Market Rasen Racecourse Guide
Market Rasen racecourse, based in Lincolnshire is the unofficial home of summer jumps racing as it hosts a number of fixtures throughout the summer months as well as continues its’ racing programme right through the winter months. The track plays host to some quality racing action throughout the year and it is a popular racing venue with local families.
Market Rasen Major Meetings
The most prestigious of Market Rasen’s fixtures takes place in the summer with the Listed Summer Plate over fences and the Listed Summer Hurdle both featuring on the same racecard each July. Later in the season the competitive Prelude Handicap Hurdle offers up an autumn highlight, while the Lincolnshire National is a festive highlight also run at the Market Rasen track and although it lacks the attraction of Aintree’s spring feature the race is often competitive.
Market Rasen Track Characteristics
The Market Rasen racecourse is a right-handed oval track featuring sharp turns and a circuit of the track measures around a mile and a quarter. The fences are quite easy and fair with three obstacles in the home straight and a run-in of 250 yards after the last.
Market Rasen racecourse isn’t entirely flat, featuring minor undulations throughout and suits nippy types who can travel well; races can often be won by those who are handy turning in and can quicken up heading to the first obstacles in the home straight although it is quite a long way home from the turn so jockeys have to time their run well.
It isn’t unknown for the ground at Market Rasen to become very testing in winter and the very long home straight can take quite a bit of getting as a consequence; doubtful stayers can be quickly found out here when the ground is soft.
Market Rasen Leading Trainers
Followers of Micky Hammond’s runners at Market Rasen throughout the last five years will be in profit with the trainer returning a near 37 points positive return despite a relatively modest strike-rate.
Dr Richard Newland has a one in four strike-rate with his runners which have returned pennies in profit over the five year period; while Fergal O’Brien, Dan Skelton and Olly Murphy all saddle plenty of winners at the Lincolnshire venue although that trio operate in the red with all three holding losses in excess of 50 points each.
Market Rasen Leading Jockeys
When it comes to the jockeys both Aidan Coleman and Sam Twiston-Davies are good riders to have onside; each jockey boasting strike-rates of one in four rides with both men also in profit although the first named rider’s profit is in double-figures. Harry Skelton and Paddy Brennan both ride their fair share of winners at Market Rasen although both operate level-stakes losses.
Market Rasen Track History
The town of Market Rasen held its’ first race in 1828 although it wasn’t until 1924 when the course was built due to the increasing popularity of the sport. Until then racing had taken place on various sites in and around the town .
Situated where three Hunts converge, the course came about when four members of the various Hunts pooled their resources to buy 50 acres of land for a permanent site with a further 50 acres being rented on race days before that too was eventually purchased. The course was sold to Racecourse Holding Trust in 1967 before becoming part of the Jockey Club racecourse portfolio
Market Rasen Racecourse Address
The official racecourse address for Market Rasen racecourse is:
Market Rasen Racecourse Ltd,
Legsby Road,
Market Rasen,
Lincolnshire,
LN8 3EA
How To get to Market Rasen Racecourse
By Road: A46 to Market Rasen (Lincoln/Grimsby Road), E of town on A631 (Market Rasen/Louth Road), follow signed route via A158 to avoid congestion in Market Rasen town centre. Parking at Market Rasen racecourse is free in the public car parks although there is a charge for the picnic car parks.
By Rail: Racegoers can arrive via Market Rasen station (approx 1m from track) as well as Lincoln which has greater access from stations around the country; a bus from Lincoln rail station to Market Rasen racecourse takes around an hour.
By Air: Humberside Airport is the closest airport to the track, catering for charter flights from across the UK and some European destinations. For commercial flights East Midlands Airport is the largest regional airport to Market Rasen racecourse.
Helicopters are permitted to land at Market Rasen racecourse subject to local clearance and prior arrangement should be made with the racecourse office.