Welcome to Cartmel Racecourse

Cartmel Scoops Top Award              January 2009

Cartmel Racecourse has scooped one of British racing's most prestigious awards by being named Small Racecourse of the Year in the North for 2008.

The award was voted for by some of racing's most critical fans, the 6,000- plus members of the Racegoers Club, who take into all account all aspects of the sport, including facilties and the quality of the racing.

Wetherby has dominated this category in recent years, but they were pushed off top spot by Cartmel, who also beat opposition from Carlisle, Beverley, Catterick, Pontefract, Ripon and Thirsk.

The success is a major tribute to racecourse manager Shaun Hodgson and his staff.  The racecourse will receive a plaque to mark the win which will be presented at Cartmel's opening meeting on Saturday 23rd May. 

Racing at Cartmel dates back to 1856, but it is almost certain that racing has taken place here since at least the middle of the fifteenth century when monks of the nearby priory entertained themselves by organising racing on mules.

With its rich history and location on the Holker Estate, Cartmel offers a sense of uniqueness and charm unrivalled on the racing circuit. Such qualities ensure that visitors return year on year and have given the racecourse attendances to match the much larger venues.

With recent and ongoing improvements to the course and its facilities, including a new Grandstand, the management team is working hard to ensure the future of racing at Cartmel, by developing Cartmel as a corporate venue, whilst retaining the very essence that is Cartmel.