Horse racing events involve a combination of fast-moving animals, large crowds, and open outdoor spaces. At Broadmeadow Racecourse in Newcastle, race days attract thousands of visitors. Managing movement across this open venue presents a serious challenge.
Without proper fencing, risks increase. Horses can stray from assigned zones, spectators may enter restricted areas, and emergency services can face blocked access. In any of these situations, the safety of both people and animals is compromised.
Horses respond quickly to loud sounds and unexpected movements. If a barrier fails or isn’t properly installed, it creates an opportunity for injury or property damage. During major events like the Boxing Day Races, crowd pressure increases and so does the importance of safe fencing.
Organisers must also meet safety standards for public venues. Without strong perimeter and internal fencing, there’s an increased risk of non-compliance and incidents that affect public confidence in the venue.
Chainwire Fencing installs systems at high-traffic venues like Broadmeadow to manage movement, separate spaces, and reduce access risks. These fences guide crowd flow, protect track areas, and help control where and how animals and staff move across the site.
Fencing is also used to:
- Separate public viewing zones from active racing areas
- Create holding areas for horses
- Mark out restricted entry paths for staff, emergency teams, and race officials
- Maintain security around stables and storage
Fencing Used at Broadmeadow
At Broadmeadow, multiple fencing types are in use to manage space:
- Chainwire fencing along spectator edges
- Steel mesh gates for staff access
- Defined corridors for horse movement
- Boundary fencing along perimeter roads and public walkways
These systems are built to reduce interference, guide traffic, and stand up to repeated use. The layout is designed to protect without limiting visibility or movement.
Containment and Movement
Event fencing must support both containment and access. At Broadmeadow, this includes:
- Safe zones for horses between stables and track
- Controlled gates that support walk-through and equipment use
- Defined exit paths for vehicles and emergency responders
Fencing prevents accidental movement into wrong zones and supports clear wayfinding for staff and contractors. It also keeps animals calm and lowers the chance of injury due to crowd pressure or uncontrolled noise.
Infrastructure and Maintenance
Broadmeadow is used across 26 race days annually, with additional off-day training and use. Fencing must hold up to:
- Repeated weather exposure
- High foot traffic
- Animal impact
- Event preparation and dismantling
To manage this, Chainwire Fencing uses galvanised mesh and secure post setups. Posts are set into concrete, mesh is tensioned to prevent sag, and finishes are applied to reduce corrosion.
Where repairs are needed, the team provides quick replacement of damaged sections without full reinstallation.
Managing Public Zones and Safety
Fencing also supports movement through spectator spaces. Chainwire Fencing assists with:
- Entry and exit crowd flows
- Queue lanes and ticketing areas
- Preventing crowd spill into restricted sections
- Wayfinding between event areas
These setups are essential during major events where crowd sizes exceed 10,000. They reduce confusion, prevent congestion, and help event managers deliver smooth race day operations.
Specialist Fencing for Event Venues
Fencing isn’t just installed to tick boxes. At a venue like Broadmeadow, each barrier must support function, safety, and compliance. Chainwire Fencing applies site-specific planning to meet:
- Local council event guidelines
- Horse movement planning
- Crowd control standards
- Emergency access layout rules
We install fences to match how people and animals move across the site. Layouts are reviewed with operators to ensure every section supports visibility, access, and containment where needed.
Related Fencing Applications
To see how fencing improves safety and crowd control in other high-use environments, visit:
✅ Go Kart Track Fencing
✅ School Security Fencing
Both use fencing to manage movement, define access points, and maintain secure zones around people and equipment.
Talk to Chainwire Fencing
If your venue needs fencing that manages public movement, animal safety, and compliance during high-traffic events, we can help. Chainwire Fencing works with racecourses and public facilities across Newcastle to install systems that perform under pressure and support event safety from planning through to operation. Get in touch to arrange a site review and discuss fencing options suited to your venue layout.
