A day at the races

What’s it like going to a race day?

Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the UK with race days held almost every day of the year across its 59 racecourses. It’s a chance to get close-up to horses and their jockeys, to see them compete in exciting races and enjoy the buzz of the crowd. There’s so much going on, think of it as a festival with sport.

Talk me through the day …

When you arrive, you will get your first glimpse of the actual course and perhaps spot the winning post near the stands where the spectators gather to cheer on the horses. You will notice that lots of people will be dressed up in suits and colourful dresses, although some will be in casual clothes. Now’s the time to pick up a racecard – that’s a guide to all the races on the day and tells you what horses are competing in each race. It even shows you the different colours of the jockeys’ silks so you can easily spot them.

Races happen around every 30 minutes so there’s plenty of time between them to go out and explore. Before each race, horses walk around a parade ring – that’s a great chance for you to see them close-up. You’ll also see the jockeys, the trainers and the owners. Who knows, you may even spot a celebrity!

There’s also lots of great places to grab a bite to eat, and many racecourses put on events aimed specifically for young people. There’s more on those below.

When the race starts, you can either watch from the stands, or you may choose to stand by the rails to get a real close-up view. Don’t worry if you can’t see everything, all the action is shown on big TV screens.

Most races only last a couple of minutes, and you’ll find many people cheer as the horses race to the winning post. Once that’s over, everyone prepares for the next race.

How many people will be there?

It varies from day to day but expect a couple of thousand people at a race day. For bigger events – like the Cheltenham festival, the Grand National or Royal Ascot – there could be tens of thousands there.

Can I meet the jockeys?

On the day, jockeys are very busy and super-focused before races so don’t expect to take selfies with them during this time. But racecourses sometimes host jockey signing events when you can meet them, take selfies and ask for autographs.

Can I bring my own food?

Some places let you bring picnics and have special places set aside in the racecourse for families. These are often in the centre of the course, so you have a great view of everything that’s happening.

Some courses also have burger vans, ice cream stalls and sweet shops!

Is it safe?

Yes. There are many people working at the course to make sure everything runs smoothly and everyone is safe. You may spot stewards and first-aid teams around, and most courses have special family areas.

Do horses like racing?

Racehorses are bred and trained to run, and they genuinely love running.

Are they treated well?

In the UK, British Racing sets world-leading standards in equine welfare. The industry has invested more than £35 million in veterinary research and education since 2000, which has benefited all breeds of horses. The focus is on safety and wellbeing, so every horse bred for racing leads “a life well-lived”. During National Racehorse Week, the public can go behind the scenes to see the level of care horses are given. You can find more information on equine welfare at HorsePWR.