Towcester Greyhounds Stadium

Although Towcester Greyhound Racecourse opened in 2014, its roots in the town of Towcester and connection to the Fermor-Hesketh family's history go back much further. Specifically, the history of the Easton Neston estate in Towcester, Northamptonshire, and the thoroughbred racing that once occurred there are integral to the racecourse's story.

Prehistory

Easton-Neston House, constructed between 1685 and 1695, features a 17th century temple and parish church on its estate. The stables were added in the 18th century, and Towcester Racecourse, established in 1890, is located to the south. 

The estate has a rich history of horse racing, with the first races in Towcester dating back to 1718. In 1786, Empress Elizabeth of Austria stayed at Easton Neston and organised races on the grounds, as noted in the Chronicles of Towcester. Records from 1798 mention annual races in Towcester, but highlight the poor roads in Easton Neston.

The modern hippodrome on the Easton-Neston estate was officially opened in 1928 with the support of owner Sir Thomas Fermor-Hesketh, 1st Lord Hesketh. The demolition of the old stand at Towcester Stadium in 2001 revealed a plaque from 1929, confirming the construction date of the current racecourse.

Alexander Hesketh with Margaret Thatcher. Source:

Alexander-Hesketh, 3rd Baron Hesketh, served as Under Secretary of State for the Environment in Margaret Thatcher's government before becoming a minister in the Department of Trade and Industry. He was well-known for his passion for technology and auto racing, having competed in Formula 1 in the 70s and later being involved in motorcycle and car production. In the 90s, he helped organise British Mediterranean Airways. In 2004, he faced financial challenges and had to sell off the family estate of almost 470 years, though he retained ownership of the hippodrome. Towcester Racecourse, part of the estate, operated until its closure in 2018.

History of greyhound racing at Towcester Racecourse

In December 2014, a greyhound racing track was established at Towcester Racecourse to replace the declining horse racing events that were no longer profitable at the hippodrome. Lord Hesketh, wanting to preserve the family's historical connection to the racecourse, saw an opportunity in greyhound racing to revitalise and sustain the venue. By hosting prestigious races like the English Greyhound Derby, Towcester quickly emerged as the leading racecourse in England, following the closure of Wimbledon Stadium in 2017. With the hosting of significant races previously held at Wimbledon, Towcester successfully continued the tradition and became a prominent venue in the greyhound racing world.

 Construction of a hippodrome

Lord Hesketh and CEO Kevin Ackerman supervised the construction of the track, which required laying 60,000 tonnes of soil on the 420m long path, with a total cost of £1.5 million. The alignment of the track for dogs with the track for horses was a unique challenge, particularly the uphill finishing straight with a height difference of about 6m. The track for dogs accommodated up to 8 runners, and a cutting-edge giant screen at the finish line broadcasted the races, a first for English hippodromes.

The hippodrome boasted top-notch infrastructure, including ample parking, dining options, and spacious recreation areas in a picturesque rural setting that attracted spectators nationwide. Empty stables were repurposed into greyhound kennels, and renowned trainers like Mark Wallis, Kevin Hatton, and Chris Allsopp were enlisted to work with the racecourse.

With everything in place, the hippodrome was now fully equipped to host races and welcome its inaugural visitors.

Events of recent years

In 2017 and 2018, the racecourse hosted prestigious races such as the English Greyhound Derby. The first winner of the Towcester Derby was Astute Missile, trained by Seamus Cahill, while Dorotas Wildcat, trained by Kevin Hutton, claimed victory in 2018.

However, operations were halted due to financial difficulties faced by the hippodrome. Staff were let go, Kevin Hutton moved to Montmore Racecourse, and the remaining trainers, including Nick Savva and Mark Wallis, shifted to Henlow. Racing was subsequently held at Nottingham Racecourse in 2019 and 2020, as Towcester Racecourse was sold to Fermor Land LLP. Hesketh's son-in-law managed the new ownership.

In 2019, Hesketh mentioned that the high licence fees imposed by GBGB led to the sale, expressing hopes of bringing greyhound racing back to Towcester. This vision came to fruition in 2019 when Henlow Racecourse promoter Kevin Boothby secured a 10-year lease for Towcester. Racing resumed in 2020, although the Oaks race remained at Perry Barr due to some financial setbacks.

The Hippodrome now features top-tier races like the Champion Hurdles and Puppy Derby, along with the Juvenile race and English Derby. With 12-14 races per day on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and weekends, guests can enjoy various entry packages, with free admission for children under 14. Towcester Greyhound Stadium has become a popular spot for greyhound racing enthusiasts, combining thrilling races with modern amenities and a welcoming atmosphere.