Carlisle Racecourse
History was made on 2 July 1929 when the newly formed Totalisator Board operated their pool betting system for the first time on a British racecourse at Carlisle.
Carlisle is home to the Carlisle Bell, one of the oldest horse races in existence. Held annually at Carlisle Racecourse in June alongside the Cumberland Plate, the race is run over 7 furlongs and 173 yards, and although the Bell is presented ceremoniously to the winner, it is actually kept in the nearby Carlisle Guildhall Museum. The Carlisle Bell has only twice been amended – with it being run in Thirsk in 2001, and cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Carlisle also had a King's Plate – a race for 5-year-old horses in 3-mile heats – instigated by George III in 1763.
The Carlisle Gold Bell is inscribed with "The sweftes horse thes bel to take for mi lade Daker sake", which translates to modern day English as "The swiftest horse may claim this bell in Lady Dacre's name". It continues to be given away as a prize for an annual race even today, making it one of the UK's oldest, and most prestigious, races.
Notable races
Month | DOW | Race Name | Type | Grade | Distance | Age/Sex |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
June | Wednesday | Carlisle Bell | Flat | Handicap | 7f 173y | 3yo + |
June | Wednesday | Eternal Stakes | Flat | Listed | 6f 192y | 3yo f |
November | Sunday | Colin Parker Memorial Intermediate Chase | National Hunt | Listed | 2m 4f | 4yo + |
December | Sunday | Houghton Mares' Chase | National Hunt | Listed | 2m 4f | 4yo + f |
- Other races
References
External links
- Carlisle Racecourse (Official website)
- Course guide on GG.COM
- Course guide on Drawbias.com
- Course guide on At The Races
54°51′40″N 2°56′00″W / 54.86111°N 2.93333°W