Newcastle Racecourse increased its turnover to nearly £25m in 2025, with operating profits rising from £1.1m to £1.5m, according to newly published accounts for High Gosforth Park Limited, the company behind the Gosforth Park venue and its 18-hole golf course and driving range.
Turnover edged up from £23.08m the previous year, a rise the company's directors said came despite cost of living pressures on punters' spending and the costs of running the site.
Key events drive growth
The year saw the return of major summer fixtures such as the Northumberland Plate Festival and Ladies Day, which often draw large crowds, alongside regular student nights and stag and hen party offers. Directors said they were satisfied with the results and remained optimistic for the future.
Non-racing events also helped bring customers to the 812-acre site, which includes its own pub, the Border Minstrel. The Northumbrian Water Innovation festival brought about 3,000 people to the Racecourse across its programme of talks, demonstrations and workshops.
Record Ladies Day and other events
In September, the Space Safari Drone Light Show staged more than 500 drones in a choreographed display, along with fairground rides, gaming stalls, virtual reality experiences and food and drink vendors. The same month saw the Newcastle Quilting and Sewing Show hold a two-day celebration aimed at quilters and stitchers.
Earlier in the summer, the Racecourse hailed a record-breaking Ladies Day, attracting more than 19,000 racegoers, the highest attendance for the event in over a decade.
Cost pressures and investment
Writing in the accounts, High Gosforth Park director Kieran Gallagher said: "The company's principal revenue streams are dependent on British horseracing fixtures being staged. Challenges remained on food and fuel prices throughout the year despite CPI falling from 10.1% at the start of the year to 4% by December 2025.
"The continued focus on the cost of living has put pressure on UK leisure spending habits upon which the company relies. Investment in fixed assets during the year was restricted to essential works, committed projects and the fulfilment of regulatory obligations."
Gallagher added that all other expenditure was closely monitored and that the company made use of additional funding from group companies during the year, reflected in the increase in amounts due to group companies at the year end.
