Found in the rural setting of Lincolnshire, Market Rasen Racecourse is a horse racing venue like no other. Where jump racing traditionally takes place in the Autumn and Winter months, Market Rasen Racecourse hosts jump racing meets throughout all seasons.

The most notable meeting of the course’s fixtures is the Summer Plate which takes place in July of each year. The standout race of the meet is the Summer Hurdle; a two-and-a-quarter mile event which is one of the most valuable National Hunt races held in the UK. The race is open to horses aged three years and older, with participating horses having to clear eight hurdles as part of the race. The race’s purse currently stands at around £50,000.

The Summer Hurdle was established in 1995 and was first run under its previous name; the Summer Festival Handicap Hurdle. In 2008, the race was awarded Listed status. However, the race was downgraded in 2020. The distance of the race has also gone through several changes, being reduced from 2 miles 1 and a half furlongs to 2 miles and half a furlong in 2010.

The track is right-handed, sharp-cornered and fairly level. As a result of the track’s design, it is suited to fast, agile runners.

When looking at the last 20 renewals, the quickest horses to complete the race are Sea Lord (3:58.00 in 2013), LInganno Felice (3:55.60 in 2018) and Australia Day (3:57.40 in 2010).

Recent winners of this summer fixture include Gran Maestro (2015), Red Tornado (2016), John Constable (2017), L'Inganno Felice (2018), Grapevine (2019), Red Force One (2020) and Stonific (2021).