Horse racing is one of the most viewed sports in the world. It brings a unique mix of heritage, crowd interaction, and the sheer thrill of watching and wagering on trained animals thundering across the turf. Races take place in some of the most enduring and captivating backdrops across the world. From the U.K. to the U.S., here are some famous courses that are perfect for the thrill of the ride.
Ascot, England
One of England’s most enduring racecourses, Ascot was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne when she discovered that the ground was perfect for riding on after going for a gallop on her horse. During the summer, the venue is known as Royal Ascot as traditionally the King and Queen attend.
The pageantry of the occasion was elevated even further when the late Queen Elizabeth became the first reigning monarch to to win the Ascot Gold Cup in 2013. Her Majesty was the owner of Estimate, who just crossed the line ahead of rival Simenon by just a neck.
Churchill Downs, United States
The Kentucky Derby is the first chapter of the lucrative group of races known as the Triple Crown. The Preakness Stakes and The Belmont Stakes betting bonanza make up the other parts of the most grueling challenge for any horse over just five weeks.
The Kentucky Derby is known as the “most exciting two minutes in sports” and celebrated its 150th year at the iconic Churchill Downs. It was one of the most thrilling races too as the winner Mystik Dan edged out runner-up Sierra Leone by a nose. The course at Churchill, which has a capacity of 170,000, is known for the Twin Spires that have sat above the grandstand for the last 130 years.
One of the most challenging aspects of the modern day is trying to get the spectators to the trackside. Many of the rich and famous come to the site, including former U.S. Presidents Richard Nixon, George W. Bush and even Donald Trump.
Flemington Racecourse, Australia
Flemington Racecourse hosts the Melbourne Cup every year, the world’s richest handicap race and a carnival that attracts the spectacle of the fashion industry. Not only is it a great event for equine spectators, but it also boasts a very popular rose garden which is the largest of its type in the southern hemisphere.
Flemington track’s circumference is well over 2,000 metres which makes it one of the longest racecourses in Australia. It is famous for its “Straight Six” – a six-furlong length of straight track that is ideal for the speed kings of sprint races.
Locally, the Melbourne Cup is known as “the race that stops the nation” and the country was on tenterhooks when the great Makybe Diva went for a hat-trick of wins in 2005 after winning the two previous editions. When the decision was taken to water the track, she romped away for that historic victory.
Meydan Racecourse, Dubai
Although it is a very youthful track having only opened in 2010, Meydan has already gained a reputation as one of the most luxurious. It cost a staggering 1.25 billion and is the only course that has a five-star hotel at the trackside which offers unobstructed views of the action.
CNN has described it as “a cathedral to 21st-century racing” and it is little wonder that the venue attracts a horde of tourists who have more to their day than attending the races. There is even a rooftop infinity pool.
Meydan is the home to one of the richest horse races in the world – the Dubai World Cup which boasts a prize fund of over $30 million as world-class jockeys, owners and horses come annually to race.
Aintree, Liverpool
Liverpool is home to three huge global reference points: Liverpool Football Club, The Beatles, and Aintree Racecourse. The Grand National fences there are some of the most challenging and famous in the world as over 30 horses attempt to cover more than four miles without falling at fences like The Chair which is the tallest of all the jumps at over five feet.
Some of the most dramatic moments have come when very fancied horses have fallen as early as the first or when jockeys have been knocked off their mount by the chaos of stray horses. The course was originally designed for flat racing and the racecourse capacity of 75,000 is the second largest venue in the United Kingdom behind Epsom.
Horse racing takes its followers on a road trip to some of the most iconic and scenic places. The speed of the gallop is only one part of the thrill in this most unique sport.
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