The History of Fontwell Park Racecourse

Fontwell Park was founded by Alfred Day, a local horse trainer who had researched the area's history and revived the name Fontwell. The first meeting took place on 21 May 1924, and from the outset the course was designed with a twist: a figure-of-eight chase layout that would make it unique in British racing.

Why a Figure-of-Eight?

Day's motivation was practical. The available land at Fontwell was limited, and a conventional oval chase course would have required more space than he had. The figure-of-eight — two loops that cross in the middle — allowed him to fit a full chase circuit into a smaller footprint. It was an ingenious solution that has endured for a century. No other racecourse in Britain has replicated the design.

The Hurdles Course

Alongside the figure-of-eight chase course, Day laid out a conventional hurdles track — a left-handed oval of approximately one mile. That gave the course two distinct tests: the straightforward hurdles oval and the twisting chase circuit. The combination has defined Fontwell ever since.

Early Years

The course quickly established itself as a popular local venue. West Sussex had a strong hunting tradition, and the Arun Valley was well placed to attract racegoers from Brighton, Chichester, and the South Coast. The Fontwell Gold Cup emerged as the feature chase, run over the unique figure-of-eight. For a full breakdown of the layout, see the figure-of-eight guide.

The post-war period saw Fontwell consolidate its position as a unique jumps venue. The figure-of-eight chase course had proved its worth — it was a spectacle that drew racegoers and a test that suited certain types of horse. The constant turns and twists favoured quicker, more agile chasers, and the stiff finish allowed hold-up horses to mount late challenges.

Royal Connection

In October 1949, Princess Elizabeth — later Queen Elizabeth II — had her first winner as an owner at Fontwell when Monaveen won the Chichester Handicap Chase. It was a significant moment for the course and for racing, and it put Fontwell on the map in a way that local fixtures rarely achieve. The royal connection has been celebrated ever since.

The Fontwell Gold Cup

The Fontwell Gold Cup grew in stature during this period. Run over the figure-of-eight chase course, it became the feature race of the year. The race attracted quality chasers from southern yards, and form from the Gold Cup could be a useful guide for later handicaps. The unique layout meant that course form mattered — horses who handled the twists and turns often came back for more.

National Spirit Hurdle

The National Spirit Hurdle, a Grade 2 run over 2 miles 4 furlongs, was established as a trial for the Cheltenham Festival. Run on the conventional hurdles oval rather than the figure-of-eight, it added a touch of class to the calendar and attracted quality hurdlers from leading yards.

Fontwell Park has hosted its share of memorable moments. The figure-of-eight chase course has produced dramatic finishes and surprise winners, and the course has been a stepping stone for horses who went on to bigger things.

Monaveen and the Queen

Princess Elizabeth's first winner as an owner — Monaveen in the 1949 Chichester Handicap Chase — remains Fontwell's most famous moment. The race was run over the figure-of-eight, and the royal connection has been celebrated ever since. It was a landmark for the course and for the sport.

Fontwell Gold Cup Highlights

The Fontwell Gold Cup has produced plenty of memorable renewals. The unique layout creates opportunities for hold-up horses to mount late challenges, and the stiff finish has produced its share of close finishes. Course specialists have often featured — horses who handle the figure-of-eight tend to run well when they return.

The Figure-of-Eight as Spectacle

The figure-of-eight itself is a spectacle. Watching the chasers navigate the two loops, change direction at the crossing point, and fight out the finish has drawn racegoers for a century. There's nothing like it anywhere else in Britain. The figure-of-eight guide has more on how the layout works and how it affects racing.

Fontwell Park is now owned by Arena Racing Company, part of a portfolio that includes Lingfield, Wolverhampton, and other venues. The course typically stages around 25 fixtures a year, spread across the winter and early spring. The figure-of-eight chase course remains unchanged — a century-old design that still defines the course.

Facilities and Investment

Under ARC ownership, the course has benefited from investment in facilities. The grandstand, paddock, and catering have been updated, and the compact site remains easy to navigate. The capacity of around 5,000 creates an intimate atmosphere — you're never far from the action, and the scale feels right for a day at the jumps.

The Fontwell Gold Cup

The Fontwell Gold Cup remains the feature chase of the year, run over the unique figure-of-eight. The National Spirit Hurdle in February attracts quality hurdlers and serves as a Cheltenham Festival trial. The programme offers a mix of handicaps, novices, and the occasional Listed race.

A Unique Niche

Fontwell's figure-of-eight has no direct equivalent. The course has carved out a niche that punters and racegoers have come to value. For more on how the layout affects racing, see the figure-of-eight guide.

Fontwell Park's legacy is its uniqueness. No other British racecourse has a figure-of-eight chase course. Alfred Day's design from 1924 has endured for a century, and it remains the course's defining feature. The Fontwell Gold Cup has grown into the feature race of the year, and the National Spirit Hurdle adds a touch of class to the calendar.

The constant turns and twists, the stiff finish, the spectacle of chasers navigating the two loops — these have been constants. The complete guide and betting guide cover what the course offers today. The history is distinctive. The present is unique. The legacy continues.