How to Enjoy a Day at the Races in Style

Horse lovers come in all different varieties. Some love riding, others love watching thoroughbreds. This guide explains how to enjoy your first day at the races. It covers everything from paddock judging to betting.

Always dress for the weather when going to a horse racing event. Winter meetings are better to wear a stylish coat and boots. Summer meetings encourage dresses, fascinators and heels. If the sun is shining, dress up and wear turf stoppers.

On the day of the races, it's a good idea to go to the course a little early to familiarise yourself with it. All courses in the UK will have a pre-parade ring, parade ring and winner's enclosure. Some courses will also have special enclosures for certain guests, as well as club bars, members’ boxes and more.

There are many ways of picking a winner at the races. People who know horses well have an advantage. Pre-parade ring is the best place to try out the paddock judging method. Studying form is another method of finding a potential winner.  The form includes the jockey, the weight they're carrying, their owner, trainer, and previous race history. It's important to check if they've had a famous or expensive jockeying. and if the horse's run well over the distance before. If they haven't, they might have a dull coat, awkward movement, or be stressed in their environment.