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- #21
Now i never knew there was one there wen did it GO
In the 1930s, The Grand National was held there in WWI.
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What is your favourite Sussex racecourse?
- Thread starter 8ace
- Start date
In the 1930s, The Grand National was held there in WWI.
- Thread starter
- #22
bobby smith
New member
Lord Bracknell rode the last ever winner there in Amateaur race.
That is QUALITY I LIKE THE LORD EVEN MORE NOW
cannedheat
Banned
Fontwell for me, but if it is classy muff then it is Goodwood in the Richmond during glorious.
thedonkeycentrehalf
Moved back to wear the gloves (again)
- Jul 7, 2003
- 9,348
I'd always loved Fontwell and there was nothing like being able to go out in the middle and stand next to the fences. These days you can't get as close to the course as you used to and, in recent years, the price has skyrocketed. The so called 'premier' meetings at Fontwell are now £21 for grandstand entry on the day and, let's be honest, the quality of the racing is pretty average. For just £1 more last year I went to Newbury to watch the Challow Hurdle and also the Long Walk from their Premier Enclosure which has much better viewing and facilities for grade 1 action. The Premier enclosure at Fontwell is now £25 for these meetings which is a totall rip-off.
WildWood
Well-known member
I work for Goodwood so am probably slightly biased! I spoke to a lot of customers last year who have been lucky enough to visit every racecourse in the country & they do say that Goodwood has the best views etc. I'd like to think we had one of the most anticipated races this year with Frankel v Canford Cliffs during Glorious. (PS - expensive to get to? We laid on free buses to & from Chichester station this year - how much cheaper can you get?!)
Lord Bamber
Legendary Chairman
You cant - what he says!
Jack Daniels
New member
Do yourself a favor and forget leicester. I rather ambitiously went for the two day meeting there a few years back. Makes brighton look like newmarket in comparrison.
Lord Bracknell
On fire
My later career in horse racing mainly consisted of owning a share in a Shetland pony who used to race regularly in driving trials at Golden Cross. He was BRILLIANT.Lord Bracknell rode the last ever winner there in Amateaur race.
Not him, but the same venue ...
Ludensian Gull
Well-known member
I only live 5mins from Mkt Rasen racecoure , nice little course will be going boxing day weather permitting .
Tooting Gull
Well-known member
- Jul 5, 2003
- 11,033
We're lucky, in their own way they are all great days out (including Parham).
Goodwood is obviously world class and gets the nod, and I have had some great days out there - although the 'no young kids' rule in the Richmond enclosure for Glorious is ridiculous, what harm can they do out on the lawn (and the rules seem to get mysteriously 'bent' for children of owners, trainers and other chinless wonders).
Fontwell is a beautiful small course, Brighton is unrecognisable from when I first went there 25 years ago, and Plumpton is your classic country jumping track. All the bases are covered.
Goodwood is obviously world class and gets the nod, and I have had some great days out there - although the 'no young kids' rule in the Richmond enclosure for Glorious is ridiculous, what harm can they do out on the lawn (and the rules seem to get mysteriously 'bent' for children of owners, trainers and other chinless wonders).
Fontwell is a beautiful small course, Brighton is unrecognisable from when I first went there 25 years ago, and Plumpton is your classic country jumping track. All the bases are covered.
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 72,352
I agree. Each of the courses has its own individual character, from Plumpton which is basically a shed in a field, through to Goodwood which resembles (surprise!) a garden party in a country estate. I like Fontwell's wacky figure of eight track, and the fact that they've been racing in Brighton for well over 200 years. Plus the panoramic sea views on a clear day up the Racehill are pretty glorious in their own right. We're pretty lucky to have them all on our doorstep. IMHO, like.
Ernest
Stupid IDIOT
Fingers crossed as there has been no racing anywhere the last 2 Boxing Days due to frost
ROSM
Well-known member
I think Brighton (northern racing) should be congratulated for how its turned itself around. Good hospitality facilities, better class of racing (including epsom derby trials).
Not been to Plumpton so cant comment. Have done Goodwood a fair few times (hospitality and as a paying punter) and love the whole atmosphere in summer. Glorious Goodwood is one of the delights of the year. Fontwell really surprised me on my last visit - higely improved and great facilities and a good view of the whole track from start to finish.
Further afield I found epsom even on a standard meeting too aloof. Sandown was a great day out and Lingfield has come on leaps and bounds.
But my favourite of all is the Curragh. managed to see the Irish oaks there when Brighton did a pre season tour. It was a grand day out.
Not been to Plumpton so cant comment. Have done Goodwood a fair few times (hospitality and as a paying punter) and love the whole atmosphere in summer. Glorious Goodwood is one of the delights of the year. Fontwell really surprised me on my last visit - higely improved and great facilities and a good view of the whole track from start to finish.
Further afield I found epsom even on a standard meeting too aloof. Sandown was a great day out and Lingfield has come on leaps and bounds.
But my favourite of all is the Curragh. managed to see the Irish oaks there when Brighton did a pre season tour. It was a grand day out.
Now i never knew there was one there wen did it GO
Was where the airport is now
Tooting Gull
Well-known member
- Jul 5, 2003
- 11,033
The most random racecourse is Cartmel, only a few days racing a year but if you ever get the chance it's unreal. In the middle of nowhere, bit like Plumpton, but everyone in the whole area turns up on the Bank Holidays.
Stattoseagull
Banned
Goodwood is completely different class
Ernest
Stupid IDIOT
Another course long shut in Sussex is Eridge which was situated just by Eridge Station, the last meeting held there was in 1911. It was a National Hunt course and after the course closed down the Eridge Hunt became part of the point to point circuit racing at Heathfield. Interestingly the 2000 meeting was held at Rodmell just south of Lewes but not sure where the course would be there.
Not quite in Sussex but another course in this locality was at Portsmouth and was situated at Farlington close by to the railway on the way from Havant to Portsmouth, apparantly the facilities there were top notch and it closed in this location in 1915 but a new course opened at Paulsgrove opened shortly after closing in 1939.
Gatwick opened in 1890 as a result of Croydon racecourse closing, the substitute Grand National was run on 24/3/1916 and run over 4miles 856 yds and contained 29 fences against 30 at Aintree, the fences were a replica of the real ones but can't have been as daunting as only 1 horse fell in the field of 21 with 8 pulled up due to the heavy going. Vermouth a 100/8 chance ridden by Jack Reardon and trained at Epsom by James Bell beat Irish Bell by 2 lengths with Schoolmoney a further 6 lengths back in third.
The following year the race was renamed the War National Steeplechase and run on 21/3/1917 when Sir George Bullough's Ballymaclad scored easily from 18 rivals. The third and last 'National' run at Gatwick was on 21/3/1918 when Poethlyn ridden by Lester Piggot's grandfather Ernie Piggot won by 4 lengths from Captain Dreyfuss. Twelve months later Poethlyn won the authentic Grand National back at Aintree.
Today the South Terminal stands on the site of the home bend, grandstand and paddock with the rest of the course stretched up to and beyond what is now the North Terminal.
Not quite in Sussex but another course in this locality was at Portsmouth and was situated at Farlington close by to the railway on the way from Havant to Portsmouth, apparantly the facilities there were top notch and it closed in this location in 1915 but a new course opened at Paulsgrove opened shortly after closing in 1939.
Gatwick opened in 1890 as a result of Croydon racecourse closing, the substitute Grand National was run on 24/3/1916 and run over 4miles 856 yds and contained 29 fences against 30 at Aintree, the fences were a replica of the real ones but can't have been as daunting as only 1 horse fell in the field of 21 with 8 pulled up due to the heavy going. Vermouth a 100/8 chance ridden by Jack Reardon and trained at Epsom by James Bell beat Irish Bell by 2 lengths with Schoolmoney a further 6 lengths back in third.
The following year the race was renamed the War National Steeplechase and run on 21/3/1917 when Sir George Bullough's Ballymaclad scored easily from 18 rivals. The third and last 'National' run at Gatwick was on 21/3/1918 when Poethlyn ridden by Lester Piggot's grandfather Ernie Piggot won by 4 lengths from Captain Dreyfuss. Twelve months later Poethlyn won the authentic Grand National back at Aintree.
Today the South Terminal stands on the site of the home bend, grandstand and paddock with the rest of the course stretched up to and beyond what is now the North Terminal.
Tom Hark Preston Park
Will Post For Cash
- Jul 6, 2003
- 72,352
Blimey! Thought I'd heard of just about everywhere in Sussex, but never heard of Eridge. Just looked it up on wikipedia and Ernest no speak with forked tongue. Eridge exists! It even has a station! I guess that's what I love about NSC. It can be a force for good, as well as evil.