Salisbury Racecourse
Encyclopedia
Salisbury Racecourse is a flat racecourse
in the United Kingdom
featuring thoroughbred horse racing. It is located four miles from Salisbury
, Wiltshire
, England
. Fifteen races a year are held here between early May and mid-October. There has been racing at the course since the mid-16th century, and many equine greats have been successful here, including Gimcrack
(1768), Eclipse
(1769), Sun Chariot
(1941), Mill Reef
(1970) and Brigadier Gerard (1970). In recent years, Sir Percy
(2006 Derby) and Look Here (2008 Oaks) both won at Salisbury the previous year. Steve Cauthen
made his UK debut at Salisbury in 1979, while Lester Piggott
rode in public for the very first time at Salisbury in 1948.
Flat racing
Flat racing is a form of Thoroughbred horse racing which is run over a level track at a predetermined distance. It differs from steeplechase racing which is run over hurdles...
in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
featuring thoroughbred horse racing. It is located four miles from Salisbury
Salisbury
Salisbury is a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England and the only city in the county. It is the second largest settlement in the county...
, Wiltshire
Wiltshire
Wiltshire is a ceremonial county in South West England. It is landlocked and borders the counties of Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire. It contains the unitary authority of Swindon and covers...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. Fifteen races a year are held here between early May and mid-October. There has been racing at the course since the mid-16th century, and many equine greats have been successful here, including Gimcrack
Gimcrack
Gimcrack was an English Thoroughbred racehorse stallion sired by Cripple, a son of the Godolphin Arabian, his dam Miss Elliot was by Partner....
(1768), Eclipse
Eclipse (horse)
Eclipse was an outstanding, undefeated 18th-century British Thoroughbred racehorse who was later a phenomenal success as a sire.-Breeding:...
(1769), Sun Chariot
Sun Chariot (horse)
Sun Chariot was a good Thoroughbred racehorse that won the Fillies Triple Crown series of races.She was bred by the National Stud and raced for King George VI. Sun Chariot was a filly of great talent but very difficult temperament...
(1941), Mill Reef
Mill Reef
Mill Reef was a Champion Thoroughbred racehorse and sire. He was bred in the United States but was trained in the United Kingdom throughout his racing career which lasted from 1970 to 1972. Mill Reef won twelve of his fourteen races and finished second in the other two...
(1970) and Brigadier Gerard (1970). In recent years, Sir Percy
Sir Percy
Sir Percy is a race horse foaled on January 27, 2003, winner of the 2006 Epsom Derby.-Breeding and pedigree:Sir Percy was bred by Harry Ormesher at the Old Suffolk Stud in Hundon, Suffolk. His sire Mark of Esteem won the 1996 2,000 Guineas, his dam Percy's Lass won the Group 3 September Stakes in...
(2006 Derby) and Look Here (2008 Oaks) both won at Salisbury the previous year. Steve Cauthen
Steve Cauthen
Steve Cauthen is a retired American jockey.Cauthen, the son of a trainer and a farrier, grew up in Walton, Kentucky around horses, which made race-riding a logical career choice. He rode his first race on May 12, 1976 at Churchill Downs; he finished last, riding King of Swat...
made his UK debut at Salisbury in 1979, while Lester Piggott
Lester Piggott
Lester Keith Piggott is a retired English professional jockey, popularly known as "The Long Fellow". With 4,493 career wins, including nine Epsom Derby victories, he is one of the most well-known English flat racing jockeys of all time....
rode in public for the very first time at Salisbury in 1948.
Notable races
- Cathedral Stakes
- Sovereign StakesSovereign StakesThe Sovereign Stakes is a Group 3 flat horse race in Great Britain open to thoroughbred colts and geldings aged three years or older. It is run at Salisbury over a distance of 1 mile , and it is scheduled to take place each year in August....
- Stonehenge Stakes
- Upavon Fillies' Stakes
- Dick Poole Fillies' Stakes