If you have ever been to a racecourse before, you will have almost certainly have the urge to go back again as the day is packed full of excitement, especially if you are lucky enough to get a glorious day of sunshine. Horse racing is popular all over the world and the majority of the major meetings attract huge crowds.
Here is a list of five reasons why you’d love to have a day out at the races.
1. The Racing
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It goes without saying that the focus is the horses and there are typically around six races on a racecard during the meeting you are attending. You don’t need to be an expert in the sport to enjoy the racing or if you want to place a bet to make the action more exciting. The horse racing odds are indicated before the race, therefore you can determine if you want to bet on one of the favourites in the contest or if you want to take a chance on an outsider to try and scoop a bigger return.
2. Drinks
Racecourses make for fantastic settings to share a beer or glass of wine with family and friends. The venues know the day is as much about socialising than it is about the racing so they ensure there are lots of bars and a variety of drinks for racegoers to enjoy. Over 90,000 attended the Belmont Stakes in 2018, which was won by Justify, and Belmont Park was well-stocked with refreshments to serve the large crowd throughout the day.
3. Fashion
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Although most racecourses don’t have a dress code for their tracks, many racegoers like dressing up for their afternoon at the races. In order to encourage a wide range of fashion at the venue, some racecourses hold a best-dressed competition for men and women which you can enter on the day and win a fantastic prize, therefore it does pay to make an effort sometimes. In the UK, one of the big flat meetings of the year, Royal Ascot, is very much associated with fashion. There is a strict dress code for certain areas of the course so always check the racecourse’s website before booking.
4. Family Fun
If you are looking to take children to the racecourses with you, there are lots of activities for them to enjoy during the day. Most venues have a funfair, games for the kids to take part in and candy for you to purchase if you want to give them a treat. They can also see the horses in the parade before the racing begins, which is always a fun sight for the young and old.
5. Hospitality
If you really want to treat yourself or book a party at a racecourse, the hospitality facilities at many of the tracks are superb. You are likely to be in the best enclosure at the course, while you can enjoy some great food before the racing begins in your private area.
