Ludlow Racecourse & Betting Review: Popular Events, Top Offers and Facts

Here, in our thorough review of the Ludlow Racecourse, we will be talking you through some of the most important features of the venue. By reviewing some of the more technical aspects of the course itself, as well as looking at the most-popular meetings held during the year and sharing some general facts and stats along with a few important historical insights, we’ll provide you with the most complete review of the course to date! Before we get down to the nitty-gritty, have a look at the table above where you’ll see a concise overview of the what the better betting sites in the UK have to offer for Ludlow.

The Turf Itself

Ludlow Racecourse is divided into two separate tracks: the hurdles course and the steeplechase course. The hurdles course, due to its wider, easier turns, is probably easier to get around, although both courses are known to be fairly straightforward. The hurdles course is slightly more undulating than its steeplechase counterpart, but the fences on both courses are low and easy to clear. Both feature nine hurdles, are right-handed and oval-shaped and have a run-in of about 250 yards. The first fence in the home straight used to catch some customers out, however, since it has been relocated it rarely causes problems.

Speed counts for a lot at Ludlow. The ideal customer is long striding, nimble and fast over the obstacles. Because they are so low horses have been known to soar over them; what you want is a horse that can get up and down fast, wasting as little time in the air as possible.

Most Popular Ludlow Horse Racing Events

When you think of Ludlow horse racing, the annual Forbra Gold Challenge Cup is the event that first springs to mind. It’s a three-mile handicap race held in early March that is reserved for horses aged older than five years – it’s also worth around £20,000. It is named after Forbra, the 50/1 winner of the 1932 Grand National that no-one even considered as a possible victor. His owner, one William Parsonage, was a well-known commission agent based in the same town who had tried for success in the Grand National on several occasions in the past. Forbra never fell during his career and is the first horse out of the Kinnersley stables close Worcester to have won a Grand National.

In truth, there aren’t a great number of special event promotions on offer for Ludlow. Your best bet is to sign up to one of the operators featured here in our review and use the new-player welcome bonus to your advantage.

Some Interesting Facts

Despite not being renowned for hosting really prestigious British jump racing events, the hall of fame at the Ludlow horse racing track features some true jump racing stars, that have gone on to feature at other tracks we’ve reviewed. Punjabi, the British thoroughbred owned by Raymond Tooth and trained by the legendary Nicky Henderson, found success at Ludlow early in his career before going on to win four major championships, including the Punchestown Champion Hurdle in 2008 and the Champion Hurdle in 2009. Tamarinbleu, a French horse trained by David Pipe was also successful at Ludlow early in his career before he won the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot in 2008.

Racecourse Information:
First Opened:	1725	Ludlow Racecourse logo The Grandstand at Ludlow Racecourse
Max. Race Distance:	3m
Surface:	Turf
Event:	Forbra Gold Challenge Cup
Average Temperature:	1°/21°
Racecourse Capacity:	4000

The other most-memorable horse to have raced at Ludlow would have to Taranis, a French-bred gelding owned by Angela Yeoman and trained by Charles Whittaker. He finished first in a race in 2006 after the favourite, Racing Demon, withdrew last minute. After seeing off Dickensbury Lad in the final stages of the race he went on to win the 2007 Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham festival a year later, which ended up being the most prestigious victory of his career. The status of Ludlow betting as a valuable UK market was helped significantly by the aforementioned worthy competitors.

Ludlow Racecourse: The Story so Far

The first recorded races to have been held at Ludlow date back to 1725, although there is a reason to believe that equestrian activity in some form was held there hundreds of years before. In the early years, it was only flat racing that was staged at Ludlow. Jump racing didn’t become a feature until the mid-1800’s and a complete switch to jump racing was completed not long after. Ludlow horse racing betting didn’t really take off until the mid-twentieth century when the British government loosened its grip on the industry. Tote betting is now fully licensed and regulated at the venue.

During the Second World War, the venue was used to house foreign soldiers, many of whom were from the US and are reported to have commented on the outstanding natural beauty and the friendly demeanour of the locals. The Ludlow horse racing track has undergone a number of redevelopments over the years and now has the capacity to host weddings, business meetings, a variety of different exhibitions and the odd auction. To this day it maintains a distinct, Edwardian charm, which has undoubtedly contributed to its unique character.