 Täby
racecourse, located in the northern suburbs of Stockholm, is
the premier track in the three Scandinavian countries where
racing is run, Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Opened in 1960 and based on the major racecourses in America,
facilities for both horses and humans have constantly been up-graded
and are now as good as most courses in Europe and unrivalled
in Scandinavia.
Racing takes place throughout the year, the variety available
varying from dirt racing under lights during the winter and
spring to the top flat and jump races in Scandinavia run during
the summer and autumn.
The course usually stages about 50 days racing a
year with the dirt track being used exclusively until May.
Racing under floodlights was first staged in 1965
and the formula is now working with considerable success in
England at Wolverhampton and other courses in Europe.
The left-handed track was also designed on a similar basis as
courses in America with a dirt track which is about 8 furlongs
in length on the outside of the turf track. There is also the
added attraction of a figure-of-eight hurdle and steeplechase
track on the inside plus stabling nearby. Currently there is
not a box to spare.
In recent years Täby has made a significant impression
on the international scene, being the first course outside the
five main European countries to stage a Pattern race following
the granting of Group 3 status to the Stockholm Cup International
in 1994.
The 12 furlong race has regularly attracted good
quality horses from the rest of Europe keen to take on the best
Scandinavian middle-distance horses. In 1997 Harbour Dues took
the prize for Lady Herries before heading down to Australia
to run a gallant fourth in the Melbourne Cup. In 2003 Labirinto
won the race for France and in 2004 Collier Hill took the prize
back to England.
In recognition of the quality of racing at the track
a second race, The Täby Open Sprint Championship, was awarded
Group 3 status in 1998.
Täby racecourse is easily accessible from the centre of
Stockholm by road or even more conveniently by train as there
is a station at the track. With a superb glass fronted restaurant
where a table can be reserved for the day and very reasonable
admission prices, value for money and a variety of races are
guaranteed on a visit to Täby.
» The Race Card - a pure goldmine
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