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Beverley

Beverley, known simply to the locals and regular racegoers as Bev, is the only horse racing venue in the whole of East Yorkshire, with racing a tradition there since 1690. Known as the Friendly Racecourse, Beverley is well-known as a day out at the races for all the family. It is a flat racetrack, with no jumps or hurdles, therefore its racing season runs from mid-April to the end of September.

History

Since the late 17th and early 18th centuries, racing has changed considerably, not least at Beverley, with horses becoming more and more valuable and the condition of the racetrack becoming increasingly

important with the expanding list of race days in a year. Situated on Humberside on the East Coast, the weather has always been a determining factor in the planning of a raceday at Beverley. However, the innovation of track-care techniques in recent years, including modern fertilisers, drains and watering systems, has made maintaining the track a little easier, but the location of the racecourse has always made postponement of racedays a possibility.

Times have changed at Bev. After World War II, there were only two race days held in the whole year. Now there are 18 days of racing at this small, popular Humberside racecourse. During the 19th century, Beverley was even known for hosting a higher quality of racing than York, completely different to today.

Famous Beverley Horses

Beverley has seen a number of great horses grace its 1 mile 3 furlong track over its 300-year-plus existence. The first of these was the colt Altisidora, which was the first horse of four under Richard Watt to win the St. Leger, doing so in 1813. The Altisidora Inn at Bishop Burton, near Beverley, was named after the horse. Nancy was another locally-bred horse under Watt to enjoy great success, winning the Chester Cup, Goodwood Cup and famous Ebor Handicap at York. Blink Bonny was another famous name to gallop on the turfs of Beverley, winning the Bishop Burton Stakes in 1856. Also a Beverley Gold Cup winner, Blink Bonny has a well-known training yard named after him in nearby Malton.

In the mid-19th century, Crusador's Horn was a famous grey who never failed to impress at Beverley. Bought for 420 guineas in 1944 (not much for a horse in those days), Crusador's Horn proved he was worth far more than his selling price by triumphing seven times at Bev. Just as memorable at Bev was Leslie Spink, who finished first in 112 starts, in the process covering nearly 180 miles on courses in the north. He was described by his trainer as "the greatest games horse I've ever trained".

Arguably the fastest horse to race at Beverley was Raffingora, who set a new five-furlong record at the course. Morecambe was another horse to enjoy great success, being another winner of the Ebor Handicap, just a week after winning the Beverley Handicap in August 1957. Another Bev favourite was Penitent, winning a total of 20 races in its career, during which time it broke the track record in the Tote Investors Cup, aged 13.

The most famous name, without a doubt, to appear at Bev was Red Rum, who won a record three Grand Nationals. Although he finished the race in fifth, it was a name that certainly brought high numbers to Bev.

If there is one name that regular Beverley racegoers will have heard of, it's Rapid Lad. From 1983, he recorded an unbeaten 12 victories at the track, which makes his popularity and legendary status at the course no surprise. His cult status at the course is made even stronger, perhaps, by his failure to record a first-placed finish at any other course in the country.

Bev's Big Races

Despite being a small racecourse, overshadowed by bigger meetings at the likes of Ascot, Aintree, Cheltenham and York, Bev can boast a couple of meetings where bigger-name horses may appear. Both at the back end of May, the Brian Yeardley Continental Two Year Old Trophy and Hilary Needler Two Year Old Trophy offer racegoers the chance to see horses maybe being geared up for trips to Royal Ascot in June.

Contact

For all enquiries please contact:

• Beverley Race Company Limited
• The Racecourse
• York Road
• Beverley
• East Yorkshire
• HU17 8QZ

• Tel: 01482 867488/882645
• Fax: 01482 863892
• Website: Beverley Racecourse
• Email: [email protected]

Tickets

Tickets can be purchased online, or by calling 01482 867488, or at the gate on arrival at the course.

Prices

Premier Enclosure

• Premier £18.00
• Ladies Day £20.00

Grandstand & Paddock Enclosure

• Grandstand & Paddock £12.00
• OAPs/Students £8.00

Course Enclosure

• Adults £5.00
• OAPs £3.00
• Per Car £5.00

Party Rates (per person)

• Premier 20+ £16.00
• Grandstand & Paddock 10+ £11.00
• Grandstand & Paddock 30+ £10.00
• Grandstand & Paddock 60+ £8.00
• Course Enclosure 10+ £4.00
• Premier 20+ £16.00

• Under 18s are admitted free of charge but must be accompanied by an adult. Proof of age required.
• Senior Citizens and Students will be required to present proof of age on entering the Racecourse.
• If a race meeting is abandoned before the first race, a full refund will be given on return of your race badges. If a meeting is abandoned before the third race, a 50% refund will be made. If racing is abandoned after the third race, no refund is payable.

Travel

Beverley Racecourse is situated on the historic Beverley Westwood, approximately one mile from the town centre. Well signposted, the racecourse is about 10 miles out of Hull and 13 miles off the M62 motorway.

By Car

From the West (M62) - Take Junction 37 and follow A614/A163 signs to Market Weighton. Follow the A1079/A1035 to the Racecourse.

From York - Take the A1079/A1035 via Market Weighton to the Racecourse.

From Hull and Lincolnshire - Join the A1079 and turn right at the Roundabout onto the A1035.

Free car parking is available at the racecourse, except in the Course Enclosure, where it is £5 per car.

By Train

Beverley is served by the Hull-Scarborough line which enjoys regular direct rail services from all over the country. The service between Hull and Beverley runs about every 25 minutes.

For train times visit the National Rail website or call 08457 484950.

By Bus

Frequent bus services run between Beverley and Hull, York and Leeds. For timetable information please visit the East Yorkshire Motor Services website.