When you hear the words “extreme sports”, likely a number of pretty insane sports come to your mind. Now what if we told you that the latest extreme sport that is causing quite the stir is actually horse racing? It's not a sport we usually slot into this category, but times have changed, and people are looking at this sport in a whole new way.
In fact, this sport has become so popular that it's drawing in massive crowds and generating some rather big money from betting. Take the Cheltenham Races 2017, which are already shaping up to be huge events. These races will kick off with The Festival – taking place March 14-17, 2017. This event alone is expected to generate massive amounts of money through sports betting.
Horse Racing Makes Many Lists
It's interesting as you start to do research on extreme sports just how often horse racing shows up, yet it doesn't always pop to mind right away. The fact of the matter is that it's a very extreme sport not just for the horse but for the jockey as well. At any point a fall can signal pure disaster for one or both of them. And unfortunately falls aren't unheard of.
Think about how fast the horses are racing; should a fall occur, the impact alone can be devastating, never mind the fact they can be trampled by the other horses in sheer seconds. In fact, each time the race begins the jockey and horse are both risking their lives as they race around the track at top speed.
Horses can reach speeds of up to 40 mph on the track, which is incredibly fast should they fall. The jockey is constantly fighting to keep his balance during the race too, especially if you add jumps into the mix, like you will find at the Cheltenham Races.
The Inside Scoop on the Cheltenham Races
So, if you're interested in watching one of the most popular extreme sports, and perhaps getting more involved by doing a little friendly betting, the Cheltenham Races offer the perfect opportunity. The races take place on the Cheltenham Racecourse, which is found near Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, right in Prestbury Park. It's able to hold up to 67,500 spectators and is located in a highly scenic area to create a stunning atmosphere.
The race season itself is rather short, so if you want to see a race in person it's wise to purchase tickets in advance. Being there in person is an experience all among itself, allowing you to truly feel what it's like to be part of the races.
The Talk of the Season – The Festival
Of course, if you want to be part of the highlight of the race season, then you'll want to be sure to attend The Festival, taking place March 14-17, 2017. This is the start of the official race season and during this festival you'll be able to take in all kinds of extreme horse race jumping. As mentioned, this is also a very popular time for placing sports bets, and the event itself offers up prize money for the jockeys of more than £4.1 million. It is expected that more than 260,000 people will visit The Festival this year, making it the talk of the season.
It seems as though people really can't get enough of their extreme sports, whether they take part in them, they attend them and watch, or watch from the comfort of their own home. The rise in their popularity is evident in the size of the crowds and the money they are generating.
