Market Rasen

The only racecourse in Lincolnshire, Market Rasen is renowned for its rural setting and friendly family atmosphere.

The story of the course goes back to 1923 when the land in Legsby Road on which it lies was bought by six local men with a common interest.

On Easter Monday 1924 the first race meeting was held and the first winner at the course was Have a Clue. Race-goers were charged 10p (one shilling) to see the event.

By the outbreak of World War 11 Market Rasen was attracting large crowds and at Easter 1939 more than 12,000 passed through its gates. But with the outbreak of war racing ended, the site being taken over by the military, the course building being adapted for use as barracks. Soldiers stationed there included the Yorkshire Hussars, although later in the war troops were replaced by Italian prisoners, who at the end of the conflict helped restore the course to its former glory, racing once again taking place in 1946.

As interest continued to rise a new grandstand and the Tattershall Enclosure was added in 1961 to be followed the following year by the Nursery Enclosure and, in 1969, by the Silver Ring Grandstand.

Further improvements took place in 2003 at a cost of £500,000.

More recently, Market Rasen Racecourse has expanded the range of its hospitality by offering groups of family and friends the chance to enjoy themselves in affordable private surroundings.

The new self-catering Tattersall’s Party Box opened for the first time in July 2007

The party box offers views across the racecourse, and can accommodate up to 30 people.

Market Rasen is situated in a particularly dry area and to ensure that the course is maintained in ideal condition for summer racing it has its own two reservoirs which allow watering to take place prior to summer meetings.

http://www.marketrasenraces.co.uk