Classic Chase Day at Warwick Racecourse abandoned after poor weather conditions

Warwick racecourse (left) and a race last year at the racecourse (right) Credit: David Davies/PA Images & Alan Crowhurst/PA Images

Officials at Warwick's Classic Chase have said they are left "gutted" after their event has had to be cancelled because of the poor weather.

Snow, ice and frost means the course will not be in a suitable condition for the event to go ahead.

An inspection on Thursday by Nessie Chanter confirmed this decision. The racecourse has confirmed that those that have purchased tickets will be refunded automatically.

The Kingmaker Chase day is one of the highlights of the jump season at Warwick racecourse.

Many top-quality horses raise at the event in the hope of securing a place at the Cheltenham Festival and the Randox Grand National at Aintree.

"We’re gutted,” said Chanter, before adding: “Temperatures reached minus 4C last night and they are not due to rise above freezing until midday.

“We’re only going to get a high of 2C when it does get above zero so it leaves us with little choice really but to pull the plug because there’s going to be no significant chance of improvement.

“There may be plans afoot to save some of the races but I’m not in a position to confirm any.”

As well as the Classic Chase there was the Grade Two Hampton Novices’ Chase and the rescheduled Unibet Veterans’ Handicap Chase Final on the card meaning over £300,000 in prize money was up for grabs.

The event has seen many progressive horses coming up through the ranks, winning the race and then going on to have successful careers, including winning at The Cheltenham Festival.

  • What is the history of Warwick Racecourse?

Warwick Racecourse is one of the oldest in the country and racing can be traced back to as early as 1694.

The sport was introduced to the market town in the hope of attracting wealthy professionals to help rebuild the areas wealth after the devastating Great Fire of Warwick.

The race is ran over two miles, it was first competed for in 1991 for horses aged five and older.

It is named after the 16th Earl of Warwick, who was known as the Kingmaker during the War of the Roses.

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