Newcastle racecourse is a horse racing track located in Gosforth Park, Newcastle. It was opened in 1882, and is owned and operated by the Arena Racing Company. The left-handed course is seated on an 812 acre piece of land, just five miles from Newcastle’s city center. It is one of the busiest racecourses in the United Kingdom. Last
year, it hosted a total of 62 race meetings. Newcastle is among the few racecourses that hosts both National Hunt and flat races. It is not only a horse racing venue, but also a conference and events venue. The racecourse
shares its facilities with the Parklands Golf Club.
Racing in Newcastle began in the 17th century. Its first venue was in Killingworth, and then later shifted to Town Moor, where its first recorded race was held in 1833. The racecourse then changed its venue again in 1881 to High Gosforth Park. In 2002, the racecourse’s turnover greatly increased from 2.5 million Euros to 6.5 million Euros. This was after a Scottish businessman named David Williamson became its managing director. He played a major role in transforming its fortunes. In 2013, the Arena Racing Company made plans to modify the course into an all-weather one. The changes were completed in 2016.
The most notable races held at Newcastle are the Eider Chase and the Burradon Stakes. The Eider Chase is a National Hunt race run over a distance of 6,549 meters. During the race, a total of 25 fences are jumped. It is scheduled to take place every February, and was first run in 1952. The Burradon Stakes on the other hand allows in horses from three years and above. It is run over 1,614 metres, and happens every March. The race was inaugurated in 2017, and named after Burradon, a nearby village.This gives it a local touch and has worked wonders to bring in the crowds.