The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a burger and pint at Warwick?

In the Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) we report from Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Warwick

Warwick

Date visited: Wednesday, November 16, 2022

Was it a big day?

About as good a midweek card as you could hope for. Arkle favourite Jonbon and Grade 1-winning juvenile Monmiral were making their first starts over fences in the feature 2m novice chase, with last year's Greatwood Hurdle winner West Cork completing a high-class trio. Lookaway, winner of the Grade 2 Aintree bumper at the Grand National meeting, was making his hurdling debut, while Becher Chase heroine Snow Leopardess lined up for her seasonal reappearance in the veterans' chase.

How much was entry on the gate?

£25 for adults and £20 for seniors (65+) with free entry for under-18s in the main enclosure.

Given the decent calibre of horses on display, and that Cheltenham charged £30 for a worse card with one fewer race on Friday, I don't think that's bad value.

Tickets were £20 for adults in advance compared with the £30 starting price for the track's popular New Year's Eve meeting and £25 for the flagship Classic and Kingmaker Chase days.

Other than restaurants/hospitality, what were the food and beverage options?

The Flying Cow van between the paddock and the betting ring offered racecourses' standard fare of burgers and chips, with halloumi fries and chicken tikka kebab an alternative option in the street food stall next door. 

Local company Toast Warwick offered a decent array of cold sandwiches, muffins and cakes for those after lighter bites.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: Free water available in a water fountain in the Scudamore Bar with plenty of plastic cups
Tea: £2.50
Coffee: £3
Cheapest pint: £6 for Pravha and Hook Norton Ale
Guinness: £6.20
Champagne: £64 for the cheapest bottle of champagne with £97 for a bottle of Moet and £42 for a bottle of Prosecco
Burger: £11 with an extra £1 for bacon
Pie: £6

All drink prices taken from the main racecourse bar, or where there are multiple bars, one chosen at random

What was the burger like?

£12 seemed pricey initially but the bacon cheeseburger came with a decent portion of chips and the taste more than made up for the slightly steep cost. Unlike a number of cardboard-tasting burgers I've endured at many racecourses, this burger wouldn't have been out of place in a restaurant.

And the queues?

Minimal. It didn't take long for the hungry racegoers to be served.

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