While many are enthusiastic about horse racing for betting purposes, many also long to actually experience the adrenaline rush in world famous racing events. In most countries, horse races are held daily at race tracks for gambling entertainment. Yet in countries like the UK and the U.S., there are annual horse racing events held with so much festivity that they are being promoted by tour companies as horse racing destinations,
Although thoughts of travelling for leisure may seem whimsical at present, it wouldn’t hurt to have a quick glimpse at the two most popular racing events in England.
The Grand National
The Grand National is an annual event that is very much a part of British culture, which features a National Hunt horse race that takes place at the Aintree Racecourse, in Aintree, Merseyside located just outside of Liverpool, England. This annual race is actually a special event among British nationals who do not regularly go to racetracks during the year.
As a National Hunt, the race is a handicap steeplechase participated in by 40 horses in two laps of 4-mile and 2.5-mile furlongs, whilst jumping over 30 fences that are higher than those featured in conventional National Hunt horse races.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 Grand National, which would have been the 173rd annual run scheduled in March 16, 2020 was the first ever to be cancelled since 1993. Hopefully, things will get better in 2021 and allow the annual the Grand National Hunt to take place on April 10, 2021.
The Royal Ascot Race in England
The Royal Ascot Race is another important aspect of British traditions, where spectators include the Queen and other members of England’s Royal Family; all taking part in the Royal Procession. Held annually at the Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, the annual event is a week-long festival of running 16 horse races.
The Ascot Race is actually a five-day festival of basking in the sun made lively by the music provided by military bands. As the races are well attended by many of England’s famous celebrities and well-known personalities, many attendees also standout for donning fashionable attires. Certain sections at the Ascot racecourse impose strict dress codes, to which proper attire excludes wearing of bare midriffs, jeans, shorts and sneakers.
Although the 2020 Ascot Race was not cancelled, the race events that took place last June16-20 was held behind closed doors. It was the first time the Queen along with the Royal Family and the multitude of fans were not allowed to attend since the traditional races started in 1711.
Still, at the heart of every racing event are the betting activities. Even if race horse betting aficionados cannot attend such events physically, the prospects of winning on horse racing bets can be explored by the availability of big data. In North America, horse racing news website, Past the Wire looks at Equibase as the most comprehensive source of information for analyzing one’s chances and odds of winning on horse race.