Newbury’s railway station opened on the same day as the racecourse’s first meeting, making transport part of the venue’s original design. Copper King won the opening race, the Whatcombe Handicap, and the early calendar soon combined Flat racing with jumping. Visitors arriving by train are therefore following a connection that goes back to the beginning, rather than using a later addition to a course originally designed only for road access.
Newbury has provided an early stage for horses who went on to much wider fame. Shergar made his racecourse debut here, while Mill Reef won the Greenham Stakes during the season in which he also captured the Derby and the Arc. The venue’s history includes major jumping champions too. These connections make an ordinary card interesting: a supporting race can become the first chapter of a much larger sporting story.
Kennet & Avon Canal. Walk along the water beside the town’s historic centre, with the wharf providing a natural starting point.
West Berkshire Museum. Explore local history in the historic buildings by the wharf, then continue to the market square and surrounding streets.
Newbury has 42,260 residents.
