Warwick has certainly played its part in the history of horse racing – most notably when it became the first course to include a jump race in its programme, establishing National Hunt racing as known today.

Racing in Warwick can actually be traced back as early as 1694 when the sport was introduced to the market town in the hope of attracting wealthy professionals to help rebuild the areas wealth after the devastating fire. The inaugural race at the course was held in 1707, but another 102 years passed before the first stand was opened at a cost of £800, parts of which remain today among the later developments.

The most famous name to grace the course was the legendary Red Rum, who ran once over the flat in 1967 – the same year that Jockeys complained the track was the worst they had ever seen and called for racing to be abandoned after some horses sank into the mud by over a foot!

1967 Racecourse Holdings Trust acquired the course.

1985 Lester Piggott raced John Francome at the course with Piggott taking first placed.

1990 Daryll Holland rides first ever winner on Sinclair Boy.

1999 Course played host to the BBC TV series of Dangerfield.

2000 (July) Opening of new £3m grandstand.

2002 Tony McCoy beats Sir Gordon Richards record of 269 winners in a season on Valfonic.

2002 Warwick is selected to stage ‘Matinee’ meetings as part of the BHB’s trial.

2003 Warwick Racecourse stages its first ever Listed Flat Race, the Betfair.com Eternal Stakes.  Entries for the race included the course's first ever entry from the prolific Godolphin stable, Gonfilia.

2006 Course again plays host to another BBC TV series in Dalziel and Pascoe.

2007 – 2008 Warwick Modernisation Project takes place.