Towcester racecourse, which most recently has staged greyhound racing, will be renamed Betway Towcester Racecourse under a partnership with the online bookie
Sir AP McCoy celebrates his 4,000th winner at Towcester in 2013(Image: Getty Images)
The track where Sir AP McCoy memorably rode his 4,000th winner is to re-open for the first time since its 2018 closure.
Racing was first staged at Towcester racecourse in Northants in 1876 but it was forced to close eight years ago after the track went into administration with debts of more than £1.3 million and its remaining fixtures sold. Lately it has operated as a greyhound racing venue which has staged various editions of the Greyhound Derby.
But it is poised to resume jumps racing at the start of the 2027-28 season following the announcement of a landmark partnership between racecourse owners Orchestrate and online bookmaking brand Betway.
As a result the track will officially be renamed Betway Towcester Racecourse with the bookmaker becoming the exclusive betting partner across all fixtures.
Extensive refurbishment works, worth in excess of £2m, are already underway, as part of the revival which will also be documented in a fly-on-the-wall series scheduled for release in 2027.
Betway ambassador and seven-time Irish Champion National Hunt jockey Paul Townend will play a role in the return of racing, with a focus on jockey welfare, including course layout and weighing room facilities.
Towcester racecourse has not staged horse racing since 2018(Image: PA)
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.”
Orchestrate chairman Mike Davis said: “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.”