The Racecourse Prices Index: how much for a pie and pint at Doncaster?

The Racecourse Prices Index (RPI) is a new and occasional series, in which we report from each of Britain and Ireland's racetracks on the cost of going racing.

Racecourse report: entry, food and pint prices from Doncaster

Doncaster

Date visited: Thursday, December 29, 2022

Was it a big day?

Doncaster's traditional post-Christmas 'Festive Family raceday' is always a good draw, particularly now it is fixed for December 29 every year, and the two races shown live on ITV4 included a £75,000 mares' chase – the richest race of its type in Britain outside the Cheltenham Festival.

How much was entry on the gate?

It was £61 in the premier enclosure (£45 if booked more than seven days ahead) and £20 in the grandstand – £15 in advance, when there were also a limited number of packages offering admission, pie, pint and racecard for £19.50.

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

None of the outdoor outlets that festoon the course on the big Flat days were open in December but that was no excuse for going hungry and thirsty. Far from it.

Two large bars were doing a good trade in the ground floor betting hall, as were the smaller concessions offering specialist German, Italian and Spanish beers.

"Piglets Pantry" offered pies and sausage rolls – "100 per cent British meat" – but hungry racegoers were best advised to head to the Food Court, an alcohol-free spot on the first floor.

There is another Piglets Pantry, where steak and ale, chicken and gammon and cauliflower and cheese pies are £7.50 apiece. Other options included "authentic" margherita or pepperoni pizza for £9.50 and "wild wedges" – spicy potato wedges with beef chilli or vegetarian topping for £7.

It was card-only payment throughout the course, which is Arena Racing Company policy nationwide.

What's the damage?

Bottle of water: £2.60
Tea: £2.30
Coffee: £2.50
Cheapest pint: £5.60 (Carlsberg or Bombardier)
Guinness: £6.10

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

How were the wild wedges?

Nice meaty chilli piled with jalapenos (my choice – they are entirely optional). The wedges themselves were good and got a thumbs up from passing trainer Ian Williams, a noted shrewdie who reckoned the whole dish was good value by racecourse standards.

Wild wedges with chilli at DoncasterCredit: David Carr

And the queues?

Punters were lining up for a pint from soon after 10am but waiting times were not too onerous.

What did the punters say?

"I'm here with the family and we've got a pepperoni pizza. It's just the sort of thing for the kids on a family days and it's going down well."
Matt Pearson, Nuneaton

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