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Horse racing, the `Sport of Kings`
has been a popular pastime in Great Britain for centuries. The tow
most popular forms of racing are flat racing over an unobstructed
course, or over fences or hurdles known as National Hunt racing.
Horse racing in the United Kingdom is though to have it`s roots
as far back as the occupation by soldiers of the Roman Empire. Newmarket
became the first town to accommodate horse racing in 1605, and in
1634, the first Gold Cup event was held. In the early eighteenth
century, Queen Anne was instrumental in helping to found Royal Ascot.
There are a total of fifty nine licensed racecourses in Britain,
however there are also another two in Northern Ireland. Two of the
most famous racecourses are Ascot and Cheltenham. Ascot is closely
associated with members of the Royal family. The course itself is
only six miles from Windsor Castle. Over the course of the year,
Ascot stages sixteen flat race meetings over twenty five days, during
May and October. The highlight of the year is the Ascot Gold Cup
which is held in June during the Royal meeting. Royal Ascot is the
world`s famous horse racing events and dates back as far as 1711.
Often in excess of 300,000 people attend the event, which is as
famous for it`s dress code as it is the horse racing, and is in
itself one of the most important social events in the calendar.
Ascot is situated within a fifty minute road or rail journey from
London and can be accessed via the M3, M4, M40 and M25 motorways.
There are also good links to Heathrow Airport. Many of the highlights
of Ascot`s memorable moments involve the Queen. The Queen has owned
nineteen winners, including wins in 1953, her Coronation year and
1977, her silver jubilee. Cheltenham racecourse is the home of the
famous Cheltenham Gold Cup. The course is located on the outskirts
of Cheltenham at the village of Prestbury. Cheltenham is often referred
to as "the home of National Hunt racing". In March of each year
the course hosts the four day Cheltenham Festival, the highlight
of which is the Cheltenham Gold Cup. The racecourse itself has a
capacity of 67,500 and lies in a scenic location near the Cotswold
Hills.Two racecourses, the Old and the New are set alongside each
other although both have different features along their route. Cheltenahms
historical highlights include the famous horse Arkle which won three
consecutive years from 1964 to 1966. The famous Desert Orchid also
ran successfully at Cheltenham. Cheltenham can be accessed by the
M5 motorway. Birmingham, Coventry and Cardiff and London are all
within reasonable commuting distance. There are rail links nearby
also. For the best in racing information head to Ascot
races online sports betting. |
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Hampton
Court Festival | Chelsea
flower Show | FA
Cup Final |
Hampton
Court Flower Show | Epsom
Derby | Royal
Ascot | Cheltenham
Festival
Henley
Regatta | Glorious
Goodwood | Badminton
| Silverstone
| Ascot
| Wimbledon
Tennis |
Windsor
Polo
| Summer Swing
at Kew |
Wimbledon
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