People from Beverley or those who have lived here a while – along with those who are regular visitors – will already know what an undiscovered gem our racecourse truly is.
So, why is it so unsung, generally speaking, even among fans of the sport – and is this something that should change?
After all, horse racing really has become big business these days. Many courses have erected huge stands to accommodate tens of thousands of visitors. Anyone watching big race meetings on TV from Epsom, Ascot, Cheltenham or Aintree will quickly see this for themselves.
In the UK, Grand National betting alone is said to be worth around £170 million each year, and that’s just one race, albeit the big one. So, perhaps some of the smaller tracks like Beverley have been left behind somewhat.
But those of us old enough to remember what horse racing used to be like appreciate this; it’s arguably this very quietness that lends courses like Beverley their magic.
At the same time, owners Beverley Race Company Ltd. would no doubt quite like the track to be a little more popular, particularly for the two most prestigious races of the year, both of which are five-furlong sprints – the Hilary Needler Trophy in May and the Beverley Bullet Sprint Stakes held each August.
And our racecourse does have a lot going for it. For a start, it’s within walking distance of town, it’s set in beautiful countryside, it’s always friendly and it’s great for viewing racing because the track is compact.
What’s more, the uphill finish is a three-furlong climb, which makes it uniquely tough. As a consequence, our racecourse often finds out horses that have excelled elsewhere. It’s also known as a bit of a proving ground for horses that go on to greater stardom in bigger races at more glamorous courses.
Those of us who regularly attend one or more of the three evening meetings each year know how great the atmosphere always is. The fact that ours is a flat-only racecourse that hasn’t gone down the all-weather route also gives it a real traditional summer charm.
All in all, the 19 days’ racing each year between mid-April and late September mean we’re racing at the most picturesque times of the year – which is a great family day out as a rule, as long as the rain stays away!
So, would we really want it any other way? After all, if the racing got more popular, it would lose its unique old-time type of feeling that makes it so special – rather like the town itself perhaps.
The best thing about both our town and our racecourse, then, is that they’re both off the beaten track. To come here and enjoy Beverley’s unique charm, most people have to take a bit of a detour, which is exactly why the town has been able to retain its beauty – and the racecourse is no different.
We all need to make a living and, if the racecourse was a little more popular with visitors, that would surely benefit the town as a whole. But long may our fair racecourse remain a relatively undiscovered gem, avoiding the kind of rampant commerciality we see in so many other walks of life today – where the baby kind of gets thrown out with the bathwater.
