Horse racing is one of the oldest sports in the United Kingdom, dating back to the 16th century. It is ranked as the second-largest sporting event in the UK, and it offers a rich and varied history that provides several challenges for spectators and jockeys alike.
Enthusiasts of the sport gather yearly to cheer and support their favorite jockeys and horses at several events around the UK. Here’s a list of some trendy ones:
Epsom Derby
The Epsom Derby is one of the most prestigious sports events in the UK. It debuted in 1780 and takes place yearly in June. The race track covers a distance of 1 mile, four furlongs and 6 yards, with an average of 100,000 people in attendance.
Epsom Downs offers horses and jockeys a speed, balance, and endurance test on the horseshoe-shaped racecourse. This event is popular in the UK and even inspired the creation of the Kentucky Derby in the United States. This influence extends even further to the online sphere, where certain web developers are adopting ideas from the event to build horse racing games. One example of this is Cayetano’s Big Racing – those who play Big Racing at Paddy Power can enjoy virtual features, such as Wilds and Multi-Race Awards, that have been inspired by real-life horse racing.
Cheltenham Festival
Another famous horse racing event in the UK is the Cheltenham Festival, which takes place in March every year. In this event, the horses go head-to-head at the Gloucestershire racecourse.
The event comprises 3 miles, 2 furlongs and 70 yards. The horses are not required to run and cross the finish line first; however, they can jump through 22 fences around the racecourse.
The Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket
The event was coined after its founder, Thomas Gee’s Dewhurst Stud. The popular UK racing event brings together top horses from around the country.
The Newmarket course has over seven furlongs, with fillies and two-year-old colts taking the stage for a chance to win a prestigious prize. The great history of UK horse racing is never complete without this popular racing event, which started in 1875 and takes place every October in Newmarket.
Royal Ascot
The Royal Ascot is not only a race but also a fashion extravaganza. Held in Berkshire, this event brings together the tradition and pageantry of the British people, as well as high-speed racing action. It was so extravagant that even the late Queen Elizabeth II frequently attended Ascot, as she had been a big horse enthusiast since childhood.
It started in 1839 and has run almost every year since. The Royal Ascot is said to be the most valuable race in Britain and had a prize of £7.3 million in 2019.
The Grand National
This horse racing event occurs every April and is among the most popular in the UK. It’s held at the Aintree racecourse in Liverpool, England, with over 40 contenders competing over 4 miles, 2 ½ furlongs and 30 spruce. It is considered the ultimate test for horses and jockeys.
The Grand National runs for three days at Aintree Racecourse and draws the attention of millions of viewers worldwide. With a prize pot of £1 million for grabs, this event is packed with unpredictable races, with a twist adding to the unmatched excitement.
Take a Leap
If you are new to the world of horse racing, this all may seem a little daunting at first but there are some great tips from FilmDaily that can help you navigate horse racing fixtures and make the most of your time at these prestigious events.
These events are the perfect avenue to enhance knowledge of trendy horse races in the UK. They also deliver it all for horse racing enthusiasts looking for a perfect fusion of elegance, culture and English charm.
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