doncaster racecourse

Doncaster Racecourse

Course: Doncaster racecourse - Lincoln Family Funday

🎫 Ticket & value: Grandstand £24

👀 Track view: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

🍔 Food: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🍺 Guinness: ⭐️⭐️

⭕️ Parade Ring: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🏇 Runners and riders: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

🎉 Atmosphere: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

⭐️ Overall Experience: ⭐️⭐️⭐️

👍🏻 Best for: Runners & Riders 🏇

We headed down to Doncaster racecourse for a day of thrilling racing action and an all-around fantastic experience. The day was filled with great entertainment, exciting races, and some excellent food options to keep us fueled throughout the event.

Starting with the track view, the layout offers plenty of options for viewing the races. From the grandstand, you get a clear view down the home straight, where you can watch the horses gallop towards the finish line. However, from the rail, the view is a bit more restricted due to the raised jumps track on the back straight. Despite this, getting up close to the action and hearing the horses thunder past is an experience not to be missed. The grandstands also provide a good perspective of the racing, however there are large parts that are unfortunately obstructed.

Food-wise, the racecourse offers a variety of delicious options, and we were impressed with what was available. For lunch, we opted for a hearty handmade pie from Piglets Pantry (£8), choosing the steak and ale option. The pastry was crisp and well-cooked, while the filling was rich, flavorful, and piping hot. They also had chicken and leek pie as well as the broccoli and cauliflower cheese pie as options, which looked delicious as well. For sides, the mash potatoes were creamy and comforting, although a little too rich for our liking. The mushy peas were solid, and we were pleased with the overall value of the meal.

As for the drinks, the Guinness was priced at £7.50, served in plastic cups. The pour was mixed; one staff member gave a perfect pour that settled well, but another seemed to struggle with the process, affecting the consistency of the drinks being served to racegoers. Whilst the pint settled nicely and the head test was decent, the taste didn’t quite match what I thought looked a good pint of Guinness. Nonetheless, it was a fair pint, but one I wouldn’t rush back to.

The Parade Ring at the racecourse offers a stunning view, positioned directly in front of the track, allowing spectators to overlook the entire racecourse as the horses parade before the races. It’s a lovely spot to take in the pre-race atmosphere, though it is quite a distance from the Pre-Parade Ring, which is more intimate and compact. The Parade Ring also features some tiered standing areas, perfect for watching the winners return, offering great views of the post-race celebrations. While it’s a fantastic place to be an owner and experience the excitement up close, as a punter, it does take up a large portion of the rail, which can limit some of the best viewing spots for the general public.

The Runners and Riders on the day boasted a strong lineup, with many of the top jockeys in attendance, including William Buick, Hollie Doyle, Rossa Ryan, James Doyle, and Sean Levey. The event also saw trainers like George Scott, David Menuisier, and Dylan Cunha supporting their runners, adding an extra layer of excitement to the day. The racing was competitive, featuring a range of flat races from Class 3 to Class 5, with some thrilling handicap races that kept the action lively and engaging throughout the day.

The atmosphere trackside was bubbly and energetic, especially with the sunshine coming out. As it was a Family Funday, the entertainment for kids was plentiful, with plenty of activities to keep the younger crowd entertained. From bumper cars to a bouncy castle, there was something for everyone. The magician/circus tricks and singers and entertainers added a lively and enjoyable atmosphere to the day. The funfair rides were also a big hit with families, offering the perfect break from the races. Finally, it was great to see a real buzz around the racecourse particularly around the parade ring pre and post race.

Overall, the racecourse offers a wonderful experience for both serious racing fans and those just looking to enjoy a day out. The racing is exciting, the food is delicious, and the entertainment options cater to all ages. The viewing options are varied, offering both fantastic trackside experiences and excellent grandstand views. Despite a few minor hiccups with the Guinness pour and some slow service, we had a fantastic day and are already looking forward to returning!

That’s the Paddock Preview for Doncaster Racecourse, where shall we head to next?