Horse Racing - National Hunt Courses - Hereford

Racing returned to Hereford after a four year hiatus in October 2016. The course, which is within walking distance of the town centre, has always been a popular track for the powerful West Country and Lambourn trainers to send horses to learn their trade.

Both Star de Mohaison and Mighty Man won Novices’ Hurdles at the track before landing glory at the Cheltenham and Aintree Festivals respectively whilst 2006 Hennessy Gold Cup hero State of Play also won a Hereford Novices’ Hurdle.

The course has also provided some racing firsts, in December 1991 Paul Nicholls saddled Olveston to victory, his first winner as a trainer and in April 1994 and Richard Johnson rode Rusty Bridge to victory in a Hunters’ Chase, providing the jockey with his first career win.

Characteristics

Hereford's right-handed circuit of about a mile and a half is almost square and has nine fences, of which the first after the winning post is taken on a turn. The home turn, which is on falling ground, is pretty sharp but the other bends are easy. Races have a tendency to be well run and the ground can get very testing in mid-winter. The course restarted racing in October 2016 after a four-year hiatus.

Right Handed
Tight
Slightly undulating
Stiff Fences

Market Rasen
Taunton