The History of Ripon Racecourse

Racing in Ripon dates back to 1664, when the first recorded meeting was held on Bondgate Green. That was just four years after the Restoration of Charles II, a period when horse racing was enjoying a revival across England. Ripon was already an important market town, and the races would have drawn crowds from the surrounding villages and from further afield.

Bondgate Green and the early meetings

Bondgate Green, in the heart of Ripon, served as the venue for those early meetings. The exact format of the racing is unclear — it may have been match races or simple heats rather than the structured handicaps we know today. What is certain is that Ripon established itself early as a racing town, and the tradition continued through the 18th century.

A landmark moment: female jockeys in 1723

In 1723, Ripon hosted Britain's first horse race for female jockeys. It was a significant moment in the history of the sport, though it would be many decades before women riders became a regular feature on the turf. The race brought national attention to Ripon and underlined the town's willingness to embrace innovation.

The move to the Ure

By the mid-19th century, racing had moved. An 1856 Ordnance Survey map shows a racecourse on the north side of the River Ure, beside the road to Thirsk and adjacent to the railway station. The arrival of the railway in Ripon in the 1840s would have made the course more accessible to visitors from Leeds, York and beyond. The Ure site was used for several decades, but the exact dates of racing there are less well documented than the Bondgate Green era.

The Boroughbridge Road site

Racing on the present site on Boroughbridge Road began on 6 August 1900. The Ripon Race Company was formed to manage the new venue, and the course was laid out on land that would become the permanent home of Ripon racing. The move coincided with a period of growth in northern racing — York, Doncaster and Redcar were all established by then, and Ripon slotted into a busy Yorkshire calendar. The right-handed oval and six-furlong straight were in place from the start, and the character of the track has changed little since.

The early decades of the 20th century saw Ripon establish itself as a fixture of the northern flat calendar. The course had the advantage of a dedicated site, good transport links and a track that produced competitive racing. The Ripon Race Company invested in facilities, and the course began to attract better-class horses from the major northern yards.

Wartime interruption

Between 1916 and 1919, the southern half of the racecourse was used as a base for No. 76 Squadron of the Royal Flying Corps, later the Royal Air Force. RFC/RAF Ripon was a training and operational base, and the ground was also used sporadically for civilian aircraft into the 1920s. Racing was suspended during this period, but the course survived and returned to action once the war was over.

Interwar growth

The 1920s and 1930s saw Ripon consolidate its position. The course staged regular fixtures through the summer months, and the quality of racing improved. Ripon's sharp track suited certain types of horses — sprinters and handy types — and form from the course began to be respected by punters and trainers alike. The Great St Wilfrid Stakes had yet to achieve its current prominence, but Ripon was building a reputation for competitive handicaps.

Post-war revival

After the Second World War, Ripon shared in the general revival of British racing. The course remained in the hands of the Ripon Race Company, and the fixture list expanded. Ripon's compact size and friendly atmosphere made it a popular venue for northern racegoers, and the garden character of the course began to be emphasised. By the 1960s and 1970s, Ripon was firmly established as one of Yorkshire's premier flat venues.

Ripon may not have hosted the Derby or the St Leger, but it has seen its share of memorable moments. The course has been a stepping stone for future stars and a stage for dramatic finishes.

The Great St Wilfrid Stakes

The Great St Wilfrid Stakes has grown into Ripon's signature race — a six-furlong handicap that regularly attracts classy sprinters from top yards. The race has produced winners who went on to Group success, and it's one of the most competitive handicaps of the summer. The atmosphere on Great St Wilfrid Day is among the best of the Ripon season.

The Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy

The Listed two-year-old race over six furlongs has been a pointer for future stars. Winners have gone on to Group success, and the race is a key trial for the Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar and other late-season juvenile contests. It's run on the Bank Holiday Monday after the Great St Wilfrid and often produces a talking horse for the autumn.

Britain's first female jockey race (1723)

Ripon's place in racing history was secured in 1723 when it hosted Britain's first horse race for female jockeys. The event brought national attention to the town and demonstrated that Ripon was willing to push boundaries. It would be many years before women riders became commonplace, but Ripon had made a statement.

Best Small Racecourse in the North (2003)

In 2003, the Racegoers' Club voted Ripon the Best Small Racecourse in the North. The award recognised the course's friendly atmosphere, good viewing and immaculate presentation. The garden racecourse nickname was by then well established, and Ripon had found its niche as a venue that punches above its weight.

The modern era has seen Ripon consolidate its position as one of Yorkshire's most popular flat venues. The course stages around 16 fixtures per year, concentrated in the summer months, and has developed a calendar that complements the bigger meetings at York and Doncaster. Ripon is part of the Go Racing in Yorkshire initiative, which promotes racing across the region.

Key fixtures and events

The Great St Wilfrid Day in August remains the highlight, but Ripon has added other popular fixtures. The Big Night Out in May draws a younger, more social crowd. Ladies Day in June has become a staple of the summer calendar. Family Day and Children's Day offer free or discounted entry for families, helping to bring new audiences to the sport. The Ripon Champion Two-Year-Old Trophy on Bank Holiday Monday provides a quality Listed contest.

Facilities and investment

The course has three enclosures — Club Stand, Paddock Enclosure and Course Enclosure — and a permanent giant screen for viewing away racing. The Ripon Race Company has invested in hospitality and catering, and the garden setting is maintained to a high standard. Capacity is around 5,000, which keeps the atmosphere intimate without feeling cramped.

The racing product

Ripon's sharp, undulating track continues to produce competitive racing. The course favours prominent racers in good conditions, and the six-furlong straight is one of the fairest sprint tests in the north. Trainers like Tim Easterby have had notable success at the course, and form from Ripon is respected across the industry. For betting angles, see the Ripon betting guide.

Ripon's legacy is one of continuity and character. The course has been part of British racing for over 350 years, and it has survived wars, changes of site and the shifting fortunes of the sport. What has remained constant is Ripon's ability to offer a welcoming, well-run venue that punches above its weight.

Yorkshire's Garden Racecourse

The nickname Yorkshire's Garden Racecourse captures something essential about Ripon. The course is known for its immaculate grounds, floral displays and picturesque setting. It's a place where you can enjoy a day's racing in a relaxed, attractive environment — no corporate overload, no overwhelming crowds. The garden character has become central to Ripon's identity and to its appeal.

A northern institution

Ripon sits alongside York, Doncaster, Wetherby and Redcar as one of Yorkshire's racing institutions. It may not stage the same quality of racing as York or Doncaster, but it offers something different — a more intimate experience, a sharper track, and a calendar that fills the gaps between the big meetings. For many northern racegoers, Ripon is a favourite — the course you recommend to friends who want a relaxed day out.

Looking ahead

The Ripon Race Company continues to run the course, and the fixture list remains healthy. The Great St Wilfrid Stakes attracts top-class sprinters, and the two-year-old programme produces horses who go on to bigger things. Ripon's future looks secure — a small course with a big heart, and a place that has earned its place in the story of British racing.