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PIKEHALL HARNESS RACING

THE FEATURE

Top class grass Harness Racing in the Midlands was unknown, until it was introduced in 1998 at Pikehall, in the heart of the Peak National Park. Since then, it has gone from strength to strength to become a major Peak District attraction. There are two meetings a year in June and July.

The excellent prize money over the two meetings, ensures that competitors from all over Britain and Ireland enter for the races.

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Since that first meeting in 1998, a great number of fans have amassed, to such a degree that many of the regulars will not book their holidays until they know the dates of the following years race meetings. The fact that despite the   unseasonably cold weather, the meeting on 12 June 2005, drew a crowd of around 2,000 spectators indicates how popular harness racing has become with a loyal band of supporters.

In 1999, Central TV's Heart of the Country introduced harness racing to a wider audience. This was followed by Pikehall being named as the British Harness Racing Clubs meeting of the Year for two years. Pikehall is now well established on the harness racing calendar as one of the major meetings in the Country.

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Harness racing is a very exciting spectacle and can be enjoyed by all the family, as unlike normal horse racing it can be viewed quite easily from all sides of the track. Racegoers often enjoy their picnics around the track side, where trackside parking is available. In addition, there is a licensed  bar, refreshments, attractions for children and 20 Bookmakers with whom to have a flutter. Add to all this the scenery around Pikehall is spectacular and everyone can be assured of an exciting day out in beautiful countryside.

The usual race commentator is Darren Owen a regular SIS, BBC Television and Sky Racing Channel commentator. So if you have never seen harness racing before, visit Pikehall 2007, you may also become a convert to what one fan described as 'one of the most exciting spectator sports there is!'

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PIKEHALL HARNESS RACING - NEXT MEETING

Date: 13 June 2010

Time: 2pm

Date: 11 July 2010

Time: 2pm

Location: Pikehall


WHAT IS HARNESS RACING?

Harness Racing is horseracing with a difference, in as much that in contrast to racing in the normal pattern that most people relate to, where the horse is controlled by a jockey in the saddle, the jockey or driver, sits behind the horse in a two wheeled frame known as a sulky.

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Horses race around a circuit usually about a 1/2 mile in circumference, with the distances of races varying from 1 mile to 1 1/2 miles - at Pikehall, races vary between 1 mile and 1 1/4 miles.


HOW TO GET THERE

From Buxton follow the Ashbourne signs to Newhaven (10 miles) bear left onto the A5012 until you see the race track signs.

From Ashbourne follow the Buxton signs to Newhaven (12 miles) bear right onto the A5012 until you see the race track signs.

From Derby follow the A6 towards Matlock, bearing Left onto the A5012 at Cromford, follow the Newhaven road until you see the race track signs.

 


 

FURTHER INFORMATION

 

Contact:  Pikehall Harness Racing, Green View Farm, Pikehall, Matlock, Derbyshire, DE4 2PH

Telephone: 01335 390412

Email: info@pikehallharnessracing.co.uk

Website: www.pikehallharnessracing.co.uk


IMAGES

All the racing images are the copyright of Iain Mclaren.

 


 

Copyright Iain Mclaren

 


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