The Best Places to Visit Horse Racing Tracks

 Despite being one of the most ancient sports in the world, interest in horse racing continues to grow each year. New events are set up alongside the more established meetings, while TV broadcasting builds to cover the extra demand.

Along with those millions of television viewers, many like to attend a horse race in person, but which are the best tracks to experience?

A Global Phenomenon

The UK may be considered as the home of horse racing, but the sport has expanded to become a global phenomenon. Interest has developed thanks to live broadcasts, while the rise in sportsbooks in the US, with their horse betting odds and lines, has also contributed.

That's why the best horse racing tracks are divided around the world, and many of these great locations are in unexpected places.

Churchill Downs

For those with a love of horse racing in the United States, there's only one place to start. The Churchill Downs course opened in 1875 and is the annual home of the prestigious Kentucky Derby.

When a stadium is associated with such a historic event, it automatically gains iconic status, but Churchill Downs is a must visit for anyone with an interest in this sport. Situated in South Louisville, it can accommodate up to 185,000 spectators, making it one of the biggest venues of any kind.

Churchill Downs also hosts the Kentucky Oaks and the Turf Classic Stakes, and it's a regular location for the Breeders' Cup. The United States is a hub of horse racing, and other top tracks here include Santa Anita Park and the Saratoga Racecourse.

Epsom Downs

It's impossible to ignore the many great racetracks in the UK. It's considered to be the home of horse racing, and there are several options to choose from including Aintree, Ascot, Cheltenham and Newmarket.

In terms of finding a venue linked to a historic meeting, there is only once choice. The Epsom Derby is one of the oldest sporting events still on the calendar. First run way back in 1780, it's permanent home is the Epsom Downs racecourse in Surrey.

This track predates the Derby itself, and the first recorded event took place here in 1661. In the present day, Epsom Downs is a modern stadium with superb facilities. It hasn't however, lost its sense of history, and there are lots of artifacts and statues relating to this iconic event.

Longchamp

We cross to Paris now for the most famous racecourse in the whole of France. Longchamp is home to another important event on the circuit, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, which has been run since 1920.

As of 2024, the "Arc" was the fifth richest horse race in the world, and that fact will always draw a strong field to the Longchamp course. The site was opened in 1857 and it's an impressive venue that can hold up to 50,000 spectators. There are other top horse racing locations in France, but Longchamp is the big draw, hosting around half of the country's Group One events.

Flemington Racecourse

It's destination Down Under for another of the world's best races. Australia's most prestigious event is the Melbourne Cup, and it's also one of the most important global sporting events. The host course is Flemington in Victoria, which was first used for horse racing in 1840.

The Melbourne Cup followed shortly after in 1861, and it quickly became renowned in other parts of the sport's fraternity.

Australia is a hub of horse racing, and there are plenty more courses to cover in a vast country. Racing enthusiasts who travel here will also want to take in Belmont Racecourse in Perth, Caulfield in Melbourne, and the Sydney duo of Royal Randwick and Rosehill Gardens.

Tokyo Racecourse

The largest racecourse in the world is located in Fuchu, Japan, and it is home to many of the country's top class events. The Tokyo Racecourse was opened in 1933, and in the present day it can accommodate up to 223,000 spectators.

The sheer scale of this venue makes it a 'must see' for racegoers, and the track is at its best when one of the country's most important Group One renewals comes along. The Japan Cup and the Tokyo Yushun are among the big events held here.

Japan has other racecourses, but a trip here wouldn't be complete without a visit to its main location. If you liked this posting and you would like to obtain more information concerning agenolx slot kindly check out our web site.

Along with the suggestions above, there are many exceptional racetracks to visit worldwide. Horse racing is a sport loved by millions around the globe, and there has been a constant demand for top locations to accommodate that interest.

That's why the top racing venues aren't restricted to one or two countries. There's so much to see and many world class courses to tick off your list.