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Newcastle Racecourse's new £12m track fit for racing

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has deemed Newcastle Racecourse’s new £12m tapeta all-weather track fit for racing.

As well as the investment to build the track, complete with the first ever floodlit straight mile, racecourse owner Arena Racing Company (ARC) has made a number of other improvements to the equine facilities.

These include resurfacing the pre-parade, parade ring and winner’s enclosure; refurbishment of the saddling boxes; complete modernisation of the vets’ facilities and stable yard with a new entrance to the horsebox park to improve access to the stables for horses and horseboxes; and a floodlit horse walk with new fibresand area for horses to relax and recover after racing.

In 2016 ARC racecourses will host over 500 fixtures with total prize money of over £28m. Each year 1.2 million people attend racing at one of ARC’s racecourses.

Dale Gibson, Professional Jockeys Association (PJA) Executive Director (Racing), said: “It has taken a significant amount of work to develop the first northern based all-weather track.

“Many people deserve credit, including James Armstrong and his team at Newcastle Racecourse, along with the wider team at ARC, the Stobart Group and Tapeta Footings.

“We aim to continue to work with them to help improve the racing product under both codes in the future. We had some terrific feedback from senior jockeys who all enjoyed riding on the new tapeta track and are really looking forward to the first raceday on 17 May.”

Following a series of successful trial runs this week, Chris Dennis, British Horseracing Authority Inspector of Courses, said: “The feedback from trainers and jockeys was positive and no issues were identified with the track. The surface is ready for the first fixture on 17 May.”

The 188BET First All-Weather Raceday on 17 May will be a £60,000 seven race card with a feature £20,000 handicap. 188BET will sponsor six races with Tapeta Footings sponsoring the seventh race.

Executive Director of Newcastle Racecourse, David Williamson, added: “We are really pleased with the positive feedback received and are looking forward to our first all-weather raceday which marks the start of a new era for Gosforth Park.

“We look forward to welcoming everyone on 17 May for the launch of all-weather racing at Newcastle.”