Nestled in acres of old parkland, Haydock Park Racecourse is one of the busiest in the country, with action unfolding on the turf on 32 days of the year, combining the best of Flat and Jump Racing – the two codes of the sport that run seasonally throughout the year.
This month, the first Grade One Jump race of the new campaign, The Betfair Chase, runs at Haydock, as it has done since 2005. Reserved only for the top-level jumpers, it is also the opening leg of The Jockey Club Chase Triple Crown, which includes the Ladbrokes King George VI Chase at Kempton on Boxing Day and the Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup in March. The race, highly regarded by trainers across the United Kingdom and Ireland, is a crucial date in their calendars when mapping out the year for their stable stars.
In its relatively short lifetime, the race has seen some of the sport’s biggest names etched into its roll of honour, from pioneering jockey Rachael Blackmore in 2021 to one of the most successful steeplechasers of modern times – the dual-Cheltenham Gold Cup Winner Kauto Star.
And while the Sport of Kings is usually associated with sunnier days, champagne and high fashion, Haydock Park’s general manager Molly Dingwall says many of the most special moments come along in the colder, darker months.
'From April all the way through to the end of October, Haydock is awash with fantastic colours and flooded with a jovial atmosphere as our lovely course provides the perfect backdrop for social days out watching the racing on the Flat,' says Molly.
'When the autumn and winter months roll around, the racecourse becomes an entirely different place to the one it is in the summer. As we change over to the Jump season and the crisper mornings arrive, the shift in discipline on the racecourse is just one of the many differences we see here.
'And while it’s true you need to wrap up warm to come and spend the day outdoors in the middle of winter, I can promise you’ll be well rewarded. Many of my favourite racing memories come from the Jumps season, with nothing quite comparing to the majesty of these incredible horses tackling the fences with enthusiasm and athleticism.'
Haydock Park is known for having one of the most picturesque parade rings in the sport. It is also an area that can be seen by everyone with a ticket, from general admission to hospitality box guests. The parade ring is the place to be for insight into the runners and riders, giving spectators the opportunity to get up close to participants before they make their way down to post or when they return a winner.
ITV Racing presenter Natalie Green says this connection can transform a casual racing fan into an avid follower: 'You can never underestimate the power of being able to see these superstars up close and personal in the way you can at a course like Haydock Park.
'This is especially true at an event such as the Betfair Chase, which falls at the very start of the season and is where the narrative begins. You see the runners on the first big race of the season, you fall in love with the horse, and you follow them throughout the year.
'There aren’t many other sports where you get the chance to be that close to the whole journey and the season – that really is something that can get people hooked.'
The 3m.1f. contest is viewed as the starting point on a long road to the sport’s blue riband event in March – The Boodles Cheltenham Gold Cup. Over the past 17 years, three horses have achieved success in both: Kauto Star, Imperial Commander and A Plus Tard.
When it comes to race specialists, the all-time leading trainer of the event is Paul Nicholls, who has claimed victory a total of six times – four of which were with Kauto Star. Another who loved the race was the popular grey gelding Bristol de Mai, who won on three separate occasions before being retired at the Newton-le-Willows racecourse earlier this year.
With such an impressive roll of honour, it is no wonder many of Jump racing’s star names are keen to have a runner in the race. Molly says: 'We’re incredibly blessed with the quality of racing we have here. It really is a destination venue for many trainers to bring their best horses to. In a relatively short space of time, the Betfair Chase has established itself as one of the highlights of the Jump racing calendar.
Located equidistant from both Manchester and Liverpool, the venue is easily accessible from the M6 and both sides of the East Lancs Road. With a choice of four grandstands and 33 private viewing suites, restaurants, bars and leading conference facilities, Haydock Park is as well-known for world-class racing as it is for hosting spectacular events, attracting visitors in their thousands each year.
Molly adds: 'While racing and the sport is at the heart of everything we do, it’s amazing to have so many facilities to make each visit extra special. From Harry’s Bistro to The Park Suite and a whole range of public offerings, there really is so much to choose from to help you plan the perfect day.'
Winter Racing Jargon Buster
Hurdles – Young horses usually start their Jump racing careers over smaller obstacles known as hurdles. Although many horses progress to jump larger ones, also known as ‘fences’ in ‘chase’ races, some do continue to specialise over hurdles and never run over fences. At Haydock Park, any given race day will see a combination of races run over fences and hurdles.
Steeplechasing – A race over fences, open ditches and water jumps, these races are run over distances from two miles up to four and a half miles.
Going – The Going describes the condition of the racetrack itself. In winter months it is more common for the ground to be Soft, Heavy, or a combination of the two depending on the amount of rain that has fallen. Horses usually have a preference for the type of ground that they run on, performing better if the going is a certain way or another.
Parade Ring/Paddock – The parade ring, also called the paddock, is the place on the racecourse where horses are paraded prior to the race. At Haydock Park, the winner’s enclosure, where the winning and placed horses return to, is located within the paddock.
Rating – Throughout the course of their careers, racehorses are rated depending on performance, with top-level jumpers usually rated in the 180s.
Group/Graded Races – These are the highest-level races in the whole sport and are referred to as graded races for jumps and group races on the flat.
Staying Chaser – A horse that runs over more than three miles over fences, such as the Betfair Chase.
Diary dates
Betfair Chase Day – Saturday, November 25
Christmas Afternoon Jump Racing – Wednesday, December 6
Betfred Tommy Whittle Chase Day – Saturday, December 23
Betfred Last Fling – Saturday, December 30
Peter Marsh Chase Day – Saturday, January 20
Grand National Trial – Saturday, February 17
thejockeyclub.co.uk.haydock
Winning looks for winter fixtures
Racing enthusiasts explain how they wear it well, and stay warm
Natalie Green, presenter, ITV Racing, who lives in Tattenhall
'My best pieces of advice are about footwear and coats. For me, the most important thing is to wear a wedge heel. No matter how much you think you’d like to wear a pointy heel, it’s just totally impractical. You get stuck, it’s muddy – ultimately you don’t want to ruin your shoes. Boots are a great way to smarten up an outfit and to me, equal winter racing.
'You need to be comfortable underneath your coat so don’t stress too much about what you’re going to wear as you may find you don’t take your jacket off all day long. A trench coat, blazer or thick puffy coat all work perfectly. I try and buy timeless pieces that can be worn over and over again. Once paired with different accessories such as hats and gloves, you have a totally new look. The coat will end up being the main fashion piece of the day so don’t worry too much about what’s underneath and make the most of the opportunity to wear thick tights and warm layers.
'I enjoy recycling clothes and I buy a lot of my pieces from eBay and charity shops but when it comes to the I go back to time and time again, I would have to say Beatrice von Tresckow. You are going to have that capital outlay for any piece from her collection, but I can guarantee it will never go out of fashion. The pieces are timeless, beautiful, and full of detail.'
Molly Dingwall, general manager, Haydock Park Racecourse. Molly lives in Chester
'Earlier this year, we at The Jockey Club announced that specific dress codes were being removed at all 15 of our racecourses, including Haydock Park. We’ve seen a hugely positive response to the news and the change has of course had an impact on the way people are making decisions when picking their outfits to come racing.
'It’s really important that people can dress to feel their absolute best while with us and it’s equally as important to ensure they can show off their individual styles and tastes. A day out at the races provides the perfect opportunity to do that.
'When it comes to what I wear, I get endless mileage out of my Fairfax & Favor boots. They are extremely comfortable, well-wearing and worth the price. The vast majority of everything else you’ll see in my wardrobe for a race day is from the High Street, with Zara being my number one go-to for great coats, blazers and dresses.'
Frankie Foster- Reality TV star and racing presenter
'A good overcoat makes almost any outfit look instantly smarter. You can wear one over clothes you already have, they will last for years and keep you warm, so it’s a worthwhile investment.
'The most important thing to think about is the fact you’ll be on your feet for a lot of the day, so comfort really is key when thinking about footwear.
'When I shop for a race meeting, I would look to places such as House of Cavani, a brand with a wide range of classic suits and accessories that are perfect for a day of racing.'
Andrea Briscoe, Woolton Village, Liverpool
Winner of the 2023 Ladies' Day Style Award
'When I went to Ladies’ Day at Haydock Park this summer I hadn’t even considered entering the Style Awards but as the day went on and with some encouragement, I decided to give it a go – I couldn’t believe it when I found out I’d won.
'I love fashion, especially handbags and shoes and dressing up for the races is always a lot of fun. I really believe anyone can dress on the high street and that’s where most of my outfits come from, but I do love accessorising with designer shoes and bags.
'When it came to thinking about an outfit to wear racing in the winter, I decided to go for items with a pop of colour and real statement pieces, such as my red River Island coat, which not only feels warm and cosy, but is very eye-catching.'
