Being set in the Scottish Borders, Kelso offers one of the most picturesque settings of all racecourses. Famed for its exceptionally long, uphill three furlong run-in, the course normally rides on the fast side. Marketed as Britain’s friendliest racecourse, Kelso also features a golf course in the centre of the track. It provides a firm but fair test for the horses, and plenty can change up front in-running as the race unfolds up that long home straight.

Promoted as London’s premier racecourse, a multi-million pound redevelopment programme was completed in 2006. Best known for its National Hunt fixtures, most notably the King George VI Chase run on Boxing Day, Kempton also stages many flat all-weather meetings throughout the year and is certainly one of the more diverse and busy tracks in the world.

Kilbeggan is located in Westmeath, in the midlands and the heart of Ireland. A town steeped in history, over time this track became the place for staging regular horse races given that until that point just after 1900, races were staged at various locations around Kilbeggan. It is a round course which is 1m1f long and quite sharp, suiting nippy horses that won’t get caught flat-footed and become outpaced easily. It is one of Ireland’s only jumps-only courses and is best known for the fact that most of its fixtures are evening meetings in the summer. Quite a trick, as crowds are ever-healthy at this time of year there – a warm, country track which is very much a part of the fabric of the Irish national hunt scene.

The current County Kerry course has been running since 1936 and is, without question, once of the most beautifully set racecourses in the world. Right in the heart of Kerry’s tourist epicentre, Killarney is a very scenic place indeed and its racecourse encompasses that natural wonder. There are three summer festivals at Killarney races, all equal in stature and competitiveness of racing. Both flat and jump racing is held around this fairly tight left-handed track which is just over a mile long. Killarney racecourse is known for its great hospitality, with restaurants providing panoramic views of the surrounding countryside and many bars and places to eat and enjoy the races to boot. If you’re ever in Kerry on your travels, be sure to check if racing is on here at that time. Better still, organise your trip to ensure there is.

The very definition of a One-Hit Wonder is Laytown racecourse, which is not a racecourse at all but is in fact a beach in County Meath, which hosts just one meeting per year. It is a unique event which often splits opinion owing to safety concerns. But the restrictions now imposed means that races are held over 6f and 7f only, with field sizes restricted and only experienced riders are allowed to take part; despite the race-day’s respectful place as a fixture under the proper rules of racing. It is a hugely popular day, attracting thousands of patrons and curious first-timers each year. Provision wise, the jockey’s weighing room and other official spaces, and all of the bars and food outlets, consist of temporary marquees and stalls and the track itself is set somewhere by decision of HRI on the three mile beach, and once the tide is out, away they go. It is a truly unique event and the only officially regulated horse racing meeting held on a beach in Europe.

Leicester is a smart, dual-purpose track where all flat races up to one mile are staged on the straight course, which adjoins onto the fairly stiff but fair 1m6f main round track. Known for its ground conditions rarely relenting to excessive rain, the course suits those who enjoy a sound racing surface. Leicester is better known for its chase races and this particular course has ten fences, two open ditches and the regulatory water jump.

Leopardstown is undoubtedly one of the top three racecourses in Ireland, and one of the World’s top equine racing venues. Home to races on the flat such as the Group 1 Irish Champion Stakes, to National Hunt season highlights such as the Grade 1 Irish Champion Hurdle and of course, the Grade 1 Lexus Chase over Christmas. A true test of the thoroughbred, Leopardstown is a 1m6f left-handed course with a fair uphill finish. This place is a must for anyone who enjoys top class racing and entertainment to boot. Leopardstown has seen some of racing’s greats engage in battle here, not least names like Galileo and Best Mate. It is a regular hunting ground for the mighty Hurricane Fly who continues to harvest the Irish Champion Hurdle, but its calendar of top races naturally attracts the very best horses, trainers and owners from around the world and of course a legion of die-hard racing fans who flock to experience the very best that Ireland has to offer in this sport.

Limerick opened in 2001 and is Ireland’s newest turf racecourse which has flat racing and national hunt racing taking place throughout the year. It is a modern and vibrant course, with fantastic facilities, worthy of staging top class racing and we tip it to achieve just that in years to come and become a Grade 1 course. A regular haunt for stag & hen dos, Limerick also hosts an increasingly popular “student race night”, which has been packed to the rafters for the last couple of years. The track itself is top notch – right handed and fair. In the winter months in can become quite heavy and testing, but invariably there is little excuse for any horse to not win its race here – if good enough!

Best known for its All-Weather meetings, Lingfield can also boast a quality turf track for both Flat and National Hunt racing. The regular All-Weather fixtures take place on Polytrack, a much faster surface than Fibresand used at Southwell and course specialists are commonplace. On the turf, Lingfield hosts two Classic Trials at their early May fixture, races that have recently given strong clues for the Derby and Oaks as the course is very similar in nature to Epsom Downs. The racing here is very popular with punters who have a thirst for figuring out the form of many an interesting contest.

Seven days of the year Listowel comes alive for their version of Galway festival and it they do it just as well. Slowly but surely, this week long bonanza in September (became a seven day affair in 2002) is gaining traction amongst the racing community and indeed, curious fun-lovers from in and around the county of Kerry. The track is a fairly tight, mile long oval and is in close proximity to the crowd which ensures an intimate buzz on race day. A cracking venue which attracts all of Ireland’s top trainers, riders and owners.

Located close to the Welsh Borders, there can be few courses that offer a more relaxed feel to a day’s racing than Ludlow. The course plays host to National Hunt fixtures across the year but mainly in the season months which are attended by a strong, local presence. The quality of racing ranges from fair to useful and horses that race close to the pace are often favoured.

Market Rasen’s excellent reputation as a friendly venue is well founded and their summer jumping fixtures are extremely popular. The course caters particularly well for families with a creche at all weekend and Bank Holiday fixtures. One mile two furlongs in circumference, this undulating course is a decent test and many useful novice chasers can be seen learning their trade here.

Meydan opened in 2010, replacing Nad Al Sheeba as Dubai’s premier racecourse. It is perhaps the most astonishing venue in World racing and realises Sheikh Mohammed’s vision that Dubai could become an epicenter of racing to back up his global breeding empire. The venue can hold 60,000 spectators and has the longest grandstand in the world. On Dubai World Cup night, prize money tops $25 million and attracts the best equine talent from around the world.

Situated approximately eight miles to the east of Edinburgh, Musselburgh is ideally positioned to take advantage of the tourist market. The sharp, right-handed gradients tend to suit nimble, speedy types, a fact that is accentuated by the decent ground, which is a regular feature of meetings here. A dual-purpose, seaside course, it attracts the best trainers from the north and many from the south too – a real Scottish gem within the community.

Naas is situated in Kildare, right in the heart of Ireland’s racing scene and is one of the sterner courses in the country in terms of the test it presents to a horse and rider. Left-handed and undulating, the 1m4f track has a stiff uphill climb to the finish, placing a firm emphasis on stamina. The ability to stay a little further bodes well here. This is a popular course which attracts a high quality of horses consistently – indeed, the place has seen great champions like Imperial Call, Doran’s Pride and Arkle flash past the post in front of the Naas faithful. The course hosts summer BBQ evenings and family fun days to ensure people keep coming back for more, and over-all it is one of the best horse racing venues in the country.

Navan is a Grade 1 track in County Meath and racing was first held there back in 1920. Over the years, many a great horse has grace the turf, including hurdlers like Hardy Eustace and Brave Inca and the legendary Moscow Flyer. It continues to attract top quality horses owing to an ever-increasing hunger to stage top class races with great prize-money. Navan is a left-handed track, 1m2f long with a stiff uphill climb to the winning line, which has claimed many a horse that failed to last home. It races on the flat, but is far more renowned for its national hunt fixtures. Many of Ireland’s finest will race here on route to the big festivals in spring.

A top-class Flat and National Hunt track, Newbury’s left-handed, galloping course provides a true test of stamina, particularly in wet conditions. The highlights of their National Hunt season include the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup run at the end of November and the Betfair Hurdle, one of Europe’s richest handicap Hurdles, which takes place in February and is increasingly a springboard for live Supreme Novice Hurdle and Champion Hurdle candidates for the Cheltenham Festival the following month. On the Flat, the jewel in their crown is the Group 1 Qipco Lockinge Stakes in May. Newbury can also boast first-class facilities and a superb view of the whole track.