At the foot of Walton Downs (also known as Six Mile Hill), there is a sand track — it’s just below the Mac track, an artificial training gallop used by horses in training. The sand track stretches from bridleway 127 at the western end of Walton Downs, east above Nohome Farm and across Walton Road, before petering out and merging with bridleway 65 about 350 metres short of Epsom Road North.
The sand track was installed following the passage of the Epsom and Walton Downs Regulation Act 1984. It was the product of negotiation in Parliamentary committee, in order to get the Bill through Parliament. The negotiations arose because of a petition by the British Horse Society to obtain better facilities for hack horse riders (meaning riders whose horses are not in training at racing yards, and who do not pay for the use of the training facilities on the downs). It was agreed to provide the hack sand track, and the Horserace Betting Levy Board (HRLB) gave a commitment to the Bill committee to fund and maintain it. (None of this was included in the 1984 Act.) In practice, maintenance was fitful, and the track was damaged by poor drainage and flints working their way up through the sand. The track was at times unfit for use, and has not been maintained at all since the 2010s. But the HRLB (as a public body) risked criticism for not delivering on its commitment to Parliament.
In order to resolve this long-running dispute about the maintenance of the hack sand track, the Jockey Club (which owns Epsom Downs and has a long lease of Walton Downs) put forward an alternative proposition — the use by hack riders of a turf canter on the lower part of Walton Downs in the afternoon (the hack sand track also is limited to afternoon use).
The negotiations have continued for some time, but now concluded in a welcome agreement. From 1 October 2022, a hack canter is established, marked out and maintained roughly along the bottom of the training gallops on Walton Downs, from bridleway 127 in the west right up to Epsom Lane North in the east. It is open to ride only from west to east (i.e. starting at the bridleway 127 end near Langley Vale Farm), and only from noon onwards (to avoid conflict with race horses in training). It is marked by orange paddles planted in the turf (much as are the grass gallops in use for training), and the precise alignment may be varied according to conditions and use. It is necessary to cross Walton Road, and although material is spread over the tarmacadam road surface, riders must exercise particular caution here. On reaching bridleway 65 at the end, riders can loop around to Old London Road to rejoin bridleway 127. The hack canter is about 1,900 metres long, on fine downland turf rideable in nearly all conditions.
But riders should exercise care and keep a good look-out, as they must anywhere on the downs. Unlike in the morning, when staff are assigned to the training gallops to head off conflict between horses in training and other downs users, there seldom is any supervision in the afternoon. Dog walkers might be out on Walton Downs, cyclists may be riding along Walton Road (and possibly elsewhere), families may be picnicing on a fine day, other riders may be on the bridleway which runs along the foot of the downs, or along Walton Road, kites may be flown (contrary to the byelaws on this part of the downs — but then, so is much else on the downs). Riders are responsible for their own safety, should ride according to the conditions, and should be able to bring their mounts to a halt if needed.
These arrangements began on 1 October 2022. As of late October, the new canter track is marked out on the ground, but there is no signage to speak of. There are, however, very clear signs of use, and when I visited on the evening of 13 October, two riders had just completed a circuit returning down Walton Road. Do use it, but take particular care in the vicinity of other downs users (including horse riders), especially crossing Walton Road. And remember: afternoons only, starting from the Langley Vale Farm end.
Hi was wondering might be a bit of a stupid question as a rider that goes to a stable close by can I gallop down the blue where it say hack canter.
Assuming by ‘blue’ you mean the hack canter shown on the map above, then a guarded yes, but only after midday. And please read the blog first, for example about being alert for other downs users (including horse riders) in the vicinity. This isn’t like a gallop on private training gallops: you might encounter loose dogs, cycles, walkers, other horses and their riders, kites, and you should have the capability to pull up quickly if necessary.
Ok it’s just I went out on a group hack with some friends and they said oh we’re going to gallop down the blue I didn’t know if we could thank you so much for an answer. Yes I’m fully aware about other horse we always ask if we see someone lower down if it’s safe to canter pass and if it’s not we wait for them also aware of the dogs as we have accounted lots of meet whilst cantering down.
Good. There’s also the Walton Road crossing (the one which is a continuation of Ebbisham Lane), which is a public road crossing (I know it doesn’t look like it). You really do need to be careful there, and give way to users on it.
Yes we always do. We make sure that Everton safe. I thibk the worse thibg is when people have dogs of lead and they can’t do recal because some of the horse have been in full on dog attacks on the downs. You the track that comes out at the crossing at ebbisham and there is the gate you go around we had a bad dog attack and my horse backed into to it and decked me over it.
That, I’m afraid, is the mixed blessing of riding on Epsom and Walton Downs. Some great riding, and it’s free. But there are risks, and nearly all the wardening activity is put into keeping safe the horses in training during the morning. To be fair, the industry pays for a big slice of the conservators’ running costs — but then, so do the public through their council tax.
I went on foot to have a look at then new canter track today. Please could you tell me if the track is marked by orange round paddle markers planted in the ground? I used to ride along the sand track which is now unusable, above that is the racehorse track and further up the hill is a grassed area with round orange markers. Thank you.
Hi Gillian — no, unfortunately, I can’t confirm anything, because I haven’t yet been up to take a look. But it should be obvious, at least at the starting point. If it isn’t, that’s something I’ll take up with the Jockey Club (as a starting point). I’ll try to visit later this week.
Thank you. I’ll keep checking back. I’m coming over Saturday afternoon for a ride. Looking forward to it.
Hi there is there any update on this track?
Also if visiting with a trailer, where would be the best place for parking for this hack canter?
Yes, thanks for reminding me. I took a look late last week, and was pleased to see the hack canter marked out on the ground by orange paddles (see photos). There is a ‘Gallop CLOSED’ sign at the Langley Vale Farm start, which presumably is displayed facing riders during the morning, and turned away from them around midday. There is also one ‘Beware Horses Galloping Look Right’ sign above the crossing of Walton Road. But nothing else. That should improve in due course.
If you’re coming with a trailer, you can use one of the car parks on the downs, including the mile post car park inside Tattenham Corner, and those along Grand Stand Road, but none of these is enclosed with fencing. I usually park in Derby Stables Road (facing downhill, because it’s one-way), reached by turning in at the top off Ashley Road. Then, if you wish, follow hack ride no.2, but substitute the hack canter for the sand track (I’ll get round to updating it soon).
The kite flying criticism could have been better worded as it coukd be construed from reading this that kite flying is not permitted. It is permitted, just within a certain area, which is what hasn’t been made clear here. The bylaws regarding kite flying can be found at (PDF download):
https://www.epsom-ewell.gov.uk/sites/default/files/documents/residents/venues-open-space-hire/Epsom-and-Walton-Downs/EWDC%20Kite%20Flying.pdf
Perhaps so, but it’s correct that kite flying is done in breach of the byelaws anywhere on Six Mile Hill. As you say, it’s permitted within a defined area within the Tattenham Corner part of the racecourse, and only at certain times — but as with so much else on the downs, the downskeepers have little capacity nor inclination to enforce.
Very happy to hear about this new hack. The sand track had fallen into disrepair and was dangerous. As a resident very close to the Downs and frequent rider and dog walker using this amazing place, I thank you for providing this for us.
Thank you Theresa. Thanks are particularly due to the Jockey Club for its determination to find a long-term solution to the problem.
Thanks so much for your hard work on this Hugh!
We are all looking forward to using this track.
Thank you: let’s hope it works well, and riders and everyone else behave responsibly.