Situated in Colwick Park near the famous River Trent is Nottingham Racecourse, a popular Flat racing venue in England.
Though no major festivals or top Group races are hosted at Nottingham, some competitive racing does take place and many top yards like to send good juveniles there to learn their trade.
Key Information
- Address – Nottingham Racecourse, Colwick Park, Nottingham, NG2 4BE.
- Owner – The Jockey Club.
- TV Station – Racing TV.
- Type – Flat.
- Surface – Turf.
Track Details
Nottingham is left-handed and features some fairly tight bends. Because of that layout, front-runners do quite well here as races tend to be steadily run allowing those at the front end to kick away and have plenty left in the tank for the finish.
There is a straight course for races over five and six furlongs, which features a few hills and ridges. Its undulating nature again tends to suit the speedy types, with horses successfully coming from out the back only if the pace is breakneck or they happen to be very special.
Track Analysis
The feedback from jockeys is that, while we all believe Nottingham to suit front-runners, some get racing too early and too far from home. Those from behind in longer distance races therefore can get up at Nottingham.
The opposite is true on the sprint course. Horses can rather get away from the field in five and six-furlong races, especially when there is some cut in the ground.
Jockeys also report some of the turns being rather tricky here, although the course was realigned a few years ago making it easier to ride. The trick over a mile to a mile and a quarter is to be well drawn on the inner, or not be forced out wide.
Visiting Nottingham Racecourse
When you get to Nottingham, you’ll find plenty of facilities and a warm atmosphere.
If you purchase tickets for the Grandstand and Paddock Enclosure, you can access Ann’s Tea Room, The Winning Place and the Champions Bar.
Over in the Premier Enclosure you can get to the Premier Lawn or Sherwoods Restaurant, as well as take advantage of all other facilities and betting outlets.
How to Get to Nottingham
Nottingham Racecourse is famously simple to find. From the north, drivers should follow the A612 or the A60. From the south, the A60 or the A453 is the way to go. From east or west of the track, follow the A52.
When driving into Nottingham using any of these routes, simply look out for the brown signs pointing you to the racecourse, or the yellow ‘Park & Ride’ signage. There is plenty of parking for all once on site.
Nottingham’s main railway station is just a two-and-a-half, 10-minute drive and connections are available from all across the country.
Where to Stay
Nottingham is large and cosmopolitan enough. Racegoers should have no trouble finding rooms in the city, very commutable to and from the racecourse.
Major Events at Nottingham
Nottingham doesn’t host any large trials or major festivals, but racing there remains competitive and popular.
The track does have some pretty good quality races throughout the year however, these being the best of them:
| Race | Type/Grade | Distance | Month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Barry Hills Further Flight Stakes | 4yo+, Listed Race | 1m6f | April |
| Nottinghamshire Oaks | 4yo+, Fillies & Mares, Listed Race | 1m2f | April |
| Handicap | 3yo+, Handicap, Class 2 | 1m½f | May |
| Colwick Cup | 3yo+, Handicap, Class 4 | 2m | August |
| Jockey Club Grassroots Series Nursery Final | 2yo Only, Handicap, Class 2 | 6f | September |
| Jockey Club Grassroots Series Sprint Final | 3yo+, Handicap, Class 2 | 6f | September |
| Jockey Club Grassroots Series Middle Distance Final | 3yo+, Handicap, Class 2 | 1m2f | September |
| Jockey Club Grassroots Series Stayers’ Final | 3yo+, Handicap, Class 2 | 1m6f | September |
| Future Stayers’ Oath Novice Stakes | 2yo Only, Novice Stakes, Class 2 | 1m½f | October |
| Handicap | 2yo+, Class 3 | 5f | October |
About Nottingham Racecourse
Racing at Nottingham has been happening since the 1770’s, over at Nottingham Forest Recreation Ground. It was one of the earliest racecourses to be given a Royal Plate race, something replicated elsewhere numerous times. The Plate was run over four miles and was for six-year-olds carrying 12 stone.
After over a century of racing on the Recreation Ground, the racecourse was moved to the current site at Colwick Park in 1892.
The site, some 293 acres of it, was bought by the local corporation in 1965 at a cost of £500,000. At that, the future of the race track looked uncertain though it was secured when the Levy Board agreed to fund improvements to the site.
The corporation then leased the course to the Racecourse Holdings Trust for a small sum, the trust of course being the predecessor of Jockey Club Racecourses which owns Nottingham Racecourse today.
Nottingham had been used as a dual-purpose venue, hosting both National Hunt and Flat racing. The jumps races were abandoned in February 1996, making Nottingham Flat only.
Nottingham Racecourse Today
Some of Nottingham’s autumn meetings attract some good novice races, as top trainers tend to think the track is fair and suits novice horses looking for an education.
Adayar made his first two racecourse appearances at Nottingham in 2020, winning the second by 9 lengths. He went on to win the Derby in great style in 2021.
Mishriff was successful on his third racecourse start in a Nottingham maiden race in early November 2019. He went on to win numerous Group 1 races and amassed well over £10 million in worldwide prize money.
The Further Flight Stakes, honouring top trainer Barry Hills, has also attracted some good fields. It has been won in recent times by top stayers Withhold, Sir Ron Priestley and Group 1 scorer Trueshan.
Another Listed event, the Nottinghamshire Oaks, is also capable of attracting some very good fillies and mares. Top owner/breeders Juddmonte have been particularly supportive, sending out winners Timepiece in 2011 for Henry Cecil, as well as Sun Maiden in 2019 and Noon Star in 2022 for Sir Michael Stoute.