Towcester racecourse, the Northamptonshire track where Sir AP McCoy rode his 4,000th winner in 2013, is set to reopen for horse racing for the first time since its closure in 2018. The venue, which has since hosted greyhound racing including editions of the Greyhound Derby, will resume jumps racing at the start of the 2027-28 season following a landmark partnership between owners Orchestrate and online bookmaker Betway.
Renaming and Refurbishment
Under the partnership, the course will be renamed Betway Towcester Racecourse, with Betway becoming the exclusive betting partner across all fixtures. Extensive refurbishment works worth over £2 million are already underway, covering track improvements, weighing room facilities, and course layout enhancements. The revival will also be documented in a fly-on-the-wall series scheduled for release in 2027.
Seven-time Irish Champion National Hunt jockey Paul Townend, a Betway ambassador, will contribute to the return of racing, focusing on jockey welfare including course layout and weighing room design.
Historic Significance and Past Closure
Racing first took place at Towcester in 1876, but the track was forced to close in 2018 after entering administration with debts exceeding £1.3 million. Its remaining fixtures were sold off. Since then, it has operated primarily as a greyhound racing venue.
Lewis Knowles, PR Manager at Betway, said: “Towcester has such a rich history within British racing, and we’re delighted to be partnering with the team there to bring horse racing back to what is such an iconic racecourse. As Principal Strategic Partners, we plan to offer a truly unique experience for racegoers, owners, trainers, and jockeys at Betway Towcester Racecourse. The hard work is already well underway as the team prepare the track and facilities for racing's return.”
Licensing and Future Plans
Orchestrate chairman Mike Davis commented: "It has always been our ambition to bring horse racing back to Towcester for the local community and fans of the sport. This partnership turns that vision into a reality. We are now working with the BHA to secure the necessary racecourse licences, to enable us to race in the Autumn of 2027. Positive conversations are also underway to finalise fixtures for that period, and it is amazing to see the racing community all working together to promote the sport."
