Wales is a country that has plenty of beautiful scenery, which is why tourists regularly visit. The countryside and fields, in particular, provide a great way of relaxing with their stunning views.
Therefore, it also makes for ideal horse racing venues. It’s fair to say that UK racing is dominated by what goes on in England, and that’s understandable. After all, that’s where the biggest festivals take place, and there will always be fans and punters looking forward to Aintree results, as well as the finishes at courses like Hexham and Doncaster.
Of course, the major appeal of horse racing is the thrill of the race. The excitement and unpredictability of each race is why the sport has such a following. However, another brilliant aspect of horse racing is the venues. With the wide-open spaces, these tracks are often in the most picturesque settings around. And, that can add to your overall experience.
Thankfully, those in Wales are in for a treat when it comes to the fine settings of their courses. Here we look at three that bring the excitement of the race to a wonderful setting.
Chepstow, Monmouthshire
The Welsh Grand National is set to take place behind closed doors.
Fans have been allowed into racecourses in England, but Wales will not be following suit.
In full: https://t.co/4T1vmUgbGm pic.twitter.com/cdoP9Sv6gf
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) December 3, 2020
This is undoubtedly the biggest course in the country, and it plays host to the biggest race in Wales; the Welsh Grand National. This is a landmark event in the sporting calendar of the country, with the races generally taking place in late December each year.
Secret Reprieve was the winner in the most recent race, and more iconic moments are set to take place in the years to come, at this beautiful spot in the southeast of the country. So, if you are only going to visit one horse racing event in Wales, then you may as well save it for Chepstow, which is undoubtedly the best on offer.
Bangor-On-Dee, Wrexham
Next up, you can head to Wrexham for another great day out at the races. Once again, it provides you with an outstanding backdrop, with trees and green everywhere as you watch some top talents battle it out. With the first meeting held in 1859, this is a venue also steeped in history.
Located in a market town in the north of the country, this track is one that will provide you with a good day out in a great location.
Ffos Las, Kidwelly
This #GroundsWeek join us in saying a big thank you to all of our team who work so hard, sometimes in very testing weather conditions, to keep the course in the best shape possible throughout the year! @thegma_ pic.twitter.com/9SYzFTSFWt
— Ffos Las Racecourse (@FfosLasRC) March 4, 2021
Finally, this is a track that perhaps doesn’t have the reputation of the other two, as it was only opened in 2009. However, this modern course is one that is intriguing, as it was built on the site of Europe’s biggest open-cast coal mine when operations stopped.
But, you’d never know, as it’s now the perfect rural setting for horse racing. With close links to Ireland, some of the most promising jump horses from the country visit.
Ultimately, there’s plenty of choice for punters if they are looking for quality horse racing meetings in Wales. Nevertheless, you don’t have to be a fanatic of the sport to appreciate what’s on offer, with the outstanding settings adding to whichever meeting you go to at these three courses.