The nation’s love affair with the sport is at its height during the winter months, with jumps racing being by far the prominent code of the sport. But, the only exception to that would be the five-day Royal Ascot meet held in June.
As well as giving fans the opportunity to get up close and personal with some of the most talented equine stars in the world, horse racing is revered for the social element that comes with a day at the racing.
Therefore, it is little surprise that there are massive food and drink options when attending a horse racing fixture in the UK. But, what are some of the most popular dining experiences?
High End Dining Options
Those looking for the ultimate experience when going to the horse racing will typically purchase a higher ticket option in the United Kingdom, with all racecourses boasting a number of hospitality options. The Grand National, held annually at Aintree, is among the most popular in terms of hospitality deals, with visitors able to see every corner of the huge course. It is similar in popularity as the Kentucky Derby in the USA, as TwinSpires.com shows.
Prices can typically range depending on what the visitors is looking to enjoy. The cheapest available at Aintree is the McCoys Package, which gives visitors a free breakfast roll on arrival, as well as a two-course street food dining experience.
The most expensive hospitality option at the track can be found at The Art School at Aintree, which is priced up on the opening day of the Grand National Festival at £730. This new addition to the course will give visitors a six-course tasting menu with a unique champagne afternoon tea. As well as this, visitors will have free soft drinks throughout the day.
Most Popular Stalls
For the vast majority of racing fans that are attending courses for the racing alone, then they will steer clear of the expensive hospitality options that are available, instead opting to pick up food from a local food van in between races and putting bets on.
Racecourses in the UK do an excellent job of tailoring to all potential visitors, with a range of options available. The most popular is typically burgers, with vans located outside the gates before arriving at Cheltenham and Aintree. There are plenty of vegetarian options also available, with specific vans for these dietary requirements.
This shows the inclusion of the sport, as it is rare to go to a football ground in England and have a dedicated menu should you look for something other than meat. Cheltenham offers the most extensive selection of dining options from street vans, with pizzas, hog roasts, and fish and chips also available.
There is also something for those with a sweet tooth, with candy shops specialising in local sweets among the newest additions at the track.
Popular Drinking Sport
No day at the horse racing is complete without downing a few alcoholic drinks, with the Cheltenham Festival being a hot spot during the year in terms of the amount of Guinness consumed. Research has found that over 220,000 pints of the black stuff is consumed during the four-day Festival. That is even more staggering considering that Cheltenham charges a stunning £7.50 per pint.
Stats have also found horse racing to be one of the booziest sports in the United Kingdom, with only darts seeing more alcohol consumed. The stats show that a regular visitor at the horse racing will drink around four drinks per hour, which is double the amount that was found in sports such as cricket and boxing. Such is the drinking culture at horse racing events that local communities typically need to ensure that there pubs are stocked up with three weeks worth of alcohol for the weeks of major events.
But, the drinking culture does have its perks, with local businesses typically enjoying their best weeks of the year when horse racing events are staged. That is mirrored by the fact that the Cheltenham Festival sees £274 million brought into the local economy on an annual basis.
Possible Problems With Food & Drink At Racing
While consuming alcohol and eating good food are trademarks of a good day at the horse racing, there are concerns from regular visitors that more must be done to ensure that consumers can have the best possible experience.
The biggest concern that is hanging over the sport is the pricing policies, with many overpriced in terms of the services that are available. Therefore, a growing number of visitors are looking to eat before and after attending the racing instead of consuming the excellent options available inside the course.