Saturday 05 September 2026
4:25 'Calverts Carpets Hambleton Cup Handicap' at Thirsk
Drawn: 6
Spirit of Acklam 1
5yo b g Cracksman - Zacchera
Owned by: Amity Finance Racing
Jockey: Joanna Mason


grass Good
cloud Mostly cloudy 		directions


Stables: Thirsk RUFC (Rugby Union Football Club), Newsham Rd, Thirsk YO7 1QP

 Thirsk Racecourse is a long‑established flat racing venue which lies to the west of the market town of Thirsk, North Yorkshire, with roots that stretch back to early racing on nearby Hambleton as far back as 1612. The present course opened in 1855 after Frederick Bell offered part of his Thirsk Hall estate for racing, and the first meeting was held that March. Racing had previously taken place on the old Hambleton course, which had been significant enough to receive royal patronage from James I and Queen Anne, but it closed in 1811 before the move to Thirsk.

The modern track is a left‑handed oval of about one mile and two furlongs with a run‑in of just over three furlongs and a six‑furlong chute. It is known for being sharp, tactical, and favouring horses who race prominently because the straight is short and hold‑up runners often struggle to get involved. The course races exclusively on the flat from April to September and typically stages around sixteen fixtures in a season.

Its best‑known race is the Thirsk Hunt Cup, first run in 1859, originally over two miles and four furlongs but now a one‑mile handicap that anchors the spring meeting. Egg Sauce won the inaugural running. The course has also hosted notable moments, including a visit from the Prince of Wales (later Edward VII) in 1895, which drew huge crowds and led to the construction of the Royal Pavilion. During the First World War the racecourse closed, reopening in 1924 with the Hambleton Stand, which remains in use today. It even staged the wartime substitute St Leger in 1940.

Thirsk's character comes from its rural setting, its compact and undulating layout, and its reputation for competitive sprint and middle‑distance racing. Over time it has developed modern facilities while keeping its traditional Yorkshire charm, making it a popular and accessible venue for racegoers from across the region.