Old Newton Cup Day

Old by Name…Old by Nature

The Old Newton Cup is Haydock Park’s longest standing race and in 2012 will be staged on Saturday 7th July, though it’s history goes back beyond even the development if the track itself.  In 1898 Lord Newton leased 127 acres of land to build the racecourse as it stands now, but it had a forerunner in the nearby Old Golborne Heath Course, home of the Newton Races that had thrived since the 18th Century by staging some of the Country’s finest racing, often attended by the Royal Family.  The course was famous for its feature race, run over a mile and a half and this eventually became “The Old Newton Cup”.

This event is now among the elite brand of ‘Heritage Handicaps’, an initiative in which around 50 of the best handicaps in Britain, all worth at least £50,000, have been re-branded, many with 48 hour declarations to promote media coverage and ante-post betting.  This year’s Old Newton Cup has a total prize fund of £85,000 and its value, along with its prestige has been steadily built up over the years.  In the ‘80s the roll of honour comprised of popular names such as 'Valentinian', 'Rakaposhi King' and 'Pipstead' – the first two going on to success at pattern level and the reputation for the race as a precursor to better things has been revived in recent times through successes from 'Collier Hill' and 'Alkaased' – who is trained by Luca Cumani and won the race in both 1997 and 2005.

The weight range for the race increased again in 2005, with no upper limit on the ability of the runners, a move that can only help to increase the standard and competition of what is already one of the best handicaps of the season.

So join us on Saturday 7th July to celebrate our oldest race 'The Old Newton Cup'.  Racegoers dressed as Victorians will mingle with the crowds and head a good old-fashioned singalong after racing with 'The Haydock Brass Band' in front of the Stands on the County Enclosure Lawn to celebrate a day steeped in history.