| A Day At The Races |
The sheer spectacle and colour of seeing racehorses and jockeys close up, the hustling activity that surrounds the betting, the lively excitement of the race itself, the sociability of a day out in the open air with family, friends or business associates, and the opportunity to win yourself a few pounds - you can't beat being there, which is why nearly five million people come racing each year.
The more you know about what's going on, the more fun you'll get from a day at the races, and the aim of these pages is to increase your enjoyment by supplying some basic information about racegoing.
There are 59 racecourses in Britain, staging two 'codes' of horseracing, flat racing and jump racing, both of which take place all year round. Sixteen courses race only on the flat, twenty-four only over jumps, and nineteen under both codes, including racing on artificial surfaces at three All-Weather tracks.
Flat racing reaches its peak in the Summer and Autumn and features the five Classics (2000 Guineas, 1000 Guineas. Oaks, Derby and St Leger) as well as a number of major meetings such as Royal Ascot featuring some of the world's most valuable thoroughbreds. However, cheering home one of the leading jockeys such as Frankie Dettori or Pat Eddery at any of the many flat meetings staged around the country can be equally exciting, particularly if they are riding your fancy!
Jump racing over steeplechase fences or hurdles, starts quietly during the summer months and reaches its climax with the Cheltenham National Hunt Festival in March and the Grand National at Aintree a few weeks later. Though on a different scale the other side of jump racing has a distinct charm all of its own with many small tracks staging meetings that have a very strong local feel.
The variety of horseracing on offer in Britain is unparalleled anywhere in the world and the fifty-nine racecourses, each with its own particular character and atmosphere, offer a wide range of experiences and cater for all tastes and all pockets.
Every day's racing is a refreshing and exciting occasion, and a great horse or a famous race can transform the day into one of those magical occasions when you are grateful simply to be able to say: 'I was there.'
| A great day out: what to wear; getting there; which enclosure to choose; understanding your racecard; planning your agenda for the day. |
| Betting at the races: choosing your fancy; in the paddock & going down; form, and what to look for; backing your fancy; racereading for fun. |
| A racing phrase book: the jolly - always off the pace and off the bridle at the distance, shouldering your even monkey. What can it mean ? |
The material contained in these pages is largely, though not entirely, based on the Racecourse Association booklet " Come Racing ", and reproduced with the permission of Racecourse Communications Ltd, a subsidiary of the Racecourse Association. The Racecourse Association is the trade organisation representing the 59 racecourses of Great Britain.
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