FAMILY FUN AT THE RACES OVER THE EASTER WEEKEND IN THE SOUTH EAST

This Easter is set to be a bumper weekend for racing with over 22 fixtures across the UK as well as two open days. Not only will there be thrilling horseracing to enjoy, but there will also be fun family activities with something for everyone. From bouncy castles to go karting, funfair rides to face painting, every member of the family can get involved and when under 18’s race for free, there is no better place to spend the Easter Weekend then at the races. From Musselburgh down to Newton Abbot, over to Ffos Las and across to Fakenham, there’s plenty of thrilling action to excite everyone this Easter.

In the South East there are eight fixtures to choose from and kicking off the weekend, Lingfield Park and Chelmsford City racecourses have hugely exciting Good Friday racing taking place for the first time.

Lingfield will see the first All-Weather Vase Day with an exciting £390,000 prize pot across the six All Weather Championship Vase categories as well as the finals of the All-Weather pony racing series. While the All-Weather Championships are set to come to a thrilling conclusion at Newcastle racecourse for the first time with a total prize fund of over £1 million over the six finals. It will see the All-Weather Champions crowned and hugely competitive, top-level racing.

There will also be a host of entertainment with live music, an easter egg hunt with free chocolate eggs, funfair rides, side stalls, circus workshops and free pony rides for children all included in the ticket price. Their Easter festivities will continue on the Saturday with a busy card of competitive Easter Evening racing.

Chelmsford will also have their inaugural Good Friday race meeting that is set to celebrate spring in the countryside with rides and attractions, bars and food stalls as well as a farmers’ market in addition to the fantastic racing.

For those who want to see all the hard work and amazing care that goes into looking after a racehorse the Lambourn Open Day is the perfect opportunity. Under 12s can attend for free and it is a unique chance to come face to face with the horses and trainers behind the scenes. All profits go towards the welfare of stable staff and their families in the local area as well as helping various others including the Lambourn School and the Thames Valley Air Ambulance. Further open days in the South East are scheduled at Epsom in September which will take place during National Racehorse Week- 10th – 18th.

National Racehorse Week is a nationwide, annual celebration of the racehorse and provides the public with the invaluable opportunity to see first-hand the love, care and attention that goes into looking after these magnificent animals.

Racing into Easter Saturday and Sunday, Newbury racecourse is hosting its Dubai Duty Free Spring Trial Weekend. As well as top quality racing, other activities over on offer over the two days include: meet a retired racehorse, meet a jockey, Easter egg crafts, face painters, inflatables, and a petting zoo.

Also with plenty of family fun is Plumpton racecourse who are set to have their biggest weekend of the year with over £220,000 worth of prize money on offer to set the stage for some great racing. In addition to the seven races on each day- Easter Sunday and Easter Monday- there will also be a fun fair, horse hoppers, a magician, face painting, Sussex Falconry, and an Easter egg giveaway.

Topping of a fabulous four days of family fun, Kempton Park will have their Easter day on Easter Monday, with plenty of free entertainment including face painting, bouncy castles, pony rides and rock climbing.

Experience a lively and friendly atmosphere, the thrill of watching live horse racing and plenty of family activities to fill your easter basket, a day at the races is the best way to make the most of the four-day weekend.