Fakenham Racecourse is located in Norfolk. It’s a National Hunt-only venue that attracts mostly those living in and around Norwich. That means, much like flat track Great Yarmouth out on the coast, it gets good support despite its rural location and overall standing among Britain’s racecourses.
A proper country jumps track, this venue sits right on the very edge of Fakenham itself. Otherwise, it is surrounded by fields. Also, it has a golf course situated right in the middle of the racecourse.
History of Fakenham Racecourse
National Hunt racing has been taking place at Fakenham Racecourse since 1905 and has always been popular. The track stages its fixtures within the traditional jumps season beginning in October and ending in May.
The seasonal highlight here is the Fakenham Silver Cup. This is a competitive two-mile handicap hurdle. The cup runs during the Spring National Hunt meeting every March.
Fakenham is a mere 18 miles in distance from Sandringham Estate. Therefore, there is a royal connection here. The Prince of Wales is a patron of the racecourse. Also, the Queen had a bumper winner here in 2008 (Gold Award) who then went on to run in the Champion Bumper during the festival at Cheltenham.
Fakenham isn’t one of the premier jumps tracks in the country. Nevertheless, it still attracts top talent. That is in the form of jockeys Nico de Boinville, Tom Scudamore, Harry Skelton, and Richard Johnson who are all among the most successful pilots here in recent years.
Olly Murphy is a regular and is easily the top trainer with the most runners at Fakenham. He is joined on the honours board by Neil Mulholland and Dan Skelton among other stellar names.
Ticket Prices at Fakenham
Admissions to Fakenham Racecourse are kept simple. Prices are relatively in line with similar racecourses around the country. A Day Members Badge will cost £20 in advance and £23 on the gate. But access to the Grandstand and Paddock is £15 in advance and £18 on the gate. Whereas a Course Enclosure ticket is £10 at whatever time of purchase and remains the best value option.
Fakenham Track Details
The track here is left-handed and very sharp at only a mile in length, featuring tight turns. After the final bend and the last obstacle, there is a very short run-in to the line. This can make for some exciting finishes.
Fakenham Racecourse is the tightest National Hunt track in Britain.
In fact, many call it a perfect track for front-runners and speedy types rather than gallopers. However, the ground here is often more testing in reality than advertised. So stamina comes very much to the fore when the heavens open.
It’s tricky for a punter then, as the track is definitely sharp but you will still need to be backing a horse who gets their trip really well. Those on the front end can do well of course. But going too quickly around here can result in disaster. Even the very best jockeys to have ridden Fakenham say that you should just bide your time a little.
So, a good jumper who stays the full extent of the trip, who can be held up just off the lead and isn’t a bona fide long-striding galloper will most likely do very well.
Hurdles Course
The hurdles course has only four, well spaced-out hurdles. There is one on the home straight, one round the back, and one on each side of the racecourse.
There are some undulations both on the side of the racecourse and on the straight around about where the final flight of hurdles stands.
Chase Course
Fakenham’s chase course is the same one-mile layout as the hurdles track. It also has the same undulating points on the track, this time featuring five obstacles. The penultimate fence and the last before turning in is an open ditch. Whereas there are plain fences in the straight, right after the line, on the side, and two down the back.
Fakenham Racecourse’s Best Meetings
Fakenham Racecourse doesn’t have any of the country’s top pattern races or major handicaps. However, its meetings are still popular.
Though, fixtures are relatively few and far between at this grand old racecourse. These five are among the highlights during the year:
- Spring National Hunt Meeting – March
- Easter Monday Fixture
- Norfolk National Day – May
- Ladies Day – May
- Christmas Meeting – December
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