Newcastle Racecourse Guide

Newcastle is one of racing jewels of the north of England, with a mix of National Hunt and all-weather racing ensuring year-round racing at the Gosforth Park venue.

The racecourse plays host to major contests both on the Flat and over jumps, while also providing top-quality post-racing entertainment within earshot of the thriving city of Newcastle.

Here's our guide to Newcastle racecourse.

Newcastle Racecourse Location

Where is Newcastle Racecourse?

Newcastle Racecourse is located inside Gosforth Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, England. The racecourse shares High Gosforth Park with the Border Minstrel Pub and Parklands Golf Club.

How to get to Newcastle Racecourse

By Train

Newcastle Central Station is the closest main line station, while it's approximately 15 minutes to the racecourse by taxi.

Regent Centre and Four Lane Ends Metro Stations are situated two miles from the racecourse and a shuttle bus operates between these for Saturday fixtures.

By Bus

Local bus services to the racecourse come via Numbers 43 and 44, which leave from Haymarket Bus Station in Newcastle City Centre every few minutes and arrive at a stop just outside the racecourse road entrance.

By Car

Follow brown and white tourist board signs bearing a horse and rider from the A1, A19 and main approach roads to Newcastle.

Newcastle Racecourse Layout

The left-handed oval track was created in the likeness of Wolverhampton using Tapeta. It differs from the majority of the all-weather tracks in that as well as a round course, it has a floodlit straight mile.

The jumps track at Newcastle is left-handed, galloping and with a steady uphill rise from the home turn to the winning line. The course is stiff in nature and that lends itself to steadily-run races that can become a dash to the line in the home straight.

It is generally considered advantageous to be on the stands rail. The fences are a proper test of jumping but fair in nature with a line of three in the home straight ensuring nothing is decided too early.

Enclosures and Viewing Areas

Newcastle prides itself on offering a varied set of hospitality options, with fantastic restaurants and suites as well as the chance to get closer to the trackside action in the marquee village.

Restaurants - Experience a refined dining atmosphere where you can still feel the excitement of the races. With guaranteed seating and meals of superb quality, including the traditional Grade II Brandling House restaurant.

Private Suites - Indulge in the epitome of exclusivity, offering unparalleled hospitality, including the 'Flat Cap', 'Fascinator' and 'Top Hat' private hospitality packages, available on selected race days.

Marquee hospitality - customised to suit the unique nature of each raceday, from elegant fizz themes on ladies day to superb summer offerings, the options are limitless.

Key Races at Newcastle

Newcastle is the premier racecourse in the north-east of England, catering for all tastes via their excellent Tapeta all-weather course and the turf track that hosts some excellent jumps fare during the National Hunt season.

The Northumberland Plate was first run at the Gosforth Park location in 1882 and it has remained there ever since.

The race is amongst the most prestigious of Britain's staying handicaps and in 2022 it witnessed one of the most extraordinary displays as Trueshan won for Hollie Doyle and Alan King, defying a handicap mark of 120 and becoming the highest-rated winner of a UK handicap in three decades.

Over jumps, Newcastle's big day arrives in early December with the Fighting Fifth Hurdle, a Grade 1 event over two-miles that dates back to 1969 and has been won three times by the likes of Comedy Of Errors and Birds Nest.

The four-mile-plus Eider Chase is a severe test of stamina that has been held at Newcastle since 1952 and it is often viewed as a good trial for the Grand National at Aintree, with Comply Or Die winning both contests in 2008.

Flat

• Northumberland Plate

• Chipchase Stakes

• Burradon Stakes

• All-Weather Finals Day Good Friday

Jumps

• Fighting Fifth Hurdle

• Eider Chase

Newcastle Racecourse History

The Northumberland Plate dates back to 1833 and the first running of the race at High Gosforth Park stems from 1882.

The race remains one of the most treasured of the summer season, while in winter, the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle is the first major two-mile hurdles prize on offer in Britain.

Newcastle has undergone many changes in recent times. In December 2013 owners Arena Racing Company announced plans to change the flat turf course into an all-weather track while retaining a turf jump racing course at Newcastle.

That change means Newcastle is now multi-dimensional, with great racing on the Tapeta complimented by top level National Hunt action.