Southwell – north-east of Nottingham, is one of only six racecourse in the UK to have an all-weather track and is the only one with a fibresand surface, which is a mixture of sand and wispy fibres.

Fibresand surface
It is one of only six racecourses in the UK to have an all-weather track and is the only one with a Fibresand surface. Fibresand is a mixture of sand and wispy fibres. Southwell has applied to change the track surface from Fibresand to Tapeta (a mixture of sand, wax and fibre) in 2021.

Thursday’s fixture at Southwell will be the track’s penultimate one staged on Fibresand after its owner, Arena Racing Company (Arc), received planning permission to replace the all-weather surface with Tapeta.

SOUTHWELL racecourse was forced to abandon the final two races on the card due to the extreme heat. The track had already taken action to start racing earlier, but the decision was made as the temperatures continued to rise.

A while ago Wolverhampton changed their course from Polytrack to Tapeta and now Newcastle has it too. Then we have Fibresand at Southwell. It’s completely different to Polytrack and Tapeta and Southwell is the only course to use it.

Fibresand is a micro-fibre reinforced, binder and wax free sand based riding surface with the riding characteristics of turf. With proven longevity due to its virtually rot-proof fibres, Fibresand has stood the test of time since its introduction thirty years ago, and remains a popular choice in the equestrian world.

“Tapeta is safe based on the proof of solid evidence produced by a range of expert research chemists and on careful environmental monitoring. “Tapeta does not wash into the wider environment and does not, from the analysis scrutinised, contain ethylene.

Southwell abandon race in heatwave after vets say 28C is too hot for three mile event. Southwell abandoned a race after vets decided the weather was too hot. The Sky Sports Racing HD Virgin 535 Novices’ Hurdle, scheduled for 4.15pm, was called off when temperatures reached 28C.

Racing has been abandoned today following 49mm of rain in the past 36 hours. Offical page for Royal Windsor Racecourse. …

Tapeta is a Thoroughbred Racing and Training surface comprised of a carefully selected mixture of the finest silica sand, wax and fibres that have been extensively researched and simulate the root structure of turf. Tapeta handles wet weather and heavy rainfall extremely well.

The world leading Tapeta surface, developed by Michael Dickinson and Joan Wakefield of Tapeta Footings, has been in place at ARC racecourses Wolverhampton and Newcastle since 2014 and 2016 respectively.

Southwell Racecourse is situated just 3km south of the minster town of Southwell in Nottinghamshire and is unique in that it’s the only racecourse in the UK with a fibresand surface. Fibresand is an all-weather track surface and is the slowest to race on, so it makes for some testing races and stamina is often required.

Southwell Racecourse (pronounced /ˈsʌðəl/ or /ˈsaʊθwɛl/) is a thoroughbred horse racing venue located 2 miles (3 km) east of Southwell in Nottinghamshire, England.

ALL-WEATHER: The all-weather track at Southwell goes left-handed in a flat mile-and-a-quarter oval which has a run from the home turn of three furlongs and a spur to provide a straight five furlongs.

Due to the rural nature of the surrounding area of Southwell Racecourse, you won’t find chain hotels here, but there are plenty of lovely country independent options to choose from. Pub hotels include The Dapper Spaniel and The Reindeer Inn, or, for something more formal, the nearby Saracen’s Head Hotel and Manor Court offer reasonable rates.