Towcester Racecourse

What Towcester Racecourse does

Towcester Racecourse is a UK-based greyhound racing and hospitality venue operated by Orchestrate UK Limited (Company Number 02880114), located on London Road in Towcester, Northamptonshire, with a registered office in Romford, Essex. Founded in 1928 and employing 51-100 staff, the venue runs live greyhound racing on multiple days each week and is the host venue for the English Greyhound Derby — greyhound racing's most prestigious competition, with the 2024 final reporting record forecast turnout and continued hosting confirmed through 2026. The core product is the racing programme, anchored by a £1.8 million state-of-the-art kennelling complex featuring individual exclusive kennel blocks per race and a 200-yard warm-up approach.

The business operates a diversified venue-hire and hospitality platform layered on top of the racing core. Indoor and outdoor spaces — including the Empress Restaurant (capacity up to 300 theatre / 220 banquet), Bar 4000, four VIP Boxes (16-52 guests depending on layout), and a Christmas marquee option (50-500 guests) — are hired for corporate conferences and day delegate packages (£34.95-£44.95 per person, room hire £125-£1,600), weddings, private celebrations, and Christmas parties. On-course revenue is complemented by race sponsorship packages (Emerald, Sapphire at £75, Diamond at £100), trackside advertising from £1,000 per year, racecard advertising at £50, and an on-course Tote betting system that retains approximately 29% commission on standard pools and 10% during the English Greyhound Derby.

The company monetises across five primary customer segments: general racegoers (general admission from free on Fridays to £39.95 on Sundays, plus family and hospitality bundles), corporate clients (conferences, client entertainment, Christmas parties), greyhound owners and trainers (owner privileges, sponsorship packages, rehoming support), private event hosts (weddings, birthdays, anniversaries), and conference organisers. Distribution is conducted through the venue's own website and booking platform, a telephone booking line, on-site walk-up sales, a dedicated corporate venue-hire events team, and — since November 2025 — broadcast partnerships with Sky Sports Racing and attheraces.com via Arena Racing Company's Premier Greyhound Racing schedule, extending audience reach nationally and internationally.

Name

Towcester Racecourse

Legal name

Orchestrate UK Limited

Website

https://towcester-racecourse.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1928

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Towcester Racecourse is a Northamptonshire-based greyhound racing venue and hospitality business that runs live racing, premium dining (Empress Restaurant, VIP Boxes, Bar 4000), and event hire (corporate conferences, weddings, Christmas parties) for general racegoers, corporate clients, and private event hosts, and hosts the English Greyhound Derby.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Sports and Entertainment Venue (Greyhound Racing and Hospitality)

NAICS

Racetracks (711212)

SIC

Services-Racing, Including Track Operation (7948), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Racecourse Hospitality, Sponsorship & On-Track Experiences (MPAEADAM)

Keywords

• Greyhound racing venue
• Corporate venue hire
• Event hospitality services
• Wedding venue hire
• Racing entertainment

Headquarters

HQ city

Towcester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Others

Revenue model

1. Racing Admission Tickets: General admission tickets for greyhound racing events sold directly via the website and at the venue. Different price points apply for different days (Free on Friday, £12.95 Tuesday, £29.50 Saturday, with children at reduced rates). Revenue is one-time per event, per attendee.
2. Racing Hospitality Packages: Premium trackside dining and VIP box packages sold for race nights. Empress Dining Experience at £39.95 per adult, VIP Box at £50 per person (minimum 15), Sunday Roast at £39.95. Includes admission, race programme, and table-service dining. Revenue is one-time per event.
3. Venue Hire — Private Events: Exclusive hire of event suites (Empress Restaurant, VIP Boxes, Bar 4000) for private celebrations, corporate events, conferences, exhibitions, and weddings. Revenue generated through room hire fees (Half Day from £125–£800; Full Day from £250–£1,600), day delegate packages (£34.95–£44.95 per person), and catering add-ons.
4. Race Sponsorship Packages: Race sponsorship sold in tiers: Emerald Package (named race, PA shout-out, racecard mention), Sapphire Package at £75 (trophy presentation, prosecco), Diamond Package at £100 (trophy, photo, prosecco). Additional trackside advertising from £1,000 per year and racecard advertising at £50 per placement.
5. Greyhound Ownership: Revenue derived indirectly through greyhound owners registering dogs with on-site trainers. Owners pay trainer fees; the racecourse benefits through racing programme participation, owner hospitality discounts, and associated admission/dining revenue.
6. Tote Betting Commission: The on-course Tote betting system pools all bets and distributes dividends to winners, with the Tote retaining approximately 29% (standard deduction) as commission on win and place pools. Derby events feature a reduced 10% takeout.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Towcester Racecourse operates a Northamptonshire-based greyhound racing and hospitality venue, hosting live greyhound racing events multiple days per week alongside the home of the English Greyhound Derby. The venue generates revenue from general admission tickets, premium hospitality packages (Empress Dining, VIP Boxes), corporate and private venue hire (conferences, weddings, Christmas parties), on-course Tote betting, race sponsorship packages, and trackside advertising. It also runs a greyhound ownership programme supported by a £1.8 million state-of-the-art kennelling and welfare complex.

Product overview

Towcester Racecourse & Leisure is a hospitality and entertainment venue offering live greyhound racing as its core product, complemented by premium dining venues (Empress Restaurant, Bar 4000, Empress Dining Experience), exclusive VIP Boxes, and diverse venue hire services. The company operates a platform of interconnected services including racing admission tickets, racing hospitality packages (Empress Dining at £39.95, VIP Box Experience at £50), private event celebrations, corporate events and conferences with day delegate packages from £34.95, Christmas venue hire, and race sponsorship packages. Additional services encompass Tote betting, racecards and results distribution, greyhound ownership programs with owner benefits, and greyhound welfare services through a £1.8 million kennelling facility. The Empress Restaurant and VIP Boxes serve as both standalone dining/corporate venues and integral components of the racing hospitality experience.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Empress Restaurant: Sophisticated restaurant offering seasonally inspired menus, curated wine pairings, and front-row views of the track. Perfect for weddings, corporate dinners, and special occasions.
• Bar 4000
• VIP Boxes

Products and services

• Greyhound Racing

Quantifiable outcome

• Record turnout forecast for 2024 English Greyhound Derby final night
• +2 more outcomes

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Arena Racing CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 19 November 2025Arena Racing Company partnered with Towcester Racecourse to bring its races to the Premier Greyhound Racing schedule, enabling broadcast on Sky Sports Racing and live streaming on attheraces.com from November 2025. This partnership significantly expanded Towcester's national and international reach, positioning it as a flagship venue within the Arena Racing Company network.
• TIME Greyhound NutritionminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 29 March 2025TIME Greyhound Nutrition sponsored the TIME Greyhound Nutrition Juvenile Championship at Towcester, one of the most prestigious invitation events in the juvenile racing calendar.
• BetgoodwinminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2025Betgoodwin, alongside the JR Racing Syndicate, co-sponsored the Maiden Derby competition at Towcester in 2025, providing betting services and brand visibility at the event.
• JR Racing SyndicateminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 28 March 2025JR Racing Syndicate co-sponsored the Maiden Derby alongside Betgoodwin, supporting greyhound racing competition at Towcester.
• Matchbook Betting ExchangeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 23 March 2022Matchbook Betting Exchange sponsored the Maiden Derby competition at Towcester Racecourse, providing betting exchange services and brand exposure during the event.
• Sky Sports RacingcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerBroadcast partner for live greyhound racing coverage, bringing Towcester's race programme to a national television audience. Races are streamed live on attheraces.com alongside the TV broadcast.
• Star SportscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerStar Sports is the title sponsor of the Star Sports/TRC English Greyhound Derby — the premier event in the greyhound racing calendar. Star Sports also operates a tipping challenge at the Derby with proceeds donated to a local greyhound homing centre.
• Greyhound Board of Great Britain (GBGB)coreOthersThe Greyhound Board of Great Britain is the regulatory body for greyhound racing in Great Britain. Towcester operates under GBGB rules and its trainers are licensed by GBGB. The GBGB Injury Recovery Scheme operates on a match-funding basis with Towcester for career-ending injuries sustained during racing.
• Greyhound Racing UKminorOthersGreyhound Racing UK is an industry promotional body. Towcester Racecourse is listed as a member venue on the Greyhound Racing UK website.
• Whittingham KennelsminorOthersWhittingham Kennels handles rehoming for retired greyhounds from Towcester, ensuring dogs not returned to their owners find approved loving homes after their racing careers.
• Crossing Cottage Greyhound SanctuaryminorOthersCrossing Cottage Greyhound Sanctuary, a chosen charity partner of Towcester, works with the racecourse on greyhound welfare and rehoming programmes for retired racing greyhounds.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Romford Greyhound Stadium: Long-running independent UK greyhound racing venue operating regular race meetings, Tote betting, and on-site hospitality. Closest direct peer to Towcester in terms of greyhound-only product, race-night frequency, and UK independent-operator model.
• Belle Vue Stadium: Manchester-based greyhound racing stadium with regular race nights, hospitality packages and private event hire. Direct UK greyhound peer with comparable dual focus on racing admissions and venue hire.
• Newcastle Greyhound Stadium: Operates a regular greyhound racing schedule with on-site dining and event hospitality in the North East of England. Directly comparable to Towcester as a UK regional greyhound venue with multi-format event revenue.
• Coral Brighton & Hove Greyhound Stadium: Long-established UK greyhound racing venue operating regular race nights and on-site hospitality. Comparable to Towcester as a UK greyhound venue with multi-format racing and hospitality offerings.
• Perry Barr Stadium: Birmingham-based greyhound racing venue with regular race meetings and hospitality. Directly comparable as a UK regional greyhound track operating regular fixtures, on-site F&B, and Tote betting.
• Central Park Stadium: Kent-based greyhound racing stadium running frequent race nights with associated hospitality. Direct UK greyhound peer with similar regional venue, racing schedule, and event-hire profile to Towcester.
• Oxford Stadium: Recently reopened UK greyhound racing and events venue with racing, dining and private hire offerings. Comparable to Towcester as a modernised regional greyhound venue targeting both racing fans and corporate/private event customers.

Broad incumbents

• The Jockey Club: Operates 15 of the UK's most prominent racecourses (Cheltenham, Aintree, Newmarket, etc.) with racing, hospitality and venue hire. Comparable as a UK racecourse operator with mature hospitality, sponsorship and venue-hire revenue stacks.
• Arena Racing Company: The UK's largest operator of horse and greyhound racing venues, owner of the Premier Greyhound Racing schedule, and Towcester's broadcast/distribution partner. Broader incumbent that both competes with and enables Towcester across the UK racing ecosystem.

Regional players

• Shelbourne Park Greyhound Stadium: Dublin-based greyhound racing stadium operating regular race meetings, Tote betting and on-site hospitality. Comparable to Towcester in product mix but primarily serves the Republic of Ireland market rather than competing in the UK.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/towcesterraces
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@Towcester-Greyhounds/videos
• Facebookfacebook.com/towcester.racecourse
• LinkedInuk.linkedin.com/company/towcester-racecourse-uk
• Instagraminstagram.com/towcesterracecourse

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Towcester Racecourse