Racecourses to visit this summer as crowds are welcomed back to meetings

As the government eases current coronavirus restrictions, crowds are being welcomed back to racecourses up and down the country. After around 14 months or so of racing taking place behind closed doors, courses are more desperate than ever for footfall this summer.

The number of racegoers will of course still be limited, but with some massive meetings taking place over the next couple of months, there’s still plenty to get excited about and a day at the races never fails to live up to expectations. So, instead of scouring the horse racing betting on Smarkets from home, why not get out and enjoy racing live in the flesh.

To help you pick what course(s) you should go to, we have put together this guide of racecourses to visit this summer. Read on to find out more!

Epsom

Epsom Downs in Surrey is undoubtedly one of the United Kingdom’s best courses. The picturesque track is home to the Derby Festival, which includes the Oaks, the Coronation Cup and of course the Derby itself. That meeting is due to take place on the opening weekend of June, but with the capacity reduced from 100,000+ to just 10,000, tickets will be like gold dust. The buzz of the Derby Festival is hard to match, but you can’t go wrong with an afternoon of racing to end your summer on 31 August, and with tickets from just £10, what’s not to love!

Ascot

There’s plenty of racing to get excited about at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, home to 13 of flat racing’s 36 seasonal Group 1 outings. There is of course the prestigious Royal Ascot, which will take place across five days in mid-June (15th-19th). If you like getting dressed up to the nines and love a good social outing, then this is the meeting for you. Aside from the Royal meeting, Ascot also boasts the July Racing Weekend, the King George Diamond Weekend and the Shergar Cup, which all take place throughout July and August. If you can’t fit in a raceday this summer, then there’s the historic Champions Day in October, where the best horses and jockeys descend on Ascot in hope of being crowned the season’s champions.

Goodwood

There are few courses in the United Kingdom that boast as beautiful a setting as Goodwood (pictured above) in West Sussex. Based in the South Downs, the course’s main attraction is the Goodwood Festival — commonly known as ‘Glorious Goodwood’ — in July. The flagship event runs for five days throughout July and it’s undoubtedly at the top of every racegoers bucket list. The June Sunday Racing meeting on 6 June and the August Bank Holiday Racing meeting are also the perfect excuse to grab a picnic and head to the rolling countryside for a day at the races.

York

York is one of the most historic courses in the country, and it also plays host to some of the biggest and most competitive races. There’s certainly plenty to choose from, including the John Smith’s Cup meeting in July and the Yorkshire Ebor Festival in August, which consists of the Juddmonte International, the Yorkshire Oaks, the Coolmore Nunthorpe and of course the Ebor itself! Meetings carry on throughout September and October as well.