Wolverhampton Racecourse

Wolverhampton Racecourse, situated at Dunstall Park, was the first floodlit horse racing track in Britain. With around 100 races a year, it has more annual fixtures than any other course in the country, and is one of only a few to have a Polytrack all-weather surface. As well as a racing venue, the course is also a well established conference and exhibition centre.

History

There has been a history of racing in Wolverhampton since 1825, with the course owned by the Marquis of Cleveland proving a popular venue. After the property was sold in 1978, the course had to close, but the Dunstall Park Club Company was later formed in 1887, after The Jockey Club succeeded in their petition for a replacement course.

Wolverhampton Racecourse

Wolverhampton Racecourse

A few great horses made an appearance at the course over the century. Reynoldston and Indian Skinner won their first races at Wolverhampton, with Reynoldston going on to win the Grand National. Generally, however, the course failed to attract the exciting play of other venues.

In 1993, the course became the first floodlit, all-weather racecourse in Britain. This process involved the complete redevelopment of the site, and saw the introduction of an exhibition hall, hotel and panoramic restaurant among other modern facilities.

With all the new additions, Wolverhampton became a perfect all year round venue, both for racing fans and businesses. It was therefore little surprise when, in 1999, the privately owned racecourse and hotel were bought by Arena Leisure Plc. Things have continued to improve since then, with a huge increase in the number of fixtures at Wolverhampton - up to 110 across the year in 2006.

The Course

The course at Wolverhampton shares more in common with racecourses in the United States than in the UK, with its one mile oval circuit and left turns. The track is tight, ideally suiting nimble horses.

The course was first designed for all weather racing during the 2003 refurbishments, with the introduction of a Fibresand track alongside the Turf one. In 2004, this was replaced by a Polytrack surface, the course becoming one of only three in the country to introduce the track. Only flat racing has taken place at Wolverhampton since this addition.

Ticket Information

Tickets for the Premier Enclosure cost £15.00 per person during the week. Saturday evening tickets are £20.00 and Boxing Day tickets are £25.00. To stay for live entertainment following races, it will cost an extra £5.00 per person. Tickets for the Grandstand cost £12.00 per person, or £15.00 on Boxing Day.

A Lucky 7 Package, with benefits including Grandstand entrance, discounted betting vouchers and three drinks, is also available. This requires a pre-booking for a minimum of four people, and costs £15.00 per person.

Further information on fixtures and booking tickets can be found on the Wolverhampton Racecourse website.

Contact

Travel

By Car

Exit the M54 at Junction 2 and join the A449 to Wolverhampton. Follow the brown signs to Dunstall Park. The racecourse is one mile north of the town centre on Gorsebrook road, just off the A449.

From the north - Exit the M6 at Junction 12 and take the A449 west to Wolverhampton.

From the south - Exit the M6 at junction 10a and take the M54 to junction 2. Take the A449 to Wolverhampton.

By Train

Wolverhampton train station is less than two miles from the course and has good links to major towns and cities.