Professional horse racing is one of the oldest and most popular sports in the world. Not only has it been around for centuries, but its biggest events of the season draw millions of new eyes to the sport each year.
There is nothing quite like watching these events in person. Not only are the races themselves thrilling, but the sport has a surrounding culture that can really only be experienced in person. If you love professional horse racing, make a point of getting out to one of the best destinations for equestrian enthusiasts this year.
Churchill Downs
Every racing fan knows Churchill Downs. Built in the 19th century, this classic venue has hosted arguably the most famous racing event in the world for more than one hundred years.
Who wouldn’t love to sit trackside at the Kentucky Derby? Unfortunately, it is really cost-prohibitive. Reserved tickets start at $700 and go up pretty significantly. That’s before you get into resale prices.
The good news is that you don’t have to buy tickets that cost as much as your house payment just to see the event.
Churchill Downs hosts more than 60 races throughout the year. If the Kentucky Derby is out of your price range, consider heading over to the pleasant town of Louisville Kentucky during a lower-profile event to see what the most famous venue in racing has to offer.
You can check here all the tournaments in Churchill Downs racetrack: https://www.twinspires.com/tournaments/
Paris Longchamp
Paris Longchamp is considered by many to be the most challenging venue that professional horse racing has to offer. There is a notorious hill at the end of the track that is known for giving contestants a pretty grueling final challenge.
It’s also one of the most flexible venues. Paris Longchamp has 46 different starting posts, which means you could attend several events and never quite see the same race twice.
Plus, it’s in Paris. Louisville is a great town, but if you are hoping for a comprehensive cultural experience that is just as satisfying off the track as it is on, you could do a whole lot worse than the French capital.
Cheltenham Racecourse
In England and Ireland, jump racing is the most popular version of the sport. This is reflected at the famous Cheltenham Racecourse. An amphitheater-style environment, Cheltenham is located in the United Kingdom.
Every year, it draws thousands of travelers and millions of viewers to one titular event: the Cheltenham Festival.
If you can afford the often very expensive tickets, this may be the most exciting way to experience this famous venue. If you don’t have NBA money (yes, a weirdly large number of professional basketball players love horse racing) you can grab more affordable tickets at a regular season event.
Randwick Racecourse
Randwick is located just outside Sydney, Australia. Hosting events since 1833, Randwick is not only one of the oldest racks in the world but also the most popular.
Fans will be most familiar with its signature event: The Everest. This is the richest racing event in Australia, worth $15 million.
If you can’t make it to that event, there are many other ways to experience Australia’s greatest track. The Australian Derby. Spring Carnival. Chinese Festival of Racing. Also—dozens of other lower-profile/more affordable races to consider.
As an added bonus, it is also worth pointing out that Sydney itself is a really wonderful city. Make a point of stopping by the Sydney Opera House while you are there.
Understand the Culture
Horse racing is a rich person’s pursuit. Those horses they are riding? Those alone cost around $300,000. Horses that descend from previous champions can be worth significantly more.
Then there is feeding them. Caring for them. Housing them. Training them. It takes millions of dollars to raise competitive horses at the highest level.
In other words, this is a country club sport, breathing the same rarified air as golf or tennis. If you are going to a horse race, do a little bit of research to learn more about the dress code.
Some of these tracks will have really strict rules. Others will have firm dress code “suggestions,” which are pretty much the same thing as rules.
You can drink. The track may even have the sort of “ballpark,” fair you might be used to at more casual sporting events. Big, expensive beers. Hot dogs.
Sometimes the options will be classier. The most popular drink at the Kentucky Derby? Mint Julep.
Even the experience of betting on horse racing is a little bit different. Unlike other sports, where the odds are sometimes freakishly accurate—March Madness, for example—upsets are a relatively common occurrence.
Because each raise is only about two minutes long, there is a ton of volatility. Who knows which horse will come out of the gate strong? Trying to figure it out is part of the fun.