Horse racing has been a popular sport in the UK for centuries. It is believed to have originated from the chariot races of ancient Rome, which were brought to the country by invading Roman armies. The first recorded horse race in the UK took place in 1174, during the reign of Henry II, and it was held in Smithfield, London.
Throughout the Middle Ages, horse racing continued to gain popularity, and by the 16th century, many of the major races we know today, such as the Epsom Derby (more on that later), had been established. During this time, horse racing was often seen as a pastime for the wealthy and the nobility, who would compete against each other in races held on private estates.
Nowadays, horse racing is still as popular as ever. Online sports betting platforms such as Bovada provide odds on thousands of races not just from these shores, but from overseas as well. In fact, the recent Cheltenham festival was thought to be one of the most lucrative of all time for sports betting companies, and that is a testament to the popularity and longevity of one of the planet’s oldest sports.
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There’s no better place to experience the excitement and thrills of racing than at one of Great Britain’s prestigious horse racing festivals. The country plays host to many horse racing festivals throughout the year, but there are three that stand out above the rest. Here are the three most popular horse racing festivals in the United Kingdom today.
Cheltenham Festival is one of the jewels in the crown of British sport. The four-day festival attracts hundreds of thousands of both fans and punters alike, all of whom have the time of their lives inside the packed 68,5000 capacity grandstand in Gloucestershire. The festival is held in March, and it is home to some of the most prestigious and lucrative races in National Hunt racing.
Perhaps the most highly anticipated race is the esteemed Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is the championship race for steeple chasing and has a grand prize of £625,000 to its lucky victor. Over the years, many famous horses have won at Cheltenham, including Desert Orchid, Best Mate, and Kauto Star. This festival is also a great opportunity to see the best jockeys and trainers in action, with the likes of AP McCoy, Ruby Walsh, and Paul Nicholls often taking part.
This year, the show was stolen by Constitution Hill. The talented young horse was a heavy favorite in the Champion Hurdle on the opening day of the festival, and he didn’t disappoint. With Nico de Boinville on board, the unbeaten favorite stormed to victory by nine lengths and truly announced his arrival into the land of superstardom.
Arguably the most glamorous event in the horse racing calendar, Royal Ascot, is a day longer than the aforementioned Cheltenham Festival, with this festival lasting five days and taking place throughout the glorious summer month of June. The event is steeped in tradition and attracts racing fans, celebrities, and even members of the British royal family. The Queen Anne Stakes is arguably the highlight of the week, and the race has been won by the likes of Frankel, who stormed to victory back in 2012.
Royal Ascot is also famous for its fashion, with attendees often dressing up in their finest attire, and the Best Dressed competitions are a popular attraction. As mentioned, the number of celebrities in attendance is astounding and Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II attends the festival every single year. This year marks the first festival since her tragic passing, and King Charles is expected to attend the event this summer.
When one thinks about horse racing, the first thing one will think of is The Grand National. The race itself is perhaps the most famous race in the world and has been held annually since 1839 and provides a whopping £560,000 to its victor. The race emanates from Aintree Racecourse near Liverpool, with its competitors charging over four miles and 514 yards, as well as jumping 30 fences along their way to glory.
Many famous horses have won the race over the years, including Red Rum, who won the race an astounding three times, more than any other horse. Tiger Roll became the first horse since Red Rum to win back-to-back races with its successes in 2018 and 2019. The Grand National is known for its unpredictability, with long-priced winners not uncommon, and it’s always an exciting race to watch.
The festival takes place over three days and has many more feature races however, it is The Grand National that is the center of attention. The race takes place at 5:15 pm (formerly 3 pm) on a Saturday afternoon, at once getting underway after the country’s football action has concluded.
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