3 Racecourses I Would Love To Visit

I’ve not been to many horse racecourse in my life. In fact, I can count them on two hands. In truth, each racecourses holds a story which, in ways, goes beyond just a day at the races. Those I have visited include: Great Yarmouth, Newmarket, Leicester, Kempton (turf), Royal Ascot, Huntingdon & Fakenham.

Considering there are 59 racecourse in Britain there’s ample opportunity to travel near or far.

The question arose: ‘Which is your favourite racecourse?’ when travelling with my two brothers to Great Yarmouth, for a day at the races. The train inspector came around to check our tickets and we go chatting about our trip to the Norfolk racecourse. I asked him about his favourite and he said Cartmel, which is small national hunt racecourse in the village of Cartmel in the county of Cumbria. It’s a compact course which is dog friendly detailing 9 fixtures throughout the season. The most prestigious race being the Cumbria Crystal Cup which takes place in July.

This got me thinking about 3 racecourses I would love to visit.

In no particular order:

Killarney, Ireland –

I’ve never visited Ireland which is a real shame and something I intend to put right with a day or two’s racing at Killarney. I had heard people saying it was set in a beautiful location so I had a look on Google Maps. I was inspired by this racecourse in the Emerald Isle. Called ‘Ireland’s most scenic racecourse’ located at County Kerry. The course dates back to 1822 and stages both national hunt and flat racing. It’s a beautiful location, a stones throw from Ross Castle and Lough Leane in the Killarney National Park. It looks a truly amazing experience.

Musselburgh, Scotland –

I didn’t realise how close Musselburgh racecourse was to the coast but you can probably hear the sound of crashing waves. Just seven miles from the beautiful city of Edinburgh, East Lothian. Opened in 1816 this national hunt and flat racecourse holds 29 meetings annually. Tickets range from £16 – £21 with children 17 and under going free (concessions are available for many). Musselburgh is a one course I really would enjoy a day’s racing and a tourist hotspot with Edinburgh just down the road.

Warwick, England –

It makes me sad to think I will never be able to visit Warwick racecourse. I know what you are saying: ‘Well, it’s easy you only need to visit and enjoy a day’s racing.’ Sadly, I wish I could go and watch a Flat racing meeting. However, all horse racing fans know that will never happen again as the course ceased with Flat racing in 2014 after a horse was fatally injured. I loved the old dogleg bend, especially with the two-year-old horse racing. There was often a difference of opinion which part of the course was running fastest so horses would often spread across the course to the extreme rails. Not being a fan of the national hunt those exciting days of juvenile racing will be no more.

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