The sporting world is back in full swing following the interruptions and chaos caused by the pandemic of 2020 and 2021. Covid-19 remains a real threat, and you should always consider this before attending a large indoor or outdoor public gathering. But the time for being overly cautious is no more. Let’s scrap the weekend family meetings on Zoom, forget the outdoors bingo with your neighbours and stick the board games back in the cupboard until the festive break. Let’s get out and about.
Horse racing remains a favourite with sports fans, Vegas Betting users and those looking to soak up the occasion’s glamour, friendship and excitement. Unlike many other sports such as basketball, baseball and football, horse racing fans are very fashion conscious. Visit Ladies Day at a major racetrack in the United Kingdom, like Royal Ascot, Cheltenham and Aintree, and there are even prizes for the best dressed.
Battle for supremacy
As you can imagine, this isn’t a game or something done for fun among the Brits. The battle for supremacy in the stands is often far more competitive than those fought out on the turf between the thoroughbred racehorses worth millions of dollars and the fearless jockeys sat in the saddle, working tooth and nail to drive their mount to glory.
What does one wear to a glamorous race day? Do you go all out and dress to impress? Perhaps you prefer comfort on a day when you’ll be walking, mingling with friends and colleagues and, hopefully, cheering when your horse sprints home. Read on as we reveal what you need to know before attending a race day this year.
Before considering some outfits and looks, we will bring you up to speed on some of the best horserace tracks worth a visit. These are the best in the business if you are a sports fan, lover of beautifully bred horses or simply want to show off your sense of style. Think of this list as advertising the cream of the crop. Many great tracks are not covered here, but to make it onto our list, a track must be the best of the best.
Top tracks
Meydan racetrack in Dubai comes in at number one, and we’re sure almost all followers of the sport would agree. It’s luxurious, fashionable, has the latest technology to make your visit more comfortable and this is where you’ll find the most famous horses, jockeys, trainers and owners.
Longchamp in Paris comes next, and that’s home to the Arc de Triomphe, which is the richest race of its kind in Europe. The Great British royal family are regulars at Ascot in England, with the royal meeting epitomising luxury. Flemington in Australia makes it onto the list before Tokyo completes our top five.
Each of the tracks mentioned in this section has horse racing festivals throughout the year, which are the calendar’s biggest events. Look out for the Royal meeting at Ascot, where the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth were regular visitors. Imagine a day betting on horse racing, enjoying the spectacle and even catching a glimpse of the royal carriage as it trundles past the main stand. You certainly wouldn’t want to be underdressed for that.
Dress code
You may be surprised to learn that the extravagance and elegance of an outfit worn to the races aren’t optional. Being smart and well-dressed is a rule you must abide by if you want to gain entry to the track.
If the stewards working on the door feel you haven’t made an effort with your appearance, you won’t be permitted entry. Here are some of the rules you should be aware of before planning your outfit and making the journey to a top race track.
Dresses and skirts should be of a modest length, falling just above the knee or lower. Dresses should also have straps of one inch or longer. Jackets can be worn, but the dress worn underneath must still comply with these rules. Trouser suits are recommended for gentlemen. No short trousers and the material of both your jacket and trousers must match. Hats are a must, but fascinators aren’t permitted.