Race type - Jump
Sedgefield
Course details
Located at the Durham countryside Sedgefield Racecourse is a popular track notably with the popular Boxing Day meeting drawing attention. The track is just 1m2f round and it’s sharp bends and undulations don’t suit every type of horse, with the long-striding galloping types disadvantaged in particular. Sedgefield is used for jump racing only. Unusually for a jumps course, there is no water jump.
GUIDE - For Racecourse
Left-handed, oval circuit of around 1m2f
Fox hunting has a long tradition in this part of the Durham countryside and when the current track opened in 1846 it quickly became known as the the 'Melton of the North'; rivalling the Leicestershire Melton which was the the fox hunting centre of England at the time. Apart from breaks for the world wars, racing continued throughout the twentieth century and the refurbishment instigated by course chairman Frank Scotto in the latter part of that century has ensured that race-goers today enjoy some top-class facilities in what is a friendly and relaxed atmosphere - attending the popular Boxing Day meeting is something of a tradition in the area.
Principal Races
John Wade is a local businessman and race sponsor, putting his name to a series of valuable novices' hurdles, culminating in the 'John Wade Final Raceday' in late April. At the same meeting, the Durham National over 3m4f attracts the cream of the local staying handicap chasers, and carries a good purse for the track (£5.7k in 2011), as does the handicap chase over 2m4f. Prize money is never really enough to attract the big southern yards to this northerly venue, though.
Course Characteristics
The track is just 1m2f round and it's sharp bends and undulations don't suit every type of horse, with the long-striding galloping types disadvantaged in particular - they are best catered for at nearby Hexham or Newcastle. The run-in is mainly uphill and this brings stamina into play with the lead changing several times, and even more so on the heavy ground that so often prevails in the depths of winter. In drier periods, the track is prone to frost and many a meeting has been abandoned due to a frozen surface. Unusually for a jumps course, there is no water jump, this being removed in the 92/93 season.
Top Trainers
Ferdy Murphy loves a crack at the big races in the spring, landing many a successful gamble in the process, and many of his runners prep here en route. The thinking being that by winning a lowly race here they will stay under the handicapper's radar and have a 'few pounds in hand' when they travel south. It seems to work and the trainer's 32 winners here in the past five seasons make him worth following at any stage of the season. Donald McCain, Sue Smith and George Moore are regularly on the scoresheet here, but none can match the strike rate of Brian Ellison, which is currently running at 56%.
Top Jockeys
Brian Hughes was on the majority of the now banned Howard Johnson's winners here but should continue to pay his way now he's riding for the up-and-coming James Ewart, who trains in Scotland. Graham Lee doesn't get the big rides he deserves and no track showcases his talent better then Sedgefield, where he's ridden 32 winners at a strike rate of 16% in the last five seasons. Denis O'Regan, Barry Keniry and James Reveley are well-established on the Northern circuit and make the most of their opportunities here, with the latter in particular proving profitable to follow (level stakes profit of over £35).