Everyone enjoys a day at the races, with the thundering excitement of the on track action, plus plenty of food, drink, and other entertainment in the spectators area. But it’s fair to say that many racecourses are pricing grassroots punters out somewhat, with larger ticket prices and no access to some of the more VIP sections. Luckily there are some racecourses keeping it real, and, ranked as the 8th most value-for-money course in the UK, Fakenham in East Anglia is one of those. Not only do they offer great value for a grand day out for established horse racing afficionados, they are also attracting new audiences to the Sport of Kings.
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Great Value Racing
While some larger racecourses are charging higher admission fees for premium events, smaller tracks like Fakenham are deliberately keeping costs down in order to retain their crowds and add to the thrill of the event. It’s a winning formula, with gate receipts holding up, and more palpable excitement when it comes to the racing itself. The course was ranked at the 8th best overall value racecourse by the Racing Post back in October, and compared to more expensive courses such as Ascot and Epsom, it appeals to a more grassroots crowd, as well as drawing in fresh punters to the exciting world of horse racing.
Value for money extends not just to admission to Fakenham. Enjoying a pint or a bottle of bubbly here won’t require a remortgage.
New Demographics
So, who are these new racing enthusiasts, and where have they come from? Well, there are plenty of new ways to enjoy racing without actually visiting a track, particularly through digital channels. Part of this includes digital races, with random outcomes that can be enjoyed via desktop computer and mobile, but there are also plenty of other types of games that are drawing new audiences towards the sport. Online slots are a good example, as the simple premise of the game allows for developers to produce ever more sophisticated video slots, with differing themes to suit fans of, well, just about anything, racing included. Titles such as Big Horsey Fortune and Gold Horsey Winner have captured the imaginations of punters, and the gamification of racing may well be a driving factor in increased gate takings at smaller courses such as Fakenham, a subject well aired at last week’s Asian Racing Conference in Riyadh.
Fantasy games and TV series like Champions: Full Gallop do much to stimulate interest in the winter sport. But there’s simply no substitute for the real thing, and the knowledgeable Fakenham crowd appreciates this too. This is a crowd that knows its racing well.
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What Else Does Fakenham Offer?
Like many a racecourse, Fakenham offers the chance for local businesses to entertain guests in their VIP areas, and for corporate events to promote their products and services and get to know their clientele. The venue also serves as a great place for events such as wedding receptions, parties and corporate events. On race day there are a variety of dining options available, with fine dining using seasonal ingredients and afternoon tea on offer, as well as a wide variety of food trucks offering everything from hog roasts and fish and chips to Thai food and pizza. You won’t go hungry at Fakenham, that’s for sure. After all, Norfolk is the home county of the late Bernard Matthews, king of the turkeyburger.
Smaller racecourses such as Fakenham are boosting racing’s appeal by making a grand day out at the races more affordable. And with new digital channels bringing in a variety of new punters from all walks of life, it stands the future of horse racing in good stead to retain popular appeal across the broadest spectrum of society.
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