It’s been a while since my last visit to Southwell. Christmas Jumper Day and a chance to see the lads ahead of the festive break offered a long awaited return to the Rolleston based race track on Saturday.
The all weather circuit is one of the best and most popular for running horses in the country, some of the most famous trainers and jockeys regularly turn up to test their best and this weekend gone was no different as some of the most recognisable names in the game including local girl Hayley Turner would put on a show under the floodlights of this winter warming evening meet.
Racing is frequently available at Southwell day and night, any time of year, often weekly, the Christmas run up has next meets on the 19th and 20th before post festive fun on the 28th and 29th of December and a New Years Day event too. It’s always been a fine go to day out for groups whether it be with friends and family or for some corporate fun.
Southwell Racecourse is not actually in Southwell. The grandstand and finishing post around a 3 mile hour long walk from the towns market place and centre. But it is on a Trainline which serves Nottingham Station, so we’ve hopped on at Carlton after a couple of pints of Guinness at the Fox and Hounds, to take a 17 minute journey that costs £7.50 to Rolleston Station, which is only a few yards from the entrance of the racecourse which is interestingly set around Southwell golf course.
Basic admission costs from £18 and is available via the Southwell Racecourse website here, there’s hospitality under £100 per person which includes private tables and a three course meal, but you’ll be welcome with access ‘most’ areas with your day ticket and the ground level concourse under the grandstand has plenty of food and drink options. The pie peas and gravy are worth considering although the pints of beer are not particularly cheap.
Due to the location and the frequency of the meets, the track doesn’t often feel over busy with plenty of space and good vantage points to watch the racing, on Saturday the first race was won by 8/15 favourite Saddad who was ridden by Jack Mitchell over 1m13y.
We stood high up in the grandstand for that race and after which spent most of our time in the upstairs hospitality lounge called the Minster Suite, with tables looking out to the race track although we did often opt to take a stand outside and watch the action nicely elevated in the chill, all be it set back from the finish line.
The second race won by another favourite Pinhole at 8/11 which had the multiple leg betters frothing from the outset. That was furthered when Feel The Need won the third, another favourite at 7/2 ridden by Tom Eaves.
The fourth of eight races run slightly shorter over 6f16y was a huge upset as Rock N Roll Rocket came home at 18/1. Rossa Ryan for David Loughgane doing the business before parity was restored by another fav Iberian in the 17:45, an Irish winner edging out We Never Stop, also well backed and from the Emerald.
As the Guinness flowed the last three races became more blurry but Havana Sky at least won back myself some narrow losses at 9/4 before my biggest win of the day on Royal Zabeel at 5/1 had me back in the green. The bookie in the Minster Suite a really friendly character, all be it a Leeds United fan, he was very knowledgeable about the horses, whilst the girls at the bar were attentive and always offering a smile, they all had a good laugh and looked to be enjoying the day as much as we did.
As last orders beckoned, Raja Raja then won the penultimate sprint before Piperstown came home to crown a good night for the Irish who’s horses won five of the eight races. The only issue left to consider is how you get out of the racecourse after having a few drinks. Make sure you pre book your taxis, if you don’t, it could be a long walk, the last train was well before the meeting finished so we were instead thankful to a couple of the bar staff who gave us a lift back into Southwell.
In all a great place to watch racing and a real earthy and homely venue which real race goers love, not glamorous or pretentious but friendly and quaint, if you know your racing this is the place for you, if you don’t know your racing, you’ll still have fun, just as long as you can get back okay after a few to many drinks.
*Article provided by Daniel Peacock (Editor).
*Main image @Southwell_Races racing at Southwell is all year around.
