Kelso


Kelso Racecourse sits at Berrymoss on the edge of the town and has staged racing there since 1823, following earlier meetings at Caverton Edge from the mid‑18th century. The present course was laid out in 1822 on land prepared by the Duke of Roxburghe, with the first fixture held the following spring. It was originally used for Flat racing before the United Border Hunt moved there in 1888, establishing Kelso as a National Hunt venue.

The track is left‑handed, generally flat and about a mile and a furlong round, with a two‑furlong run‑in and nine easy fences per circuit on the chase course. The hurdles track sits inside and is shorter and sharper, with five flights per circuit. Despite the long run‑in, the finish is considered relatively easy, and stamina often plays a key role because races can change late.

Kelso is widely known as 'Britain's friendliest racecourse' and has been voted the best small course in Scotland and the North of England multiple times. It stages around 13–15 fixtures a season from September to May, including major races such as the Morebattle Hurdle and the Premier Chase, which form the centrepiece of its busiest raceday.



Winners at Kelso (19)



Date Horse Race
Jockey

20Apr26
Scottish Racing Academy Handicap Hurdle (Div I)
Jamie Hamilton
14Feb19
Join Racing TV Now Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
Brian Hughes
21Mar16
Newcastle Arms Coldstream Handicap Hurdle
Harry Bannister
19May10
NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Novices' Chase
Denis O'Regan
22Mar10
Ron Mitchell Birthday Handicap Hurdle
Mr O Greenall
14Feb08
Greenvale AP Handicap Hurdle
Mr T Greenall
23May07
Pipe Center Handicap Hurdle
Miss J Coward
15Feb07
Greenvale AP Handicap Hurdle
Mr T Greenall
19Mar06
totecourse to course Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race
Mr T Greenall
04Dec05
Eric Scarth Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase
Mr T Greenall
03Nov01
Daily Record Handicap Chase
Richie McGrath
03Nov01
John Mason Retirement Novices' Chase
Richie McGrath
01Feb01
Persimmon Homes Handicap Chase
Richie McGrath
03Apr00
Green Tree Peebles Handicap Hurdle
Brian Harding
03Oct87
Melrose 3yo Novice Hurdle
Ronnie Beggan
09Jan85
Maxton Novices Hurdle
Phil Tuck
08Jan85
Maxton Novices Hurdle
Phil Tuck
14Nov84
Novice Hurdle
Phil Tuck
26Nov80
Kelso Ednam Novices Hurdle
Phil Tuck
20 April 2026
Scottish Racing Academy Handicap Hurdle (Div I)
Jamie Hamilton
14 February 2019
Join Racing TV Now Standard Open National Hunt Flat Race
Brian Hughes
21 March 2016
Newcastle Arms Coldstream Handicap Hurdle
Harry Bannister
19 May 2010
NFU Mutual Risk Management Services Novices' Chase
Denis O'Regan
22 March 2010
Ron Mitchell Birthday Handicap Hurdle
Mr O Greenall
14 February 2008
Greenvale AP Handicap Hurdle
Mr T Greenall
23 May 2007
Pipe Center Handicap Hurdle
Miss J Coward
15 February 2007
Greenvale AP Handicap Hurdle
Mr T Greenall
19 March 2006
totecourse to course Maiden Open National Hunt Flat Race
Mr T Greenall
04 December 2005
Eric Scarth Memorial Novices' Handicap Chase
Mr T Greenall
03 November 2001
Daily Record Handicap Chase
Richie McGrath
03 November 2001
John Mason Retirement Novices' Chase
Richie McGrath
01 February 2001
Persimmon Homes Handicap Chase
Richie McGrath
03 April 2000
Green Tree Peebles Handicap Hurdle
Brian Harding
03 October 1987
Melrose 3yo Novice Hurdle
Ronnie Beggan
09 January 1985
Maxton Novices Hurdle
Phil Tuck
08 January 1985
Maxton Novices Hurdle
Phil Tuck
14 November 1984
Novice Hurdle
Phil Tuck
26 November 1980
Kelso Ednam Novices Hurdle
Phil Tuck