Bangor Racecourse
With the first ever race day taking place in February 1859, Bangor-on-Dee has successfully hosted regular racing events for over 150 years. Located near Wrexham, Bangor-on-Dee has always hosted National Hunt races and, more recently, some amateur point-to-points. The course is owned by Chester Race Company Ltd and as a result has a strong affiliation with its sister course, Chester.
Bangor-on-Dee is famous for being the only racecourse in Britain not to have a grandstand and racing happens all throughout the calendar year. Bangor-on-Dee can be accessed by car and is just a 25 minute drive from Chester, and free parking is available for all customers. If travelling by train, the closest station is Wrexham General. Although the racecourse is seven miles from the station, a bus service is available regularly and free of charge.
Ticket Prices
They offer annual tickets to customers which not only allow entry to the 15 yearly race days at Bangor, but also entitle the holder access to 25 separate race days at various other racecourses across the UK. Yearly tickets can be used from January through to December and are available for £175, whilst a half-year ticket available between July and December is priced at £110.
General tickets for race days start at just £7 when bought in advance for entry to the course enclosure and £17 for access to the Paddock Enclosure. Both these prices are increased by just £3 if bought on the day of the event. Under-16s are allowed in free of charge when accompanied by a full paying adult.
The Course
The main course at Bangor-on-Dee, just one of three active racecourses in Wales at the time of writing, is a 1m3f left-handed circuit, triangular in shape and undulating in places. The point-to-point course, which remains a popular addition to Bangor’s schedule, is on the inside of the main course and is right-handed.
With nine fences per circuit, including two in the final straight which spans 325 yards, it’s a challenging course for horse and jockey. The fences themselves aren’t overly testing but for a small National Hunt track the obstacles are no walkovers and need handling with precision, making Bangor a popular hunting ground for novice chasers.
Nimble Nags Needed
At Bangor, horses find themselves on the turn for much of the contest so this often leads to races being well run, particularly during hurdle events. Coping with the three major bends that gives Bangor its triangular shape is a vital requirement for any hopeful horse but it’s a job that’s proven too tricky for many over the years.
A quick turn of foot is also required as when the going is on the firmer side, Bangor can be quite the fast track in spite of the turns. It may be worth noting that horses who do the business here are often able to replicate their form at places such as Aintree, Fontwell, Kelso, Newton Abbot, Southwell, Kempton and Market Rasen.
Major Meetings at Bangor-on-Dee
As Bangor is a relatively small track, major racing events there are a rarity, however there are a number of popular sponsored events there such as the Betfair Winter Event and many other charity race days, whilst Tony McCoy is a regular competitor at their racing events.
Dining and Hospitality
Bangor-on-Dee is very welcoming when it comes to hospitality, with excellent service and fantastic facilities. The Paddock restaurant on site offers a large array of various different food and drinks, with a set price of just £79 per person.
A gold hospitality package is also on offer, in a chalet, marquee or the Dee suite depending on your preference, and these can accommodate up to 500 people. The prices for this hospitality package starts at £69 per person for the suite, or £96 per person for the chalet or marquee, and the price includes a race card, three course meal and floral decorations. There is also the option for additional drinks packages, which includes unlimited wines, lagers and soft drinks for as little as £39.95.