12:55pm Monday 18th January 2010
OFFICIAL figures show that Carlisle Racecourse achieved the second highest percentage crowd increase in 2009 among the country's 60 racecourses.
The Cumbrian racecourse's attendances were up by just under 20 per cent at 3,275, with a total close to 60,000 for the year. Only Plumpton Racecourse in East Sussex achieved a higher increase.
Overall attendances at the 60 racecourses remained firm at just over 5.7 million visitors, making horse racing second only to football as the most popular spectator sport.
Carlisle Racecourse's managing director John Baker said: "After a small drop in average attendances in 2008 - when Easter was early and cold - we've bounced back at Carlisle Racecourse considering that people's finances are still tight.
"The public came out in big numbers to support us last year, and we are now looking forward to the second half of our jump racing season which gets under way on Wednesday 10 February.
"This is a very exciting time for Carlisle Racecourse as the new £2.5 million investment in our facilities on and off the race track begins. We will have anew weighing room by the spring and a new hurdles track a year later."
Carlisle Racecourse is part of the largest group of racecourses in Britain - Jockey Club Racecourses - and benefits from substantial investment.
Remaining jump racing fixtures: Wednesday,10 February 10: Afternoon racing.
Monday, February 22 - Afternoon racing.
Thursday, March 11: Afternoon racing Sunday, March 21:Sporting Champions family day Friday, March 26: Afternoon racing Easter Saturday, April 3:Easter family fun day.
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