Location Kelso, Scotland Date opened 1822 Address Kelso TD5 7SX, UK Phone +44 1573 221221 Notable race Premier Kelso Hurdle | Owned by Kelso Races Ltd. Notable races Premier Kelso Hurdle Opened 1822 Course type National Hunt racing Screened on Racing UK | |
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Similar Perth Racecourse, Catterick Bridge Racecourse, Hamilton Park Racecourse, Ayr Racecourse, Musselburgh Racecourse Profiles | ||
Scottish horse racing kelso racecourse richard landale interview
Kelso Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Kelso, Scotland. The official website describes the course as Britain's Friendliest Racecourse. It was voted the Best Small Course in Scotland and the North of England in 2007, 2012 and 2014 by the Racegoers Club.
Contents
- Scottish horse racing kelso racecourse richard landale interview
- Kelso racecourse clerk of the course anthea morshead interview
- History
- Layout
- Grandstand
- Notable races
- References
Kelso racecourse clerk of the course anthea morshead interview
History
The first recorded race meeting in Kelso took place at Caverton Edge in 1734. Races were also later held at Blakelaw. The foundation stone of the stand at the current racetrack at Berrymoss was laid on the 12 July 1822. It was initially known as the Duke's Course.
Kelso was a flat racing track until 1888, when the United Border Hunt moved to the course. Since then, Kelso has run exclusively under National Hunt rules.
Layout
Kelso consists of two sharp, left-handed tracks - a chase track of 1 mile 600 yards and a hurdle course of 1 mile 330 yards. The course also has a punishing uphill run-in of 2 furlongs.
Grandstand
The classical style grandstand building was erected in 1822, though it was designed in 1778 by York-based architect John Carr (1723–1807). The building, incorporating a private viewing area for the races' patron the Duke of Roxburghe, remains largely unchanged since its construction. In 2011 it was protected by Historic Scotland as a category A listed building, as "the finest example of its building type in Scotland and a particularly rare and important survival in a wider UK context."
Notable races
One notable steeplechase is the King's Own Challenge Cup, named after the King's Own Scottish Borderers who were based nearby.