Summer on the Tracks at Brighton Racecourse

Brighton Racecourse is the place to be this summer – it is the premier venue for a whole host of events, including the spectacular three-day Marathonbet Festival.

Live music and racing will be coming together for an extravaganza of entertainment.

The top venue is hosting The Marathonbet Festival of Racing from August 7 to 9. The three-day event is expected to attract more than 15,000 people. Over the course of the festival, 1,500 bottles of Prosecco are usually consumed, 1,000 bowls of fresh strawberries served, and 7,000 pairs of high heels cast aside by the end of the event!

This iconic venue will be teeming with racegoers, all dressed to impress and looking for a win. Will you be among them?

Paul Ellison, Executive Director at Brighton Racecourse, said: “The first day of the festival is when we will run the historic ‘Brighton Mile Challenge Race’. Ladies’ Day is on August 8, with the popular Best Dressed Competition. The festival finale is a day for all the family, with entertainment and music – and kids go free.”

If you are planning to attend the festival, there are plenty of hospitality options. You can select which one is suitable for you on any or all of the dates. Some of the options are outlined below. Be sure to book in advance to avoid disappointment.

Why not upgrade?

Upgrading your experience will not only make the event even more memorable it will provide you with an opportunity to entertain clients or colleagues. Choose from a marquee, Silks restaurant or the Prince Regent suite. Alternatively, why not book one of the racecourse’s Trackside Boxes?

On the first day of the festival, the racecourse is running a very special offer. You can have a private trackside box, Premier Enclosure ticket and access to a cash bar for £50 including VAT per person.

In the marquee on Ladies’ Day will include a live jazz band, giving everyone the chance to really soak up the great party atmosphere.

Paul Ellison said: “Hospitality is available on all of our race days, with some stunning views of not just the racing but the Sussex coastline.”

Winning venue

In fact, Brighton Racecourse is a winning venue for a wide variety of events – from family and corporate celebrations to conferences and meetings. It is an all-year-round destination for everything from seasonal parties to major business events. It is a great place for work training, seminars and much more. 

How about staging your annual works ‘do’, awards ceremony or a business meeting in one of the South East’s finest venues?

Not only does the racecourse boast the space for any event, it has a team of professionals on hand to ensure things run smoothly. A seasoned marketing department will ensure your event benefits from a website presence, as well as social media content, powerful email marketing, and even on-site advertising via digital screens on race days. How’s that for service?

Brighton Racecourse is renowned for its fantastic meeting rooms and an exhibition space that hosts some of the best business to business events in Sussex. It is also ideal for retail events, product launches and general exhibitions.

With easy access and outstanding facilities, it is not hard to see why this is as popular for business and social events as it is for racing. Just don’t tell the horses.

The racecourse even boasts an outdoor hardstanding space, making is suitable for fairs, music concerts, sporting events, and a wide range of other attractions and entertainment.

If you are looking for an event venue, take a look at what is on offer.

Suite options

Versatile and set in 20 acres of grounds, Brighton Racecourse has carved out a reputation as a flexible venue for a huge range of events. In total, it has a staggering 18 suites.

Choose from the huge Grandstand Hall to the more intimate Silks restaurant.

The Grandstand Hall can accommodate up to 1,000 people standing. For a sit-down event, it can hold 400. Measuring 54m by 14m, it is big enough to host almost any kind of event. So if you have got ambitious plans in mind, this venue really is a ‘must’. It is conveniently located on the ground floor, offering great access. This space has toilet facilities, bars and a cafe area.

The slightly smaller Premier Hall can accommodate up to 985 standing or 250 people seated and is also located on the ground floor. 

Contemporary and crisp-looking, Silks restaurant can comfortably hold up to 150 people, depending on the dining experience required, and is on the racecourse’s first floor. It offers outstanding views, has an adjoining private bar and a spectacular rooftop terrace. The restaurant is available for exclusive hire on non race days and serves a delicious range of food – all freshly prepared with attention to detail by the resident chef and his team. Silks benefits from lift access.

Hospitality suites

The Winning Post hospitality suite boasts its own, exclusive entrance and overlooks the racecourse’s finish line. This space is ideal for training, works outings and seminars. It benefits from its own private bar and exceptional views of all the race-day action. It can accommodate up to 55 people.

Other hospitality suites include the second floor Sussex Suite, which can hold up to 20 people, and the Marina Suite, which can accommodate a maximum or 40 people. These suites boast outstanding views and are ideal for hosting clients.

Need something larger? The West Pier suite on the second floor can accommodate up to 120 people. It benefits from direct access to the grandstand terrace and has a spectacular silk-draped ceiling. 

If you are looking for a large space for a wedding, party or conference, the Prince Regent suite, on the racecourse’s third floor, is perfect. It provides a picture perfect backdrop with magnificent views across the Sussex coast. 

Paul Ellison said: “We really do cater for a huge range events. Our customers appreciate the space and service they can get at our venue. It is accessible, convenient and equipped to cope with any type of event.”

Everything you need

With in-house catering, attentive staff and great parking facilities, Brighton Racecourse is the place to be. 

Paul Ellison said: “We offer free parking for up to 1000 vehicles and the racecourse is easily accessible from both the A27 and the M25. For those planning a paid event, we have a turnstile area and outdoor water and power supplies.

“There are excellent toilet facilities both inside and out, and our catering units are available for all events.

“We are really proud of our fantastic food. Our excellent team, led by a resident chef, means we can offer a choice of catering packages, including dining options.

“We can serve traditional tea, coffee and biscuits, a finger or hot fork buffet, or a full-blown three-course dining experience. We are flexible and do everything we can to cater for clients’ requirements. For catering packages, contact us or refer to our website.”

To help you make the most of the facilities on offer, the racecourse has a range of brochures you can download from its website. It also offers easy online booking and a helpful customer service team is on hand to get your event off to the right start. 

Up-coming events

Brighton racecourse is a great destination for a day – or night – out. On Sunday, August 25 it is hosting the Brighton Antiques, Collectables and Vintage Fair. There is a Summer Afternoon Racing on August 20. And , before all of that, it is hosting a concert by Rag’N’Bone Man on July 27.

On September 1, the racecourse will stage a Family Fun Day, which promises be to a great day out for those of all ages. If you really want to let your hair down, there is Summertime Live, Classic Ibiza on September 7. 

The full programme of events can be viewed on the racecourses website, listed at the end of this feature.

The friendly venue

One of the things that everyone says about Brighton Racecourse is how friendly it is.

That reputation has been earned over many years. This is a place that puts customers’ needs first. It has invested in the type of facilities private and business customers want.

Looking for a great venue that can cater for just about anything?

Find Brighton Racecourse online at www.brighton-racecourse.co.uk

The racecourse is social – stay up to date with what’s going on at @BrightonRace on Twitter. Alternatively, connect with the venue on Facebook, Instagram or LinkedIn.