How many racecourses does the Jockey Club own?

How many racecourses does the Jockey Club own?  At the last count, Jockey Club Racecourses, which was established, as Racecourse Holdings Trust, in 1964, owned 14 racecourses. In chronological order, by the date on which they were acquired, those racecourses are Cheltenham, Wincanton, Nottingham, Market Rasen, Newmarket, Haydock, Aintree, Huntingdon, Epsom Downs, Kempton Park, Sandown Park, Carlisle and Exeter.

Epsom Downs, Kempton Park,Sandown Park were added to the Jockey Club portfolio in 1994, a year after the formation of the British Horseracing Board (BHB), which took over the governance of the sport. Carlisle was added in 2001 and Exeter in 2007, by which time the Horserace Regulatory Authority (HRA) had been established to replace the Jockey Club as the regulator of horse racing in Britain.

Shortly after Exeter joined Jockey Club Racecourses, the BHB and HRB merged to create the British Horseracing Authority (BHA), a single body to govern and regulate the sport of horse racing. The formation of the BHA freed the Jockey Club to focus on its commercial interests, which include not only Jockey Club Racecourses, but also the National Stud in Newmarket.

What, and where, is Happy Valley?

As far as horse racing is concerned, Happy Valley Racecourse is one of two popular facilities operated by the Hong Kong Jockey Club, the other being Sha Tin Racecourse. Originally built by the British military, on an area of previously uninhabitable wetland in the Wan Chai District, in the north of Hong Kong island, Happy Valley Racecourse staged its first fixtures in December 1846. The name ‘Happy Valley’ is euphemistic, probably derived from the presence of a cemetery and/or the high rate of malaria in early Hong Kong.

It would be fair to say that Happy Valley Racecourse has been superceded by the larger, more modern Sha Tin Racecourse, which was built by the Hong Kong Jockey Club in 1978. The latter hosts the four most prestigious horses races in the Hong Kong racing calendar, namely the Hong Kong Cup, Hong Kong Mile, Hong Kong Sprint and Hong Kong Vase – collectively known as ‘Hong Kong International Races’ – annually in December.

However, unlike Sha Tin Racecourse, Happy Valley Racecourse enjoys a central location, surrounded by a soaring city skyline. So-called ‘Happy Wednesday’ is particularly popular with Hong Kong residents and tourists alike. Floodlit horse racing, cheap admission, no dress code and live music combine to create a lively, exciting atmosphere and a social occasion as much as a horse racing experience.

Where, and what, is Garrison Savannah?

Long before playing the best paying casino online was an option, readers of a certain age may well remember Garrison Savannah, a top-class steeplechaser trained by Jenny Pitman. In 1990, Garrison Savannah upstaged his better-fancied stable companion, Royal Athlete, by winning the Sun Alliance Chase at the Cheltenham Festival. However, in 1991 he looked, briefly, as if he might join the legendary Golden Miller as a winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup and Grand National in the same season. He only just held on when beating The Fellow by a short head in the ‘Blue Riband’ event but, less than a month later, established what appeared to be an unassailable lead on the run to the final fence in the National. Sadly, for him, it wasn’t; he weakened from the Elbow and was headed by Seagram, who forged clear in the closing stages to win by 5 lengths.

Garrison Savannah, the horse, was named after Garrison Savannah, the racecourse, which is situated just east of Bridgetown, the capital city of Barbados, and is home to the Barbados Turf Club. Considered one of the finest parade grounds in the West Indies during colonial times, Garrison Savannah has been the home of horse racing on the tiny island since the middle of the nineteenth century. As such, it is one of the oldest racecourses in North or South America. The next time you’re stateside and playing the best online slots usa, consider what amazing sights and history is out there for lovers of betting and sport. The Sandy Lane Gold Cup, run over 1,800 metres, or approximately nine furlongs, on the first Saturday in March, is the most prestigious race of the year at Garrison Savannah.

Which defunct racecourse was nicknamed ‘The Frying Pan’?

The defunct racecourse nicknamed ‘The Frying Pan’ was Alexandra Park which was, for 102 years, the closest course to central London. Unsurprising, the nickname was derived from the shape of the course which, due to space constraints, was laid out in the form of a figure ‘6’. The grandstand was situated at the top of the figure, opposite the winning post. Races over five furlongs started on a chute off the oval loop at the bottom at the bottom of the figure, but took place mainly on the straight course. Races over further started opposite the grandstand, proceeded along the straight course, around the loop – which had tight bends, akin to Chester – and back to the winning post, to create the additional distance.

Built by the Alexandra Park Company Limited, on 450 acres of the former Tottenham Wood Estate in Borough of Haringey, North London, Alexandra Park opened on June 30, 1868. Despite repeated criticism of the quality of the course and viewing facilities, Alexandra Park remained popular with racegoers – including the late John McCririck, who requested that his ashes be scattered at the furlong marker – for most of its life, until its final closure on September 8, 1970. Willie Carson, on the other hand, suggested Alexandra Park ‘wanted bombing’.

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