Grand National Drawing New Fans to Horse Racing

Lovers of horse racing should mark April 8 as the date of the Grand National in Aintree, England.

Some of the best horses in contemporary racing compete for a prize fund of £1 million and trod across the turf of the iconic course. Aintree is situated close to the city of Liverpool, in northwest England, and the racing is a huge draw for visitors from around the world.

The race itself has run since 1839 and features 30 fences that must be jumped as the horses make their way around the course. Jumping the fences adds to the excitement of the race, and even the favorites can be taken out of the running by a bad jump.

Thanks to the drama of the race and the large number of attendees, the Grand National captures the imagination like few other horse races. The race attracts people who don’t normally attend horse races, and huge amounts of money are bet as people test their luck.

If you want to attend the Grand National, be prepared to dress smart. A traditional dress code applies, only adding to the sense of occasion.

Liverpool is 2.5 hours from London by train, and Liverpool John Lennon airport offers flights to a variety of European destinations. There will be racing April 6–8,,but the main event takes place on the Sunday.

Tickets for Grand National Day start at £27, with premium tickets selling for more. Check out the official website for further information.