Newcastle Racecourse is a horse racing course located at Gosforth Park in Newcastle upon Tyne, England, owned by Arena Racing Company. It stages both flat and National Hunt racing, with its biggest meeting being the Northumberland Plate held annually in June.
History
Horseracing began in the North East over 350 years ago, beginning in Killingworth in the early 17th century. A King's Plate for 5 year olds, run in 3 mile heats was instigated by George II in 1753. The Town Moor hosted the first recorded Northumberland Plate in 1833 and did so until 1881 when the race transferred to High Gosforth Park. 1882 saw the first running of the Plate at Gosforth Park with a new flat and chase course, new stand and stabling for 100 horses.
In 1994 Sir Stanley Clarke's Northern Racing company acquired Newcastle Racecourse.
In April, 2002 the Scottish businessman David Williamson joined Newcastle Racecourse as managing director and during a six-year period he transformed their fortunes and helped boost turnover from £2.5m to £6.5m. The Northumberland Plate weekend now brings in £30m to the regional economy and he also introduced Ladies' Day which now attracts over 15,000 racegoers. In April, 2008 he was headhunted by Newcastle United and appointed Executive Director (Operations). Williamson was replaced by Mark Spincer.
In 2007, Newcastle's owners, Northern Racing, changed hands and came under control of the businessmen David and Simon Reuben, who then subsequently merged it with another of their companies, Arena Racing Company in 2012 forming the current company that owns the racecourse, Arena Racing Company.
In December 2013, Arena Racing Company, announced plans to change the flat turf course into an all-weather track while retaining a turf jump racing course. The new Tapeta track was completed in early 2016 with the first meeting held on 17 May of that year.
Notable races MonthDOW Race NameType GradeDistanceAge/SexSaturday Eider ChaseChase Handicap5yo+Good Friday Burradon StakesFlat Listed3yoGood Friday All-Weather Championships MarathonFlat Handicap4yo+Good Friday All-Weather 3yo ChampionshipsFlat Handicap3yoGood Friday Fillies' & Mares' ChampionshipsFlat Handicap4yo+Good Friday All-Weather SprintFlat Handicap4yo+Good Friday All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance HandicapFlat Handicap4yo+Good Friday All-Weather Championships MileFlat Handicap4yo+Friday Hoppings StakesFlat Group 33yo+ fSaturday Chipchase StakesFlat Group 33yo+Saturday Northumberland PlateFlat Handicap3yo+Saturday Churchill StakesFlat Listed3yo+Saturday Golden Rose StakesFlat Listed3yo+Saturday Fighting Fifth HurdleHurdle Grade 14yo+Saturday Rehearsal Handicap ChaseChase Premier Hcap4yo+
Discontinued Flat races: Beeswing Stakes (last run in 1999) Seaton Delaval Stakes (last run in 1985)
References
External links Newcastle Racecourse (Official website) Course guide on GG.COM Course guide on At The Races