst gents must wear a collared shirt, paired with smart trousers or tailored shorts.

Public Transport

Thirsk Train Station lies only around half a mile from the course. Given that proximity, many racegoers opt to simply complete the final leg of their journey on foot. Alternatively, the track operates a free shuttle bus service from the station to the racecourse on all race days. Shuttle services begin three hours before the first race, and continue until one hour after the last for the return journey.

Big Meetings

The major highlight of the Thirsk sees comes early in the flat campaign, with the historic Thirsk Hunt Cup taking place on a punter-friendly Saturday afternoon in late April/early May. Offering excellent prize money, the race is amongst the most targeted of the year for local trainers, and regularly attracts runners from the top southern yards. Later in the season, the family-focused Summer Cup meeting takes place over a Friday and Saturday in August, whilst Ladies Day of September comes complete with live music and excellent cash prizes in the Best Dressed competition.

Wetherby

The market town of Wetherby is located halfway between the major urban hubs of Leeds and York in West Yorkshire. Home to beautiful walks alongside the River Wharfe, and numerous sites of historical interest including the historic Wetherby Bridge, Wetherby serves up a gently relaxing dose of Yorkshire charm.

The equally charming racecourse lies just outside the town centre and nicely combines the scenic setting with top-class modern facilities. Predominantly devoted to the National Hunt game, the track also plays host to a very small number of flat fixtures (usually only one or two). This small track is well worth a visit, particularly as the ticketing options are very reasonably priced for both standard meetings and the track’s flagship fixtures.

Dress Code

There is no formal dress code in place at a track which seems to be firmly focussed on comfort and relaxation. The course does request that those attending the Premier Enclosure favour smart casual wear, but other than that the only advice is to account for the weather when selecting your outfit, as Wetherby is no stranger to the wetter side of the British climate.

Public Transport

The town of Wetherby does not possess its own train station. Those arriving by rail are therefore advised to alight at the nearby stations at Leeds, York, or Harrogate, all of which lie around 12-15 miles from the course. A taxi to the course is an option for the final leg of the journey or, alternatively, several Yorkshire bus services run to Wetherby Town Centre, including the number 7 from Leeds, the number 412 from York, and the X52 from Harrogate. Having reached Wetherby, the only options for the final leg of the journey are either a 30-35 minute walk or a much quicker taxi ride.

Big Meetings

For a relatively small track, Wetherby plays host to an impressive number of high-class contests, including three prime-time Graded events. The Grade 2 double act of the West Yorkshire Hurdle and Charlie Chase provide early season highlights in November, followed by the big Boxing Day Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase, and finally the Towton Novices Chase of February.

York

Of the nine courses within Yorkshire, the finest of all lies just outside the city centre of the County Town of York. Not only the classiest racetrack in the land of the White Rose, York Racecourse is a match for the very best in the country, with both the facilities on offer and the quality of the racing entertainment being of the very highest standard.

Situated in the southwest of the beautiful city, on a patch of land known as the Knavesmire, the track has been now been delighting racegoers from far and wide for over 300 years. As a flat racing-only venue, York operates solely during the warmer months of the year and lays on a fixture list jam-packed with quality. Already one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations, this wonderful racetrack provides yet another reason to visit this beautiful city.

Dress Code

Even at the biggest meetings, the dress code at York lies towards the more relaxed end of the spectrum. The only real exception comes in The County Enclosure, where Ladies are asked to dress as if for a formal occasion, and the gents must wear a jacket, collared shirt, smart trousers, and tie. You should however be aware that most racegoers in all areas of the course opt for smart attire at the biggest race days, including the Dante Meeting and Ebor Festival.

Public Transport

The centrally located York Train Station is easily reached from almost all areas of the country and lies around a 30-minute walk from the track. For those who don’t wish to stretch their legs, a free shuttle bus service runs from the station to the course on all race days. Alternatively, the Number 4 and 11 local bus services both stop within a mile of the track.

Big Meetings

The standard on offer at York is almost always well above average, but the track is best known for a pair of multi-day meetings overflowing with quality. The three-day Dante Meeting – or Spring Festival as it is also known – runs from a Wednesday through to a Friday in May each year. The big highlight is the Dante Stakes itself, which regularly serves as a key trial for the Epsom Derby.

August then sees the track’s most famous fixture, as the mighty four-day Ebor Festival rolls into town. There are highlights aplenty at this meeting, including the high-class Juddmonte International, Yorkshire Oaks and Nunthorpe Stakes, and the major staying handicap of The Ebor on the closing Saturday. One of the biggest racing events of the late summer months, the Ebor meeting regularly attracts over 80,000 punters over the course of the four days.