Horse racing in the historic border city of Carlisle dates back to at least the 16th Century and each year Carlisle Racecourse holds the Cumberland Plate and Carlisle Bell races, carrying on a tradition which dates back to that era.
Amongst it's innumerable 'claims to fame', Carlisle launched the first operational Tote on British racecourses in 1929 and notably Red Rum won at the Carlisle September meeting prior to each of his Grand National wins. More recently, it also held the world's first race meeting exclusively for Lady jockeys, an event which attracted over 10,500 spectators and was recognised as the Best Event of 2011 by the Racecourse Association
Progressive upgrading of the facilities has taken place over the years but none as significant as the construction of a brand new 'state-of-the-art' The Edinburgh Woollen Mill Grandstand, which opened in October 2002. Race goers can now enjoy superb horse racing from their own private box or in the luxury of the Swifts Restaurant.
