Going to the (horse) races by train

[whole diary]

[grahame]

I came across this page that lists over 50 horse race venues (courses?) together with their nearest station.  Link pasted here in case any members or guests (lots of people find us on the search engines  ) interested.

http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations_destinations/nonrail/sport_horse_racing.aspx

Any of our members go horse racing?  Good day out?   Alternative to the Pony Painting Party trend that is raising so much notice at the moment?

[froome]

An acquaintance of mine here in Bath seems to spend much of his life going by train to see horse racing. Almost every time I've caught a Paddington bound train he has been on it, heading to one or other of the courses over that way.

[JayMac]

I don't have much time for a 'sport' which results in the deaths of 160 competitors a year.

[grahame]

I don't have much time for a 'sport' which results in the deaths of 160 competitors a year.

Totally agree ... even more disgust at the greyhounds ... but don't get me going on that one.    Having said which, much of my horror is from the outside having not learned / researched into the detail and relying on passed-on evidence.

[Bmblbzzz]

I know that Newbury racecourse has its own station and a quick check on national rail suggests that trains stop there every day, so presumably it does serve more than just the races, so why does the page Grahame linked to say "01.2.1 Non-Rail Location Accordian - Nearest Station" for Newbury? I'm also wondering how accessible some of the others are once you've got of the train – I know Bath racecourse is quite a way out if you're walking, but it's near the park & ride so presumably has decent bus service. In contrast, I remember passing Sandown Park – I think it was Sandown Park – and it is in the middle of town, which I'd have thought is not a usual racecourse location.

Apart from that, I was once on a train to Ashchurch and the ticket inspector was joking with some men in their 60s who she evidently saw regularly, they were on their way to the racing at Worcester.

[TaplowGreen]

Windsor Races is good fun on a summer evening - I was never that keen on the gee gees but it's one of those sports that whilst crap to watch on TV, it's a good atmosphere when you're there in person with a few pals.


As for the dogs..................I've been going to them for years! 

[didcotdean]

I know that Newbury racecourse has its own station and a quick check on national rail suggests that trains stop there every day, so presumably it does serve more than just the races, so why does the page Grahame linked to say "01.2.1 Non-Rail Location Accordian - Nearest Station" for Newbury?

It is odd, because the link even goes to Newbury Racecourse Station. The regular service is augmented on racedays either by additional stops on the expresses or shuttles to Reading, depending on how big they are.

[broadgage]

I don't have much time for a 'sport' which results in the deaths of 160 competitors a year.

I agree, if humans wish to risk their lives in dangerous pursuits that is their choice.
Horses, greyhounds and other animals get no choice.

[johnneyw]

Cheltenham racecourse is not just served by Cheltenham Spa. There is a Cheltenham Racecourse station although the thing is, that's part of the Glos Warks Steam Railway but is very handy for the race days if you live in Toddington or Broadway now.😀

[CMRail]

Cheltenham racecourse is not just served by Cheltenham Spa. There is a Cheltenham Racecourse station although the thing is, that's part of the Glos Warks Steam Railway but is very handy for the race days if you live in Toddington or Broadway now.😀

Definitely a nice ride as well. Cheltenham has had the same system for years now and I’m surprised that some of the shuttles do not leave from Gloucester, exiting the station there is less traffic, then up to the M5 it would not be as long.

[froome]

The list of courses appears to be incomplete. For example, Newton Abbot has one, and a station not far away.

Does anyone know about what appears to be a race course that lies next to the railway line between Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon, by the disused link to the Trans Wilts line close to Staverton village? (I'm pretty sure it is there rather than by the other triangular link between Trowbridge and Westbury). I must have passed it hundreds of times on rail journeys, but have never seen any activity on it, not a single person or animal.

Oh and I completely agree with the comments expressed about the cruelty of the sport.

[TaplowGreen]

I don't have much time for a 'sport' which results in the deaths of 160 competitors a year.

I agree, if humans wish to risk their lives in dangerous pursuits that is their choice.
Horses, greyhounds and other animals get no choice.

Those animals don't get much choice when they're taken to the abattoir to provide you with food either  (although racehorses get treated a great deal better throughout their lives)........ironically though, they are transported to the abattoir in far more tightly regulated conditions in respect of overcrowding than those "enjoyed" by those of us on GWR^▸ (Great Western Railway) trains! 🙂

[martyjon]

I know that Newbury racecourse has its own station and a quick check on national rail suggests that trains stop there every day, so presumably it does serve more than just the races, so why does the page Grahame linked to say "01.2.1 Non-Rail Location Accordian - Nearest Station" for Newbury? I'm also wondering how accessible some of the others are once you've got of the train – I know Bath racecourse is quite a way out if you're walking, but it's near the park & ride so presumably has decent bus service. In contrast, I remember passing Sandown Park – I think it was Sandown Park – and it is in the middle of town, which I'd have thought is not a usual racecourse location.

Apart from that, I was once on a train to Ashchurch and the ticket inspector was joking with some men in their 60s who she evidently saw regularly, they were on their way to the racing at Worcester.

A dedicated bus service runs from Bath (railway / bus stations which adjoin each other) on race days to the racecourse public entrance.

[martyjon]

The list of courses appears to be incomplete. For example, Newton Abbot has one, and a station not far away.

Does anyone know about what appears to be a race course that lies next to the railway line between Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon, by the disused link to the Trans Wilts line close to Staverton village? (I'm pretty sure it is there rather than by the other triangular link between Trowbridge and Westbury). I must have passed it hundreds of times on rail journeys, but have never seen any activity on it, not a single person or animal.

Oh and I completely agree with the comments expressed about the cruelty of the sport.

I think what you see is land on which race horses are trained, there is also a similar feature on land between Yeovil and Castle Cary on the left as you are progressing from Yeovil to CC.

[stuving]

Round our way, Ascot is the obvious example of a high-street racecourse - literally, as it's closer than the station is to either. Overlooking the road next to Wokingham station, I also get the entertainment of Royal Ascot, especially on Ladies' Day and the Saturday. All those overdressed ladies, and often in family groups with equally overdressed but rather more sheepish menfolk. Being family groups there is often an element of reluctance too.

Even more entertaining, though only to watch, is the same groups coming back. Unsteady, dishevelled, with redder faces, often hatless (that'll cost you, sir) and with the women carrying their shoes but still tottering. (Personally I detest high heels, and quite why anyone thinks wearing them to a racecourse could make sense baffles me. And that's before you think about that footpath from the station! qv)