A Day at the Races
If you have never been to a day at the races, or are wondering what to do while you are here, the following information will help.  Whether it is a corporate event you are organizing or you are coming with your friends to enjoy the day out, please read on to find out about a typical day at the races.

A Typical Day for a Racegoer

The Racecourse opens 2 hours before the first race.  For the purpose of this example the First Race is 2.00pm.  Please adjust the timings according to the first Race Time for the day that you are planning to attend.  Please see our full 2009 fixture list for details of First race times.

12.00pm Racecourse Opens

1.00pm Aim to reach Hamilton Park Racecourse at least 1 hour before the first race

1.05pm Meet friends and Family at the Grandstand or Club Entrance

1.10pm When you enter the racecourse you should look to buy a race programme for the day.  This will provide all the information on the runners and riders for each race, as well as outline all the facilities available within the racecourse.

1.15pm Have a walk around the racecourse, familiarize yourself with the layout while it is still quiet, maybe have a drink and take a few minutes to look through the runners for the day highlighting any horses you like the sound of and may place a bet on later.

During the raceday you are free to explore the many different bars and restaurants within the Club or Grandstand enclosure.  For more details on what is available in each enclosure please go to the eating and drinking page.

You can also enjoy visiting the Parade Ring, or watching the horses race past you at the trackside as this can be an exciting part of the race day  experience.
 
The different areas you may choose to visit are listed below.

The Parade Ring

Before each race you are able to visit the Parade Ring to see the horses parade.  This is also where the Jockeys arrive to “mount up” before heading down to the start.

The Betting Ring

Before each race you can visit the Betting ring where you can bet with one of the racecourse bookmakers, who offer a variety of odds on the runners for each race.

Trackside Viewing

From the Club or Grandstand enclosure you are able to watch the racing live from the trackside – witness the exciting finishes from up close on the rails and cheer home your horse.  We also provide a large screen on all racedays making the viewing of the whole race easy from both enclosures.

The Winners Enclosure

After each race you can enjoy watching the winning and placed horses return to the winners enclosure where they meet their owners and trainers.  A presentation to the winning owner will also take place after each race in the Winners Enclosure.


A Typical Day for a Corporate Guest

The Racecourse opens 2 hours before the first race.  For the purpose of this example the First Race is 2.00pm.  Please adjust the timings according to the time of the first race for the day that you are planning to attend. Please see our full 2009 fixture list for details of First race times.

12.00pm Racecourse Opens

12.10pm Guests arrive at the Club Enclosure entrance and are directed to your Private Box/Restaurant/Marquee

12.30pm Lunch is served with the Tipster Talk (If booked) taking place during your meal

1.45pm Opportunity to place a bet from the totepool kiosks located on all corporate areas.  A popular choice is the totepool placepot bet, which allows your guests to pick horses from all six races on the day, which they can follow throughout the meeting.

2.00pm First Race Starts

Throughout the day you and your guests are welcome to come and go from your private box/restaurant and marquee.  Visiting the Parade Ring, or watching the horses race past you at the trackside can be an exciting part of the race day experience.  The different areas you may choose to visit are listed below.  Please remember to ask you guests to wear their badges at all times.

The Parade Ring

Before each race your guests are able to visit the Parade Ring to see the horses Parade before each race.  This is also where the Jockeys arrive to “mount up” before heading down to the start.

The Betting Ring

Before each race you can visit the Betting ring where you can bet with one of the racecourse bookmakers, who offer a variety of odds on the runners for each race.

The Winning Post

With your Corporate Hospitality badge you are able to watch the racing live from the trackside just by the winning post – witness the exciting finishes from up close.

The Winners Enclosure

After each race you can enjoy watching the winning and placed horses return to the winners enclosure where they meet their owners and trainers.  A presentation to the winning owner will also take place after each race in the Winners Enclosure.

General Information

We have six or seven races on each race day run at 30/35 minute intervals.  Race times can be obtained from the racecourse in advance, Daily Press or the Official Race Programme on the day of racing.  On evening meetings, bars close two hours after the last race with last orders being called 15 minutes prior to this.  Times are subject to change so please confirm this at the time of your booking.