Ludlow Racecourse

Ludlow Racecourse, located in Bromfield near Ludlow, Shropshire, is a National Hunt racing venue known for its Edwardian charm. The racecourse features a spectator capacity of approximately 3,000.

Ludlow Racecourse features two distinct courses: the outer course for hurdle races and the inner course for chases. The hurdle course is approximately 1.5 miles long with various distances for races ranging from 2 miles to 3 miles.

The chase course is slightly shorter and includes obstacles such as plain fences, open ditches, and a water jump. The venue is known for its quirky layout, which includes the B4365 road crossing the racecourse at three points, necessitating traffic stops during events.

The racecourse hosts around 15 to 16 meetings annually, typically running from early October to mid-May. Among these events, the Forbra Gold Cup, held in February, stands out as a significant race.

Ludlow Racecourse features a right-handed, oval-shaped track specifically designed for National Hunt racing. The jumps course is approximately 1.5 miles in length and includes a total of nine fences for steeplechase races.

The hurdles course is slightly longer, with a total of ten hurdles, and it shares the home straight with the chase track. The layout presents a relatively flat surface with sharp bends, making cornering skills crucial for horses competing here.

In terms of racing strategy, horses that excel at Ludlow tend to be those that can navigate the sharp turns effectively while maintaining their speed. The undulating nature of the course adds an additional challenge, particularly as horses approach the back straight where they face a gradual rise before descending towards the finish line.

Tradition suggests that soldiers from Ludlow Castle raced their horses on the land as far back as the 14th century. However, concrete evidence of organized racing dates to 1725. Initially, Ludlow hosted flat racing exclusively, with matches becoming widely reported by 1729. However, racing at the time was often a secondary attraction, with activities like cockfighting taking precedence until horse racing grew in popularity.

The transition to jumps racing began in the mid-19th century. The first hurdles race was held in 1850, and by 1870, a steeplechase course was introduced. Flat racing fixtures ceased entirely in 1868 as Ludlow embraced National Hunt racing. The course underwent significant development during this period, including the construction of a new Edwardian grandstand in 1904.

The racecourse is notable for its unique layout and features. It is intersected by the B4365 road at three points, requiring traffic to be stopped on race days. Additionally, an 18-hole golf course, established in 1889 and later expanded in 1922, occupies the center of the track. This dual-purpose use of the grounds adds to Ludlow’s distinctive character.

During World War II, the racecourse was repurposed as a camp for over 2,000 U.S. soldiers. After the war, racing resumed, and further improvements were made over the years, including the construction of the Jubilee Stand in 2001. The course has retained much of its Edwardian charm while adapting to modern needs.

Address:Bromfield, Ludlow SY8 2BT, United Kingdom

Tel: +44 1584 856221

Email: mail@ludlowracecourse.co.uk

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