Make memories of your day at the races by soaking up the whole experience from start to finish. Here are the places you should go to, to get the most from your day!
Watch the horses being saddled up
It’s not just the racing itself that makes for fascinating viewing on racedays. Head down to the Pre-Parade Ring to watch the stable staff preparing their runners for race-time.
Saddling up a racehorse is not as simple as just shoving a saddle on! It takes years of practice and relationship-building with the horse to keep it calm but ready to run its race and can be fascinating to watch.
Pick a winner at the Parade Ring
You can get one over on your fellow racegoers by paying a visit to the Parade Ring before you place any bets.
This is where you can see and judge the horses with your own eyes: how they’re looking, how they’re walking and how composed they are before heading down to the start.
If you’re wanting to bet on a Jumps race, pay close attention to the muscle mass of the horses in your chosen field. If you’re weighing up a race on the Flat, look for the lean horses with bright, determined eyes on them. Either way look for a horse that looks athletic, is calm but attentive and ready to rock!
Have a flutter in the betting ring
Fancy trotting up to the bookies for a little bet?
There are plenty of ways to do so at our racecourses. Betting shops are scattered around the course and act just like your regular high-street ones, whilst bookmakers can be found in the always-buzzing betting ring.
You can also bet with the Tote, which you’ll find signposted around the course, too. The Tote acts more like a lottery; the amount you win depends on how many winning bets are placed and the total amount of money pooled before the race.
Watch a race by the winning post
When the race starts, heart rates rise throughout the crowd – anyone could win and everyone believes it will be them.
If you want to experience the true thrill of backing a winner, head to the winning post to hear the roar of the crowd, the thundering of hooves and (hopefully) see your horse cross the line first.
It is one of the greatest feelings you can experience on a raceday and it’s exactly why we love racing.
Welcome the winners in
No matter what the sport, who doesn’t love watching a winning team or player celebrate their victory. That is especially true in racing, where you can get up close to the winning and placed horses and their connections.
Be sure to listen out for the weighed-in announcement – you’ll hear “weighed in, weighed in!” That means the result is official and you can collect your winnings from the bookies.
