Carlisle Racecourse

Carlisle Racecourse has been located in Blackwell since 1904, with it's main entrance on Durdar Road, just south of Carlisle. At that time stables were built at Blackwell House, which is next to the racecourse. Carlisle Racecourse moved here from The Swifts, near the River Eden in the centre of Carlisle. On the 2nd July 1929, Carlisle Racecourse was notable as the first location in Britain to use the new Tote (Totalisator Board), which revolutionised betting at the time.[1]

Horse races had been regularly held at The Swifts in Carlisle from the mid-18th century, with a grandstand built there in 1839.[2] However, horse racing in Carlisle can be traced at least as far back as the 16th century; in 1559, a gold bell, donated by Lady Dacre, was presented for the first time. The bell is inscribed 'The sweftes horse thes bel to tak for mi lade Daker sake' which translates as 'The Swiftest horse this bell to take for my lady Dacre's sake'. This was the beginnings of one of Cumbria’s most celebrated flat races; The Carlisle Bell, which is run annually every June at Carlisle Racecourse.