Sport, friendship and even love: The magic of the races

Brought to you by Goracing

It could be Leopardstown at Christmas, Fairyhouse at Easter, Punchestown in April or you could even be heading to Thurles or to Ballinrobe mid-week.

But wherever you go racing and whenever you decide to do it, it's always going to be memorable. It's always going to be a great day out. First and foremost, there's the unrivalled social buzz that fills the air and brings every race-goer together. From live music to the brilliant bars. Whispers of a 'sure thing' in the first, to the sound of thundering hooves as they gallop inches by you trackside. The crescendo of noise as a horse walks back into the parade ring after passing the winning post. It's unparalleled with any sport. If you haven’t yet succumbed to the sight of brave, beautiful horses jumping at 35 miles per hour you are missing out. There is no finer sight than seeing a thoroughbred racehorse in the flesh in full flight. Text a friend. Round up a squad. Get the dancing shoes on and away you go. You just need to make that plunge. You won't regret it. And neither will they. If reservations arise, there's a simple fix. List off all the brilliant things a day's racing has to offer and it will be like getting a crowd around a free bar. And that's why it's a brilliant date destination. Nobody is a stranger at the races. There are so many things to talk about. From the go-to 'any tips' line to meeting a friend of a friend. You'll always bump into someone at the races and that's what sets the day in motion. You can't go wrong from there. It's a small world and they'll know someone else and before you know it, you'll have been chatting to half the track. Your typical card will go on for three to four hours and there are so many things to do with the people you meet there. From getting a bite to eat to checking out the various stalls, daytime discos, and funfair set-ups. And that's not even to mention the racing. There will be races every 35 minutes and as each race nears off-time, the hush and tension will grow as experts and non-experts get caught up in it all. The heaving grand-stands to the busy betting ring. 'Are you winning or losing today?' The bets can be placed and the punters roar. Then there's the parade ring, which will be dotted with famous faces, television cameras and some of the finest thoroughbreds there are. If anything, you'll be looking for a bit of peace and quiet at the end of the day. That's the buzz that only a race-meeting can offer and before you know it, you'll have made acquaintance with strangers and you could even have met the one. The races are a great place for that. You could be united by a lost bet or it could be just a simple date or even a blind one. The races have stood the test of time as a date destination and will continue to do so in the years to come. Last year, our team went to Leopardstown where the Romance at the Races was clear. Three couples went off on a blind date and by the looks of the below video, it looks like it wasn't the last one. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVJMkyXyOyU It rarely ends at the race-track and from there, they'll flow into Coppers or The Front Door depending on where you are with the shirt and tie combos and the dresses on. So, you were racing too. And you're off again. That's the magic of the races. It's not to be missed out on.