There is nothing like attending a day at the racing and having a sociable and enjoyable day with friends and family.
Nothing comes close to the thrill of watching your selection cross the line first, leading to handsome returns being awarded. However, betting and socialising can often be tiresome work, meaning that it can typically work up an appetite.
Therefore, it is always important to fill up your stomach when at the racecourse to ensure that you don’t become worn out when cheering on your runner. You can find more info on racing here: twinspires.com/betting-guides/what-do-horse-racing-odds-mean/
But, what are some of the most famous dishes that have close connections and can be found at racecourses across the world?
Fish and Chips
If you’re attending a race day in the United Kingdom, such as Royal Ascot or the Cheltenham Festival, it is likely that you will find a range of options specialising in fish and chips.
The meal is the national dish in the United Kingdom, and it can be dated back to the 19th century. Nowadays, it is rare to have a home cooked fish and chip meal, as it is typically saved as a treat.
Therefore, it ties in perfectly with a day at the racing, as it can soak up the cocktails that have been consumed at the track. The dish has been a prominent fixture in British culture since the 1860s, with over 35,000 shops being found across the country throughout the 1930s.
Such is the British desire for fish and chips, it was safeguarded during the First and Second World Wars, meaning it was one of few foods in the country that were not subject to rationing.
Burgoo
The Kentucky Derby is one of the standout horse races on the schedule, with international visitors typically travelling to the state to watch the opening leg of the Triple Crown in person.
As well as enjoying the exciting racing on track, there are also a range of local delicacies that can be enjoyed on a trip to Kentucky. Among those include the Burgoo.
This stew is similar to a Mulligan Stew, and it is typically served with corn muffins or cornbread. It is a staple of Derby day tradition for racing fans going to Churchill Downs, and it is perfect for a large social gathering of people, making it a perfect dish whether you’re having friends over to watch the racing or if you’re heading for food after a busy day of finding winners at Churchill Downs.
Traditional Burgoo’s can be made using whatever meats are available, and they can often sometimes include squirrel, raccoon, or game birds. However, most commonly, chicken, pork, or mutton are used. There is no better way to get associated to the local area at Churchill Downs than having a Burgoo on track.
Crab Cakes
Crab cakes are exceptionally popular across the United States, but they are most popular in Maryland and the surrounding areas, making it a perfect dish to enjoy if you’re at the Preakness Stakes.
The dish compromises of crab meat as well as other ingredients such as bread crumbs, mustard, and mayonnaise. Eggs and seasoning are also commonplace when it comes to Crab cakes. Its place in the Maryland culture was assured following its association with Chesapeake Bay.
Despite this, the earliest term used to reference the dish can be found in New York World’s Fair Cook Book in 1939. However, even still, it was still referred to as a ‘Maryland’ crab cake. The crab cakes in the region appear slightly different than anywhere else in the world, as they are typically no further ingredients other than the jumbo lump meat picked from blue crabs.
The cakes are formed and then cooled for a period of time to enable them to firm up. Following this, they are heated through frying or broiling before being served.
Poutine
If you’re travelling to a horse racing event in Canada, there will be few more popular options on track than Poutine.
The dish is the national offering in Canada, meaning it can be found at every racecourse in the nation, including Woodbine. Poutine is a very simple dish to make, as it consists of French fries, cheese curds and then topped with brown gravy. Poutine was first established in Quebec in the 1950s, and it quickly became a sought-after dish across the rest of Canada.
Such is the success of the dish, there are national celebrations that occur throughout the country for poutine. Despite being a simple ‘greasy spoon’ dish, it is a perfect meal of choice on a racecourse if you’re looking to soak up a lot of alcohol. Therefore, it is no surprise that it ranks highly on the preferred choice list for racing fans that are attending meetings across Canada.