There's something rather magical happening this weekend that's got my old racing heart beating just a little faster. I was chatting with my father-in-law last Sunday over our traditional roast, and he mentioned how he'd proposed to my mother-in-law at Folkestone back in 1967 – right there by the parade ring after backing a 20-1 winner in the last race. "Best day of my life," he always says, though I suspect the proposal might have gone differently if that horse had finished last!
It's stories like these that remind me why Folkestone holds such a special place in racing folklore. Yes, we all mourned when it closed its doors in 2012, but sometimes the best comebacks are worth the wait. This weekend, that familiar undulating Kent countryside will once again echo with the thunder of hooves, and frankly, it couldn't come soon enough.
A Track That Tests Character
What made Folkestone so beloved wasn't its grandeur – it never tried to be Ascot or Goodwood. Instead, it was honest, challenging racing that sorted the wheat from the chaff. That right-handed, undulating oval of roughly one mile and four furlongs might not sound particularly daunting on paper, but anyone who's studied form here knows better.
The track rises and falls like a gentle rollercoaster, with that notorious stiff finish that has broken more hearts than a seaside romance. I remember watching Desert Orchid school here as a young horse – even then, you could see how the undulations taught him to balance and find that extra gear when it mattered. It's no coincidence that many future stars cut their teeth on this demanding Kent circuit.
The coastal location means the going can change quicker than a teenager's mood, but this weekend we're blessed with good ground on both days – perfect conditions for some genuine speed to show through.
This Weekend's Racing Menu
We've got a proper feast lined up, starting with Friday's seven-race card that kicks off the weekend in style. Seven races might not sound like a marathon, but at Folkestone, quality has always trumped quantity. These afternoon meetings have that lovely, relaxed feel – the sort where you can actually watch every race without feeling rushed.
Saturday steps things up a notch with eight races, and if history's any guide, this is when the bigger yards will wheel out their more ambitious types. The good going will suit the speedier sorts, though don't be fooled into thinking this track rewards one-dimensional pace merchants.
Both meetings are afternoon affairs, which means you can enjoy a proper lunch beforehand and still catch every race. There's something wonderfully civilized about afternoon racing – it feels more like a day out than a business transaction.
Reading the Folkestone Puzzle
Here's where forty years of watching racing pays dividends. Folkestone isn't a track that gives up its secrets easily, but there are patterns if you know where to look.
The undulating nature means stamina is premium currency here, even in sprints. I've seen plenty of tearaway leaders die a death in that final furlong, while horses with a turn of foot and the engine to sustain it often come from seemingly impossible positions. The track has a way of finding out pretenders – there's nowhere to hide when the ground starts rising in front of you.
Draw bias can be tricky to read here. Unlike some tracks where you can practically write off certain stall positions, Folkestone tends to reward good horsemanship over lucky draws. That said, in larger fields, I've noticed horses drawn in the middle often have more tactical options, especially if the pace is strong early.
The key is watching how horses travel through their races. At Folkestone, a horse that's moving sweetly three furlongs out is worth twice one that's already under pressure, regardless of position. The track demands horses that can quicken when asked, then find again when the gradient bites.
What Type Thrives Here
If I'm looking through the entries, I want horses with proven stamina reserves and a turn of foot. The ideal Folkestone winner travels strongly, quickens decisively, then digs deep when the track starts asking questions. Think less speed machine, more complete athlete.
Horses that have shown their best form on undulating tracks elsewhere often translate that well here. Similarly, anything that's won at tracks like Brighton, Windsor, or the old Yarmouth course tends to handle Folkestone's challenges. They've learned to balance, to judge pace, and to find that extra gear when the track demands it.
Punting Pointers for the Weekend
Right, let's talk about the serious business of trying to pick some winners. At Folkestone, I always start by looking at the jockey bookings. This track rewards experience and tactical nous, so when you see the likes of the championship jockeys taking rides here, pay attention. They don't travel to Kent for no-hopers.
In the betting ring, I tend to be wary of horses that are heavily backed purely on speed figures. Folkestone has a way of making fast horses look ordinary if they can't handle the undulations. Instead, I'm looking for value in horses with course experience or proven form on similar tracks.
Each-way betting can be particularly rewarding here. The track's challenging nature often produces surprise packages, and with competitive handicaps likely to feature prominently, there should be plenty of opportunities for bigger prices to sneak into the places.
Don't be afraid to wait and watch the first couple of races to get a feel for how the track's playing on the day. Is the pace holding up? Are closers getting into the action? At Folkestone, this intelligence gathering can be worth its weight in gold for the later races.
A Proper Day Out
Whether you're planning to attend or following from your armchair, this weekend represents something special – the return of racing to a track that meant so much to so many. Yes, we're all a bit older and perhaps a bit more cynical than we were in 2012, but there's still magic in watching horses and jockeys tackle a proper test of racing.
For newcomers to Folkestone, don't expect fireworks from the first race. This is a track that reveals its secrets gradually, rewarding patience and punishing haste. Take time to watch how races develop, how the track plays, how different horses handle the challenges.
Most importantly, remember that we're witnessing something rather special this weekend. Racing venues with character are becoming rarer, so when one returns to the fold, it deserves our attention and respect. Here's to Folkestone, to the memories it holds, and to the new ones waiting to be made.
