Newmarket Racecourse

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Newmarket racecourse is one of the famous British racing venues located in Newmarket, Suffolk. The flat racecourse is designed for thoroughbred horseracing and has been hosting races for 3 centuries now. It is currently part of the group of racecourses run by the renowned Jockey Club, which took over the running of the racecourse from 1974. Newmarket racecourse was first opened in 1667 which is over 350 years ago. Having hosted the sport of kings for so many years, the racecourse is considered the home of British horseracing. The title also alludes to the fact that many prominent horse racing organizations are also based close by.

Newmarket racecourse light up when two of the five British classic races, the 1,000 and 2,000 Guineas, are held here. The racecourse holds 9 race meetings in total through the year.

As one of the oldest venues for horse racing in Britain, the course carries with lots of history. Part of this history also includes fascinating stories of royalty. The first race held on the course was one between Marquess of Buckingham and Lord Salisbury with a £100 prize for the winner. This was a few centuries ago in 1622. In 1665 King Charles II inaugurated the Newmarket Town Plate and went on to become the first and only monarch to win in it 1671.

The racecourse holds a capacity of 45,000 with two racecourses; the July Course and the Rowley Mile Course. Both of these are wide with no obstacles, perfect for flat racing. The July Course is also  affectionately referred to as the Summer Course, and has a straight one mile long named The Bunbury Mile. The course goes downhill for a long stretch after the first two furlongs with an uphill climb stretching for one mile towards the finish. The Rowley Mile Course has a two kilometre straight with The Dip’ at the end. The dip is an area in the course towards the finish where the hoses go downhill and one furlong uphill.

Aside from horseracing, Newmarket racecourse is an excellent venue for a family outing with a selection of eateries
serving delicious meals and drinks. Race nights are especially packed with fun as horse racing funs and music lovers get to enjoy exemplary racing and live music.

Joe Mercer

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Introduction

 

Joe Mercer is, to many people of a certain vintage, the face of British racing. Known for his wonderful personality and a trophy cabinet that puts many of his contemporaries to shame, Joe Mercer is a true legend of the sport. Active for close to 40 years, he took over 2,800 horses to the win, which has only been topped by a small selection of other legends such as Frankie Dettori.

 

With wins from the 50s right through to the 80s, Mercer lifted everything from the Epsom Oaks to the Irish 2,000 Guineas and even the Prix de Diane in 1974. As the British Flat Racing Champion Apprentice in both 1952 and 1953, it’s safe to say that the enigmatic Mercer more than lived up to the early hype.

 

Career Summary

 

With a career that is too hard to sum up in mere words, the success of Joe Mercer can be examined in his reverence throughout the sport. Having worked in the sport until 2006 as both a jockey manager and then a race manager for Gainsborough, as well, he made a massive impact both in and out of the saddle.

 

Happily, Mercer bowed out of the sport with a win on the last day of the 1985 season, when Michael Hills graciously stepped aside for him to take Comme l’Etoile over the finish line one more time. In typical Mercer style, he hopped on the unfancied Bold Rex for the Manchester November Handicap – taking it to one more victory as a stellar career.

 

A fitting end to a truly legendary career – and one that should serve as inspiration to any young and aspiring jockeys.

 

Achievements & Highlights

 

Major Wins – Epsom Oaks (1953), St. Leger Stakes (1965, 1974, 1980, 1981), 2,000 Guineas Stakes (1971), 1,000 Guineas Stakes (1974, 1979), Irish 2,000 Guineas (1973), Irish Derby (1959), Irish St Leger (1965), Prix de Diane (1974).

 

Associations – Brigadier Gerard, Highclere, Bustino, Kris, Le Moss.

 

Earnings – ?

 

 

Aintree Racecourse

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Aintree is known worldwide as a premier horse racing venue.
The racecourse is located in Merseyside, England and was opened on 7th
July 1829. Aintree racecourse has made a name for itself for holding the most
demanding steeplechase race in the world famously known as the Grand National.

 

The racecourse, now known for its most famous steeplechase
race, started out hosting flat races. Steeplechasing started in 1836. The race meeting
is held in April and offers some scintillating action. Every year in April
jockeys meet in the heart of Liverpool for a race meeting that brings
Merseyside to a standstill.

 

Aintree is one of the most revered British National Hunt
racecourses and for good reason. With 16 fences, the course is jam-packed with
all the obstacles jockeys fear having to come across from Foinavon, to Canal
Turn, the Chair and Becher’s Brook. The final 494 yards have always provided a
frenzied finish as horses change places relinquishing the lead and claiming it
again. The race is so grueling that in 1928 only two out of 42 horses were able
to reach the finish. The record for the most wins on this tough course was set
in the 1970’s by Red Rum who won three races and also came second a couple
times.

 

The course at Aintree is surrounded by three Grandstands
namely, The Lord Sefton Stand, The Earl of Derby Stand and the Princess Royal
Stand. It also has two smaller stands; the Queen Mother and the Lord Daresbury
Stand. Aside from these, fans can also enjoy horseracing from the modern Aintree
Pavilion with VIP treatment and excellent views of the proceedings.

 

Apart from the Grand
National, which draws crowds of horse racing lovers from across the globe,
Aintree racecourse holds 4 other race meetings going all the way to December.
The venue is also loved for its conference facilities and golfing. Aintree has
also hosted some of the biggest music concerts featuring world-renowned
artists.