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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.
A huge thank you to everyone who joined us on Boxing Day and yesterday - what a way to wrap up the festive racing! 🏇
Our team are now taking a well-earned break to celebrate with friends and family.
We’ll be closed from Wednesday 31st December, and we’ll be back on Monday 5th December …, refreshed and ready to kick off the year with our upcoming @williamhill Medieval Raceday! 🛡️🐎
Thank you again for your incredible support this year. We can’t wait to welcome you back soon!
#WetherbyRaces #ClosingHours
Dec 28
He takes the William Hill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Steeple Chase 🙌🏼 KONFUSION loves Wetherby 🔥
Dec 27
A fantastic Boxing Day as we complete day one of our Yorkshire Christmas Meeting 🎁 🎄
Dec 27
Mick Easterby didn’t quite know what to do with our Christmas hat - so he didn’t give it back! Look out for him wearing it at the races 👀
Dec 26
It’s Boxing Day… and we’re RACING! 🏇🎅
Day One of the Yorkshire Christmas Meeting is here!
Tickets are still available online until 9:30 am (and yes - your e-ticket includes a free racecard).
Going to miss the cut-off? No stress - admissions and racecards can be bought at the turnstiles.
⏰ Gates: 10 am
🏇 First Race: 11.52 am
Today’s highlight: The @williamhill Rowland Meyrick Handicap Chase
Let’s make it a Boxing Day to remember!
#WetherbyRaces #YorkshireChristmasMeeting #FestiveFamilyFun #BoxingDayRaces #YorkshireEvents
Dec 26
Merry Christmas from all of us at Wetherby! 🎄✨
We hope your day is full of good food, good company, and plenty of festive cheer.
And if you weren’t good enough for the big man to leave you a raceday ticket… don’t worry, we’ve got you. 🎅
You can still purchase tickets online (availability to be confirmed) or pay by card at the turnstiles tomorrow.
(Plus, advance tickets come with a free racecard!)
See you tomorrow for The @williamhill Yorkshire Christmas Meeting!
Grab your tickets: link in bio.
#MerryChristmas #WetherbyRaces #YorkshireChristmasMeeting #FestiveFamilyFun #BoxingDayRaces
Dec 25
No plans for Boxing Day? You do now!
Our Yorkshire Christmas Meeting with @williamhill is nearly here - don’t miss the festive racing tradition of the year! 🏇✨
Tickets still available, buy now: 🔗 in bio.
#WetherbyRaces #YorkshireChristmasMeeting #FestiveFamilyFun #BoxingDayRaces #YorkshireEvents
Dec 24
Full information is available on our website. Link in bio. Advance and group discounts close 24hrs prior to the raceday. Email required to receive E-tickets. All advance bookings include a racecard. £2.00 to purchase on the day. Online sales close at 9.30am on day of racing. Paddock Enclosure available to purchase at the turnstiles on the day. Course Enclosure closed in June 2025. Park and View entry woth prebooked ticket only.#boxingdayracing #jumpracing #wetherbyracing
Dec 24
What’s your festive tradition? 🎄
Ours has to be the @williamhill Yorkshire Christmas Meeting, Christmas isn’t Christmas without it!
Grab your tickets for 26th & 27th December 🎟️✨
#WetherbyRaces #YorkshireChristmasMeeting #FestiveFamilyFun #BoxingDayRaces #YorkshireEvents
Dec 23
The countdown is ON! 🎄
The iconic Yorkshire Christmas tradition is nearly here - our unmissable Christmas Meetings, hosted with @williamhill
Tickets are flying, but you can still grab your spot:
Boxing Day (26th): Paddock Enclosure & Park & View Enclosure
Friday 27th: Premier Enclosure, Paddock Enclosure & Park & View Enclosure
Don’t wait, these two festive racedays are the highlight of the Christmas calendar, and they won’t stay available for long!
And remember… every advance ticket (even the day before!) comes with a FREE racecard. On-the-day tickets don’t - so lock yours in now and save.
🎪 Two magical days 🏇 Thrilling jump racing🎄 Festive fun & Christmas cheer everywhere
Finish the festive season with a bang, book now before it’s too late!
#WetherbyRaces #YorkshireChristmasMeeting #FestiveFamilyFun #BoxingDayRaces #YorkshireEvents
Dec 22
The William Hill Yorkshire Christmas Meeting Day Two 🎄✨
We still have plenty of Paddock Enclosure and Park and View tickets available on our website, make sure you get them before they`re gone
Don’t miss out - grab your tickets today: link in bio.
#WetherbyRaces #YorkshireChristmasMeeting #FestiveFamilyFun #YorkshireEvents
Dec 21
