SANDRACER.COM ~ ALL WEATHER RACING BLOG

Newcastle Draw Bias

Beginners Question What is the Draw Bias?
Answer A Stall Position that gives your horse a Noticable Advantage over other horses.

5 Furlongs, 6 Furlongs
NONE The Newcastle sprints are run over a straight, wide course. If you're quick enough, you can win from any draw.

7 Furlongs, 8 Furlongs
NONE Newcastle AW course has a straight mile section. Wherever you're drawn, it has no consequence. If you're fast enough to win, you win.

9 Furlongs & Above
NONE It make no odds where you're drawn, even on the round part of the course.

All Distances
BETTING ADVICE The slightly uphill last 1.5 furlongs finish, really can catch out front runners, right up to the finishing line. I've seen a few hang on, but not many.

Newcastle Draw Bias Graphic Visuals

Draw Bias In Detailed Graphs▾

Visual Draw Bias Analysis▸ Looking at the graphs of the draw to win ratio, there is no obvious place better to be drawn in than any other at Newcastle, whether that be on the straight 5f to a mile course, or the longer distances run on the round course.

Early Pace▸ Early pace at Newcastle over 5 to the 7f distance ever so slightly favours front runners and even more so ~ prominent runners. 8f and above, the front runners find it hard to hold on. Prominent runners over 8f to 2 miles find it even more difficult.

Conclusion▸ You can back who you like at Newcastle on the all weather course. The draw, or the track layout favours no horse in particular.

The key to getting winners at Newcastle is finding horses ridden by high performing Newcastle jockeys, riding on high performing trainer's mounts. Backing them blind with high jockey/trainers stats combinations won't help though ~ you'll still do your dough.

A horse you think has plenty in it's favour regarding recent form, jockey, trainer, around the 3/1 ~ 4/1 mark and above, worth a tipple. Everything else, strike it and watch it run.

5F

Newcastle▸ 5f Draw Bias Chart

6F

Newcastle▸ 6f Draw Bias Chart

7F

Newcastle▸ 7f Draw Bias Chart

1m

Newcastle▸ 1 Mile

1m 2f

Newcastle▸ 1 Mile ~ 2 Furlongs

1m 4f

Newcastle▸ 1 Mile ~ 4 Furlongs

2m

Newcastle▸ 2 Miles

Track Map

Newcastle▸ Track Configuration

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Why Learn About Any Draw Bias▸ Track Layout▸ Course Foibles?

To Make Money▸ Simple As That▸ So when you put your money down to bet, I think you should know as much about the event as possible. Possible draw bias on a racetrack, over a particular distance, is crucial information.

Priced Up Already▸ Yes, the price of a horse, should have any potential draw bias or pace based race position advantages, baked into it already. So, why bother learn all this stuff? Good question. The answer is simple▸ There are enough punters (the majority) ~ without course specific knowledge, putting thier money down and affecting the prices of all horses in the race, to give YOU wriggle room. You do the maths.

Track Knowledge▸ Knowing the track layout, any draw biases, quirks of the course, doesn't mean you'll get the winner in every race. It will make you a bigger danger to the bookies though. It can only help you in your pursuit of winning some money.

Shifts In Draw Biases▸ Some racetracks have changable draw biases. The weather can affect where the best place on the track for a horse to race on is. Changing of the stalls position can effect where it's best to be drawn. Just watching the races and early results at a meeting can inform you of where an advantage may be. Stalls positioning and draw biases might change on any given day. Keep your eyes peeled ladies.

Watch & Learn▸ Read what you can, remember it, or write it down. Listen to everything you can about an event. You won't get confused. You'll use what you see, hear, and learn to your advantage. Watch what you can, note down what is noteworthy. With that in mind, I'll put what I find interesting, useful, or amusing about Newcastle races in the video box below.

Newcastle All Weather Racetrack Stats (Polytrack)

Official Newcastle AW Polytrack Course Details▾

Newcastle is a turf and all weather horse racing track owned and maintained by Arena Racing.

The AW track is a straight mile, from start to finish.

The round course tacks onto the end of the straight course and goes round, in a left turning, oval shaped loop, for about another 16 furlongs.

It goes all the way around and back on to the straight, like a big letter P.

History Of Newcastle Racecourse

Early History▾

Newcastle Racecourse, located at High Gosforth Park in the north of England, is steeped in over 350 years of horse racing tradition. Originally staged at Killingworth in the early 1600s and later on Newcastle Town Moor, racing found a permanent home in 1882 when the current racecourse was established.

The move to Gosforth Park ~ championed by the region’s elite ~ saw a purpose-built venue constructed with a grandstand, extensive stables, and courses for both flat and jump racing. This laid the foundation for Newcastle to become the north-east’s premier racing destination.

• c.1600s ~ Early race meetings held at Killingworth.
• 1833 ~ Northumberland Plate inaugurated on Newcastle Town Moor.
• 1882 ~ Newcastle Racecourse officially opens at Gosforth Park.

Modernisation & Growth▾

Newcastle saw major redevelopment during the 20th century. The 1960s brought new Tattersalls and Club stands, improving the experience for spectators. In 1969, the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth Hurdle was introduced, helping Newcastle establish a reputation in National Hunt racing.

Further investment came in the 1990s when Northern Racing acquired the venue and injected £11 million into modernising facilities. A new parade ring, hospitality upgrades, and course enhancements followed, boosting attendance and attracting top-tier racing talent.

• 1965 ~ New grandstands built, enhancing racegoer facilities.
• 1969 ~ Fighting Fifth Hurdle launched as a Grade 1 hurdle race.
• 1994 ~ Northern Racing purchase and invest £11m in redevelopment.

All Weather Era▾

In 2016, Newcastle Racecourse entered a new era with the introduction of a Tapeta all weather (AW) track, replacing the former flat turf surface. The conversion made Newcastle the only British course with a floodlit, straight mile AW track ~ ideal for both evening fixtures and winter racing.

Unlike Lingfield, Newcastle retained its turf jumps course, continuing to stage National Hunt meetings year-round. The venue now offers a balanced calendar of AW flat and turf jump racing, appealing to a broad racing audience.

• 2013 ~ Plans announced to install Tapeta all weather surface.
• 2016 ~ Tapeta AW track opens with the first meeting on May 17.
• Unique Feature ~ Only UK course with floodlit straight mile on AW.

Racing Profile▾

Newcastle hosts both flat and jump fixtures, with over 60 meetings annually. Its Tapeta AW track supports top-level flat racing, while the National Hunt turf course stages key jumps events like the Eider Chase and Fighting Fifth Hurdle.

The Northumberland Plate remains a summer highlight, now run on the AW but still referred to as the Pitmen’s Derby due to its working-class roots.

• 1-mile floodlit straight AW track (Tapeta) for flat racing.
• Turf track for National Hunt steeplechases and hurdles.
• Home of the Fighting Fifth Hurdle (Grade 1) and Eider Chase (4m).
• Over 60 race days annually, including Northumberland Plate Festival.

Notable Moments▾

In 2019, Newcastle hosted Britain’s first Group 1 race on an AW track when the Vertem Futurity Trophy was relocated from Doncaster due to waterlogging. Kameko triumphed in a historic moment for AW racing.

The course’s Tapeta surface is widely praised by trainers for consistency and safety. Horses like Enable have used Newcastle as part of their development, highlighting its growing importance in the flat racing calendar.

• 2016 ~ AW racing begins on Tapeta ~ first floodlit straight mile.
• 2019 ~ Hosts Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy ~ UK AW first.
• Year-Round ~ One of the UK’s most active dual-code racecourses.

Community & Legacy▾

Newcastle Racecourse plays a vital role in the northeast’s sporting and cultural scene. It supports tourism, creates jobs, and brings tens of thousands of spectators each year for racing and hospitality events.

The Northumberland Plate Festival weekend alone generates an estimated £30 million for the local economy. With modern facilities and historical racing roots, the venue balances tradition and innovation as it continues to thrive in 2025 and hopefully, fingers crossed ~ for many years to come.

• 1882 ~ Present Day ~ Racing at Gosforth Park for 140+ years.
• £30m+ ~ Economic uplift from Northumberland Plate Festival alone.
• 2025 ~ Continues as a flagship dual-surface racecourse in the UK.

Timeline Snapshot▾

Summary Evaluation▾

From 17th century beginnings to modern-day Group 1 glory, Newcastle Racecourse has evolved into a leading racing venue with deep historical roots and cutting edge facilities. Its Tapeta AW track and National Hunt heritage deliver year round action, while big races like the Northumberland Plate and Fighting Fifth Hurdle highlight its national importance.

Newcastle Racecourse Data▾

• Newcastle Racecourse is a dual-surface (turf and Tapeta all weather) racecourse, owned and operated by the Arena Racing Company (ARC).
• Betting Availability▸ On-site betting available throughout all enclosures▸ exact number of bookmakers varies by fixture, with a full betting ring in operation on major race days.
• Track Surfaces▸ Tapeta all weather ~ 1-mile straight for flat racing▸ Turf ~ left-handed course used primarily for National Hunt races.
• Location▸ Newcastle Racecourse is located at Gosforth Park, around 4 miles north of Newcastle city centre.
• Parking▸ Free on-site parking for all visitors▸ ample capacity for thousands of vehicles on both race and event days.
• Public Transport▸ Buses 43 and 44 run frequently from Haymarket Bus Station to the racecourse▸ free shuttle buses operate from nearby Metro stations on race days.
• Closest Rail & Metro▸ Newcastle Central Station (mainline rail, ~15 mins by taxi)▸ Regent Centre or Four Lane Ends Metro stations (approx. 2 miles), with free race-day shuttle service.
• Nearest Airport▸ Newcastle International Airport (~6 miles), with direct Metro link to city centre and short taxi ride to the course.
• On-Course Dining▸ Restaurants include the Gosforth Park Suite, Park View Suite, Charles Brandling Room▸ plus bars and food halls like the Brandling Bar, Eider Bar, and Family Foodhall.
• Stand Development▸ Club and Tattersalls stands were constructed in 1965▸ major redevelopment and facility upgrades undertaken in 1994 by Northern Racing.
• Coordinates▾
  Newcastle Racecourse Geo Location
  Newcastle Racecourse Google Map

Newcastle Racetrack Contact Details▾

Newcastle Racecourse
High Gosforth Park
Newcastle upon Tyne, NE3 5HP

☎ 0191 236 2020
✉ info@newcastle-racecourse.co.uk