The charm of Carmel races

Racing at Cartmel probably began in the 15th century when Brother John wagered a mug of ale with Brother Cain at Cartmel Priory that his mule could give his fellow monk two lengths start and beat him back to the Abbot’s orchard. Nowadays Cartmel is one of racing’s precious smaller jewels. The tiny track nestled in a Cumbrian valley and reached by a tangle of winding country lanes not only attracts jump racing crowds of up to 20,000 (only Cheltenham and Aintree do better) but it also gives them an experience not to be found anywhere else.

There’s nothing grand about Cartmel: as its owner, Baron Cavendish of Furness, once drove the late Queen Elizabeth past, she exclaimed with incredulity: ‘You call that a racecourse!’ Where else would the racecourse commentary declare: ‘And as they pass the Sticky Toffee Pudding Shop Brian Hughes moves into the lead.’