Haydock Races Guide: Key races, track layout and more

With year-round action, entertainment and music, Haydock Park Racecourse is a perfect sporting and social day out and it boasts top class action both on the Flat and over jumps.

Haydock is one of Britain's finest dual-purpose tracks, playing host as it does to top-level action both on the Flat and during the National Hunt season.

Situated on Merseyside, halfway between Liverpool and Manchester, Haydock is one of the most popular courses in terms of racegoers in Britain and routinely attracts excellent spectator numbers.

Here's our guide to Haydock Park.

What	Sprint Cup Celebration
Where	Haydock Park, Merseyside
When	Thursday 5th September – Saturday 7th September, 2024
How to watch	bet365 Sports Live Streaming, ITV & Racing TV

Key Races at Haydock Park

Flat

- Haydock Sprint Cup
- Temple Stakes
- Rose of Lancaster Stakes
- bet365 Lancashire Oaks

Jumps

- Grade 1 Betfair Chase
- Peter Marsh Chase
- Swinton Handicap Hurdle
- Champion Hurdle Trial
- Grand National Trial

The Haydock Sprint Cup is a Group 1 sprint over six-furlongs. Run in early September, it is undoubtedly the highlight of the flat season at the racecourse.

Over jumps, the jewel in the crown is the Grade 1 Betfair Chase, run over three-miles in late November – it is viewed as the biggest pre-Christmas staying chase in Britain. 

Track Layout

Although the turns are generally quite tight, the long steady straights mean that the course is considered one of the fairest in the country in both codes. 

On the Flat, it is left-handed and oval-shaped and about thirteen furlongs right around, with a run-in of four-and-a-half furlongs which steadily rises throughout. Sprints take place on the straight six-furlong course, with runners usually racing down the centre of the track.

Over obstacles, Haydock was once considered amongst the hardest courses to jump around but that has changed since they changed the configuration in the early part of this century. The fences are now portable ones and would be viewed as quite easy to clear. 

One thing to note with Haydock – both on the Flat and over jumps – is the weather. The track holds plenty of water and, as such, becomes extremely testing and gruelling after ample rainfall. 

Visiting Haydock

As noted, Haydock is popular with racegoers and much of that owes to the relaxed raceday atmosphere. 

Haydock aims to make racing something that can be enjoyed by 'anyone and everyone' and, to that end, the dress code simply implores visitors to come "dressed to feel your best".

Haydock's four enclosures offer something for everyone. The largest is the Grandstand & Paddock, an area that offers excellent views of racing from the Makerfield grandstand, including three raised viewing areas (one of which is seated), as well as access to the Parade Ring and Winners' Enclosure.

The County Enclosure is situated directly opposite the Winning Post and provides access to several suites within the Centenary Stand, including the Champagne and Seafood Bar, while situated on the top floor of the Centenary Stand, the Premier Suite offers relaxed, sophisticated surroundings from where you can enjoy your day's racing.