Thirsk Racecourse
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 The Grandstand | |
 Interactive map of Thirsk | |
| Location | Thirsk, North Yorkshire |
|---|---|
| Owned by | Thirsk Racecourse Ltd. |
| Screened on | Racing TV |
| Course type | Flat |
| Notable races | Thirsk Hunt Cup Summer Cup |
| Official website | |
Thirsk Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Thirsk, North Yorkshire, England. The course is a left handed oval of about 1 mile 2 furlongs with a 3 furlong finishing straight and a 6 furlong chute. The present course opened in 1855[1], but racing had taken place on the old course at nearby Black Hambleton over 200 years earlier.[2][3]
It would be visited by Edward, Prince of Wales (the future King Edward VII) in October 1895, which saw the construction of the Royal Stand and drew in a large crowd, but the course would close for nine years from 1914 to 1923 due to the First World War[1]. It reopened in 1924 with the newly constructed Hambleton Stand, still in use today.
In 1940 it staged the war-time substitute St. Leger, which was won by Turkham, owned by the Aga Khan[1].
The main road from Ripon to Thirsk runs past the course, and it is very popular with northern trainers[2], with racing taking place from April to September.
