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UK Trotting

The first recorded harness race in the United Kingdom took place on Newmarket Heath on 29th August 1750; although it is estimated that races were held from as early as the mid 1700s. The first harness race had few similarities to the high tension sporting events we enjoy today. Reportedly the Earl of March and the Earl of Eglintowne - apparently the only punters on the scene - bet the enormous sum of 1,000 guineas whether or not four horses could pull a four-wheeled cart with only one passenger over the distance of 19 miles in under an hour.
And just like that, British horse racing took it's hold on the country.

Today betting is open for all, naturally, and all matters trotting are governed by the British Harness Racing Club (BHRC). We have compiled a complete UK Betting Feature section here for all the information and advice you might need in making your online bets.

Since the 1800s North American standarbreds were imported to the United Kingdom, sometimes only for one or two siring seasons, causing what is considered the 'British' standardbred to share wide arrays of heritage with the classic standardbred from the United States. The record for fastest standardbred in British trotting history is held by Stoneriggs J.R. with a time of one minute 55.7 seconds being the current British mile record.

Amongst the United Kingdom's most frequented, most famous racetracks are York Race Course in Pool Lane (nine miles west of York), Corbiewood near Bannockburn, and Tir Prince at Towyn, a track which also includes an amusement park making a trip to the trots enjoyable for the whole family; all of which are hard tracks (as opposed to the grassy alternative).

Tir Prince hosts thrilling events such as the Crock of Gold and the Welsh Cup, as well as special events for young drivers keen to display their talent; Corbiewood was the first harness racing facility to be opened in Scotland and is currently famed for its second-to-none commentator David Douglas, silver-tongued prince of the track. In August spectators, breeders and afficionados flock to the original Scottish race track to try their luck or just get some kicks at the Corbiewood Breeders Crown. York hosts an annual Major York Championship Race for three- and four-year-olds respectively, also known as the York Harness Raceway Classic.

However, not all harness races in the United Kingdom are of the trotting variety. While the European mainland conducts all its harness races trotting style, the United Kingdom also offers pacing races at its standardbred race tracks. So take care when choosing your race dates and make sure you are in for the right treat.