It will be a momentous occasion for Carlisle Racecourse on Saturday when it stages the first group race in its history.
Carlisle stepped in to stage the Haydock fixture, which was cancelled for this Saturday.
The Haydock track failed Tuesday’s inspection into the suitability of the inner course for racing following a significant drainage issue, which caused a hole on the outer track at last weekend’s fixture.
As a result of that a decision was made for this Saturday’s card to be switched to Carlisle – which is Haydock’s sister venue within the Jockey Club.
Today’s Haydock card was moved to Wolverhampton.
Racegoers have the tasty prospect of seeing an eight-race programme which will include the Listed Achilles Stakes; the Group 3 Lester Piggott Stakes and the Silver Bowl Handicap, which was one of three races abandoned at Haydock last Saturday.
Carlisle course manager Helen Willis said: “It’s fantastic to be hosting this extra fixture on Saturday.
“It’s been a lot of work to get everything turned around, but it’s nothing we’re not used to or not able to deliver.”
Five of the races will be shown live on ITV and the total amount of prize money on offer is £412,000.
Carlisle stages 23 meetings annually across both codes, and for Saturday the course is offering free admission to annual badge holders for the transferred meeting.
