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There’s nothing quite like a day at the tracks to get your blood racing. There’s the loud chatter of speculating audiences and the nervous energy in the air as you wait for the race to start. Truly, the horse racing scene is a very unique environment filled with different, catchy sights and sounds.
Even though horse racing is loads of fun, it is possible to have a bad experience at the races as a spectator. That said, this often happens because racegoers don’t prepare well for the day ahead. So, in this post, you’ll discover a guide to effectively preparing for a day at the races. Let’s get right to it.
#1. Choose the Perfect Outfit
When planning to spend the day spectating horse races, the first thing to do is pick the right outfit. It is crucial for you to know that horse racing is another world of its own. So, your regular clothing simply won’t cut it here. Different racecourses have their particular policies, so you should check that first to know how you should dress.
That said, you should know that a horse race is generally regarded as a formal event. This means that you may want to opt for formal or semiformal clothing paired with high-quality premium chronographs. You could opt for other watch types, but basically, don’t be afraid to get all dressed up; almost everybody else will. While it is important you dress formally, you should still make sure to wear something comfortable. Horse races usually take some time to end.
Now, there’s one important horse-racing “don’t” here: DON’T wear jeans or dress too casually (with shorts or trainers) to races. Most racecourses outrightly ban spectators from wearing jean trousers. Some others can be flexible, although it’s still considered a bad sport.
#2. Consider the Weather
One question you’ll want to ask yourself before going off to the racecourse is, “What does the weather forecast say?” This is significant for several reasons. If it’s going to be a sunny day, you already know that you shouldn’t put on too many clothing layers. If you do, you’ll have to deal with heat.
Aside from this, a sunny or rainy day forecast means you’ll know to grab an umbrella or raincoat before heading out. Depending on the weather and your style, you could also opt for a parasol or sunglasses and a hat.
#3. Take Cash Along
If we’re being honest, no horse racing experience is complete without a bit of wagering. As such, it’s important you have some money with you. Some people choose to wait until they get to the racecourse before withdrawing the cash they need. However, this isn’t a good idea for one major reason: supply and demand.
There are always a lot of people at horse races, and most wait to get to the racecourse before withdrawing. Unfortunately, racecourses don’t usually have more than two to three working ATMs. Can you imagine having to struggle with hundreds of people just to be able to get the cash you require?
Bringing cash from home or going to the bank on your way will save you this trouble. Aside from needing cash to place bets, you may also need it to buy food or drinks at the track. So one thing you definitely don’t want to forget at home is money.
#4. Get There Early
To enjoy a perfect day at the track, you’ll need to get yourself a seat that offers you an excellent vantage point. However, as mentioned earlier, the race tracks are always packed with people. So, if you plan on getting that perfect seat, you’ll have to go early. Generally, most racecourses open three to four hours before the race starts.
With this information, you can decide when you want to get there. The recommendation here, though, is for you to make sure you’re seated at least one hour before racing commences. Do you plan to bet? If you do, then getting to the tracks early will also give you time to settle and consider your options.
Here’s an additional tip for you: buy a racecard. Racecards are usually full of vital information about the race, jockeys, and so on. You’ll sometimes even find helpful tips here on what to watch out for here as well.
#5. Make Arrangements for Binoculars
Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, you’ll find that all the good seats at the track are taken. Most people caught in this situation usually have little choice but to strain their eyes, hoping to somehow see something. If you have a pair of binoculars in your bag, however, you won’t have to worry about this.
With your binoculars, you’ll be able to clearly see how the race is progressing no matter where you’re seated. So, you can be sure you’ll never miss a single moment of the action.
#6. Do Your Betting Research Ahead
If you plan on getting in on the betting action at the racetracks, then you should do your research ahead. Frankly, there’s nothing quite as embarrassing as watching someone hold up the line because they don’t know how betting works.
This particular point is especially important for you if you’re a betting newbie. You may be a quick study, but horse race betting can be quite complex for beginners. So, you’ll likely need some time to fully grasp how it really works.
#7. Don’t Forget to Join the Celebrations
After every race, the horse, owner, and jockey all make their way to the winner’s enclosure, where they’ll get prizes. The distribution of winnings is often a colorful and fun affair, and it’s one you’ll enjoy watching. Plus, if you’ve made money betting on the eventual winning horse, isn’t it only right to celebrate with the winning team?
Conclusion
Horse racing is a very enjoyable sport, and it’s an experience everyone should have at least once. However, it’s not the kind of occasion you attend on a whim or frivolously. There are quite a number of things to pay attention to where horse racing is concerned. But, with the tips above, you’re already off to a perfectly good start.
Michael specializes in journalism, digital content production and social media management. He has a passion for numerous sports including football, horse racing and ice hockey. Michael currently works on a freelance basis, producing daily content for various outlets within the sports industry.
