As we enter June, there’s only one thing on many racing fans’ minds: Royal Ascot is just around the corner. This famous horse racing event is the jewel in the crown of the British flat racing calendar and features prestigious races such as the St James’ Palace Stakes, The Gold Cup, and the Kings Stand Stakes. If you’re lucky enough to have secured tickets for some of the festivities, you’ll be pleased to know that you can kick off the celebrations much closer to home at Chepstow.
In this article, we’ll give you all the information on the upcoming Charity Race Day, just a small part of Chepstow’s exciting summer calendar, and how to join the fun to prepare yourself for a day at Royal Ascot.
Visit the Charity Race Day
On the 16th of June, Chepstow Racecourse will hold a charity race day to raise money for Brain Tumour Research UK. This charity does fantastic work to fund critical research into the causes (and potential cures) of brain tumours. The racecourse will be donating a percentage of profits to the charity and collecting throughout the day, so if you have a lucky win, you might consider sharing the wealth with a well-deserving charity.
Over the day, there’ll be eight races taking place, all on the flat. You can watch from the grandstand, on screens in the betting bars, or even from your private box if you choose to. This makes a fun day out for people of all ages, and Chepstow is incredibly relaxed about the dress code, so there’s no need to don a fascinator — unless you’d like to, of course!
Practice Paddock Judging
The parade ring is the best place to head to when you arrive at the course. This is where all of the horses congregate before their respective races, and it provides the perfect opportunity to view them up close.
The art of spotting a fit, happy horse that might win the race is called paddock judging, and some people pride themselves on being masters of this skill. Take a moment to decide on the horse you think looks like the winner, and perhaps place a small bet on the one you’ve chosen. Although this isn’t an exact science, it can be a fun icebreaker if you’re out for the day with new friends.
Once you’re happy with your paddock judging skills, you can unleash them next week at Ascot. Of course, paddock judging is an imprecise art, so snagging a free bet is the best way to ensure you can have all the fun without the risk. There are lots of free bets for Ascot floating around at the moment, so you should have no trouble finding one.
Ticket Options
There are numerous different options for the day in terms of ticketing. If you’d like admission to the course, booking ahead of the day will save you money, as your ticket will only cost £18. Plus, as thanks for booking early, the course will provide you with a complimentary drink on arrival, as well as a racecard to help you pick out your winners.
Those looking to push the boat out also have plenty of options. Guests can participate in a bottomless brunch offer, where you receive a private table throughout the day with its own betting office and bar. For the first two hours, all drinks are on the house, and afterwards, you’ll be served an informal menu, perfect for dipping in and out of during the race day.
If you’d rather have a private box, you’ll need to get a group of 12 friends together to hire one. This will give you incredible views of the racecourse and your own private bar and buffet. There will always be a dedicated staff member on hand to help out your party, ensuring you receive the Royal treatment.
Underage gambling is an offence. You must be over 18 years old to gamble.
Any form of gambling should always be fun, playing in a way that is right for you. It’s good to set limits, take time out or set up reminders.
Please gamble responsibly and in moderation.
For more information on the tools available to help to keep you safe or if you want advice or support you can call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 (England, Scotland and Wales or visit Gamblingtherapy.org).
