No longer an elite sport just for the rich and famous, horse racing has become a real family event and a great day out for everyone. The horses are well trained and ridden by expert jockeys who have learnt through years of experience the nuances of a horse. The race has a designated start and finish point, sometimes the horses compete by running and jumping over several fences and sometimes it’s all about the fast, flat race. This equestrian sport can be incredibly dangerous and unfortunately riders and horses do get hurt, some very seriously and sadly approximately seven hundred and fifty horses die annually!
If you are a horse racing fanatic or just have a genuine passion for these magnificent creatures then why not invest in a stunning, life-like Bronze Horse Sculpture that could stand proudly in the garden of your home or outside your place of business? It would certainly be a great talking point for family, friends and work colleagues. The “Sport of Kings” is a term that’s been referred to when describing horse racing for centuries. Ancient Rome used horses to pull speeding Chariots around an arena where thousands of cheering Romans watched in awe as the Gladiators driving them competed for the winning prize.
There are many horse racing venues scattered around the United Kingdom and racing enthusiasts flock to them all to witness the thrill, excitement and to hear the sound of the horses thundering hooves as they race around the track.
Why Ireland is so closely tied to racing
Few countries are as closely linked with horse racing as Ireland. Its trainers, jockeys and horses are known around the world, and Irish runners are regularly among the favourites at major meetings. The calendar is full of big occasions, including the Irish Derby, the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Irish Champion Stakes.
Race days are as much a social event as a sporting one. Men turn out in tweed jackets, smart waistcoats and Aran jumpers, while women dress in their finest outfits, often with tall feathered hats. Hot food, pints of Guinness and good wine are all part of the day.
Ireland has more than twenty-five racecourses spread across all four provinces, hosting hundreds of meetings and around two thousand races a year, which draws large numbers of visitors to watch. Most courses are turf, but there are a couple of notable exceptions: the beach course at Laytown and the all-weather Polytrack at Dundalk.
