Haydock Racecourse Guide

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, and we have put together the ultimate guide for everything you need to know about the popular racecourse.

Haydock Racecourse Location

Where is Haydock?

Situated on Merseyside, halfway between Liverpool and Manchester, Haydock is set in an area of parkland between the towns, Haydock, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Golborne and Newton-le-Willows.

How to get to Haydock Racecourse

By Train

The nearest train station to Haydock Park Racecourse is Newton-le-Willows, about three miles away, where trains run from Manchester Piccadilly, Victoria and Oxford Road and to Liverpool Lime Street. 

On the main London to Glagow line the nearest stations are Warrington Bank Quay and Wigan North Western, which are both approximately eight miles from the racecourse.

On certain racedays there is a complimentary shuttle bus from Newton-le-Willows train station from two hours before the first race with return journeys operating after racing.

By Bus

The 620 bus service (St Helens to Hindley Green via Ashton and Haydock) and the 320 (St Helens to Wigan via Ashton and Haydock) both serve the track.

On Saturday racedays, a 'Peoplesbus' Bus Service (the 520) usually runs from Liverpool City Centre to Haydock Park.

By Car

• Haydock Park is located just one mile from junction 23 of the M6.

• Most traffic arrives at the racecourse from the A49 down the racecourse main drive, although there is another entrance - The Golborne/East entrance.

• Parking is free of charge at the racecourse except for some fixtures. 

Haydock Racecourse Layout

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. 

Enclosures and Viewing Areas

The list of enclosures and viewing areas at Haydock Racecourse are as follows:

• Grandstand & Paddock

• County Enclosure

• Premier Lounge

• Be Friendly

Key Races at Haydock

Haydock Sprint Cup

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.

Betfair Chase

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. 

Haydock Racecourse History

Haydock Racecourse Opening Date

The racecourse was opened in 1899.

Much of the course's early development was overseen by Sydney Sandon, who was the course secretary, chairman and managing director in the early 20th century.

Haydock has its own airstrip that can be used as a small airport for light aircraft, and it has twice been named Racecourse of the Year - in 1998 and 2000.

As well as the Haydock Sprint Cup and Betfair Chase, other notable races staged at Haydock include the Champion Hurdle Trial in January, the Rendlesham Hurdle and Grand National Trial in February and the Achilles Stakes and John of Gaunt Stakes in June.