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Discover the Heart of Horse Racing
The north bank of the River Wharfe has a long history of racing horses and it is there that the Wetherby story begins.
Where it all began
Wetherby has a deep connection to horses, dating back to the Bronze age when the area was first settled.
The Romans, who had a nearby camp are believed to have raced horses at Netherby which lies a few miles west of the town.
Wetherby became an important staging post, positioned mid-way between London and Edinburgh with the Great North Road running through, and with a bridge across the somewhat turbulent River Wharfe. By the 18th Century the town boasted 26 inns with accommodation and stabling for over 1,000 horses.
In 1842 regular horse-races began at Linton, now the site of Wetherby Golf Club. These events funded by members of the local farming, hunting and military, were informal, however, by 1878 as their popularity rose, it became clear that a more organised approach was required.
The Rise Of The Steeplechase
In the late 18th Century, Steeplechases, originating in Ireland, became popular across the UK.
These races were the ultimate test of horse and rider, as they raced over fields, jumping hedges, walls and ditches, with church steeples used as navigation points due to their visibility. A well-known local steeplechase ran between Kirk Deighton and Walton Churches, about 3 miles apart; today both spires can be seen from Wetherby Racecourse.
Modern steeplechases, or ‘chases’, cover distances between 2 and 4.5 miles, with horses jumping obstacles such as fences, ditches and water jumps. Fences are at least 4.5 feet high, and at Wetherby, they’re made of birch. We have a section of a Steeplechase Fence in the Paddock, please take a look at the workmanship that goes into making and maintaining them on your next visit.
Unlike Flat Racess, chases do not use starting stalls; instead, horses line up behind elasticated tapes, which are released when the starter gives the signal.
Chasers – horses that run in steeplechases, tend to be typically older and may have run previously in hurdle races to gain experience and refine their jumping skills.
When it all began...
In 1878, a racing committee was established by local sports enthusiasts and businessmen, led by Mr. Henry Crossley, a well-known stationer, printer, and founder of The Wetherby News.
The committee quickly realised that to fund the development of racing, they needed to make the meetings more commercially viable. In 1884, they introduced a sixpence entry for the popular side, a decision that nearly led to riot, as admission had previously been free!
After an unsuccesful attempt to purchase land at the Ings, the committee began searching for a new location for Wetherby Races. They found a new site on land once farmed by Henry Crossley and owned by Capt Montagu of Ingmanthorpe Hall, a landmark still visible from the Racecourse today.
The final meeting at the Ings took place on April 8, 1890 with the main race won by Mr Lycett Green’s Riston ridden by Mr. Wilmot-Smith. The trio would repeat this success at the first meeting at the new course on Easter Monday, 1891.
While initially basic, the race meetings thrived, and development began soon after, with a Grandstand (Bramham) and Weighing Room in place by 1906. However progress stalled during World War I. Between 1919 & 1920 it was decided to refresh the organising committee, leading to the formation of the Wetherby Steeplechase Committee Ltd. The original committee members-Messrs Crossley, Atkinson & Long-were joined by Captain Montagu and Mr Wilmot-Smith. Mr Rowland Francis Meyrick was appointed Clerk of the Course, a position he would retain until 1947.
The new Committee focused on expanding the facilities, and Henry Crossley played a key role in securing the construction of a railway station, behind the course which was a major advantage! The station opened in 1924 and the Committee even covered travel expenses to bring horses in by train. Special trains ‘Racecourse Specials’ transported thousands of racegoers from Leeds., leading to a boom in attendance with over 40,000 reported attendees to some meetings. Unfortunately, the station closed in 1959.
In 1953 the Committee secured the freehold of the Racecourse and continued to invest in development, including construction of a new stable block on the site, as previously horses were stabled near the town. The first Grandstand was completed in 1967.
Over the years, the Wetherby Steeplechase Committee has continued to enhance the Racecourse facilities, adding the Weighing Room and Parade Ring redevelopment, the Wetherby Millennium Grandstand, The Bramham Hall redevelopment, and the Millennium West development, which replaced the 1967 Grandstand.
The latest development was the construction of the new turnstile entrance, which included changes to the ingress roadways and construction of a lit footpath to the coachpark, this was completed in 2021. In 2025-2026, work will start on upgrades and additions to the Weighing Room facilities.
Only 1 week to go until the bell rings in our Parade Ring once again!! 📅
The Opening Meeting is the perfect start to the season - thrilling racing, a great atmosphere, and supporting an incredible cause, @spinalresearch.
🎟 Advance tickets available until Monday 13th October at 11:59pm.
Don’t miss it: link in bio!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacecourse #RacesInWestYorkshire #Racecourse #SpinalResearch
Oct 8
On Wednesday, 15th October, we open our 2025/26 Jump Season with a day that means so much to us - The Opening Meeting supporting @spinalresearch 💙
Jump racing is the Original Extreme Sport - full of thrill, passion, and bravery - but with it comes risk. Sadly, spinal cord injuries are a reality faced by some jockeys and riders, changing lives in an instant.
That’s why this day matters. Together with Spinal Research, the UK’s leading charity funding groundbreaking medical research, we’re helping raise vital awareness and funds to bring hope to those living with paralysis. Every ticket sold, every cheer trackside, plays a part in moving closer to life-changing treatments.
Join us for a powerful day of racing, community, and purpose 🏇✨
Get your tickets here: link in bio.
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacesOpeningMeeting #WetherbyRacecourse #SpinalResearch
Oct 3
Two weeks to go!🐎
The wait is nearly over… Jump Racing returns to Wetherby with the Original Extreme Sport on Wednesday, 15th October.
We’re proud to once again support @spinalresearch for their 35th annual Northern Charity Raceday. 💙
Secure your spot today: link in bio!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacecourse #RacesInWestYorkshire #Racecourse #SpinalResearch
Oct 1
Have you heard the news? 🎉
Top equestrian, @saffroncresswellofficial, will be joining us at Wetherby as Guest Speaker in the @spinalresearch Marquee. She will be joined by other leading names from racing and eventing, including @ros_canter_eventing and former Grand National-winning Jockey, Graham Lee.
We’re absolutely delighted to welcome her as our guest speaker at this year’s Wetherby Race Day.
It’s set to be an unforgettable day of thrilling racing, fine dining, auctions, and above all, hope as we come together to raise vital funds in support of Spinal Research’s mission to cure paralysis. 💙
Find out more and secure your tickets today.
We can’t wait to share this special day with you!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacesOpeningMeeting #WetherbyRacecourse #SaffronCresswell #GuestSpeaker #SpinalResearch
Sep 30
Less than a month to go!
The Opening Meeting of the 2025/26 Jump Season is almost here - and we can’t wait to welcome you back. 🏇
Jump Racing, the Original Extreme Sport, returns to Wetherby on Wednesday, 15th October, as we proudly support @spinalresearch for their 35th annual Northern Charity Raceday. 💙
- Discount pricing ends at 11:59 pm on Monday, 13th October
- General Admission closes at 10:00 am on Wednesday, 15th October
(Card payments only at the turnstiles on the day)
Don’t miss the start of another thrilling season with us - get your tickets today!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacecourse #RacesInWestYorkshire #Racecourse #SpinalResearch
Sep 26
Jump racing is back at Wetherby - and we’re ready to make this season the best yet! 🏇✨
We’re kicking things off with The Opening Meeting, in support of @spinalresearch, and we’d love for you to join us.
📅 Gates open: 11:15 am
🏁 First race: 1:43 pm
🏆 Last race: 4:50 pm
We can’t wait to welcome you for a fantastic day at the races - see you soon!
#WetherbyRaces #WetherbyRacecourse #RacesInWestYorkshire #Racecourse #DayOut #SpinalResearch
Sep 24
🎟️ TICKETS ON SALE 🎟️
Tickets for our October and November fixtures are now live on our website! Book in advance to secure the best price and remember, all tickets booked in advance receive a complimentary racecard on the day 📖
Book Now - Link in bio
Jul 1
Set your alarms! ⏰🎟️Tickets go on sale tomorrow at 10am for our October and November racedays!
🏇 Wednesday 15th October - The Opening Meeting supporting @spinalresearch
🏇 Friday 31st October - The @bet365 Meeting Day One
🏇 Saturday 1st November - The @bet365 Meeting Day Two, featuring the Charlie Hall Chase
🏇 Saturday 15th November - The Peak Cap & Pearls Raceday
🏇 Wednesday 26th November - Community Raceday
Make sure you don`t miss out on the action - book in advance to secure our BEST ticket prices.
Jun 30
It`s not long until tickets go on sale for the start of our 2025/26 Season.
If you still haven`t decided what fixture you will attend on, what are you waiting for! 🏇 Visit our website to see our upcoming fixture highlights - link in bio
Jun 29
The racing industry is coming together to celebrate the people that make racing happen. If you attend as an owner at Wetherby, Elissa and Rachel will welcome you to the course for the start of a fantastic days racing!
@racingwelfare #RacingStaffWeek #RSW2025
Jun 26
We are supporting #RacingStaffWeek. Behind every raceday there is a huge team of individuals working hard. Our security team are one of the biggest on a raceday and we couldn`t do what we do without them.
@racingwelfare | @constantsecurityltd
#RSW2025 #WeAreRacing
Jun 25
Wetherby Racecourse is proud to be supporting @racingwelfare and #RacingStaffWeek celebrating the workforce behind British racing. Our turnstile staff are one of the first faces you see when you visit the Racecourse and will always welcome you with a warm smile 👋😊
#WeAreRacing #RSW2025
Jun 24
