Leicester
Date of Visit: 6th September 2022
Address: Leicester Racecourse Co Ltd, Oadby, Leicester LE2 4AL
Website: https://www.leicester-racecourse.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leicesterraces/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeicesterRaces
Email: (Website Enquiry Form) https://www.leicester-racecourse.co.uk/contact-us/
Phone: 0116 2716515
Hotel Accommodation: https://www.trivago.co.uk/en-GB/lm/hotels-leicester-united-kingdom?search=200-16500;dr-20230601-20230602
Track Layout: (Image: courtesy of & acknowledged to At The Races)
Course Information:
Leicester is a right-handed track that accommodates both flat & jumps races. The course undulates and finishes with an uphill run of around three furlongs. Jumps races here tend to be run steadily, which means fields are often well bunched. The entries for steeplechase races are often the smallest in the country. The flat track has a straight seven-furlong start, and a lot of top trainers run their two year old horses here to gauge their speed and ability. The racecourse covers approximately 220 acres. One lap of the track is around 1.75 miles. The longest flat race is 1.4 miles, and the longest jump race is 2.6 miles. The jumps course consists of 10 fences, 2 open ditches, and 1 water jump. Leicester holds 30 race meetings a year: 19 flat meetings and 11 over jumps. The racecourse had its heyday in the late nineteenth century, when it staged some of the most valuable races in the United Kingdom, including the Prince of Wales Stakes and the Portland Stakes, both of which carried more prize money than any of the five British flat-racing classics in 1889.
Leicester Racecourse was also the scene of the infamous Flockton Grey ringer case! More information on that little saga can be found here: http://theapprenticejockey.blogspot.com/2012/02/flockton-grey.html.
The Racecourse Advisor Guide to Leicester Racecourse:
Course Access:
By Road: Leicester Racecourse is situated at the junction of the A6 and the main Leicester outer ring road (A563). From the M1 (exit junction 21) or M69. Leicester city centre is around 4 miles from the racecourse. Traffic can get heavy entering and exiting the busy motorways, as well as passing the large Fosse Park retail site during the journey. The track is approximately 3 miles from the city centre. The signage from the motorway to the track is good.
By Rail: The nearest train station is Leicester in the city centre, which is approximately 3 miles away, so very handy. Rating: 7/10.
Parking: There is ample parking at the course, which is free of charge and very good. The main car park is situated directly at the front of the course on a grassed area. Entry and exits are quick and easy. There is also an over-spill car park for very busy days. Rating: 10/10.
Catering: As we both enjoy doing "racecourse reviews" and not restaurant reviews, or pretending to be food critics, our aim is to just give you an overall idea of what culinary options are available at the track on race days.
The catering at this track is very, very poor indeed. On the day of our visit, there was only one one single food catering outlet open on the whole racecourse. Situated in the main stand, selling very basic sandwiches and meals (such as chips and baked potatoes). It was also supposed to sell ‘kids meals’ but none were available on the day. We were informed that these are only available on "special occasions" (?). Normally, there is also supposed to be a burger van on site. However, it broke down on the way and never made it! There is a small onsite tea and coffee van that sells a limited collection of cakes and pastries. This course has gone with the modern trend of no cash ‘credit card only’ on-site, which in our view is a retrograde step. Unfortunately, we have to report that this is the worst catering on a race track we have ever witnessed at the time of writing. Rating: 1/10.
Guinness Standard: No draught Guinness is available at the track. Only cans. What can we say, except that it is very poor indeed. £5 for a pint of lager. Rating: 1/10.
Viewing: The course does redeem itself in this category, fortunately. The viewing of the races is excellent! Virtually all of the track can be seen from the stands. However, the stands are a mixture of old and new, with the old main grandstand looking more than a little decrepit, and a coat of paint or two would not go amiss. There is plenty of cover from the elements if required, and seating is available, which is always a benefit. Rating: 9/10.
Parade Ring / Winners Enclosure: The parade ring is located at the back of the main stand, with the winners enclosure immediately to the right. Raised viewing and seating at the front deliver an excellent view of the horses. The only negative is the excessive use of rubber matting / tiles in the ring, which gives it a down-at-heel appearance and feel. Rating: 7/10.
Bookmakers / Betting Facilities: The main bookmakers' area is immediately in front of the main stand. It is relatively small, with around 10 pitches. There are plenty of Tote betting facilities located around the course, and a large William Hill concession is situated in the main stand. Easy to get a bet on and pick up. Rating: 8/10.
Friendliness of Course Staff: There are plenty of friendly course staff who are located at numerous points around the track. Helpful, cheery, and happy to offer information and advice. Rating: 9/10.
Pros & Cons: The racecourse, while well signed, is a little awkward to reach due to the traffic issues after leaving the motorways. The catering is very poor, and this needs to be seriously upgraded and improved. The viewing of the races is very good. However, it has to be said the course does have a ‘down at heel’ feel about it and an air that its best days have been and gone. Also during our visit, four of the 8 races were for 2 year olds. Rating: 6/10.
VIP Watch: No VIPs of any note were spotted on the day.
Overall Dave & Ray Rating: 6.5/10.
The full day's racing results can be found here: https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/2022-09-06/leicester/93013
Facilities & Location Layout of Leicester Racecourse
Aerial View of Leicester Racecourse
Disclaimer: The reviews contained in the content of this website are just the opinions of the authors. The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in the text belong solely to the authors, and not necessarily to any other group or individual. Any content or opinion provided in our reviews are not intended to malign any party, group, club, organisation, company, individual or anyone or anything whatsoever on any matter.
