Horseracing
Horseracing is known as the ‘Sport of Kings’, owing to the fact that it can trace its roots back to King Charles II who organized the first races between horses on private courses at Newmarket. Ever since, it has become one of the favoured pastimes of the ruling classes and British public alike, second only to football in terms of attendance.
There are now 52 racecourses throughout England; each with its own unique character, history and tradition, and each hosting some of the best racing in the world, 360 days a year. There are no nations on earth whose racing traditions and pedigree match those of England, hence why horses, owners and trainers travel here from all corners of the globe, all aspiring to claim victory at the Home of Racing.
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A day at the races
A day at the races is a truly unique experience and a thrilling day out. There is no spectacle anywhere in professional sport to match the thundering hooves and raw power of thoroughbred horses charging up the finishing straight or flying over fences. Add to this the sense of anticipation and the spine-tingling excitement of cheering a winner home, along with the satisfaction of collecting your winnings from the bookmaker, and you have one of the
truly great sporting experiences in England.
There is more to racing than just the horses though and a day at the races is a fantastic social occasion for all tastes; from enjoying a casual picnic in the grassy areas to dressing to impress in the premier enclosures and spotting some of the
high fashion and
high society intrinsically linked with the sport, everyone is catered for. With every course putting on a great variety of family days, themed days or the famously glamorous ladies’ days there is always something happening, including live concerts and parties after racing, which have quickly become a great English tradition.
The English racing calendar is divided into two distinct seasons- the
Jump season and the
Flat season:
Traditionally the Jump season runs from October to April every year and is a uniquely British (and Irish!) affair, with the home nations being indisputably the world’s premier breeders of Jump horses. Jump racing is one of the most spectacular and impressive sites in sport, as the huge horses bravely leap intimidating fences at breathtaking speeds and Jump jockeys are considered amongst the bravest, and toughest, sportsmen in the country as they risk life and limb every race on their quest for glory.
The flat season, which runs over summer months of April to October, is often considered the more glamorous of the two codes, and is certainly the most lucrative in terms of prize money. Summer flat racing is synonymous with style and grace- a quintessentially British affair of hats, dresses, Pimms and parties in the sunshine, and many of the summer events are considered part of the British social ‘scene’.
Horseracing is the
perfect venue for corporate hospitality events. The courses all cater brilliantly for such occasions with prestigious and world-class hospitality facilities, while combining sport with socializing makes it the ideal day out. A day at the races is a wonderful day out, so letting your guests enjoy it in corporate hospitality style always makes for an unforgettable event, and guarantees that your guests will feel like Royalty at the Sport of Kings.
Book hospitality at England's most prestigious racecourses here.
For more information about racing in England visit the British Horseracing Authority website