horse racing
 

I'm a huge Dick Francis fan, so would love to visit an English racecourse while I'm there in September. We will be concentrating our time in the regions around Manchester, Oxford, and York. Which is a good racecourse to go to to get a real flavour of the authentic British racing scene? And what type of racing is on at that time of year (my preferences would be 1. jump, 2. flat, I'm not at all interested in harness racing).

Check out the website for horseracing on about.com. There are links to foreign racing and you can get the info and schedules for the different race meetings all over Britain. I went to Newbury in March '98 and it was just like a DF book.

Still the height of the Flat season. You may find one or two NH meetings around. If you find a trotting meeting in the UK, you're in with eccentrics. <BR> <BR>York has a course - and Yorkshire has lots. Near Oxford is Newbury. Haydock Park north of Manchester. Oxford is also close to Lambourn, which is the heart of NH (National Hunt = jumps) training country. They sometimes have open days when stables are opened to the public, but I don't know how you find out about them. <BR> <BR>www.racingpost.co.uk and www.comeracing.co.uk might help.

Went last march to the National Hunt in Cheltenham. It was great. Did not go for the big day - the Gold Cup, but did see the Campionship Hurdle. I would recommend at least going out there and seeing the museum. Also recommend going thru Lambourn that figures in some of his books - very out of the way and secluded even tho it is near Oxford (might also see the white horse on the hill nearby). Years ago, I also went to Newmarket. ALso very interesting. Contact the British Tourist Office and ask specifically about when you will be there. They should e-mail you back the info you need. <BR> <BR>If you plan on going to Stratford-upon-Avon, I recommend staying at Oxstalls B&B - a horse farm

Has anyone gone to the races in France? I would appreciate any information, especially about Longchamp. How did you get there? What was cost of admission? Was it difficult to figure out how to place a bet if you didn't speak French? And, you guessed it... How were people dressed? (No joke) <BR>Thanks!