Category: Racecourses

Horse racing is popular in many jurisdictions, including Europe, North America, Australia and Asia, so any discussion of the ‘best’ racecourse in the world is bound to be highly subjective. However, what makes a premier racecourse essentially boils down to the configuration, construction and location of the course, available facilities and the type, frequency and quality of the racing staged.

For example, Ascot Racecourse, in Berkshire, South East England, has enjoyed a prestigious association with the British Royal Family for over 300 years. Ascot is best known for the five-day Royal Ascot meeting, staged annually in June, but hosts numerous premier events throughout the year. Between September, 2004 and June, 2006, Ascot underwent a £200 million redevelopment, including a new, 45,000-capacity grandstand building and a new parade ring, with the express intention of becoming the ‘finest racecourse in the world’.

Just a short hop across the English Channel, in the Bois de Boulogne, west of Paris, Longchamp Racecourse is best known as the home of the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, run annually on the first Sunday in October. Nowadays the most valuable race in Europe, with €5,000,000 in total prize money, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe celebrated its centenary in 2021. The roll of honour includes Ribot, Sea Bird, Mill Reef, Dancing Brave and Sea The Stars, to name but a handful. Redeveloped, at a cost of €140 million, in 2016 and 2017 and rebranded ‘ParisLongchamp’, the most iconic racecourse in France nows features a striking 160-metre long grandstand, offering uninterrupted, 180º views across the racecourse. This is big money across the board, which of course in the world of gambling can be associated with anything from a win at the races or on slots at www.jokaroom.io  etc.

On the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, Churchill Downs in Kentucky, in the Southeastern United States, is best known as the perennial home of the so-called ‘Run for the Roses’, the Kentucky Derby, which it has hosted annually, on the first Saturday in May, since 1875. Universally recognisable by its trademark twin spires, Churchill Downs is a National Historic Landmark but, in 2005, unveiled a 3½-year, $121 million facelift, which included a new, spacious clubhouse and luxury suites.

Elsewhere in the world, other candidates for the ‘best’ racecourse include Meydan Racecourse in Dubai, home of the Dubai World Cup, and Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, home of the Melbourne Cup. Of course, there are many more, but ultimately the choice is a matter of personal preference.

The short answer is three. Chepstow Racecourse, home of the most valuable race run in Wales, the Coral Welsh National, is probably the best known of the trio. Situated in Monmouthshire, South East Wales, close to the border with England, the dual purpose course consists of a left-handed, undulating oval, 1 mile 7 furlongs around, plus a straight mile course, which joins the round course at the top of the home straight. The National Hunt course features 11 fairly stiff fences, or seven flights of hurdles, per circuit.

Not to be confused with Bangor, the cathedral city in Gwynedd, North West Wales, Bangor-on-Dee Racecourse is situated to the south-west of the village of the same name near Wrexham, North East Wales. Established in 1859, Bangor-on-Dee is a National Hunt course, consisting of a left-handed, flat circuit, 1 mile 4 furlongs in extent, with sharp bend and six hurdles, or nine fences, per circuit. The course has the distinction of being the only one in Britain without a grandstand; viewing takes place from a sloping grass bank, which surrounds the racing surface.

Ffos Las Racecourse, situated near the former mining village of Trimsaran in Carmathenshire, West Wales, was built on the site of what was, at one time, the largest open cast mine in Europe. The dual purpose course, which opened, to much fanfare, in 2009, is similar to Bangor-on-Dee insofar that it consists of a left-handed, flat oval, approximately 1 mile 4 furlongs around, but is essentially galloping in character, with wide, easy bends.

Anyone looking for horse racing in the vicinity of the capital city may be pleased to learn that there are, in fact, five or six racecourses, offering Flat and National Hunt action, within 30 miles of central London. Kempton Park, which is situated in Sunbury-on-Thames, Surrey, on the outskirts of Greater London, is the closest of them all, at a distance of just over 15 miles via the A4 and A316.

Kempton Park is, in fact, one of the busiest racecourses in Europe, hosting Flat and National Hunt racing all year ’round; the most prestigious race of the year is the Grade 1 King George VI Chase, run annually on Boxing Day.

Sandown Park, in the outlying London suburb of Esher, is only slightly further away, at a distance of nearly 18 miles via the A3, which connects the City of London and Portsmouth. Remarkably, Epsom Downs Racecourse, home of the Derby, is less than 20 miles away from central London via the A3, or even closer if you’re prepared to forsake the A3 for a slightly slower route on the A24, between Clapham and Worthing, West Sussex. Slightly further afield, although still on 25 miles from central London, Royal Windsor Racecourse can be reached via the A4 and M4. Continuing west, Ascot Racecourse is less than five miles further and can be reached via the M25 and A30 Staines Bypass.

 

Betting on horse racing in New Jersey is an exciting and potentially lucrative venture. With the abundance of racetracks, betting options, and associated activities in the state, there’s always something to do when it comes to betting on horse racing. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned pro, the information below will give you an overview of how to get started with betting on horse racing in New Jersey.

Getting Started

Before you can begin placing bets, it’s important to understand the different types of wagering available at tracks in New Jersey. The two main types are parimutuel and exchange wagering. With parimutuel wagering, bettors place their bets into a pool that is shared among everyone who has bet on the same race or event. Exchange wagering works differently: bettors are able to choose their own odds and place bets against each other instead of against the house.

It’s also important to understand the different types of bets available at tracks in New Jersey. Straight bets include win, place, show, exacta/quinella, trifecta/triactor, superfecta/superhighfive, as well as daily double and Pick 3/4 bets. There are also more exotic types of wagers, such as Pick 6 wagers which involves picking winners for six consecutive races; this type of wager usually involves larger jackpots due to its complexity, but it is also much harder to win due to the large number of variables involved. Understanding these different options will help you make better decisions when placing your bets.

Where To Bet

There are several racetracks across New Jersey that offer betting opportunities on a regular basis: Meadowlands Racetrack (East Rutherford), Monmouth Park (Oceanport), Freehold Raceway (Freehold), and Atlantic City Race Course (Mays Landing). All four locations feature live thoroughbred racing year-round, but there are some variations between them based on seasonality and track size. For instance, Monmouth Park has both harness racing (trotters) and standard thoroughbred racing, while Freehold only features standard thoroughbred events during its regular season from April through October. Additionally, all four locations accept simulcast races from other tracks around North America, so there’s always something happening, even during off-seasons.

Online Wagering Options

Online betting sites for horse races are becoming increasingly popular as an alternative to traditional racetrack betting. Betting online can be done from the comfort of your own home, and it offers a wide variety of wagering options that may not be available at the track.

There are many reputable options for NJ sports betting, such as TVG, TwinSpires, and FanDuel Sportsbook. Each offers its own unique set of features and benefits. TVG has a loyalty program that rewards players with free bets when they place a certain amount of money in bets each month. TwinSpires also offers competitive lines and bonuses on select races. FanDuel Sportsbook is popular among casual bettors due to its user-friendly platform and integrated banking system.

When betting online, it’s important to understand what types of wagers are available. Most sites offer straight bets (win, place, show, exacta/quinella, trifecta/triactor, superfecta/superhighfive) as well as daily double and Pick 3/4 bets. However, some sites also offer exotic bet types such as Pick 6 wagers which involve picking winners for six consecutive races with larger jackpots but more difficult odds of winning due to the large number of variables involved.

It’s also important to know the different types of bonuses offered by online sportsbooks in New Jersey. Some sites will offer sign-up bonuses when you make your first deposit or may provide bonus money for making certain wagers; other sites may provide enhanced payout specials on certain races or during specific times of the year. In addition, many sites will reward loyal customers with discounts or special rebates on their losses over time.

Before placing any type of bet online, it’s always important to shop around and compare the various options available from multiple sportsbooks before making a decision about where to bet. This research process will help ensure that you get the best possible return for your investment while still having a great experience betting on horse races in New Jersey.

Conclusion

Betting on racehorses in New Jersey can be an incredibly enjoyable experience as well as a potentially profitable one if done correctly! With several venues offering live action year round along with convenient online wagering services accessible virtually anywhere with internet connection opportunities abound for those interested in getting into this hobby! Be sure to follow all applicable regulations when doing so – reporting winnings correctly – as well as familiarizing yourself with all available options before embarking upon this journey will go a long way towards helping you succeed.