AP McCoy's historic 4,000th winner at Towcester racecourse in 2013 is back in the spotlight as the track announces a £2m revamp and return to National Hunt racing for the 2027/28 season.
Betway has partnered with Towcester owners Orchestrate to rename the venue Betway Towcester Racecourse. The bookmaker will be principal strategic partner and exclusive betting partner across all fixtures.
What happened at Towcester?
Towcester hosted its last horse racing fixture in May 2018. Administrators were called in on 29 August that year, and it officially closed as a horse racing venue in 2019. Greyhound racing has continued there since.
Now, nearly a decade after its final meeting, the Northamptonshire track is being revived. Extensive course and facility refurbishment worth more than £2m is already underway.
Why it matters for AP McCoy
Towcester is the track where AP McCoy rode his 4,000th winner in 2013. That milestone cemented his status as the most successful jump jockey in British history.
The venue's closure in 2019 marked the end of an era for fans who saw McCoy make history there. Its return brings back a piece of that legacy.
Orchestrate chairman Mike Davis said the company is "thrilled to welcome Betway as principal strategic partner of the refurbished racecourse."
"It has always been our ambition to bring horse racing back to Towcester for the local community and fans of the sport," he said. "This partnership turns that vision into a reality."
What comes next?
Davis confirmed the team is working with the British Horseracing Authority to secure racecourse licences, aiming to race in autumn 2027. Positive talks are underway to finalise fixtures for that period.
Top jockey Paul Townend will be involved, focusing on jockey welfare, course layout and weighing room facilities. A fly-on-the-wall series documenting the revival is scheduled for release in 2027.
Betway PR manager Lewis Knowles said: "Towcester has such a rich history within British racing, and we're delighted to be partnering with the team there to bring horse racing back to what is such an iconic racecourse."
"As principal strategic partners, we plan to offer a truly unique experience for racegoers, owners, trainers, and jockeys at Betway Towcester Racecourse," Knowles added. "The hard work is already well underway as the team prepares the track and facilities for racing's return."
For AP McCoy fans, the news means a historic venue will once again host jump racing. The track where he reached 4,000 winners will be back on the calendar.
Towcester's revival is a rare bright spot in British racing. Most closed tracks never reopen. This one will, with a new name and a fresh start.