THIS ‘spooky’ abandoned racecourse bought for £25million lies derelict and rotting in these haunting photos.
Heartbroken fans have been mourning the loss of iconic Folkestone racecourse near Kent.
Twitter @furg88The famous stand at Folkestone racecourse now lies derelict and unloved more than ten years after the track closed[/caption]
Twitter @furg88The site was bought for £25million and there are plans to build 8,500 homes there[/caption]
Twitter @furg88Frankie Dettori and AP McCoy graced this parade ring but now it is a shadow of its former self[/caption]
It is more than ten years since Quartz Du Montceau won the final ever race at the popular 1m3f oval circuit.
As recently as six months ago the roadsigns guiding motorists on the M20 to the track were still standing – just like the famous grandstand.
Mind you, it’s a miracle it still is given this Racing Post report said it had started to become a health hazard when racing still took place there.
Now, orange safety barriers sit in front of tall railings at the foot of steps that used to be lined with punters.
The grass in front appears to be quite well maintained but elsewhere is wild and unkempt.
The Victorian Bar and Grill that would have welcomed owners, trainers and fans has weeds growing out the front and is protected by more railings.
Once pristine and cared for, the parade ring now looks a sad imitation of what it used to be without the care and attention of racecourse staff.
RaceTech camera operator Fergus Waddell took the photos and posted them online.
The images drew a load of comments from fans who remembered the track in its glory days.
Among them was ITV Racing commentator Richard Hoiles, who said he was ‘so sad’ seeing what had happened to the once-famous course.
OFFERS OF THE DAY
Tote: Bet £5 Get £20 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Virgin Bet: Bet £10 Get £20 in free bets – CLAIM HERE
Betfair: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets – CLAIM HERE
Paddy Power: Bet £20 and get it back as Cash if it Loses – CLAIM HERE
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Horse Racing Bets – CLAIM HERE
Tote: New customers online only. Place your first bet on racing pools for a minimum of £5 and win or lose you will receive £20 Tote Credit. £20 Tote Credit rewarded as £10 redeemable against racing bets only and £10 redeemable against UK and Irish placepot bets only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires after 7 days. Qualifying bet is the first racing pool bet added to the bet-slip. Ten to Follow, virtual and football bets do not qualify. Totewin will be the qualifying bet when a Totewin and a Toteplace bet are struck at the same time. New UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. begambleaware.org
Virgin Bet: New members. £10 min deposit & bet on sportsbook, placed & settled at 1.5 min odds within 14 days of sign-up. Win part of E/W bets. 2 non-withdrawable £10 Free Bet Tokens: accept in 7 days, valid for 7 days from acceptance (ex. E/Ws & Multiples), stakes not returned. Click here for Rules & Exclusions. Bet Responsibly. BeGambleAware.org 18+ begambleaware.org
Betfair: New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on the Sportsbook on odds of min 1/2 (1.5), get £30 in Free Bets. Rewards valid for 30 days. SMS verification required. Only deposits via cards will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly 18+ begambleaware.org
Paddy Power: New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: 18+NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 3 X £10 BET TOKENS. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS ONLY REDEEMABLE ON HORSE RACING. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Another punter wrote: “Spooky pictures. Nothing sadder to my eyes than a disused racecourse.
“Seems almost criminal to me that it is still just sat there, empty and neglected.”
While another comment read: “Must be spooky walking around a dead course.
“Thinking of the bookies and punters that are no longer with us shouting out prices in an empty ring, and the hopeful chats early before the first race.”
Folkestone racecourse opened in 1898 and at its peak hosted more than 20 meetings a year.
The Queen Mother visited in November 1964 and jumps and Flat racing took place there, with Frankie Dettori and AP McCoy both competing.
Arena Racing Company owned the site and there were plans to build 800 homes next to the track in the hope of financing a new racecourse.
But the scheme was rejected and the course closed for good in December 2012.
The land was actually sold to the local council for £25million a few years ago and a planning application for 8,500 homes to be put on the site was submitted last year.
It is believed the first phase of the 30-year development is now under way and the first home will be up for sale on September 1, 2025.
FREE BETS – GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
Establishes time and monetary limits before playingOnly gambles with money they can afford to loseNever chases their lossesDoesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressedGamcare – www.gamcare.org.ukGamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org