The sound of horses bounding round the racecourse, the anticipation as you place your bets and the roaring cheer bursts from the crowds in the grandstand. A day at the races is a truly exciting and special experience.
The UK Racing Season
The UK horse racing season runs throughout the year and features many top horse racing events that are famous all around the world. Jump racing typically occurs in the winter season, when softer ground conditions provide softer landings and safer environments for National Hunt racing. The summer months are centred around flat racing due to the fact that many flat horses are bred for speed, which is assisted by firmer, sounder surfaces for underfoot conditions.
To get you ready for the 2022 racing season, we’ve compiled a list of interesting facts that every horse racing fan should know:
1. Flat racing yields the biggest prizes, with an average of £17,700 compared to jump racing that totals an average of £11,000.
2. Original racehorses were bred for war, and the first three founding sires of Thoroughbred racing were brought to the UK in the 17th and 18th centuries.
3. The most expensive horse ever sold was a racehorse called Fusaichi Pegasus for a total of $70 million in 1997.
4. The average thoroughbred horse weighs around 450kg (if you think that’s a lot, it’s actually a lot less than the average weights of many other horse breeds!)
5. Most professional jockeys are no taller than 5’6” and they have to be at least 18 years old to get a jockey licence.
6. Thoroughbred horses have the same birthday (1 January) regardless of the day they were actually born.
Looking forward to The Races in 2022
If you’ve missed going to the races and want to return in 2022, we’ve highlighted the greatest events in the horse racing calendar.
Cheltenham Festival 2022: 15 – 18 March 2022
The annual Cheltenham Festival is returning in 2022 for another year of thrilling races and electric atmosphere. Often referred to as the jewel in jump racing’s crown, The Cheltenham Festival has been home to the races for over 100 years. Set in the rolling Cotswold Hills at Prestbury Park, this beautiful racecourse welcomes over 250,000 fans over the four days, all eager to watch world-class racing and some of the best jockeys, horses and trainers in the world compete for the honourable title.
Keith Prowse are offering a range of hospitality packages for the Cheltenham Festival in 2022. Find out more now.
Prices start from £570pp + VAT.
Aintree Grand National: 9 April 2022
The Aintree Racecourse is one of the most famous steeplechases in the world. As a top National Hunt venue, Aintree hosts the Grand National that takes place in April every year and provides some of the most challenging hurdles and fences. The event is watched by audiences around the world and is a key highlight in the horse racing calendar.
The Cazoo Derby Festival: 3 – 4 June 2022
Situated in the Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey, The Epsom Derby Festival will return for two days in June 2022. It is one of the most prestigious events in the horseracing calendar and takes place on one of Britain’s richest flat horse racing course, equalling a total distance of one mile, four furlongs and ten yards over an undulating course. We have a range of packages available for this highly anticipated event, so you can get the best views of the course and watch every minute of the action.
Prices starting from £345pp + VAT.
Royal Ascot: 14 – 18 June 2022
Royal Ascot is a highlight of the racing calendar year, attracting some of the finest thoroughbred horses in flat racing as they take to the course that expands 179 acres. Synonymous with style, elegance and prestige, this elaborate event welcomes over 600,000 spectators annually. It’s close associations to the British Royal Family dates back to its establishment in 1711 by Queen Anne, and is still visited by royals each year.
If reading this article has tempted you to return to the races in 2022, discover more about our hospitality packages for the races at iconic venues, including The Cheltenham Festival and The Cazoo Derby at Epsom.
