Horse racing is a sport that spans the entire year, with a wide variety of events to watch and enjoy from around the world. These are some of the most anticipated and enjoyed events that horse racing enthusiasts look forward to each year and are must-sees for 2019.
Grand National
Over 600 million people tune in to watch horses race around this famous 30-fence racecourse. The Aintree Grand National is an iconic steeplechase event that dates back to 1839″ to read “The Aintree Grand National is an iconic steeplechase event that dates back to 1839, with people always looking to find a winner. The countries top jockeys and horses take part in this event in a bid to win the million-pound prize.
Epsom Derby
The Epsom Derby is a fantastic summer celebration where there are prizes for race winners as well as the best dressed, bars and music, and celebrity spectators. This event has a dedicated Ladies Day and there’s also the Greatest Flat Race in the World. With the Investec Derby Stakes as the final event of the day, this is one of the most exciting horse racing events in the UK.
Cheltenham Festival
With a purse of over £4 million that’s second only to the Grand National and a rich history, Cheltenham Festival has a dedicated Hall of Fame, a Trophy Room and even a Guinness Village where you can enjoy live bands after the races are over. It has a brilliant atmosphere and is even famous for what’s known as the ‘Cheltenham Roar’, where the crowd makes a huge noise at the first race of the festival.
Punchestown Irish National Hunt Festival
Ireland’s answer to Cheltenham Festival, Punchestown Festival is an annual event that begins on a Tuesday and ends the following Saturday, with races including the Champion Hurdle, Champion Chase and the Punchestown Gold Cup. This event is packed with exciting races and is one of the most anticipated competitions in the Irish racing calendar.
Goodwood Festival
Held in Sussex at the end of July, Goodwood Festival is a glamourous five-day event and one of the highlights of the flat-racing season. From the Goodwood Cup to the King George Stakes and the million-pound Sussex Stakes, this competition exhibits top-class racing, stunning surrounding scenery and a fantastic ambience that’s truly memorable.
Royal Ascot
The world’s finest racehorses compete in June for the £7.3 million prize, with big-name horses fighting it out on the racetrack to win the Group One races over the course of this five-day meeting. There’s a lot of pageantry to Ascot which is one of the charms of this event. Even the Queen is a fan and never misses this event, attending every year to enjoy the races in person.
Ebor Festival
Ebor Festival provides four days of action in Yorkshire in August. The biggest race of this meeting is the Juddmonte Stakes which is a mile-and-a-quarter long race. On Friday, it’s Nunthorpe day which is also much anticipated – it features the Nunthorpe Stakes, the Strensall Stakes and the Gimcrack Stakes.
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