Southwell Racecourse is poised to make a complete return to operations on Friday 2 August 2024 following an extensive recovery period after severe flooding in October of last year.
The racecourse, which has been partially operational since 24 November 2023, is now ready to welcome unrestricted numbers of visitors for the first time since the incident.
The flooding was caused by Storm Babet and submerged areas of the racecourse under up to three feet of water, necessitating significant repairs and limiting access to facilities.
Despite these challenges, Southwell has managed to host 47 meetings since November, including the £100,000 ($128,000) BetUK Winter Derby – the track's first Group race – on 24 February 2024, albeit with limited public access.
Commenting on the full reopening, Mark Clayton, Southwell's Executive Director, stated: “It’s been a fantastic effort from all the team here at Southwell to get the racecourse back to full working order after the extensive flood damage the racecourse endured in October 2023.
“Originally, we focused on what we needed to for the resumption of racing, which was the track, the stable yard and a temporary weighing room, and since then we have managed to hold 47 meetings since 24 November.
“Now with the refurbishment complete, we are thrilled to be welcoming full crowds back to the track. I would like to thank all the staff for their hard work and support during this tricky time. I would also like to thank Southwell racegoers for their patience and we look forward to providing you with the best customer experience possible in the coming weeks.”
The reopening event on 2 August will feature a six-race card starting at 2pm, with gates opening at noon.
