Thirsk Racecourse
Date of Review: 2nd July 2025
RCA Reviewers: Dave & Ray
Address: Station Road, Thirsk, North Yorkshire, YO7 1QL
Website: https://www.thirskracecourse.net/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thirskraces/
Email: info@thirskracecourse.net
Phone: 01845 522276
Accommodation: https://www.kayak.co.uk/Thirsk-Hotels.49392.hotel.ksp
Track Layout: (Image acknowledged & credited to Timeform & At The Races)
Course Information: Thirsk Racecourse is a left-handed, round-shaped course with a circumference of approximately a mile and a quarter. There is a straight 6-furlong course, which starts from a chute around three furlongs from the winning post, which has a few undulations. The rest of the course is very flat, and the wide bends are relatively easy to negotiate. On the 6-furlong sprint track, there is a decent advantage to being drawn close to the rails.
The racecourse has 15 fixtures of flat racing each year between April and September. The most prestigious race of the season is the Thirsk Hunt Cup, which is a handicap race run over a distance of a mile in early summer.
The Racecourse Advisor Guide to Thirsk Racecourse: The racecourse is located to the west of the town, and between the village of Carlton Miniott, in North Yorkshire.
Location Map – Thirsk Racecourse
Thirsk’s rich racing heritage and history can be traced back as far as 1612 at Hambleton, 8 miles away from the current location. The first race meeting on the current course was held in 1855. The first Thirsk Hunt Cup was run four years later and continues to be run to this day.
The course closed between 1914 and 1923 due to the outbreak of World War I. In 1940, Thirsk Racecourse made a unique piece of horse racing history by becoming the first small racecourse to host the world's oldest classic race, The St Leger, when it was relocated from Doncaster due to World War II. Shortly after this, the course closed again and was used as an army base.
The racecourse is situated near the popular training centres of Middleham and Malton and is therefore popular with several leading Northern trainers. In 2025, a planning application was submitted to demolish the current 1967 stand, which was built in the 1960s, and replace it with a £5m modern, three-story facility. Subject to obtaining planning permission, work is scheduled to commence in September 2025 and is expected to be completed by mid-2027.
Course Access:
By Road: Exit the A1 at junction 50, signposted Ripon/Thirsk, and then onto the A61 (signposted Thirsk). The racecourse is located to the west of the town, between Carlton Miniott and the Town Centre on the A61 Thirsk/Ripon road. Use the postcode YO7 1QL for your sat-nav.
By Rail: Thirsk Railway Station is on the East Coast Main Line and is well connected with direct services running from London Kings Cross, Manchester and Middlesbrough. It is located approximately 1/2 mile from the Racecourse. A free race-day shuttle bus operates between Thirsk Train Station and the Racecourse, departing two hours before the first race and continuing until 30 minutes after the last race.
By Air: The nearest major airports to Thirsk Racecourse are Leeds Bradford (LBA), which is 34 miles away. Newcastle Airport (NCL) is 49 miles away. Humberside Airport (HUY) is 89 miles away, and Manchester Airport (MAN) is 99 miles away. Light aircraft and helicopters can land at Bagby Airfield, located approximately 4 miles away. Rating: 7/10.
Parking: Ample free parking is available in the public car park, located across the road from the main entrance. However, please be aware that this is a grassy field, and on the day of our visit, it was covered in sheep dung. The ticket office and main entrance are a few hundred metres away. Rating: 8/10.
Pricing: The day of our visit was the Wednesday “Afternoon Racing” meeting. It was an eight-race card that consisted of one Class 3 race, one Class 4 race, five Class 5 races, and one Class 6 race, so relatively low-grade racing.
You have a choice of two enclosures at Thirsk Racecourse – The Grandstand Paddock and Picnic Enclosure, and the Premier Enclosure. Tickets, if booked online in advance for the Grandstand Paddock and Picnic Enclosure, were priced at £15.00 each and £19.00 at the gate on the day. Concession tickets for over 65s were £12.00. Under 18s get in for free. However, you do not have access to watching the racing and finishes on the rail at the winning post in this enclosure.
The Premier Enclosure, which provides access to the rails at the finishing post, is priced at £25.00 each if booked online in advance and £30.00 on the day at the gate. Under-18s still go free. It is important to note that this enclosure has a dress code: “a collared shirt or a collared jacket over a t-shirt. Smart trousers, jeans (no rips or tears) or tailored shorts. Smart shoes or clean, smart trainers. Jackets and ties are not required, but always welcome”. A nice touch was that a free racecard was included in the above prices, which doesn’t happen often.
You can also purchase a “Park & View” Ticket for £30.00, which allows one car (excluding campervans) and four adults into the Picnic Enclosure, located trackside.
The racecourse also offers a good number of dining/hospitality options, such as: The Stirrup Room Package, which is well located between the Parade Ring and the Pre-Parade Ring for £55.00, which gets you entry into the Premier Enclosure, a racecard, a reserved table and a “Deli-Box” of food.
The next upgrade is the Hambleton Dining Package, which gives you a reserved table in the Hambleton Dining Room (in the Premier Enclosure), a racecard and either a two-course meal for £73.00 or a three-course meal for £87.00 respectively. An afternoon tea can be thrown in for an additional £14.50 each. If you really want to push the boat out, then the “Thomas Lord Dine & View Package” is the one for you. On the day of our visit, for £135.00 each, you got a reserved table in the Thomas Lord Suite (in the Premier Enclosure), a three-course, à la carte menu, an afternoon tea, private betting facilities, a private cash bar, and a racecard thrown in for good measure.
Overall, in our opinion, £30 for entrance on the day into the Grandstand Paddock Enclosure is expensive for a mid-week meeting with relatively low-grade racing on offer; however, it was an eight-race card and a free racecard thrown in, with a good range of hospitality upgrade options available if that takes your fancy. Rating: 6/10.
Viewing: The overall viewing experience at Thirsk Racecourse is good. The horses can be seen for around 80% of the time while in running and are only out of sight for a short time due to some trees that obstruct the view as the horses go down the back straight.
The Premier Enclosure (left) & the Hambleton Stand (right) – Thirsk Racecourse
There are four separate viewing stands available on the course. They are the Premier Enclosure, the Hambleton Stand, the 1967 Stand and the Viewing Stand.
The Premier Enclosure is an all-seated affair, elevated above ground level, featuring approximately 350 plastic seats. It is well covered from the elements by a large roof and has the advantage of being cantilevered, so there are no support stanchions to obstruct your view. The downside to this enclosure is that it is positioned behind the finishing line, so you are effectively watching the race down the home straight. Without the large TV screen positioned past the finishing post, you really wouldn’t have any idea of the position of the horses as they head for home.
The Hambleton Stand features separate viewing areas for those with access to the Premier Enclosure, located directly at the finishing post, and for those with access to the Grandstand, situated a little further down the home straight. There is also a large TV screen located on the finishing post, which is good. This stand has no seats and has approximately 20 concrete terraced steps at the far end. There is little, if any, cover, so no protection from the rain or sun if needed. This stand is over 100 years old, and to be honest, it certainly looks its age in parts.
The 1967 Stand (left) & the Terrace Stand (right) – Thirsk Racecourse
The 1967 Stand and the Terrace Stand are positioned further down the home straight. Both are large in size, have concrete terracing and have no seating in either of them. However, they are both roofed, which gives a good degree of cover.
The only other stand on the racecourse is the owners' & trainers' enclosure, which is located at the back of the Premier Enclosure, so nowhere near the winning post and with a head-on view of the finish.
The Owners & Trainers Enclosure – Thirsk Racecourse
It is an impressive, modern, all-glass structure featuring a patio area out front and a large roof terrace above. The roof terrace overlooks the racecourse from the front, and the Parade ring and Pre Parade Ring from the rear. It has to be said, it does look very smart indeed. Rating: 8/10.
Parade Ring / Winners Enclosure: The Parade Ring is large in size, oval in shape and positioned immediately behind the Premier Enclosure.
The Parade Ring –Thirsk Racecourse
It is imposing, with two large trees, one at either end, with lots of colourful bedding plants just inside its perimeter. It features green padded stools along the outside of the perimeter, and the good news is that there is 100% access around the entire ring. It also features a natural viewing bank; the area around it is slightly elevated to ensure optimal viewing of the horses and jockeys.
The Winners Enclosure is located to the rear of the Parade Ring, immediately in front of the weighing Room.
The Winners Enclosure & Weighing Room – Thirsk Racecourse
It is small in size, so viewing can get a bit cramped when the horses return from racing to be unsaddled.
There is a small Pre-Parade Ring located in front of the Owners & Trainers stand and to the left of the Stirrup Bar. Once again, it is relatively small, and access is limited.
The Pre-Parade Ring –Thirsk Racecourse
Overall, the area is well laid out, and the ground staff has put a lot of effort into making the area attractive and welcoming, and it shows. Rating: 10/10.
Bookmakers / Betting Facilities: The main on-course bookmakers are located in a large concourse area directly in front of the Hambleton Stand. There were around a dozen plying their trade on the day of our visit in this area, and another five or so at the side of the Premier Enclosure.
The Main Bookmakers Ring – Thirsk Racecourse
There is a large William Hill betting concession in the 1967 Stand and literally dozens of Tote outlets scattered all over the racecourse. Getting a bet on and picking up will be the last of your problems at Thirsk. Rating: 10/10.
Catering: Here at Racecourse Advisor, we enjoy doing “racecourse reviews” rather than restaurant reviews. We do not pretend to be food critics. We aim to provide you with an overall idea of the culinary options and prices available at the racecourse on race days.
There is no shortage of food and drink outlets at Thirsk Racecourse. The first bar we encountered was the 1967 Bar. This is effectively a large William Hill betting concession with a bar in it.
The 1967 Bar (top) & The Phoenix Bar (bottom) – Thirsk Racecourse
It was serving drinks at the following prices: Amstel and Moretti lager at £7.60 a pint. Foster larger at £5.80 a pint and Theakstons Bitter at £6.70. Guinness was £7.20 a pint, and Strongbow fruit cider was £7.55. A glass of house wine was £4.40 and a bottle of the same for £27.50. They also had a good selection of spirits, ranging from £4.60 a shot to £7.60 depending on your choice. A good selection of both bottled and canned beers was also available. These prices were standard at all of the bars we visited on the day.
The next stop was the Phoenix Bar, which is kitted out to have an old industrial factory feel to it. We liked it and were surprised it wasn’t busier. There is also the James Herriot Hall bar, which was very popular. It’s a large, airy venue, carpeted, with tables and chairs and numerous TV screens dotted about the place.
The Woolpack Bar (top) & The James Herriot Bar (bottom)
Another bar is the Woolpack Bar, which is located at the back of the Parade Ring. It's another cosy little hideaway that looks like a traditional pub inside. The last bar we visited was the Cherry Tree bar, situated in the Pavilion, near the Parade Ring and Winners' Enclosure. It’s a very smart-looking area, carpeted, with several round bar tables dotted about. It also features a large beer garden/patio area outside at the front, complete with plenty of tables, chairs, and benches to sit, have a drink, and study the form on a lovely summer's day. We do recommend it. There is also the Gin Fizz Bar, which is located on the opposite side of the patio/garden area
The Cherry Tree Bar – Thirsk Racecourse
As for the eateries, we stopped by the Saddle Room Café & Bistro, located at the back of the Grandstand Enclosure.
The Saddle Room Café & Bistro – Thirsk Racecourse
This is a busy eatery that serves up a few of the old staples, such as fish, chips, and peas, for £12.30. A classic cheeseburger or chickenburger for £12.40 and jacket potatoes with various fillings for £6.70. It also sold steak pies with fries or new potatoes and vegetables, or a hot dog with all the trimmings for £11.30 each (ouch!). Chips with curry sauce were a more reasonable £3.30, or dirty fries for £7.50 a portion. It also offered a variety of “Classic Deli Sandwiches” at £8.75 each, as well as a portion of strawberries and cream for £4.35, if that takes your fancy. There appeared to be service issues, with only one member of staff on duty during our visit, resulting in a fairly long wait to be served.
At the Cherry Tree Bar, they were selling sandwiches such as tuna mayo, beef and horseradish, and ham and piccalilli for £5.95 each. A cup of tea, coffee or chocolate was £3.00. In addition to the above, there were a few “Street Food” vendors such as “The Diner” selling a 5oz steak hamburger for £8.50. The same with cheese for £9.00 and with bacon for £10.00.
Street Food Vendors – Thirsk Racecourse
A giant hot dog was £8.50, and a portion of chips was £5.00. Chips with curry or gravy, or a chip butty, were going for £7.00 each. There was also a “Lavazza Coffee” stall selling a range of coffees, including Americano, Latte, Mocha, Flat White, and Cappuccino, for £4.50 per cup, as well as tea for £3.00.
There was also a traditional sweet shop and an ice cream van. Overall, a very good selection of bars and a decent number of food outlets were available on the day; however, in our opinion, the prices are very much on the high side and don’t offer VFM (Value For Money). Rating: 7/10.
Guinness Standard: Draft Guinness was available at all of the bars for £7.20 per pint, which is a tad on the high side of racecourse pricing. We did imbibe at the Cherry Tree Bar and were both shocked and pleased to be served with real, genuine, glass Guinness pint pots! That’s a first for us at any racecourse we have visited previously. We have to say it was a decent pint, nicely chilled with a good head. Rating: 8/10.
Friendliness of Course Staff: We didn’t have any interaction with any course staff during the day of our visit. However, there were plenty of course staff available who were smartly attired and came across as friendly, chatty, and helpful. Rating: 10/10.
Pros & Cons: Thirsk Racecourse has a lot going for itself, that much is for sure. The pros are plenty. The racecourse is one of the prettiest and most picturesque places we have visited during our travels. Direct and easy access to the course from the A1, and plenty of free parking. A great selection of bars and eateries, Guinness served in glass pint pots, a very impressive Parade Ring/Winners Enclosure and plenty of friendly staff. The only cons are the pricing of tickets, which, in our opinion, is expensive relative to similar racecourses such as Beverley, Nottingham, or Carlisle. Additionally, the pricing of the food at the catering outlets was relatively high. That said, we did have a very enjoyable day of racing. As always, we ask ourselves, would we return? The answer is an emphatic yes, without a doubt. If you're in North Yorkshire and fancy a day out at the races, then we highly recommend Thirsk as a great place to visit. Rating: 8/10.
Wi-Fi/Internet Connection: The internet was available, and the good news was that it was easy to connect, without requiring any personal details such as your name, email address, or gender. Just press “Connect” and you're online. Once again, a refreshing change.
Overall Racecourse Advisor Rating: 8.2/10.
The entire day's racing results can be found here: https://www.sportinglife.com/racing/meeting/2025-07-02/thirsk/112779
Facilities & Location Layout of Thirsk Racecourse (Image acknowledged & credited to Thirsk Racecourse)
Aerial View of Thirsk Racecourse (Image acknowledged & credited to Google Earth)
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