Alexandra Park Racecourse

Alexandra Park Racecourse History | Wood Green, London Horse Racing

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Alexandra Park Racecourse

Alexandra Park Racecourse was located at Wood Green in North London, within the grounds of Alexandra Palace. The course was one of the most unusually shaped racecourses in Britain and became affectionately known as “The Frying Pan” because of its distinctive layout.

The looped section of the course branched from a single straight, with all races—except those over five furlongs—starting close to the winning post. Horses initially raced away from the grandstands, the opposite direction to which they would eventually finish.

Adding to the course’s unique character, the start of five-furlong races could not actually be seen from the stands. After an initial left-hand turn when running away from the stands, runners then negotiated the loop in a clockwise (right-handed) direction before entering the finishing straight, which measured almost four furlongs in length.

In sprint races, horses drawn in the higher-numbered stalls generally enjoyed an advantage.

Race Distances

  • 5 furlongs
  • 1 mile 160 yards
  • 1 mile 5 furlongs and a few yards

The Final Meeting

The final meeting at Alexandra Park Racecourse took place on Tuesday, 8th September 1970. The going was described as Hard.

Winners from the Final Day’s Racing

  • 2.30 – Woodside Nursery Handicap (2yo)
    1 mile 160 yards – £594
    Winner: Foghorn (6/1)
    Ridden by J. Gorton
    Trained by Doug Smith
  • 2.55 – Battle Stakes (2yo Seller)
    5 furlongs – £295
    Winner: Bobin Express (9/2)
    Ridden by E. Hide
    Trained by K. Cundell
  • 3.20 – Hippodrome Handicap (3 & 4yo)
    1 mile 5 furlongs and a few yards – £546
    Winner: Dawn Reign (10/1)
    Ridden by G. Ramshaw
    Trained by T. Gates
  • 3.45 – Epping Stakes
    5 furlongs – £520
    Winner: Thundergay (5/1)
    Ridden by J. Gorton
    Trained by B. Hobbs
  • 4.10 – Great Northern Maiden (at Closing) Stakes
    1 mile 160 yards – £507
    Winner: Golden Reppin (4/7 Favourite)
    Ridden by G. Lewis
    Trained by J. Sutcliffe
  • 4.35 – St Albans Handicap
    1 mile 5 furlongs and a few yards – £530
    Winner: Acrostole (FR) (8/1)
    Ridden by G. Duffield
    Trained by R. Smart

Alexandra Park Racecourse Aerial / Satellite Photograph

The map below shows the former location of Alexandra Park Racecourse within the grounds of Alexandra Palace.