Worcester Racecourse is a
thoroughbred
The Thoroughbred is a list of horse breeds, horse breed developed for Thoroughbred racing, horse racing. Although the word ''thoroughbred'' is sometimes used to refer to any breed of purebred horse, it technically refers only to the Thorough ...
horse racing
Horse racing is an equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all sports, as its bas ...
venue located in the city of
Worcester,
Worcestershire
Worcestershire ( , ; written abbreviation: Worcs) is a Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county in the West Midlands (region), West Midlands of England. It is bordered by Shropshire, Staffordshire, and the West Midlands (county), West ...
,
England
England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...
.
['' British Racing and Racecourses'' () by Marion Rose Halpenny - Page 247] Horse racing has taken place here since at least 1718.
It staged
Flat racing
Horse racing is an equestrianism, equestrian performance activity, typically involving two or more horses ridden by jockeys (or sometimes driven without riders) over a set distance for competition. It is one of the most ancient of all spor ...
until 1966 but has since staged
National Hunt racing
National Hunt Racing, also known as Jump Racing, is a form of horse racing particular to many European countries, including, but not limited to: France, horse racing in Great Britain, Great Britain and horse racing in Ireland, Ireland. Jump Racin ...
only.
It is popularly known by Worcester residents as 'Pitchcroft' and is just short of 100 acres.
From 1893 the
Worcester Rugby Club played on ground enclosed by the racecourse for a number of years.
In 1902 Berwick Rangers and Worcester Rovers football clubs amalgamated taking the present name of
Worcester City F.C. playing on an enclosed area of the racecourse called Severn Terrace (behind the present Swan Theatre) until the start of the 1905 season.
The course is laid out as a left handed oval circuit of about 13
furlongs (approximately 2,615 metres) in length, with nine fences (five down the back straight and four in the home straight) and situated by the east bank of the
River Severn
The River Severn (, ), at long, is the longest river in Great Britain. It is also the river with the most voluminous flow of water by far in all of England and Wales, with an average flow rate of at Apperley, Gloucestershire. It rises in t ...
and the north side of Worcester Bridge.
When National Hunt racing through the summer was introduced in 1995 (“summer jumping”) Worcester was one of the first courses where it took place, and it has continued ever since.
During the
2007 floods, the racecourse was inundated and all the fixtures after June 30 had to be cancelled.
In addition to horse racing, the racecourse hosts various events throughout the year. One of the most notable is the Worcester Balloon Festival, an annual event featuring hot air balloon displays, live entertainment, and family activities.
Worcester Balloon Festival
(Accessed 19 Mar 2025)
A new weighing room complex is due to be completed by 7 May 2024, the first of 20 fixtures this year.
References
Further reading
*
External links
Official websiteCourse guide on GG.COMCourse guide on At The Races
Horse racing venues in England
Sports venues in Worcestershire
Sports venues completed in 1718
1718 establishments in England
Sport in Worcester, England
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