A day at the races is a great day out for almost anybody, be it the novice gambler or the seasoned expert. There are reasons why betting at the racetrack rather than at a off-site bookmakers or on the internet is beneficial and spending a day there need not be expensive. You have the thrill of watching the horses close-up and the sight of 15 horses thundering past at 40mph is a fantastic spectacle. You also get to witness the frantic betting which goes on at the course as the race approaches. Going with a group of friends turns it into a social occasion and there are numerous ways you can bet together to add to the fun.

Racing takes place at hundreds of racecourses around the world. The races are arranged into meetings which is a series of races run one after another at 20 to 40 minute intervals either in the morning, afternoon or evening. Some meetings last several days such as Royal Ascot or the Breeders' Cup. A day at the races differs slightly in the US from the UK and the differences will be explained if you read on. If you want to find when and where there is race near you just have a look in the racecourse directory.

Racecourse Basics

When you have reached the racecourse there is usually an admission fee. The charge is different depending where you want to sit. For most race meetings you can just turn up on the day and buy a ticket, however, for some of the most prestigious meetings you may have to buy a ticket in advance. Sometimes you are given a race book included in the price, if not then it is essential you buy one, they contain all the information about the races and horses and need to be studied if you are going to have any chance of picking winners.

In the UK the racecourse is divided into different areas which are the silver ring, tattersalls and the members enclosure. Tattersalls is the main area which includes the grandstand, for seating, the paddock where the horses are paraded and the winners enclosure where the first three or four horses go after the race has finished to collect their prizes. The cheapest place to go is the silver ring which is sometimes free but usually costs a few pounds. The members' enclosure is reserved for members of the racecourse and their guests and there is usually a dress code to observe.

In the US it is slightly different the racecourse is divided into the grandstand, the clubhouse, the turf club and at some courses they have luxury boxes. The grandstand which has unreserved seating is sometimes free, otherwise its only a few dollars. The clubhouse costing about 5-10 dollars is where most people go, you get reserved seats and it usually gives an excellent view of the finish line. The turf club is reserved for members of the racecourse although these days at most racecourses non-members can buy a day pass for around 25 dollars and get the best view of the finish. The turf club usually has a dress code.

Some courses will also allow you to watch from the infield, which is the area inside the track. Often this area will be more relaxed and family friendly than the areas on the other side of the track. There is usually a tunnel connecting the two sides.

Racecourses provide a range of amenities to suit any budget. Aside from the betting there will be numerous places to eat and drink ranging from cheap fast-food outlets to very expensive fine dining. If you're on a budget you need not spend much at all and hopefully you'll leave the course with more money in your pocket than when you arrived.