Sports Then and Now

Want to mingle with the rich and famous or enjoy the thrills of placing a bet on your favorite horse? The races give you the perfect excuse to do just that. Admittedly, though, attending an event can be overwhelming if this is your first time. To help you out, we’ve put together this beginner’s horse racing guide: how to enjoy your time at the races.

1. Choose a racecourse to visit

Horse Racing is known for the iconic racecourses at Ascot and Aintree. However, there are countless other options all over the country. If you’ve never been to the races before, the simplest thing is to choose a racecourse close to your home. Luckily, you can use this useful tool to find the best horse racing course near you.

2. Learn what to expect

Attending the races involves much more than picking an event. The thing involves a full day of socialising and catching up with family or friends. There are a number of places to eat, from fine dining to street food vans, but you can also opt for a picnic. Attending the races also means that you can spend the entire time watching the horses or hop from bar to bar whilst only watching one race. Truly, the choice is yours.

3. Learn the dress code

What do you usually wear when spending the day out? If it’s ill-fitting clothes or sportswear, give them a pass. The races are a social event more than a sports one, and there is a dress code you have to follow. The best thing to wear is formal day-wear attire, such as a colourful dress for women or a suit if you’re a man. Hats are also a must – or an intricate headwear if you don’t mind getting fancy. However, ladies should steer clear of heels and uncomfortable footwear. A pair of cute but comfortable flats are a much more appropriate choice.

4. Learn how to bet

Betting may be a complicated affair, but you can’t say you’ve been to the races until you’ve placed a bet on one of the horses. It doesn’t even matter if you lose or win – though winning will undeniably improve your day. The secret to horserace betting is learning the odds. In a very simplified way, the higher the first number, the higher the wins. For instance, if you bet £5 on an odd of 5/2 and you win, you’ll walk home with £17.50, £12.50 your win plus the original £5 you’ve invested. However, if you bet £5 on an odd of 2/5 and you win, you’ll only walk home with £7. Sure, there is much more into betting than this, but if it’s your first time at the races and you’re only betting for fun, then this is all you need to know. There are lots of different companies to choose from that do all the research for you to give you Cheltenham betting tips so you don’t need to sit down and work out who is going to win.

5. Learn horse racing terminology

Attending the races also means learning horseracing terminology. For instance, you should know what a colt or mare refers to, what is a maiden, and what is a banker. In this way, not only will you be able to have a glimpse of the rich and famous lifestyle, but you’ll also be able to enjoy your time to the fullest.