36 SIDELINES JUNE 2012
FOR HORSE PEOPLE • ABOUT HORSE PEOPLE
George Wagner is not your typical accountant. Six times a
year he leaves his offce in Canada behind and travels to faraway
lands on amazing journeys revolving around horses, racing and
sightseeing. George doesn’t go alone, however, but welcomes all
travelers with a sense of adventure to join him.
George owns Horse Racing Trips Worldwide – a company that
offers a wide range of trips, such as one that includes traveling to
eight different racecourses by train. “There are 59 racecourses in
England and they feature huge crowds and an electric atmosphere.
They are the ‘place to be’ in England,” he said. Sidelines caught
up with George to learn more about Horse Racing Trips Worldwide
and he gave us fve great trips on traveling with him.
Tip One: We stay in great places.
All our accommodations are “deluxe” country inns and historic
stately homes. In London, Paris and Praque we stay in the heart
of each city. By staying in the greatest cities in the world the
possible experiences are endless - cruises on the Thames and
Seine, Day trips to Windsor Castle and Versailles, Buckingham
Palace, Eiffel Tower….
Tip Two: It’s a great big party.
With us you can experience the exhilarating roar of 70,000
punters as the tape rises on Cheltenham Opening Day! It’s hard
to imagine a typical weekend in the UK without thinking about the
horse races; the tradition goes back to the Romans. So it’s no
surprise to read Cheltenham’s report about the Festival crowds
being up again for this year’s festival. Attending horse racing
The last fence at Sandown
Photo by Sandown Racecourse
meets in the UK is like our Super Bowl - everyone turns out and
it’s party time!
Tip Three: We take care of you.
We arrange all ground travel - travel passes or arrangements
for individual transportation as appropriate.
Tip Four: Get ready for the expected and the
unexpected!
We do like to deliver the expected - champagne receptions, the
best hospitality at the races, tipsters, (inside info?) authentic pubs,
but whenever possible our trips are unique. For a little diversion,
we can arrange a day of fshing, foxhunting, shooting, polo, golf,
tickets to the theatre, a concert or a premiership football or rugby
match!
Tip Five: You will get to hob-knob!
For instance on our Cheltenham trip we offer private “yard” tours
- visit leading trainer Philip Hobbs’ Sandhill Stable, Pat Murphy’s
Glebe House and Brian Meehan’s historic Manton House Stables.
We tour the yard and watch hopefuls bound up the gallops. Then
back to East Garston Village Hall for the Preview Night with a
panel of local trainers, jockeys and the senior Jockey Club
Handicapper. Our base, The Queen’s Arms Hotel, doubles as
an unoffcial headquarters for British racing - so stop in the pub
any time to fnd owners, trainers and jockeys discussing the day’s
sport.
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Equestrian Destinations
Racing Away with George Wagner
Stopping by a pub before a hunt
Photo courtesy of Horse Racing Trips Worldwide
Watching Imperial Commander at the races
Photo by Cheltenham Racecourse