If you come from the Southern Coast of England, chances are that you will not find enough racecourses. Moreover, Brighton is not a horseracing haven. Regardless of that, the Brighton racecourse is a rare gem for horse race enthusiasts in this town. In size, this racecourse is smaller than your average racecourse. However, the racing action on this course never disappoints. Most races take place during the warmer and sunny days. Previously, racegoers knew this racecourse for hurdle races. Today, fans know it as a flat race track.
Brighton Horse Racing Tips
Find all today’s latest free horse racing tips including tips for Brighton from the most respected professional tipsters from UK and Ireland.
Brighton racecourse history
Racing in Brighton can be traced back to 1713. Back then, the locals organized a bunch of races without a proper structure. This paved way for the first official race meeting that took place in 1783. The Prince of Wales heard about this race. The following year, he attended a couple of races at the racecourse. He enjoyed the racing proceedings such that he recommended the racecourse to some of his high-ranking friends. Because of this, the Brighton Racecourse popularity started soaring higher.
The same grounds that people used for racing in the 1800s are still in use today. And even though this racecourse struggled in the early 19th century, it is thriving today. Part of the reason why it is doing well today is the railway line in Brighton. It was unveiled at the perfect time, making the racecourse accessible to more people. Later, the managers did their best to upgrade the course. This made it more attractive to both racegoers and jockeys. Its level of attendance increased tremendously.
The first grandstand on this ground was built in the 1800s. Nonetheless, most people did not know the racecourse until 1905. This was because of a land dispute that caught the attention of the public. The race organizers had failed to give the landowner the usual traditional gift. He became furious and threatened to shut the racing activities down. The landowner started ploughing the land but horse racing fans and other stakeholders stopped him. After a long standoff, the racing activities on course resumed.
The Brighton racecourse had to beat a host of hurdles to succeed. For instance, the warfare in the 1920s brought it to its knees. Later, the course would enjoy many years of success. This did not last long due to the reduction of tourist activities in the city. At some point, the racecourse almost closed down. In 1998, the visionary Nothern Racing took the racecourse. They invested over £4 million to turn their fortunes around and it worked.
The Course
Brighton Flat Course
The Brighton flat race track presents a massive challenge for the horses. In length, it is about half a mile long. It is left-handed and it assumes the shape of a horseshoe.
This racecourse is best suited for strong and pacey horses. The racetrack is about 12 furlongs long.
Brighton main racing events
The Brighton Festival
The Brighton Festival is arguably the most popular racing event at the Brighton Racecourse. It is a 3-day event that takes place every August.
The Mahomet are part of this event. And their main responsibility is to make the festival as entertaining as possible.
This event is all-inclusive with enclosures for all people. About 15000 people attend this race every year.
Where to bet on Brighton races
Online betting sites
There are several places to bet on the Brighton races, but nothing beats betting online. If you are a serious horse racing punter, you probably recognize the immense benefits of betting online. First off, you can bet from any location on your smartphone or PC.
Apart from that, betting on horse racing events online allows you to do some research. It gives you a chance to look at the history and recent performance of all horses. And this might give you an edge when predicting the outcome. Additionally, you can visit horseracing tipster pages to refine your betting skills.
To bet on racing events from the Brighton racecourse, you will need to work with a reputable betting site that features these markets. Also, settle on an online betting provider that offers convenient payment options for deposits and withdrawals. If you are not sure of a particular betting site, you can take some time to read several customer reviews online. The information that you will find will point you in the right direction.
Once you find an online betting platform that suits your needs, sign-up, fund it and start betting. Do not place random bets. Instead, follow the races closely to identify a horse with potential. For starters, do not stake high. Learn the ropes first, and increase your take as you grow more confident.
How to get to the Brighton racecourse
Train
Racegoers can get to the Brighton racecourse by train. A railway line runs through the London Bridge, East Bourne, Victoria, King Cross, Hastings, Portsmouth, and so on. Once you get to the Brighton station, you can stroll to the racecourse.
The other option is to take a taxi from the station to the racecourse. During race days, there are shuttle buses at the disposal of racegoers. You will also find other coach services that operate along this route during race days.
Air
Those who prefer to fly can call the racecourse management and book a helicopter landing spot in advance. International visitors should take a flight to Gatwick Airport. By train, it is only 30 minutes away from the Brighton racecourse.
Car
Motorists can drive to the racecourse. There is ample parking space for everyone. From the town centre, it is only a few minutes drive to the racecourse. Those who want to drive to the racecourse should take the Freshfield road. The nav is BN2 9XZ.
The Brighton racecourse is one of a kind. It is vibrant, especially during the Brighton Festival. Racegoers and bettors have a lot to look forward to during this time. If you want to have a good time cheering your favourite horses with family and friends, the Brighton racecourse is the place to be.