Attending Market Rasen's Boxing Day horse racing meeting is a festive season tradition for many people who live in Brigg and district.
Market Rasen Racecourse says it is now in festive mood ahead of one the most popular jump racing occasions of the year, Rand Farm Park Boxing Day At The Races on December 26.
Every year at Christmas time since 1946, thousands of people have descended on the Lincolnshire track with friends and family for a traditional and value-for-money sporting day out, with accompanied under 18s being given free admission.
Boxing Day racing at Market Rasen is Lincolnshire’s ‘Big Christmas Day Out’ and is always a great chance for visitors to continue the festive feeling, with many people in Lincolnshire enjoying a once-a-year chance to go to the races.
Families or friends who buy four tickets in advance can save £5 on additional purchases for the County and Tattersalls Enclosures … that’s the ‘Christmas Clan Offer’ which encourages families to book early and come in big numbers.
There’s a packed programme of jump racing, including the annual Clugston Lincolnshire National. Like the ultimate Aintree race – the Randox Health Grand National - stamina is crucial for the Lincolnshire National, which is run over a distance of three and a half miles.
Nadia Powell, General Manager, Market Rasen Racecourse, said: “Boxing Day horse racing at Market Rasen Racecourse is as much a part of Christmas as turkey, mulled wine and crackers. It’s been happening since 1946! The fixture on 26th December is always a very affordable festive day out for families over Christmas.
“Visitors who buy their tickets before Boxing Day get the best prices, so purchasing in advance is a great idea. I would also recommend people to set off in plenty of time to get to the racecourse on Boxing Day. The racecourse is clearly signed, with a number of routes in place and we urge all visitors to follow them and to get here early.”
Adult tickets are from £11.70 in advance (£13 on the day) for the Lawn Enclosure. Tattersalls advance admission is £19.80 (£22 on the day) and County is £24.30 (£27 on the day).
Further details about Market Rasen Racecourse, including ticket purchases, can be found at https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/marketrasen/.
The racing highlight of Boxing Day racing is invariably the £20,000 Clugston Lincolnshire National. At three and three-quarter miles, the contest is the longest race in the racecourse’s calendar.
There have been two Lincolnshire-trained winners in the last seven years in Soudain and Gonalston Cloud, while race-goers with longer memories will recall Victory Gunner’s hat-trick of victories between 2005 and 2007.
Every year the Clugston Lincolnshire National produces a headline. In 2015, James Banks booted West Of The Edge to victory to complete a double on the day for him and trainer Dai Williams who had made the long journey from west Wales. In 2016, as many as five horses had a chance at the last fence before Gonalston Cloud, from the Nick Kent stables near Brigg and ridden by Adam Wedge, pulled out a bit more to take the prize.
Tickets cost from £11.70 in advance from https://www.thejockeyclub.co.uk/marketrasen/
Accompanied under 18s get in free on the day. Remember, 18 to 24 year olds can get half-price admission – young adults should register at RacePass18to24.co.uk to receive a free RacePass membership card.
General parking – with the exception of the picnic car park - is free.