Gift Vouchers
Our History
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. 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. 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. Fences are at least 4.5 feet high, and at Wetherby, they’re made of birch. 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. 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. The trio would repeat this success at the first meeting 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. However progress stalled during World War I. 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. 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, and Henry Crossley played a key role in securing the construction of a railway station, behind the course which was a major advantage! The station opened in 1924 and the Committee even covered travel expenses to bring horses in by train. 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. 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. 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. In 2025-2026, work will start on upgrades and additions to the Weighing Room facilities.
This year’s bet365 Charlie Hall Meeting - Day One falls on Halloween, and we’ve got a few spooky surprises waiting around the course… so beware! 🕷️✨
Come dressed however you like - pumpkin, ghost, dead bride, or just your racing best - it’s all part of the fun.
Keep an eye out for kids’ crafts and a little trick-or-treat fun, making it the perfect family day out alongside top-class Jump Racing. 🏇
Who’s ready for some racing thrills and ghostly chills?
Grab your tickets now: link in bio.
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacesBet365CharlieHall #WetherbyRacecourse #CharlieHall #Bet365 #Halloween
Oct 22
The wait is almost over… The Bet365 Charlie Hall weekend Meeting is nearly here! 🎉
Join us at Wetherby for a fantastic afternoon of jump racing, atmosphere, and excitement as we kick off one of the highlights of our season.
🗓️ 31st October - 1st November
🎟 Find out more & grab your tickets: link in bio.
Who’s joining us? Let us know in the comments…
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacesBet365CharlieHall #WetherbyRacecourse #CharlieHall #Bet365 #CharlieHallWeekend
Oct 20
What a day! ✨
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us for the Opening Meeting of the 2025/26 Jump Season - you helped make it such a special start to the season. 🏇🎉
We were proud to support @spinalresearch once again for their 35th annual Northern Charity Raceday - an incredible cause at the heart of the event.
Here’s to an exciting season ahead… we can’t wait to welcome you back to Wetherby very soon!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacesOpeningMeeting #WetherbyRacecourse #SaffronCresswell #SpinalResearch
Oct 17
Thank you to @boylesports who sponsored our first race yesterday 🏇 The Opening Meeting was a great success and we look forward to welcoming Boyle Sports back again on Saturday 15th November for the @boylesports Peak Cap & Pearls Raceday!
Oct 16
🎉 Today’s the Day! 🎉
Jump Racing is BACK at Wetherby - the Opening Meeting of the 2025/26 Jump Season starts this afternoon!
We’re proud to once again support Spinal Research for their 35th annual Northern Charity Raceday 💙
📅 Gates open: 11:15 am
🏁 First race: 1:43 pm
🏆 Last race: 4:50 pm
Tickets available at the gate (card payments only).
We can’t wait to welcome you - let’s start the season in style!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacesOpeningMeeting #WetherbyRacecourse #RacesInWestYorkshire #Racecourse #SpinalResearch
Oct 15
Just 2 days to go…
The excitement is building as Jump Racing returns to Wetherby this Wednesday, 15th October.
🏇 First race: 1:43 pm
🎟 General Admission sales close 9:30 am on the day (card only at turnstiles).
See you at the races! 🎉
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacecourse #RacesInWestYorkshire #Racecourse #SpinalResearch
Oct 13
Our team is prepared and ready to welcome you back for the first meeting of the season. 🏇
We’re proud to begin with our Opening Meeting supporting @spinalresearch, an event that means a great deal to us. 💙
Will you be joining us at Wetherby to start the season? We look forward to seeing you there.
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacecourse #WetherbyRacecourseTeam #RacesInWestYorkshire #Racecourse #SpinalResearch
Oct 10
Only 1 week to go until the bell rings in our Parade Ring once again!! 📅
The Opening Meeting is the perfect start to the season - thrilling racing, a great atmosphere, and supporting an incredible cause, @spinalresearch.
🎟 Advance tickets available until Monday 13th October at 11:59pm.
Don’t miss it: link in bio!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacecourse #RacesInWestYorkshire #Racecourse #SpinalResearch
Oct 8
On Wednesday, 15th October, we open our 2025/26 Jump Season with a day that means so much to us - The Opening Meeting supporting @spinalresearch 💙
Jump racing is the Original Extreme Sport - full of thrill, passion, and bravery - but with it comes risk. Sadly, spinal cord injuries are a reality faced by some jockeys and riders, changing lives in an instant.
That’s why this day matters. Together with Spinal Research, the UK’s leading charity funding groundbreaking medical research, we’re helping raise vital awareness and funds to bring hope to those living with paralysis. Every ticket sold, every cheer trackside, plays a part in moving closer to life-changing treatments.
Join us for a powerful day of racing, community, and purpose 🏇✨
Get your tickets here: link in bio.
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacesOpeningMeeting #WetherbyRacecourse #SpinalResearch
Oct 3
Two weeks to go!🐎
The wait is nearly over… Jump Racing returns to Wetherby with the Original Extreme Sport on Wednesday, 15th October.
We’re proud to once again support @spinalresearch for their 35th annual Northern Charity Raceday. 💙
Secure your spot today: link in bio!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacecourse #RacesInWestYorkshire #Racecourse #SpinalResearch
Oct 1
Have you heard the news? 🎉
Top equestrian, @saffroncresswellofficial, will be joining us at Wetherby as Guest Speaker in the @spinalresearch Marquee. She will be joined by other leading names from racing and eventing, including @ros_canter_eventing and former Grand National-winning Jockey, Graham Lee.
We’re absolutely delighted to welcome her as our guest speaker at this year’s Wetherby Race Day.
It’s set to be an unforgettable day of thrilling racing, fine dining, auctions, and above all, hope as we come together to raise vital funds in support of Spinal Research’s mission to cure paralysis. 💙
Find out more and secure your tickets today.
We can’t wait to share this special day with you!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacesOpeningMeeting #WetherbyRacecourse #SaffronCresswell #GuestSpeaker #SpinalResearch
Sep 30
Less than a month to go!
The Opening Meeting of the 2025/26 Jump Season is almost here - and we can’t wait to welcome you back. 🏇
Jump Racing, the Original Extreme Sport, returns to Wetherby on Wednesday, 15th October, as we proudly support @spinalresearch for their 35th annual Northern Charity Raceday. 💙
- Discount pricing ends at 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th October
- General Admission closes at 10:00 am on Wednesday, 15th October
(Card payments only at the turnstiles on the day)
Don’t miss the start of another thrilling season with us - get your tickets today!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacecourse #RacesInWestYorkshire #Racecourse #SpinalResearch
Sep 26
