Horse Racing made Easy
Going Horseracing can be intimidating and confusing if it’s your first time! Follow our step-by-step guide to help you get the most out of your day.
To start with
Try to arrive at Les landes at least an hour before racing begins so you have time to familiarise yourself with the racecourse facilities. This is a good time to study a race card .
The race card will tell you everything you need to know – including locations, the day’s events and full race details, including times, runners and riders.
The Pre-Parade Ring
This is the horses’ warm up area, where they are led around by their stable lads or lasses, in preparation for the race.
The Parade Ring
After leaving the Pre-Parade Ring, horses enter the Parade Ring, giving punters the chance to inspect the horses they fancy backing. Parade Ring access is available for Officials, Owners and Trainers only. Children are not permitted.
A bell sounds 10 minutes before the start of the race, signalling that jockeys have “weighed out” and must mount horses and ride out onto the course.
The Winners’ Enclosure
The Winners’ Enclosure can be found in the front of the Parade Ring and winning and placed horses go here after the race. Winning owners, and sometimes trainers, are presented with trophies in this area.
