Sunday 10th of October 1999
A group of 30, family and friends, went to Doncaster Racecourse, which is a top racing course in South Yorkshire, for the famous Lincoln race held on the 30th March 2019.
We were travelling to Doncaster to see our racehorse Saltonstall, trained in Ireland by Ado McGuinness, run in the main race of the day.
It was a very exciting experience and our first main runner for Dooley Thoroughbreds at a major UK racecourse.
You can have sole ownership of a racehorse or form a syndicate with friends which offers fun and excitement for a smaller investment.
We decided to travel over on the Friday afternoon so all the family could meet up the evening before and soak up the atmosphere.
It is a fantastic venue in a great location with good motorway links, car parking facilities and train links (one of my sons got the train up from London and had no problems getting to the venue).
There were lots of Doncaster hotels to choose from but we wanted one near Doncaster racecourse - well we couldn’t have got any closer!
We decided to stay at the brand new Hilton Garden Inn which is situated next to the course.
The Hilton Garden Inn turned out to be a great choice. The hotel looked good when we looked online for somewhere to stay but to be honest it was nicer than we imagined and exceeded our expectations! An excellent modern hotel, which was convenient for easy access to the course on race day (it actually overlooks and is connected to the racetrack).
They have a great bar and restaurant where we all ate on Friday night, as well as serving a very good breakfast which got you ready for the day ahead.
The rooms were big and spacious, with rooms on the “racecourse side” having a spectacular view looking down the course! If it was bad weather you could, if you wanted, stay in your room and watch the races!
We would highly recommend staying here if you are going to Doncaster races all the staff were friendly and very helpful.
As recent owners of racehorses, we were buzzing and looking forward to the day ahead.
The weather on the day was great and the atmosphere brilliant. In many ways the weather was too good as our racehorse would have preferred softer going.
As owners, we were lucky enough to be able to visit the stables, with the trainers, the night before to make sure our horse had settled in after travelling over from Ireland.
On the day of the race we were all excited and up early as we had the opportunity to walk the course in the morning before the day’s events began. It was all so exhilarating and certainly an adrenaline rush.
After walking the course and a good breakfast we all got dressed in our finery for the day ahead, and we weren’t disappointed.
My son decided to hire a suite for the day which afforded us great views and a balcony and a 6-course meal. Right from the off the staff were friendly and attentive, on hand at all times, and the food outstanding.
Before the race, we were allowed to go inside the parade ring to meet up with the Trainers and the jockey and see all the fine horses close up. Then off to the grandstand to cheer our horse on - unfortunately, we didn't return to the parade ring at the end of the race as winners!
I had never been to Doncaster Racecourse before and as it is one of the finest racecourses in England - we were all very impressed.
The racecourse itself is both spectacular and well thought out with plenty of amenities, it was very clean and the staff friendly and helpful.
This whole experience was amazing - It was a top-class day - fun fun fun for all ages and I would definitely recommend to anyone for a great day out.
Can't wait to go again - it was awesome!