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My pal and myself were discussing the prospect of racing on Xmas day. I am of the opinion it will not be long in coming. He said he can remember racing being staged on that day in the past. I think he is mistaken.
Has it ever gone ahead on Christmas day?I believe there is still a law that precludes betting on-track on 2 specific days a year – those being Good Friday and Christmas Day…
Since NO UK track could or would consider opening its doors without betting facilities unless there is a change in the Law then racing cannot take place on those days.
A self imposed close down (as like today) before Christmas has also become the accepted norm to help stable staff.
No way! As other people have said, stable staff work hard enough as it is without having to work on Christmas Day as well. I don’t see the need for it anyway there’s plenty going on otherwise (normally!)
Not too long ago, professional football matches in Britain were sometimes played on Christmas day. I recall Celtic playing on Christmas day during the 60s.
However, I am totally against any spectator sport being played on Christmas Day, especially horse-racing, as all those involved; be it horses, jockeys. stable staff, trainers, bookmakers – and punters, deserve a day of rest on such a special occasion.
Gambling Only Pays When You're Winning
I believe there is still a law that precludes betting on-track on 2 specific days a year – those being Good Friday and Christmas Day…
Since NO UK track could or would consider opening its doors without betting facilities unless there is a change in the Law then racing cannot take place on those days.
A self imposed close down (as like today) before Christmas has also become the accepted norm to help stable staff.
The law was changed in 2006 to allow Betting shops to open 365 days a year. They are open on Good Friday.
A far more holy day than Xmas day.
I am not bothered myself going racing that day but I should imagine plenty of moslems wouldnt mind.
How can I find out if any UK race meetings have been staged that day.
I have a little wager on the outcomeMaybe in England but not in Jersey. They are not even allowed to open on Sundays, so even if racing is on we cannot get a bet on in the bookies.
Given that apparently the BHA won’t do anything unless someone else thinks of it first, Christmas Day racing is out. If somewhere else in Europe does it, we’ll probably follow.
I’d rather that didn’t happen & I don’t think it’s very likely although I am surprised that there’s no racing on Christmas Eve. I’d love a bit of racing after work.
The only track I can think of racing on Xmas is Camarero in Puerto Rico. It’s actually a tradition for them and it’s one of their more highly attended/biggest handle racing days. Them, Hialeah (Quarter Horses), and Philadelphia Park are the only US tracks racing on Xmas eve.
Most track workers, trainers, jockeys, and grooms would rather be home with their families. Christmas Day is the only day with no horse racing of any kind in the continental United States.
As far as I know, the only place in Europe you’ll find racing on Christmas Day is at Pau in the south of France. They’ve had a card on Christmas Day for a few years now I think.
Vincennes stages a tremendous Christmas card of nine races in excess of 600K prize money this year. Even when Christmas is not on a Sunday the prize money there rivals the best of what British racing has to offer at the busiest of times.
Surely stable staff DO work on Christmas Day? This isn’t my area of expertise but I presume horses aren’t just shoved in their boxes with ‘see you Monday’ ringing in their ears? They need to be fed, watered, exercised etc.
The NFL have occasional Christmas Day games (I think it depends what day Christmas falls on) and has Dallas Cowboys v Arizona Cardinals this time.
Mike
Leave Christmas Day free. We have enough decent racing over the holidays starting on Boxing Day, at least when it doesn’t snow
It’s certainly different in the USA where as well as the odd NFL game there are usually 4 or 5 NBA games played back to back and I think televised nationally.
Vincennes stages a tremendous Christmas card of nine races in excess of 600K prize money this year. Even when Christmas is not on a Sunday the prize money there rivals the best of what British racing has to offer at the busiest of times.
There used to be quite a bit of trotting on Christmas Day – Padova in Italy and a couple of other places used to stage Christmas Day trotting, but now it’s just Vincennes in France and Bergsaker in Sweden as far as I’m aware.
You’re right about the excellent prize money on offer at Vincennes, however Christmas Day in Japan sees the Nakayama Daishogai Steeplechase. It’s usually run on Boxing day but they’ve brought it forward by a day this year, so this will be staged tomorrow with incredible prize money of £1.15 million, making it I believe the second richest jumps race in the world.
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