London Horse Racing
Horse racing history in Britain dates back to 200 AD, however the first recorded race meeting was during the reign of Henry II. Today London horse racing is a popular spectator sport and a base of the British betting industry. United Kingdom also boasts over four hundred professional jockeys.
Derby Day at Epsom takes place on the first or second Saturday in June and is well attended by the thousands of Londoners enjoying the day out. The Derby is the most prestigious of the five classics of the April to September flat season and is mile-and-a-half race for three year old thoroughbreds. Prior to the Derby is the Oaks which is a classic for fillies only. The Derby is a three day event and is as much a social occasion on the calendar as it is a sporting event. However Royal Ascot is by far the most prestigious, with the Queen and royal family in attendance along with the ladies and lords of the nation. Royal Ascot is held during a week in mid-June and generally the seats are preserved for the entry. The masses however can enter the public enclosure for a mere £5.
London Horseracing is fun with five horse racecourses within a short distance of the city: Kempton Park (phone +44 (0)1932 782 292; www.kempton.co.uk), near Sunbury-on-Thames, Sandown Park (phone +44 (0)1372 463 072; www.sandown.co.uk), near Esher, Surrey and Windsor (phone +44 (0)1753 865 234; www.windsorracing.co.uk) in Berkshire. During April to September the top-quality races are held on the flat and during August to March the races are over jumps. The glamour courses however are Ascot (phone +44 (0)1344 62 211; www.ascot.co.uk) in Berkshire and Epsom (phone +44 (0)1372 726 311; www.epsomderby.co.uk) in Surrey. They host the major races on the flats every June.
Derby Day at Epsom takes place on the first or second Saturday in June and is well attended by the thousands of Londoners enjoying the day out. The Derby is the most prestigious of the five classics of the April to September flat season and is mile-and-a-half race for three year old thoroughbreds. Prior to the Derby is the Oaks which is a classic for fillies only. The Derby is a three day event and is as much a social occasion on the calendar as it is a sporting event. However Royal Ascot is by far the most prestigious, with the Queen and royal family in attendance along with the ladies and lords of the nation. Royal Ascot is held during a week in mid-June and generally the seats are preserved for the entry. The masses however can enter the public enclosure for a mere £5.
London Horseracing is fun with five horse racecourses within a short distance of the city: Kempton Park (phone +44 (0)1932 782 292; www.kempton.co.uk), near Sunbury-on-Thames, Sandown Park (phone +44 (0)1372 463 072; www.sandown.co.uk), near Esher, Surrey and Windsor (phone +44 (0)1753 865 234; www.windsorracing.co.uk) in Berkshire. During April to September the top-quality races are held on the flat and during August to March the races are over jumps. The glamour courses however are Ascot (phone +44 (0)1344 62 211; www.ascot.co.uk) in Berkshire and Epsom (phone +44 (0)1372 726 311; www.epsomderby.co.uk) in Surrey. They host the major races on the flats every June.
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Liberty Festival 2010
