Then why not visit us here at Haydock Park Racecourse and you will have the opportunity to view all of our facilities, see the latest catwalk trends and discuss your wedding plans with over 25 Exhibitors.

Our next Wedding Fayre is scheduled for Sunday 7th September 2008 and opens from 12 noon until 4pm with Admission at £1.00 per person which includes a complimentary glass of Bucks Fizz on arrival.

Car Parking is free.

Don't Miss Out - come and join us here at Haydock Park's unique venue and our team of friendly staff look forward to welcoming you!

On Saturday (eve) 19th July, Cancer Research UK will be hosting their annual fund-raising event, which promises to be a fun event with an important message that increases both the awareness and education about cancer risk and the work of Cancer Research UK at both a local and national level.

They are hoping that your company/organisation will benefit from this awareness and the chance to have an entertaining evening whilst supporting such a worthwhile cause.

Click on the link below which is a brochure detailing the raceday packages available for this event or contact Christine Blundell on 07966 888667 or Helen Ferns on 07867 531922 for further details.

On Friday the 9th of May, Haydock Park Racecourse will be descending on Manchester's Great Northern Square, offering you and your mates the chance to experience a taste of what Haydock has to offer, from 3pm onwards.

Haydock is proud to have their partners for the season, Harvey Nichols, present at the event, where they will be showcasing the latest in paddock fashion with models and style advisors on hand and, as if that wasn't enough, Harvey Nichols will also be serving champagne from their bespoke bar.

Also featuring at the event will be our sweepstake races, using highlight races from our 2007 season, with a personalised Manchester touch so you can cheer on your favourite Mancunian landmark to the finish and win yourself something truly unique!  You will receive your race card on arrival to the event.

Keep your luck flowing with a go on the Nintendo Wii and try and leave the rest in your dust as you race your Wii jockey to virtual victory!

We have also got an exciting piece of equipment straight from BHEST (British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust), the latest in exercise technology, a saddle that helps tone and strengthen muscles, improve stability and gives everyone a good laugh along the way!

So why race home on Friday?

ORGANISED BY PAUL CLARKSON SPORTING PROMOTIONS IN ASSOCIATION WITH HAYDOCK PARK RACECOURSE

ITINERARY

The Dubai International Carnival which gets underway in January culminates in the world's richest race meeting on Saturday 29th March at the fabulous Nad Al Sheba racecourse when there will be an incredible US $31 million on offer.  The centrepiece of this fabulous days' racing will be the 13th running of The Dubai World Cup.  This 1¼-mile Group 1 race offers a total prize fund of US $6 million with US $3.6 million going to the winner. In addition to the racing, Dubai offers visitors top class international resort facilities as well as year round sunshine.  It is a place of fascinating contrasts with the city offering the perfect blend between the past and the present. The atmospheric old town, with its markets and alleyways, is contrasted with the ultra modern and cosmopolitan new town, which provides some of the best shopping on the planet.

Day 1: Tuesday 25th March 2008:
Manchester to Dubai   Depart Manchester 20.00 Arrive Dubai 06.50 (Wednesday)
Newcastle to Dubai (via Paris) Depart Newcastle  16.55 Arrive Dubai 08.45 (Wednesday)
London Heathrow to Dubai  Depart Heathrow  21.00 Arrive Dubai 07.50 (Wednesday)
Flights from Manchester and Heathrow are direct to Dubai with Emirates Airlines and Virgin respectively.  However flights to/from Newcastle are via Paris with Air France.

Day 2: Wednesday 26th March:
Transfer from Dubai Airport to the 4 star Avari Hotel (www.avari.com/avaridubai.htm) where we will be based for seven nights.  Ideally located in the heart of the city on the Deira side close to several major shopping malls and other major landmarks including the Dubai Creek Golf & Yacht Club.  The remainder of the day at leisure.

Day 3: Thursday 27th March:
Day at Leisure.  However the following two optional excursions are available:
07.00 - 10.00 'Breakfast with the Stars' at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse
18.30 – 24.00 'Arabian Nights Party' hosted by Sheikh Mohammed.

Day 4: Friday 28th March:
Morning at leisure.
13.00   – Leave hotel by coach for Nad Al Sheba racecourse and a tour of the Godolphin Gallery.  We will also be having a stable visit to the yard of one of Dubai's leading trainers.  Return to hotel by approx 18.00

Day 5: Saturday 29th March:
Morning at leisure. 
13.00  - Depart for racing at Nad Al Sheba and the Dubai World Cup.  Please note that admission to the racecourse is not included in the cost of the holiday.  Please find attached details of the two admission options which are available to you.

Day 6: Sunday 30th March:
Day free at leisure

Day 7: Monday 31st March:
A coach is available for the whole day to take us to various places of interest in and around Dubai. 

Day 8: Tuesday 1st April
Day free at leisure

Day 9: Wednesday 2nd April
Check out of the hotel after breakfast and go by coach to Dubai airport for your flight home.
Dubai to Manchester .  Depart Dubai 14.35 Arrive Manchester 19.05
Dubai to Newcastle (via Paris) Depart Dubai 11.40 Arrive Newcastle  20.45
Dubai to London Heathrow  Depart Dubai 09.30 Arrive Heathrow  13.50

THE COST OF THE HOLIDAY IS £999 PER PERSON.  Included in the price is:
• 7 nights Bed and Breakfast at the 4 star Avari Hotel
• Return Flights to/from Dubai from either Manchester, Newcastle or London Heathrow
• Return transfers between Dubai Airport and the hotel • Transfer to/from racecourse on World Cup Day
• Half day visit to a racing stable and Godolphin Gallery at Nad Al Sheba
• Full day sightseeing tour by coach 

Not Included in the price:
Comprehensive Travel Insurance -  this is available on request
Single Room Supplement
Admission to the International Village and any Hospitality Package at Nad Al Sheba on Dubai World Cup Day
Optional Excursions including 'Breakfast with the Stars' and Arabian Nights Party.
Deposit Requirement:
We require an initial non-refundable deposit of £200.00 per person. Balance is due 8 weeks before departure. 
Places are limited and will be allocated on a first come first served basis.  Please make your cheque payable to South Quay Travel and send to Paul Clarkson, The Paddocks, Strickens Lane, Barnacre, Garstang, Lancashire PR3 1UD.  Paul Clarkson Sporting Promotions and Haydock Park racecourse are acting as agents for South Quay Travel and Leisure, Atol No: 4619.
FLIGHT AND HOTEL UPGRADES ARE AVAILABLE. PLEASE CONTACT PAUL TO DISCUSS YOUR
REQUIREMENTS AND FOR A QUOTATION.
If you have any questions about this trip then please ring Paul on 01995 605790 or 07802 764094

If the Dubai World Cup Race Meeting does not take place on Saturday 29th March 2008 for any reason then the trip will still go ahead as planned.

DUBAI TRIPS AND EXCURSIONS
Please note that all the trips and excursions in Dubai are subject to alteration or change. There is limited availability for 'Breakfast with the Stars', 'The Arabian Nights Party' and the hospitality package at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse on Dubai World Cup Day.. Places cannot be guaranteed and an early booking will be essential.

BREAKFAST WITH THE STARS (Thursday 27th March) - Cost £25 per person
This takes place between 07.00 and 10.00 at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse. An entertaining morning combining the opportunity to watch the early morning workouts together with informal interviews with racing celebrities from across the globe who are involved in the World Cup. A buffet breakfast is also provided. 

ARABIAN NIGHTS PARTY (Thursday evening 27th March) - Cost on application
Hosted by Sheikh Mohammed in the desert, a lavish barbecue dinner is served in spectacular surroundings.

SATURDAY – DUBAI WORLD CUP
Two admission packages are available.  You are asked to select one of the following two options:-
International Village - Cost £30 per person
The heart of the social scene, the International Village is enhanced each year and is a great spot to soak up the exhilarating atmosphere of the Dubai World Cup.  Accessed by ticket only, the International Village incorporates a multitude of food and beverage outlets and also features the partizone, the bubble lounge, exhibition stands, the style arena, live entertainment and giant screens to view the racing.  Admission to the International Village includes complimentary official magazine and racecard on arrival.

Hospitality Package - Maktoum Terrace - Cost £100 per person
The Maktoum Grandstand is located in a prime position in front of the finish line. Maktoum Terrace seats are located on level 1 of the grandstand and have direct views of the winning post and parade ring.  The package is fully inclusive of the following:
 Full pre event documentation to include entrance tickets, race day guide and wallet
 Complimentary official magazines and racecards on arrival
 Reserved grandstand seat on the Maktoum Terrace
 Food and Beverage package by Jumeirah Hospitality:
Afternoon Tea
Substantial snack menu
Unlimited juices, non alcoholic sparkling drinks, soft drinks, coffee & tea
 Access to the International Village
 Access to the Paddock Lawns
 Entry into the Pick Seven competition

STABLE VISIT (Friday afternoon 28th March) - There is no charge for this visit
We will be visiting one of the leading trainers based at Nad Al Sheba Racecourse for a tour of their yard on the eve of the World Cup.

GODOLPHIN GALLERY (Friday afternoon 28th March) - There is no additional charge for this visit
Located at the racecourse it is home to the treasures captured by the Godolphin racing stable in their global campaign to race the finest thoroughbreds in the world.  On display is every major trophy won by Godolphin together with photographic memorabilia and interactive audio-visual presentations.

IN ADDITION TO THE ABOVE, VARIOUS EXCURSIONS WILL BE AVAILABLE WHILST YOU ARE IN DUBAI.  THESE INCLUDE:- SHARJAH – AJMAN CITY TOUR; DHOW DINNER CRUISE; DESERT SAFARI; CRAB HUNTING; ABU DHABI CITY TOUR; AL AIN CITY TOUR; DUBAI RACING EXPERIENCE, ETC.  THESE CAN BE BOOKED EITHER BEFORE YOUR DEPARTURE OR THROUGH THE HOTEL UPON ARRIVAL.

Racing on Saturday 22nd March features a seven race card of jump racing action sponsored by Sports 360, bet365 and Red Square Vodka including the Red Square Vodka Fixed Brush Hurdle Final!

For the kids, there's an Easter garden workshop where they can paint eggs, make flowers, bees and butterflies!

The Easter Bunny will be making an appearance, alongside rides, face painting and balloon modellers.

Full Race Card:
2.30pm: The sports360.co.uk Handicap Hurdle Race
3.00pm: The Red Square Vodka "Fixed Brush" Novices' Hurdle Final Bonus Race
3.35pm: The Sports 360 Leaders In Sports Advertising "Fixed Brush" Handicap Hurdle Race
4.10pm: The Sports 360 & The Football Conference Handicap Steeple Chase
4.45pm: The bet365 Handicap Steeple Chase
5.20pm: The Sports 360 Novices' Steeple Chase
5.50pm: The Sports 360 Rugby League's Advertising Specialists Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race

So come along and join us for an Egg...cellent day's racing and family fun!

Once again the Lambourn Trainers Association members are opening their yards to the public on Good Friday 21st March 2008.

The proceeds from the day will go to the Lambourn Valley Housing Trust, a registered charity which is building homes for young, married and retired stable staff in the Valley and the Air Ambulance which has helped many stable staff over the last few years, plus their families & other local charities.

For further details, please visit the Lambourn website on www.lambourn.info or email Sandra Nolan at sandra@ejwicks.co.uk.

Haydock Park Racecourse is not only one of the most accessible, but among the most picturesque racecourses in the north.  Access to the course is off the A49 close to Ashton.  The course is superbly served by motorways and the M6 and the M62 converge close by.

Haydock Park is often advertised as being conveniently situated at equal distances from both Manchester and Liverpool and yet in spite of this close proximity to industry, the actual course is in a setting of woodland and tree-lined avenues.  Indeed, it still retains much of the atmosphere of a park, a reminder of the days when it was in the possession of the Leghs, a great Lancashire family, who on elevation to peerage took the name of Newton from their local connections and later moved to Cheshire, where they did much to enrich the story of the neighbouring County Palatine.

A good day's racing in such a setting soon causes one to forget the nearness of the sprawling towns and captures something of the magic of what, though called the "Sport of Kings" was then equally the sport of the miner, the cotton worker and all who followed Lancashire's industries and to whom Haydock Park Racecourse was something more intimate and purposeful than what was considered the more "fashionable" courses at Ascot, Epsom, Goodwood and Newmarket.

The true Lancastrian has always been fond of horses and there is a definite link between Haydock Park and a series of meetings first instituted at Newton-le-Willows, two and a half miles away, in 1752.

The Newton meetings, which apart from a break about the 1820's, continued until 1898, seems in its initial stages to have been mainly sponsored and patronised by members of the Newton Hunt, one of the many Lancashire Hunts that thrived in the days before so much of the southern part of the county was given over to industry.  Today, no pack of hounds is maintained anywhere is this vicinity, although in the 1850's the Hon. W Gerard had the Garswood Harriers kennelled at Garswood Park, on the opposite side of the road to the present racecourse, as well as a pack of staghounds which from time to time hunted fox and the Aspull Harriers who also hunted in the Wigan area and were not disbanded until 1914.  Part of the Territory of the last mentioned pack is now hunted by the Holcombe Harriers, but the southern boundary is several miles north of Haydock Park.

For some years, the Newton race meetings, which were held on an extensive stretch of common known as Golborne Heath, were similar to those in many other parts of the country.  Although mainly supported by hunting folk, the racing seems to have been open to all who cared to come along and enjoy the sport.  The arrival of industry into the area appears to have given a boost to the organisers and even 100 years ago the pattern of the present Haydock Park meeting as a gathering ground for the sporting folk of the county, apart from hunting interests, was being moulded.  A painting, by Charles Towne, showing the meeting of 1831 reveals a well-packed series of grandstands and an advertisement for the 1843 meeting announced "good beds and good stables at all the inns in Newton".

In 1898, however, the promoters decided to make a move to another site and with the late John Davies (who did so much to develop the Manchester Racecourse at Castle Irwell) as one of the guiding hands, a long term lease of land at Haydock Park was obtained from Lord Newton, whose ancestors of the Legh Family had been connected with the Newton races ever since their inception.  The following February the first ever Haydock Park meeting was held under National Hunt rules and there was flat racing under Jockey Club rules in May and August of the same year.

In 1889 admission into Tattersalls was £1.00 per day for flat racing and 15 shillings for National Hunt meetings.  The cheaper rings were 4 shillings and 1 shilling, plus 1 shilling entrance onto the course.  Annual membership was 5 guineas, payable at the beginning of the year.

From the end of the last century until racing was abandoned during the Second World War, Haydock Park was gradually developed until it became the scene of some of the most popular and best attended fixtures of the Northern calendar.  The railway line from Manchester to Liverpool ran past the course and a station was built immediately opposite the main entrance.  This line and station is now closed.

During the war years, not only was racing abandoned, but the course was taken over for military purposes with troops from all the Allied Nations being quartered there.  Nissen Huts soon filled the paddocks and the United States Army authorities erected glider huts about the course itself.

After the end of hostilities, the task of putting Haydock Park into trim for racing activities again was no small one, but the remains of Army occupation were eventually removed, the paddocks assumed their former tree-lined loveliness, the stabling was extended and the first post-war meeting took place on 14th and 15th August, 1946.

Few racecourses in the land have a more compact appearance and indeed only a couple of 100 yards separate the stables, containing over 150 boxes from the main stand.  Between the two is the parade ring, recently extensively refurbished.  The facilities at Haydock Park are excellent and include 33 private viewing boxes which are sited over 3 floors of the Tommy Whittle Stand and can accommodate up to 20 guests in each.  For larger parties, the Luncheon Rooms can be linked together or the Park Suite which runs the whole length of the top floor of the Makerfield Stand is capable of seating 400 guests or can be sectioned off for smaller parties of 110 or 220.  On most racedays, a viewing restaurant operates in one of the sections and is always in high demand.

The course itself is a left handed oval circuit of just over one and a half miles, with a straight run in of 5 furlongs.  The steeplechase course is mainly inside that used for flat events.  All of the stands command virtually uninterrupted views of the entire course and this is one aspect that visitors to Haydock Park find advantageous.

Not only are the spectators well catered for, but a post-war innovation had been the provision of a hostel for stable boys and girls.  Originally a building used by the American troops as a hospital was converted for the purpose, but proved so popular that the accommodation was extended to cater for up to 70.  Over the years, the hostel was moved once again and then in 1985 a new hostel block was built at the back of the stables.  There is now accommodation for 60 lads and 14 girls and more recently a luxurious conservatory has been added.

Haydock Park must be one of the most used racecourses in the country with racing on 29 days in 2008, combining the very best of both Flat and National Hunt.

The Old Newton Cup is the last tangible surviving link between the original course and Haydock Park.  In 1899 the race was run at its current home at a value of £400 and today its race value is £100,000, run over a mile and a half course at the annual July meeting.  The first mention of this race was at the old Newton-le-Willows meeting in 1807 – the same year in which the first of the races for the Ascot Gold Cup was held – but before that a race for a Gold Cup was a feature of the Lancashire fixture and it is generally believed that the predecessor of the present trophy was one valued at £50 and offered at the first recorded meeting in 1752 for horses belonging to members of the Newton Hunt.  In those days, too, the race was over 4 miles.

The history of the Old Newton Cup is almost synonymous with that of flat racing in Lancashire and the names of the various winning jockeys read almost like a recital of the great figures throughout the last 180 years.  Indeed, among those who rode in the Newton Cup races on the old course are Jem Snowden, Tom Challoner and Johnny Osborne.  Undoubtedly the greatest of them all was Fred Archer, champion jockey for 13 years in succession who had a great win at Golborne Heath on a horse named Anchorite.

The days of Newton Cup races on the original course came to an end in 1898, the Newton-le-Willows meeting being transferred almost piecemeal to Haydock Park the following year and the first to win the trophy in its new surroundings was Mr W J Wiling's "Arsenal", ridden by Tommy Weldon and trained by Mr W E Elsey, father of Capt F Elsey who trained at Malton.

In 1807 the value money was £100, but with the transfer to Haydock Park came an increase to £400 and commensurate with the growing prestige of the course itself, there have been corresponding increases in the value of this race.  Soon after the end of the First World War it was stepped up to £1,000 and when racing resumed after the Second World War it went up to £1,600 and then to £2,000 and now up to a worthy £100,000.

The first horse to win the race on 2 occasions was Sir Charles Hynd's "Grease Paint", a son of "Gainsborough" which won in 1930 with Brownie Carslake in the saddle and again in 1932 when ridden by A Burns.  In 1936 and 1937 the feat was emulated by Mr G Ashworth's "Pegasus" which was the first to register 2 successive wins.  One the first of these occasions, the rider was Harry Carr, who was at this time the Queens jockey and on the second occasion it was the popular Lancashire jockey, Billy Nevett.

Another great feat was that of Mr Fred Armstrong who supplied 3 successive winners in the Majaraja of Baroda's "Preceptic" (1948), H E Habid I Rabtimtoola's "Teacko" (1949) and Mr J L Hansborough's "Courier" (1950).  To commemorate this achievement, Mr Armstrong was presented with an inscribed cigar box by the Haydock Park Directors.

Haydock Park is famed in racing annals as the scene of the biggest "odds" every paid out at the Tote.  That was at a November 1929 meeting, when a Liverpool lady, on looking through the list of 34 runners in one of the races, noticed that a horse named "Coole" had not a single backer.  More out of pity than anything else, she remedied the fact and remained the solitary supporter.  The horse won at the amazing odds of 3410 to 1.

One of the most interesting personalities at Haydock Park over the years was the late Mr S H Sandon, who was connected with the course for over 50 years as Managing Director and 46 of those years as Secretary.  He had a host of good stories concerning different incidents in the development of this Lancashire course.  One of the best of these is how, some 70 odd years ago, he got a surprise when on the morning of a meeting an aircraft circled overhead and then came down in the centre of the course.  He hurried to the spot and out of the plane came the late Steve Donoghue, who travelled especially from Paris to ride in the first race.  The great Steve won the event and boarded his plan immediately afterwards.

Steve's innovation started a new idea and since then there has been a landing strip in the centre of the course at Haydock Park and is used regularly by both jockeys and visitors alike.

Don't miss out this Festive Season ... join in with our 2008 Christmas Celebrations @ The Park!

Whatever you are looking for this Christmas you can be sure to find it here at Haydock Park ... from amazing Tribute Bands, Traditional Disco Party Evenings to your Own Private Celebration, here @ The Park you can enjoy a unique atmosphere, excellent food and entertainment ... and most of all, a Great Party!

For further information on our Festive Celebrations, click on the Christmas Link in our Conference Section or contact our Sales Office on 01942 402623.