Market Rasen racecourse is a horse racing track located in Market Rasen, Lincolnshire, England. It is well known for hosting National Hunt races. The right-handed course is oval in shape, and has a circumference of approximately one and a quarter miles. It stages a good number of fixtures annually, with the most high-profile fixture being the Summer Plate meeting. This meeting is scheduled for the third Saturday of every July. It features two races, the Summer Hurdle and the Summer Plate.
Racing in Market Rasen began in 1828. The races took place in different venues till 1924. At first, the racecourse hosted only one meeting called the Feast week racing, which was held in the autumn between 1828 and 1887. With time, a second fixture was added to the calendar and was held during spring season as from 1871. By the end of 1924, the racecourse had found a permanent venue at Willingham Road. The site was bought by four local men, who raised the money by themselves and bought a fifty acre piece of land. From 1945, Victor Lucas took over the responsibility of running the race track. He oversaw activities like planning the course layout and the paddocks. During this time, the total number of fixtures per year increased from three to twelve. Victor Lucas however died in 1971.
The most notable races held in Market Rasen are the Summer Handicap Hurdle and the Summer Plate. The summer Handicap Hurdle is scheduled to take place every late July. It is opened to horses aged three years and above. The race is run over a distance of 2 miles and 110 yards, an equivalent of 3,319 meters. Summer Plate on the other
hand is run over a distance of 2 miles 5 furlongs. The race distance was increased from 2 miles 3 furlongs in 2005. It is open to horses aged four years and above, and takes place every July just like the Summer Hurdle.