Guide to Worcester Racecourse

National Hunt

Pitchcroft

Racing has been taking place at Pitchcroft on the banks of the River Severn since 1718. The first meetings were Flat races. By 1755 a four-day Flat meeting had been introduced to Worcester Racecourse, with a Jumps fixture in the autumn.

Bare-Knuckle Boxing

Some 40,000 fans turned out to watch Tom Spring take on Jack Langan in a bare-knuckle boxing match at Worcester Racecourse in 1824. The track hosted a record 229 runners on an eight-race card in January 1965 and the last Flat meeting  was held at Worcester in 1966.

River Floodplain

Being essentially a river floodplain, Worcester Racecourse is frequently under water during winter months, so Jump racing was rescheduled for the summer months since 1995.

Arena Racing Company

In 2000 Arena Racing Company (ARC) took over management of the course.

Winning Princess

Princess Anne rode her own horse Croc Na Cuille to victory in the 3 mile Droitwich Handicap Chase, on, on 3rd September 1987 – she returned to visit the course for its 300th anniversary celebrations in 2018.

Worcester Grand Annual Steeple Chase

The 2018 celebrations also featured the revival of the Worcester Grand Annual Steeple Chase, after an absence of 85 years. Launched in 1836 it became one of the most important steeplechase races in the National Hunt calendar with a number of horses contesting both the Worcester Grand Annual and Aintree Grand National which had begun as the Liverpool Grand Steeplechase in the same year. In 1846 there were two Grand Annuals featuring no less than four future Grand National winners. In 1853 Bourton won the Grand Annual and went on to triumph in the Grand National a year later. Further Grand Annual winners who went on to Aintree Grand National victory include Peter Simple, Anatis and Cortolvin.

Important Races/Festivals

• June – Valerie Lewis Memorial Handicap Chase
• October – Richard Davis Memorial Chase
• Worcester Grand Annual Steeple Chase