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When was the last time you had a day at the races? Birmingham is lucky enough to have several fantastic racecourses close by. From Wolverhampton to Leicester, just a short drive or train journey, and you can watch some of the UK’s finest racing and experience its hospitality. But for first-time visitors, how do you get prepared? Below, we provide our guide to a day at the races for Birmingham residents.
Making a Bet
Part of the excitement when visiting the races is making a bet on one of the many fantastic horses running. How you choose them is entirely up to you. When you enter the course, you will have the option to buy a racecard. It will tell you all the horses running on the day and their form. The form is information on how they have run in the past, and the card will also contain information about the jockey and trainer. Many people use this to decide which horse they think will win, though you don’t have to. By all means, pick your favourite name or jockeys colours.
Once you have picked a horse, you need to check the odds. You can do this on a mobile device or by using one of the bookmakers around the course. They will have a board which features the names of the horses running in the next race and their odds of winning.
In the UK, we use fractional odds which are displayed as two numbers. The first is the amount you will win and the second is the amount you need to wager to get that amount. So for example, 7/1 would mean a bet of £1 would give you £7 if you win.
If you want to invest even more in the outcome of your horse, you may even consider taking up racehorse ownership. As well as placing bets, people can now become part of a syndicate. As a horse owner, you will take a cut of the profit from any races won. Of course, you need to check which races and courses the horses are running at before investing.
What to Wear
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Ideally, you should check this before you go. Some courses may have strict dress codes, some may have advisory guidelines and some may have areas where you don’t have to dress up at all. However, the more upmarket the hospitality area, the better you will need to be dressed.
In any eventuality, you need to take layers. There are areas to shelter under at most courses, but the weather can turn quickly. In the summer, you may also want to take sun protection in the form of a hat and shades.
Explore the Course
Arrive at the racecourse early and make sure you have time to explore. There are lots of different places you may want to visit, from different bar areas to grandstands. One of the most enjoyable areas is the parade ring. This is where horses are shown to the spectators before they go to run and can be a good place to see which ones you like the look of most.
Preparation is the key to an enjoyable day at the races. Book tickets in advance and study the form if you get a chance. In any eventuality, you are guaranteed to have a great day out.