Horse racing venue in Scottish Borders, Scotland, UK
55°36′49.01″N 2°25′52.02″W / 55.6136139°N 2.4311167°W / 55.6136139; -2.4311167
Kelso Racecourse is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located in Kelso, Scotland. Frequently described as "Britain's Friendliest Racecourse", the racecourse's website promises "a warm Borders welcome" and attributes the friendly atmosphere to the engaging and knowledgeable crowds that frequent the meetings. It was voted the Best Small Course in Scotland and the North of England in 2007, 2012 and 2014 by the Racegoers Club.[1] In addition to staging Scotland's most valuable hurdle race (the Morebattle Hurdle), Kelso stages a comparatively high number of Class 1, 2 & 3 races over jumps - creating an aspirational programme of races designed to encourage racehorse owners and trainers to keep high quality horses in training within Scotland and the North of Britain. Its current Managing Director is Jonathan Garratt and its Chairman is Mark Hunter.
History
The first recorded race meeting in Kelso took place at Caverton Edge in 1734. Races were also later held at Blakelaw. The foundation stone of the stand at the current racetrack at Berrymoss was laid on the 12 July 1822 and the first fixture took place on 16th April 1823. It was initially known as the Duke's Course.[2]
The racecourse celebrated its Bicentenary with a raceday on 17th April 2023, when HRH The Princess Royal attended and unveiled a ceremonial stone plaque in the Winners Enclosure.
On the 19 May 1913, Edith Hudson, Arabella Scott, Agnes and Elizabeth Thomson were arrested for trying to set alight to Kelso Racecourse.[3] They were all imprisoned at Calton jail and went on hunger strike together.[4][5] Scott was released under the Cat and Mouse Act on 24 May from Calton jail.[4]
Kelso was a flat racing track until 1888, when the United Border Hunt moved to the course. Since then, Kelso has run exclusively under National Hunt rules.[6]
In 2022 and 2023, Kelso celebrated its bicentennial season which included a bicentennial race day on April 17th which The Princess Royal was present.[7]
Layout
Kelso consists of two sharp, left-handed tracks - a chase track of 1 mile 600 yards and a hurdle course of 1 mile 330 yards. The course also has a punishing uphill run-in of 2 furlongs.[8]
Grandstand
The classical style grandstand building was erected in 1822, though it was designed in 1778 by York-based architect John Carr (1723–1807). The building, incorporating a private viewing area for the races' patron the Duke of Roxburghe, remains largely unchanged since its construction. In 2011 it was protected by Historic Environment Scotland as a category A listed building, as "the finest example of its building type in Scotland and a particularly rare and important survival in a wider UK context."[9]
Notable races
One notable steeplechase is the King's Own Challenge Cup, named after the King's Own Scottish Borderers who were based nearby.[8]
