Attending a horse racing festival is unlike any other type of sporting event. One reason for this, of course, is that it’s one of the few athletic events in which the competitors are not human! But there are a number of other factors that make major racing events particularly unique for spectators.
One of these factors is the attitude of the crowd. At most athletic events, the crowd is either divided between two teams or amongst a field of competitors. Even with individual sports such as golf and tennis, major events will feature contingents of fans cheering on a single competitor (just think of how beloved athletes like Roger Federer and Tiger Woods are!). But at horse racing events, while you’ll see people cheering on individual horses and rooting for those they may have placed bets on, the prevailing sentiment is that everyone’s just there to see a great race. This lends a very unique atmosphere to such events.
Another factor that makes the races unique is how engaged many of the spectators are with the horses and their trainers. As mentioned, many spectators tend to place bets on various competitors. Whether or not they actually have anything riding on races, many tend to be very knowledgeable about the histories and tendencies of the various horses. And even if you aren’t a major horse racing fan (but are planning on attending a race), you can catch up pretty quickly to this sort of knowledge. Betfair’s tips are consistently updated throughout the year, if you need a place to start. While they’re focused largely on the odds for each major race’s winner, they include detailed analysis and background information on the prospective competitors in the months leading up to the races. Staying up to date with this kind of news can help you to jump right in with the experienced spectators.
But more than anything, particularly for those who are new to horse racing environments, it’s the fashion at major race days that sets them apart from other sporting events. Fun, flashy, and sometimes borderline whimsical, race day fashion can take on a very distinct character. For a lot of people visiting the tracks, planning an outfit and dressing up is half the fun! Here are some of the styles and trends (specifically for ladies) that are common at these events, from the UK’s Grand National to the Kentucky Derby.
- Extravagant Hats – Southern Living’s Kentucky Derby fashion guide said it best: “if you don’t wear a hat to the Kentucky Derby, you’ll feel like the woman who wears jeans to a little black dress party.” That may sound harsh, but hats truly are the most important elements of race day fashion. The bigger and more extravagant, the better.
- Pearls – Pearl jewelry is not as firmly established as extravagant hats are, but they make for perfect selections. Pearls are simple but elegant, and they’re noticeable without distracting from your overall outfit (which should pop!)
- Wear Something Bright – This may sound obvious, but it’s well worth noting. Many people attending races, particularly if the weather happens to be gloomy, will opt for cooler, darker clothing on occasion. And that works just fine, so long as some aspect of the outfit bursts with colour. Look through photos at Fashion at the Races for some inspiration in this regard – almost everyone pictured has some colour.
- Matching Men – If you’re attending a race with a husband, boyfriend, or date, it’s always nice to match in some subtle way or another. The easiest, if compatible with outfits, would be to have him wear a pocket square the same colour as your dress. A more difficult (but possibly very effective) way to go about it is to find him a hat that looks in some fashion like a man’s version of your own. Whatever you come up with, a matching couple stands out in a fun way at racing events.