Cartmel Racecourse, Cumbria
N 54° 12.203 W 002° 57.422
30U E 502802 N 6006151
Cartmel racecourse hold race meetings around Public Bank Holidays, usually three meetings a year. At other times the infield is used for fairs, shows and caravan rallies. It has changed from a small holiday fun track to a National Hunt Racecourse.
Waymark Code: WM335E
Location: North West England, United Kingdom
Date Posted: 02/02/2008
Views: 67
A steeplechase course now which started off as a flat course. The course changed from a small holiday fun track to the front line of National Hunt racing by the provision of user friendly facilities racing expanded with the fun fair and trade stalls in the centre of the course.
The racecourse has always been on land owned by the Holker Estate and owned by the Cavendish family and the Estate’s involvement started in 1974 when Hugh Cavendish became a Director. His enthusiasm for the course grew and culminated when the Estate bought out the previous management team in 1998 and the course has progressed since then. With the aid and guidance of the Aintree management team Cartmel has now prospered further retaining its sense of uniqueness and charm, but ensuring that professional racing is staged.
The earliest written account of racing at Cartmel dates back to 1856. It's almost certain that racing has taken place here since at least the middle of the fifteenth century when monks of the nearby priory entertained themselves by organising racing on mules, no bookmakers naturally but little doubt some form of illegal gambling took place.
Early meetings were on the flat but by the start of the twentieth century the course had switched codes and had become a jump only venue. This was far more in keeping with the interests of the local population who were steeped in farming and hunting.
At this time, racing took place on one day of the year, namely Whitsuntide Monday in May, but in 1947 the Saturday was added and in the 1960’s the August meeting was introduced. The extra Wednesday in May and Thursday in July are both recent additions. Racing was unfortunately suspended during the war years and might well have finished altogether had it not been for the efforts of local landowners and the Pain family.
There are many entrances, coordinates are for the Grandstand. For parking please follow signs, and waymark you car! Run on grass with sand to cover the tarmac road. A National Hunt course which is Left-handed (anti-clockwise), sharp and undulating, with stiff fences and a 4 furlong run-in for chases. Circuit is 1 mile oval.
Address
Cartmel Racecourse
Cartmel
Grange-over-Sands
Cumbria
LA11 6QF
Types of Races: Steeplechase / Jump / National Hunt
Racing Season: From: 05/24/2008 To: 08/25/2008
Year Opened: 01/01/1856
Famous Races:
In July Tetley's Barbecue Race day is run.
Additional Information:
Plenty of parking provided in nearby fields..
Betting by TOTE and bookmakers on field.
Food concessions on course.
Racecourse Web Site: [Web Link]
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