Brighton Racecourse: A Historic Venue with Unique Features and Major Races

Brighton Racecourse

Location and Layout

Brighton Racecourse, located a mile northeast of Brighton’s center in Sussex, England, offers a unique racing experience. Perched on Whitehawk Hill, the course sits approximately four hundred feet above sea level, with a stunning backdrop of the South Downs. The geology of the area is Middle Chalk, ensuring that the going is almost always good. The track is shaped like a horseshoe and measures one-and-a-half miles in length, distinguishing it as one of the few British courses that does not form a complete circuit, similar to Epsom. The finishing straight stretches about four furlongs, featuring a steep descent followed by a less severe climb to the winning post. It is a left-handed course exclusively used for flat racing. Historically, the course extended an additional half-mile across a golf course toward Roedean, allowing for four-mile races. Hurdle races were also previously held, with a notable hurdle situated on the steep downhill section.

History

Racing at Brighton began in earnest in 1783, organized by the Duke of Cumberland, although the sport had been present in Brighton since before 1713. Initially, races were contested by local military personnel. The principal meeting aligned with the local Whitehawk Fair, which ceased in the 1820s. According to legend, King George IV, then Prince of Wales, invented hurdle racing at Brighton while jumping over sheep pens with aristocratic friends. A grandstand was erected in 1788 but was destroyed by fire in 1796. The racecourse’s early appeal faded after the Prince and his entourage ceased attending in 1816, despite the Brighton Stakes being a notable race introduced in 1824. The arrival of the railway in 1850 revitalized the course, leading to the establishment of the Brighton Cup and integration into the "Sussex Fortnight" of summer racing.

Major Races

Today, Brighton is one of the smaller British racecourses in terms of racing quality and prize money. In the 2012/13 season, the average prize money per meeting was £26,349, lower than many other courses. The highlight of the season is the three-day Brighton Festival, held on the first Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday of August. The festival attracts around 15,000 attendees each day and features various enclosures and facilities. The main event, the Brighton Mile Challenge Trophy Handicap, was valued at £9,450 to the winner in 2021, sponsored by Wainwright. In 2021, Brighton hosted 21 race meetings, including five evening events.

Memorable Events

Brighton Racecourse has been the site of several notable events. On August 3, 1966, Norah Wilmot became the first official female trainer to win a race in the UK. Sheikh Mohammed had his first winner at Brighton on June 20, 1977, with his filly Hatta. Top American jockey Steve Cauthen achieved his 1000th British race win at Brighton on August 5, 1987. Cricketer Ted Dexter was known to frequent the races, and is reputed to have declared an innings for Sussex from the course. Pour La Victoire, trained by A W Carroll and owned by Curry House Corner and Partner, became the winning-most horse at Brighton, achieving his 11th win in August 2021, with the winners suite named in his honor upon his retirement.

Other Events

Beyond horse racing, Brighton Racecourse is a versatile venue. It is used for a variety of events including exhibitions, conferences, car rallies, circuses, antique fairs, business promotions, product launches, wedding receptions, and other private functions. The racecourse's flexibility makes it a popular choice for diverse events throughout the year.