Only football ranks higher in terms of bigger regular attendances throughout a calendar year than horse racing.
The sport is one of the most followed in the UK, with millions passing through the gates on an annual basis to watch the best equines in the world. Racing appears to have an incredibly bright future based on the success enjoyed in recent years, with over five million people going racing in 2025, which was the most since 2019.
Meanwhile, major racedays at Kempton Park and Cheltenham over Christmas and New Year were sell outs for the first time in recent memory.
But, what are some of the most famous tracks that you can expect to find when making bets on British horse racing here: https://www.twinspires.com/wagertypes/
Ascot Racecourse
There are potentially few more internationally recognised racecourses in the United Kingdom than Ascot. Built in 1711, the track hosts 26 days of racing throughout the year, with 18 flat racing meetings between staged between April and October, and eight jumps meetings between October and March.
Few events rank as prominent on the social calendar than Royal Ascot, which is run over five days in June, and regularly attracts 350,000 spectators for the week.
Cheltenham
Jumps racing is most popular in the United Kingdom, with bigger numbers regularly attending National Hunt meetings than the flat. Undeniably, the biggest date in the diary for many is the four-day Cheltenham Festival.
Regarded as one of the greatest sporting events in Britain, Cheltenham has hosted racing since 1815. It has been the home of jumps racing since 1839, with the most prestigious race of the Festival coming in the form of the Gold Cup, which was run for the first time in 1924.
Other major Grade Ones staged at the iconic venue include the Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase, and the Stayers’ Hurdle. Unlike other jumps meetings, the Festival attracts a global audience, with a huge influx of Irish travellers being in attendance.
Aintree
Some of the most famous moments in horse racing history have been played out at Aintree. The racecourse, which is situated on the outskirts of Liverpool, has held racing action since the 18th century.
It is most famous for being the home of the world’s most famous race, the Grand National. The National is unlike any other event on the calendar, with a big field of runners tackling the four mile and two furlong trip, with 30 fences across the two-lap circuit having to be navigated.
Aintree’s showpiece event is a major race on the global calendar, the National being broadcast to over 600 million people in over 140 countries.
Chester Racecourse
Chester Racecourse is one of the most famous in the world, and it holds the record for being the ‘oldest racecourse still in operation’. The track opened its doors to the public in 1539, which is also regarded as the year that racing was first recognised as a sport.
However, some argue that racing at the venue actually started before this date, with some reports indicating that equines ran at the venue in 1512. As well as being the oldest track on the planet, Chester is also the smallest high-quality venue for racing, as it is just a mile and a furlong long.
Despite this, the track hosts a number of significant races throughout a calendar year, including the Cheshire Oaks and Chester Vase, which are regarded as key preps for the Epsom Oaks and Epsom Derby, respectively. The most lucrative race on the calendar is the Chester Cup, which was won by East India Dock in 2025.
Hexham Racecourse
A fan favourite for racing fans comes in the form of Hexham, which is regarded as one of the best in the United Kingdom for customer satisfaction. Visitors will typically have to travel great distances to get to the track, as Hexham is located in Northumberland.
Due to its location, there is also no action on track in January or February, due to its likelihood of being called off due to adverse weather conditions. However, racing is staged at the track between March and June, and September and December. Hexham is a purpose-built track for National Hunt racing, with its left-handed course and undulations typically ensuring that only horses that have proven stamina achieve success.
The track was opened to the public in April 1890, with its most prestigious early race coming in the form of the Heart of All England Cup. Unlike other racing venues, action on track continued during the First and Second World Wars. During the latter, it was also used as an ammunition store. The track continues to expand due to its prolonged success, with the Queen Camilla Stand opened by her majesty in June 2025.
