Celebrating 120 Years Of Newbury Racecourse

Newbury Racecourse is celebrating 120 years as one of the UK’s most historic and prestigious racing venues. Officially opened in September 1905, the Racecourse held its first meeting just months after construction began, coinciding with the opening of Newbury Racecourse rail station. The first ever race – the Whatcombe Handicap – was won by Copper King, setting the stage for more than a century of top-class racing.

Newbury’s early success was driven by the vision of trainer John Porter and the support of King Edward VII, with the course and its racedays quickly becoming a mainstay in the British racing calendar. The first Jumps meeting was held in 1906, and over the following decades, Newbury continued to grow in stature. In 1958, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II celebrated her first winner at the track, and in 1960, the Hennessy Gold Cup (now the Coral Gold Cup) was run at Newbury for the first time, establishing a highlight of the National Hunt season.

Throughout the 1970s and 1980s, the Racecourse welcomed legendary names such as Mill Reef, Brigadier Gerard, and Shergar, with Frankel later adding to that legacy with a winning debut in 2010. Other milestones include the launch of the Weatherbys Super Sprint in 1991, the opening of a new grandstand sponsored by Dubai Duty Free in 2010, and witnessing standout chasers such as Denman, Sprinter Sacre and Altior in recent years.

Newbury has also played an important role beyond racing. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it served the local community as a vital vaccination centre and its vast estate boasts a boutique hotel, an Ofsted rated-outstanding children’s nursery and expansive events spaces as well as accommodating more than 1,500 residential properties.

Now in its 120th year, Newbury Racecourse continues to combine tradition with a modern outlook, offering year-round racing and events. With a rich history and an exciting future, it remains one of the cornerstones of British racing.

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