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A typical raceday consists of 6 - 8 races, taking place roughly at half hour intervals. So, there’s plenty of time between races to enjoy a drink or something to eat and take in the runners and riders for the next race. At more popular meetings, there’s often a range of non-racing entertainment for you to enjoy too.
Racecard
One of the first things you need to do when you get to the racecourse, is buy yourself a racecard. It contains useful information about the course including a map indicating the various facilities.
The racecard will tell you everything you need to know about the races and runners you’re about to see and will help you select the horse with the best chance of winning. Most racecards include a diagram explaining how to read the card – here’s an idea of what to expect:
Walk the course
Often it is possible to walk the course prior to the start of the meeting. This is an amazing way to get a real feel for the horses and jockeys - and for the drama and excitement which will undoubtedly unfold throughout the day. To do this, make sure you arrive in good time.
Pre-parade ring
Before they are saddled up, the horses are walked around the pre-parade ring. This is a good place to get your first glimpse of the horses and is often less crowded than the Parade Ring area. You can then give yourself enough time to have a bet and find a good spot to watch the race.
The Parade Ring
Take a closer look at each horse. Which one catches your eye? If you're unsure what you should be looking for, take a quick peek at our guide to picking a winner which gives you some good pointers.
Watching the race
Obviously the grandstand is the obvious place to watch a race and there also TV screens around the course. Some of the bigger meetings also have giant screens on which you can follow the action.
However, it’s fun choosing different spots to watch the races. One of the best places is to stand right by the rails so you can see the horses thundering past. If you're at a Jumps meeting, it’s often possible to stand next to one of the hurdles or fences so you can get a sense of the energy and power of the horses as they fly past.
What about after each race?
Share the triumph of the winners as they are presented with their trophies in the Winner's Enclosure. You never know, you could be celebrating your win too!
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Racing
Fixtures
