Only football is able to attract higher attendances throughout the calendar year than horse racing, with the equine sport being one of the most lucrative sectors in British sport.
Horse racing is one of the oldest pastimes in the UK, but it has captured a whole new audience in recent years due to the ongoing popularity achieved via online sportsbooks.
You can learn more about how to bet on a sportsbook here: https://www.twinspires.com/betting-guides/beginners-guide-betting-horse-racing/
Unlike other countries, each racecourse in the UK can boast something different, with each having its own stories to tell. But, what are some of the must-visit courses in the country that all sports fans must visit at least once?
Cheltenham
As soon as the nights draw in, talk surrounding the Cheltenham Festival intensifies. Jumps racing is most passionately watched in the United Kingdom, with the four-day meeting in the Cotswolds being the epicentre for many fans’ years.
The Cheltenham Festival is unlike anything else on the racing schedule, with each of the four days seeing the best equine stars over obstacles in action. The racecourse has been open since 1815, with Cheltenham becoming the home of jumps racing as early as 1834 after the first edition of the Grand Annual was staged.
Since then, the location at Prestbury Park has formed the backdrop to some of the most fondly remembered equine victories in the UK and Ireland. The feature of the four-day season-defining meet comes in the form of the Gold Cup, run over three ¼ miles.
Legendary horses such as Best Mate, Arkle, and Denman have all achieved victories in the blue riband event on the National Hunt schedule.
Aintree
Aintree is home to the world’s most famous race, and is incredibly popular among visitors due to its party atmosphere in the heart of Liverpool. The racecourse was opened by William Lynn in 1829, and the first meeting was staged later in the same year.
However, it wasn’t until 1836 when the first steps toward what would be known as the Grand National were made, following staging of the ten-runner Liverpool Grand Steeplechase.
For many, the Grand National is still the most exciting race on the jumps calendar, with newcomers and experts both making wagers on the race which is competed over four miles and 30 fences.
It holds a prominent place in British culture, and the Grand National is aired in over 140 countries, with over 600 million people watching the race annually. Legendary moments in the race stay with racing fans, with iconic moments including Red Rum’s historic third victory and Bob Champion’s unlikely success aboard Aldaniti.
York Racecourse
A beautiful and historic place to watch live horse racing action can be found at York, with the course being the third biggest in Britain in terms of the prize money on offer annually. Due to this, high-quality fields typically go to post in North Yorkshire, with over 350,000 racegoers being attracted to York annually.
Three of the 36 Group One races in the UK are held at York, including the prestigious Juddmonte International Stakes, won this year by Derby victor City of Troy. As well as this, it also stages notable races in the season for fillies, with the standout race coming in the form of the Yorkshire Oaks.
There is plenty of history to take in during a trip to York Racecourse, as it is located next to the former factory of The Chocolate Works.
As well as this, it was also the location of the hanging of Dick Turpin in 1739. In terms of racecourses perfect for newcomers to the sport, few offer as much as York.
Newmarket
In terms of horse racing entertainment on the flat, there are few better locations to watch the sport than Newmarket. Traditionally referred to as HQ, it is home to flat racing in the United Kingdom. Due to that, the track hosts two of the five Classics held in the country annually.
The 1,000 Guineas is contested by fillies aged three in May, with the male horses competing over a mile in the 2,000 Guineas. As well as competitive racing on track, Newmarket is also home to the National Horse Racing Museum and the National Stud.
In total, the track hosts nine of the 36 Group Ones during the flat season. There are two layouts to enjoy during a trip to Newmarket, with the Rowley Mile Course in operation for the Classics.
The July Course is known traditionally as the Cummer Course, with the straight one-mile finish making for competitive fields for bigger handicaps such as the Cesarewitch. Many regard the Cesarewitch as the biggest betting day of the year for flat racing, with a competitive field competing over two miles and two furlongs. However, only one horse has achieved two wins in the race in the 21st century, with Aaim To Prosper claiming victories in 2010 and 2012.
