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Unbridled Passion...
Discover the Heart of Horse Racing
The north bank of the River Wharfe has a long history of racing horses and it is there that the Wetherby story begins.
Where it all began
Wetherby has a deep connection to horses, dating back to the Bronze age when the area was first settled.
The Romans, who had a nearby camp are believed to have raced horses at Netherby which lies a few miles west of the town.
Wetherby became an important staging post, positioned mid-way between London and Edinburgh with the Great North Road running through, and with a bridge across the somewhat turbulent River Wharfe.Β By the 18th Century the town boasted 26 inns with accommodation and stabling for over 1,000 horses.
In 1842 regular horse-races began at Linton, now the site of Wetherby Golf Club. These events funded by members of the local farming, hunting and military, were informal, however, by 1878 as their popularity rose, it became clear that a more organised approach was required.
The Rise Of The Steeplechase
In the late 18th Century, Steeplechases, originating in Ireland, became popular across the UK.
These races were the ultimate test of horse and rider, as they raced over fields, jumping hedges, walls and ditches, with church steeples used as navigation points due to their visibility.Β A well-known local steeplechase ran between Kirk Deighton and Walton Churches, about 3 miles apart; today both spires can be seen from Wetherby Racecourse.
Modern steeplechases, or ‘chases’, cover distances between 2 and 4.5 miles, with horses jumping obstacles such as fences, ditches and water jumps.Β Fences are at least 4.5 feet high, and at Wetherby, they’re made of birch.Β We have a section of a Steeplechase Fence in the Paddock, please take a look at the workmanship that goes into making and maintaining them on your next visit.
Unlike Flat Racess, chases do not use starting stalls; instead, horses line up behind elasticated tapes, which are released when the starter gives the signal.
Chasers – horses that run in steeplechases, tend to be typically older and may have run previously in hurdle races to gain experience and refine their jumping skills.
When it all began...
In 1878, a racing committee was established by local sports enthusiasts and businessmen, led by Mr. Henry Crossley, a well-known stationer, printer, and founder of The Wetherby News.
The committee quickly realised that to fund the development of racing, they needed to make the meetings more commercially viable.Β In 1884, they introduced a sixpence entry for the popular side, a decision that nearly led to riot, as admission had previously been free!
After an unsuccesful attempt to purchase land at the Ings, the committee began searching for a new location for Wetherby Races. They found a new site on land once farmed by Henry Crossley and owned by Capt Montagu of Ingmanthorpe Hall, a landmark still visible from the Racecourse today.
The final meeting at the Ings took place on April 8, 1890 with the main race won by Mr Lycett Green’s Riston ridden by Mr. Wilmot-Smith.Β The trio would repeat this success at the first meetingΒ at the new course on Easter Monday, 1891.
While initially basic, the race meetings thrived, and development began soon after, with a Grandstand (Bramham) and Weighing Room in place by 1906.Β Β However progress stalled during World War I.Β Between 1919 & 1920 it was decided to refresh the organising committee, leading to the formation of the Wetherby Steeplechase Committee Ltd. The original committee members-Messrs Crossley, Atkinson & Long-were joined by Captain Montagu and Mr Wilmot-Smith.Β Mr Rowland Francis Meyrick was appointed Clerk of the Course, a position he would retain until 1947.
The new Committee focused on expanding the facilities,Β and Henry Crossley played a key role in securing the construction of a railway station, behind the course which was a major advantage!Β The station opened in 1924 and the Committee even covered travel expenses to bring horses in by train.Β Special trains ‘Racecourse Specials’ transported thousands of racegoers from Leeds., leading to a boom in attendance with over 40,000 reported attendees to some meetings.Β Unfortunately, the station closed in 1959.
In 1953 the Committee secured the freehold of the Racecourse and continued to invest in development, including construction of a new stable block on the site, as previously horses were stabled near the town.Β Β The first Grandstand was completed in 1967.
Over the years, the Wetherby Steeplechase Committee has continued to enhance the Racecourse facilities, adding the Weighing Room and Parade Ring redevelopment, the Wetherby Millennium Grandstand, The Bramham Hall redevelopment, and the Millennium West development, which replaced the 1967 Grandstand.
The latest development was the construction of the new turnstile entrance, which included changes to the ingress roadways and construction of a lit footpath to the coachpark, this was completed in 2021.Β In 2025-2026, work will start on upgrades and additions to the Weighing Room facilities.
π
SUNRISE π
No filter needed for the gorgeous sunrise captured by Phil Mone this morning βοΈ
#sunrise #sunrisephotography #racing #racecourse #wetherby #wetherbybusiness #eventvenue #yorkshirevenue
Mar 7
We are delighted to have Lindsey Burrow on site at the @yorkshireladieslinks event today. Lindsey is here to launch her book `Take Care` and all guests have the chance to meet Lindsey and take home a special signed copy of her book π©΅
#yorkshirevoices2025 #TakeCare #lindseyburrow #yorkshireladieslinks
Feb 28
What a Hare-raising day in the officeπ°
Thanks to Les and Polly who brought in Jos the Belgian Hare to meet the team today!
Feb 25
Join us at Wetherby Racecourse for Wear A Hat Day to support both Yorkshireβs Brain Tumour Charity and Brain Tumour Research.
ποΈ Friday 28th March ποΈ
Simply pop on your biggest, brightest, or most creative hat, and you might win one of our spot prizes!
Thereβll also be a charity raffle and dedicated volunteers from Yorkshireβs Brain Tumour Charity to provide information and chat about their incredible work.
All funds raised will help drive critical research and support for those affected by brain tumours.
Make a difference while enjoying a fabulous day at Wetherby Races! - Book your tickets now and celebrate Wear A Hat Day in style!
Book in advance and get our best prices by clicking the link in our bio.
EVERY advance ticket will also receive a complimentary racecard.
*Advanced discounts available up to 24 hours before Raceday*
Feb 14
What came first the tortoise or the horse....
Never a dull day in the office and today was no exception when Ozzy the tortoise came to visit us! π’
Feb 11
Our advance booking discounts for Wednesdays meeting have now closed. However, you can still guarantee your ticket by booking online before 10:00am on the morning of racing.
Don`t forget, EVERYONE who books in advance, receives a complimentary racecard.
Click the link in our bio to purchase your last-minute tickets.
Feb 11
Are you joining us this Wednesday?
β° Gates Open: 11:25am
π First Race: 1:55pm
Book in advance and get our best prices.
EVERY advance ticket will also receive a complimentary racecard.
*Advanced discounts available up to 24 hours before Raceday*
General Admission Ticket sales close at 10:00am on 12th February 2025.
π Click the link in our bio to shop tickets π
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.#Races #WetherbyRaces #HorseRacing #Wetherby #WetherbyRunners #Racing #HorseRacingTips #HorseRacingPhotography #HorseRacingUK #HorseRacingFans #HorseRacingBets #HorseRacingLife #Steeplechase #FenceBuilding #LastFence #GroundStaff #PonyClub #Pony #Horses #HorseLover #HorseOwner #RaceHorse #PonyClubCamp #HorseRiding #RaceDay #DayAtTheRaces #AtTheRaces #Yorkshire #YorkshireRacing
Feb 9
πOur next fixture is on Wednesday 12th February, and sees an afternoon of jump racing action featuring a 6-race card.
β° Gates Open: 11:25am
π First Race: 1:55pm
Book in advance and get our best prices.
EVERY advance ticket will also receive a complimentary racecard.
*Advanced discounts available up to 24 hours before Raceday*
General Admission Ticket sales close at 10:00am on 12th February 2025.
π Click the link in our bio to shop tickets π
.
.#Races #WetherbyRaces #HorseRacing #Wetherby #WetherbyRunners #Racing #HorseRacingTips #HorseRacingPhotography #HorseRacingUK #HorseRacingFans #HorseRacingBets #HorseRacingLife #Steeplechase #FenceBuilding #LastFence #GroundStaff #PonyClub #Pony #Horses #HorseLover #HorseOwner #RaceHorse #PonyClubCamp #HorseRiding #RaceDay #DayAtTheRaces #AtTheRaces #Yorkshire #YorkshireRacing
Feb 4
Join us today for a fantastic day of jump racing 90 runners and a 7-race card.
β° Gates Open: 10:00am
π First Race: 12:30pm
You can still purchase General Admission tickets online until 10:00am.
Please note: Tickets are available at the Turnstiles *card payment only*
Click the link in our bio to secure your tickets.
.#Races #WetherbyRaces #HorseRacing #Wetherby #WetherbyRunners #Racing #HorseRacingTips #HorseRacingPhotography #HorseRacingUK #HorseRacingFans #HorseRacingBets #HorseRacingLife #Steeplechase #FenceBuilding #LastFence #GroundStaff #PonyClub #Pony #Horses #HorseLover #HorseOwner #RaceHorse #PonyClubCamp #HorseRiding #RaceDay #DayAtTheRaces #AtTheRaces #Yorkshire #YorkshireRacing
Feb 1
Our advance booking discounts for Saturday`s meeting have now closed. However, you can still guarantee your ticket by booking online before 10:00am on the morning of racing.
Don`t forget, EVERYONE who books in advance receives a complimentary racecard.
Jan 31
Join us this Saturday for a fantastic day of jump racing action, featuring a 7-race card π
β° Gates Open: 10:30am
π First Race: 1:00pm
Book in advance for our best-value admissions at:
*Advanced discounts close 24hours before the Raceday. Complimentary racecards are included with all Paddock and Premier advance bookings.
Click the link in our bio to purchase your discounted tickets.
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#Races #WetherbyRaces #HorseRacing #Wetherby #WetherbyRunners #Racing #HorseRacingTips #HorseRacingPhotography #HorseRacingUK #HorseRacingFans #HorseRacingBets #HorseRacingLife #Steeplechase #FenceBuilding #LastFence #GroundStaff #PonyClub #Pony #Horses #HorseLover #HorseOwner #RaceHorse #PonyClubCamp #HorseRiding #RaceDay #DayAtTheRaces #AtTheRaces #Yorkshire #YorkshireRacing
Jan 28
Finally, it`s Raceday ππ
π°οΈ Gates open: 10:00am
π 1st race: 12:25pm
π 7th race: 3:30pm
We have 76 horses declared, who are you looking forward to seeing run?
Secure your ticket and receive a complimentary racecard if booked before 10am; click the link in our bio.
Admission and Racecards can also be purchased at the turnstiles today.
Jan 23
