5 Holiday Destinations Horse Race Lovers Can’t Miss

There’s much to love about being a fan of horse racing. When you follow the sport, you’re signing up to meet new friends, dive into the culture, celebrate the history, and, of course, watch some world-class racing. And it’s not just world-class racing that you can enjoy, but worldwide. Horse racing is popular right here in the UK, but it’s also got a massive presence in virtually all corners of the world.

And that’s good news for people that have been bitten by the travel bug. With horse racing as your guide, you’ll be able to go on plenty of memorable trips both near and far. In this blog, we’ll run through some of the top destinations that you won’t want to miss. We’ve lined up six for you, so that’s six years’ worth of excursions. You’re welcome!

Newmarket National Horse Racing Museum

First things first: Newmarket is the world centre of horse racing, so that makes it worth visiting on its own merit. There’s a lively equestrian atmosphere around the town, so you’ll never be too far from some good horse-related conversation. And when you’re not wandering around the pubs and restaurants in town, you’ll have a chance to dive into the history of the sport at the Newmarket National Horse Racing Museum. There’s much to see and do at this nearly five-acre centre, including walking through the interactive museum, seeing retired racehorses, and even riding in the jockey simulator. There’s a pretty delicious onsite restaurant called The Tack Room, too.

Cheltenham Festival

You’ll enjoy visiting the National Horse Racing Museum, sure, but let’s be honest: it doesn’t compare to seeing a thrilling up close and personal. While there are horse racing festivals in the UK to choose from, the best is probably Cheltenham Festival. This four-day event takes place each March in the picturesque town of Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and offers a mix of world-class racing and plenty of social fun. Grab some friends, don your best outfit, and prepare for an unforgettable few days.

Kentucky, USA

Now, let’s look over the pond. The United States has plenty of great horse racing destinations, but top of the list has to be Kentucky. This is home, of course, to the Kentucky Derby. That’s a race that even non-fans can get behind: it’s iconic, and it’s worth putting on your bucket list! That all takes place in Louisville, which has horse-life running through its veins. After you’ve been in Louisville, it’ll be worthwhile heading to Lexington. There you’ll find the International Museum of the Horse and more than 450 horse farms. You’ll see horses everywhere you look, basically.

Hong Kong’s Happy Valley

And now, to the far east. Casual fans don’t think of Hong Kong as a horseracing destination, but true fans know that it’s a place that’s passionate about the sport. The racecourse at Happy Valley has been in operation since 1846 and always provides an outstanding atmosphere. For the full effect, visit when there’s one of the city’s famous night races taking place.

Paris, France

Paris is, of course, a pretty fantastic destination to visit no matter what your interests are. Art, food, fashion, and, yep, horse racing. France has a long love affair with horse racing, with events taking place up and down the country. But it’s in Paris where you’ll find the most celebrated French horse races. The two big ones are the Grand Prix de Paris, which takes place on Bastille Day (July 14th) and the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe, which takes place each October. Head over, dress well, and enjoy one of the finest horse racing experiences in the world.

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Suzanne Ashton

Suzanne Ashton, Founder of Everything Horse (Est, 2012), has a BA Hons in Marketing Management and a Diploma in Equine Science. Suzanne has ridden and owned horses all her life and has twelve years of experience in marketing, writing, design, SEO, and website creation.