Horse racing is the second most popular sport (by number of spectators) in the UK, and part of the reason for this is that there are simply so many world-class horse racing events that take place throughout the year. Indeed, some of the world’s most famous races take place up and down the country. And these events don’t just offer top-tier racing; they’re also fantastic social events that make for a brilliant weekend getaway. On this page, we’ll run through some of the country’s best races. And that’s not all. We’ll also offer some tips on how you can enjoy your trip to the max, including reading up on horse racing tips beforehand, getting dressed up, and how to do the post-racing celebrations in style.
Cheltenham Festival
Cheltenham competes with the Grand National for the title of the ‘leading horse racing festival in the UK’ and, quite possibly, the world. Taking place each March in Cheltenham, the four-day event is home to some of the biggest races in the horse racing calendar, including the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is the festival’s most famous race. That one takes place on the festival’s final day, but there are world-class events on the other days, too.
As with the Grand National, Cheltenham is almost as much a social occasion as a horse racing event. That makes it especially appealing to newcomers to the sport. If you’re interested in visiting this festival, you’ll want to follow some best practises. For instance, it’s essential to book your accommodation as early as possible. You can stay in the Cotswolds or a surrounding town like Worcester or Stratford upon Avon. It’s also a good idea to read up on which horses are likely to perform well during the festival; this is a world-class event, after all, so you’ll need to do more than just pick your favourite name among the lineup!
The Grand National
A few weeks after the Cheltenham Festival, the Grand National takes place at Aintree Racecourse in Liverpool. As with Cheltenham, this is a big social event. If you’re planning to attend this one, grab some friends, buy a stunning outfit, and prepare yourself for a weekend of fun. If you’re at all interested in horse racing, then this is an essential bucket-list addition.
The festival takes place over three days. The first, Thursday, is a more relaxed event that generally only attracts horse racing aficionados. The second day, Ladies Day is the most social day of the three. The final day is the big one and features the greatest steeplechase in the world, the Grand National.
It’s recommended that you stay in the city centre of Liverpool during your trip; the race ground is just a couple of miles away from the centre, and you can easily get there via public transport. It’s best to pace yourself (and to avoid draining your energy) during the day itself because the after-race fun is something to behold. Take yourself back into Liverpool, try out one of the city’s delicious, top-end restaurants, and then spend the night having the time of your life in the bars, pubs, and clubs with your fellow racegoers.
2000 Guineas Stakes
If you’re looking for a historic race that still holds plenty of prestige, then the 2000 Guineas Stakes might be the race that you’re looking for. This one takes place at Newmarket in late April or early May and is considered to be the first of the five flat-racing classics. The other big race that takes place on the same bill is the 1000 Guineas Stakes, which is open to only fillies.
By attending these races, you’ll also get to experience Newmarket, which is widely thought of as the horse racing capital not only of the UK but of the world. Indeed, such is the fame of this place that it can be worthwhile visiting even when there’s no racing taking place. But for the best experience, combine your sightseeing with a trip to the racecourse to see a legendary race. When you’re not watching the action, you can spend some time in the National Museum for Horseracing and Sporting Art, visit the Gallop Tracks, or take a tour of super exclusive Jockey Club Rooms.
St Leger Festival
St Leger Festival is more low-key than other festivals mentioned on this page, but it’s certainly one of the most fun festivals you can attend. Taking place over four days at Doncaster, the first day is a big hit because of the legends race, which sees celebrities and famous jockeys of the past race in the name of charity. Day three and four see the biggest races of the festival, the Doncaster Cup and the St Leger Stakes.
When you’re not at the races, check out some of Doncaster’s attractions, which include Doncaster Minster, the South Yorkshire Aircraft Museum, and Conisbrough Castle.
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot is a quintessentially English racing experience. Indeed, newcomers to the sport who visit this event typically say that they’ve never seen anything like it. This is perhaps because of the racecourse’s close association with the Royal family. While you can see members of the elite at all of the country’s leading horse racing events (they’re big fans), this is the one in which they have the biggest presence.
It’s a five-day event with many races each day. The biggest two are the King’s Stand Stakes and the Ascot Gold Cup. For the full experience, it’s best to go on the final day, Saturday, though it can be cheaper to go earlier in the week. You’ll have a couple of options as to where you stay. The most convenient place would be the small town of Ascot itself, which is essentially built around the racecourse, so you’ll never be too far away. But if you want the horse racing to just be a part of a bigger trip to London, then stay in the city. You can get to Ascot from London Waterloo station in under an hour via train.
