It is tremendously difficult to select the top 6% of these extraordinary horse racing venues but we have done our best based on the quality of races staged at each racecourse and the general ambience during the racing festivities.

After all, a day at the races is about much more than just the race – if you know what we mean…

We’ve listed those racecourses that have made it to our top ten below – but to read the reasons why we think those racecourses deserve to be in our list, check out our Top Ten Racecourses in the United Kingdom page.

• - Aintree Racecourse
• - Ascot Racecourse
• - Cheltenham Racecourse
• - Doncaster Racecourse
• - Epsom Downs Racecourse
• - Goodwood Racecourse
• - Hamilton Park Racecourse
• - Newmarket Racecourse
• - Sandown Park Racecourse
• - York Racecourse

If you are looking for a way to kick-start your weekend, Bet365 has just the betting special for you. Online bookmaker extraordinaire Bet365 has selected two races of the race cards for today (Friday 27th August 2010) to be part of their extraordinary 4-1 betting special.

The rules for this offer are simple. You place a stake of your choice on the first of the designated races; if your selection wins at odds of 4-1 or longer, you will receive a free bet matching your initial stake for the second selected race. And it gets better: this special never runs dry. If your chosen horse comes home first at odds of 4-1 or longer in the second race, you win another bet of equal stake on the first selected race of the next day and so on. As long as you keep on tipping smart, you’re going to keep betting for free.

The two selected races on Friday 27th August 2010 are:

J2o White Blend Handicap – Newmarket – 4.05pm

And

TurfTV Handicap – Newmarket – 5.40pm

Horse Racing UK wishes you the best of luck with your Friday betting at Bet365; don’t forget, one stake might keep you in free bets all weekend with a little calculation and luck.

The British flat racing season is almost over and the competition for the title of British Champion Flat Trainer is becoming increasingly heated. This sought after title is awarded annually and brings with it serious credit amongst horse racing professionals. It is also the ultimate recognition of a trainers outstanding professional ability, making it one of the most prestigious titles of the racing world.
Bookmaker William Hill offers antepost odds on the three front runners in the Champion Trainer contest:

Richard Hannon, based at the East Everleigh Stables in Marlborough, Wiltshire, is no stranger to the honour of Champion Trainer. In 1992 he was awarded the coveted title after a great season including wins in the July Cup, with Mr Brooks, the Nunthorpe Stakes, with Lyric Fantasy, and the Cork and Orrery Stakes, with Shalford. Hannon is a true veteran of the sport, starting to train thoroughbreds independently in 1970 and seemingly training winner after winner ever since. The 2009/10 UK Flat Season has been a particularly triumphant ride for Hannon, who has thus far collected 161 victories, 131 runners-up and 96 third placing horses. Some of his greatest successes this year include Zebedee, Martyr and Canford Cliffs, all of whom have impresses spectators and punters throughout the season.

Sir Michael Stoute – knighted in 1998 for services to tourism in his native Barbados – has little but a pitying grin for rival Richard Hannon’s previous Champion Trainer title. Sir Michael has held the prestigious title ten times, in 1981, 1986, 1989, 1994, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006 and 2009. This year, Sir Michael has his sight set on title number eleven, his second consecutive collection of the honour. He is the most successful trainer at the Yorkshire Oaks, having trained nine winners of the event between 1978 and 2004. He holds the same status in the Nassau Stakes and the Lockinge Stakes, at seven winners each. The 2009/10 season has been a comparatively slow one for this prodigious horse racing professional; out of 315 starts, Sir Michael collected 49 wins, 58 second and 45 third places.

Aidan O’Brien, head of the legendary Ballydoyle stables, is also still in the running for the title, despite a slightly disappointing season. Competing in only 66 races this season with various spectacular contenders, like Fame And Glory or Steinbeck, O’Brien’s banked seven wins, nine runner-ups and three third places. O’Brien has proved his ability as a trainer for years, training the most winners in history (8) at the Irish Derby, the Irish 2,000 Guineas Stakes (6), the Irish Champion Stakes (5) and the Moyglare Stud Stakes (4).

If you would like to back one of these outstanding horse racing professionals before the season is out, visit William Hill for great odds and convenient online betting on this event and many more. Horse Racing UK wishes you great success for the rest of the flat season!

We’ve listed those moments that have made it as our favourites below, but to read the full reason behind each moment’s inclusion, be sure to check out our Top 10 Horse Racing Pop Culture Moments page!

• - Life On Mars (UK) – Episode 4, Series 1 – 2006
• - Fawlty Towers (UK) – Episode 1, Series 2 – 1979 – “Communication Problems”
• - The Simpsons (US) – Episode 13, Season 11 – 2000 – “Saddlesore Galactica”
• - The Marx Brothers (US) – 1937 – “A Day At The Races”
• - Sesame Street – 1991
• - Black Books (UK) – Episode 16, Series 3 – 2004 – “A Little Flutter”
• - Crank – Film, 2009
• - Racing Stripes – Film, 2005
• - The Dukes Of Hazzard – Episode 8, Season 5 – 1982 – “Hazzard Hustle”
• - Pushing Daisies – Episode 5, Season 1 – 2007 – “Girth”

Miss any of your favourites? Let us know your favourite references to horse racing culture in television and films in a comment below.

Outlined below are the trainers who have made it to our list – but for reasons why we think they deserve to be there, check out the full Top 10 Race Horse Trainers of All Time page.

• - Aidan O’Brien
• - Bart Cummings
• - Gai Waterhouse
• - Henrietta Knight
• - Henry Cecil
• - Luca Cumani
• - Mark Johnston
• - Mick Channon
• - Steve Asmussen
• - Todd Pletcher

Think we’ve missed someone? Let us know below in a comment.

The much anticipated Doncaster Race Day, 14th August 2010, is sharing the love with the Royal British Legion (RBL), offering some generous support for this great charitable organisation. Knowing that you are helping out a great cause will make the excellent race day hosted at Doncaster Racecourse this Saturday even more enjoyable.

The Doncaster Race Day features seven thoroughbred racing fixtures, starting 2.20pm and ending approx. 5.45pm (doors open at noon). The fixtures of the Doncaster Race Day are:

Aside from these outstanding displays of equine excellence, the Race Day also hosts the band ‘Scouting For Girls’ live in concert after the races, making sure there really is fun for all ages.

As if this wasn’t enough, you will be helping a good cause just by having a good time. For every ticket sold, Doncaster Racecourse will donate £2.50 to the RBL to aid their assistance of returned servicemen and the families of former servicemen.

The Legion will be making a special appearance on Doncaster Race Day, trooping the colour with a parade of standards before the first race of the day; which will no doubt be a grand spectacle. Those who want to give a little more than the £2.50 deducted from their ticket only need to wait for one of many volunteers cruising through the crowd with collection buckets – or they can treat themselves to a delicious three-course meal.

To shake things up a little, the Legion is hosting a Gala Lunch at Doncaster Racecourse’s Lazarus Suite. Tickets to this culinary extravaganza are £75, but the price includes entry to the races and the concert as well as the full three-course meal.

So, if you would like to treat yourself to a special day and some good karma, Doncaster Race Day on Saturday 14th August 2010 is the perfect race meeting for you.