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Racing-Europe
Proud Partner of
TOBA
Thoroughbred Owners
and Breeders Association
Lexington, Kentucky
One thing that’s been very rewarding for us while doing Racing-Europe is all the nice people we’ve met. Racing folks like to have a good time and I’ve been continually delighted with the quality and the cordiality of the people who have signed up with us. We have a lot of fun on the trips, not only at the racecourses and farms but during our "off hours" too. New and good friendships have come out of it, and many of us look forward to seeing each other at racing events here in the U.S. as well as when we’re on the road overseas.

And we’re most pleased to have the number of repeat travelers that we do — it tells us we’re doing at least a few things right.

Below are a few photos from past trips and some comments from our guests. We hope you'll consider joining us as we explore horse racing around the world.

-Doug Thomson
 
 


On the way into Epsom
(Two Derbys 2006)
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The Boys at Chantilly
(Ascot & Arc 2006)
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Sea the Stars going out for the Arc
(Arc 2009)
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Sydney Harbour Cruise
(Australia 2008)
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Tea at Coolmore
(Ireland 2008)
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The Usual Suspects
(Ireland 2009)
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With Trainer John Hammond
at Chantilly
(Two Derbys 2007)
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A Private Farm Visit
(Ireland 2009)
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In the stands at Epsom
(Two Derbys 2007)
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At Lunch in Normandy
(Deauville 2007)
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With 3-time Melbourne Cup
winner Makybe Diva
(Australia 2008)
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With Trainer John Oxx
at The Curragh
(Ireland 2008)
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The Ladies Presenting a Trophy
(Ireland 2009)
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Between races at Longchamp
(Arc 2009)
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With Alec Head at Le Quesnay
(Deauville 2010)
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Yard Visit, B.A. Style
(Argentina 2010)
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Henry Cecil Joins Us on Warren Hill
(Epsom & Newmarket 2011)
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Before Dinner at Le Goutillon, Chantilly
(Arc Week 2011)
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Ready for "The Tuesday"
(Royal Ascot 2012)
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Number 11 — Frankel Coming In After the Queen Anne
(Royal Ascot 2012)
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Crushing the Card at Clairefontaine
(Deauville 2012)
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On the Berm at Les Landes, Jersey
(King George/Goodwood 2013)
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On the Way to Longchamp
(Arc Week 2013)
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With the One and Only Clive Brittain
(Epsom & Newmarket 2014)
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Australia on course for the Irish Derby
(Ireland 2014)
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Our race at Windsor
(aka "The Small 'Cap")
(Royal Ascot 2015)
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Presenting for the
Racing-Europe Handicap
(Royal Ascot 2015)
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At the Thatched Tavern
(Royal Ascot 2015)
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With Yeats at Coolmore
(Ireland 2015)
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A relaxing day at Iffezheim
(Baden Baden 2016)
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With Peter and Wendy
Reynolds at Ballymacoll
(Ireland 2017)
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Wednesday Night at Happy Valley
(Hong Kong 2017)
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We had taken five trips to three continents with Racing-Europe and just returned from a sixth. Every trip has been meticulously researched and choreographed by Doug Thomson, who consistently manages to find the best racetrack experiences, farms, training yards, sightseeing, accommodations and dining. We've always a great time and have met several people along the way who've become great friends of ours. Be careful, though - our trip to Australia was so much fun that we made a return trip and bought a piece of two yearlings :)

-Rick & Marcia Gold, Del Mar CA
 

The only thing Doug does not deliver is a guaranteed winning ticket! Everything else promised -- great seats at the tracks, wonderful hotels and restaurants, excellent introductions to trainers, tracks and farms, easy transportation, and extra equine surprises along the way -- await you with Racing-Europe. Racing at its best.

-Darrell and Lendy Brown, Lexington, KY
 

Despite being avowed "anti-tour” travelers, Bill Lussky and I have become Racing-Europe Groupies. We have traveled with Doug Thomson on several trips to Ireland and England, and plan to do more as our schedule permits. Doug goes out of his way to meet the needs and interests of his fellow travelers with superb accommodations, VIP seats on feature racing days, special farm visits, and unique opportunities to visit and talk with experts in the Thoroughbred breeding and racing world. Side trips to historic sites, a bit of pub-crawling, and excellent dining choices are just some of the added perks on Doug’s well-planned trips. As an example, Doug arranged a special addendum on our trip to the Windsor racing track. We went by boat up (down?) The Thames, viewing the farms and historic homes and gardens from the back-side, on the trip from our hotel. How unique and what fun.

-Marcia Gray, Lexington KY
 

I've had wonderful times being part of the Melbourne Cup trip to Australia and later trips to Argentina and Hong Kong. From start to finish they were exciting -- and being part of the local racing and breeding scenes were great experiences. Accommodations and arrangements have been perfect and our group members thoroughly enjoyed each other. -Sally Hill, Saratoga Springs NY.

-Sally Hill, Saratoga Springs NY
 

Having truly enjoyed trips to Ireland, France, England, and Australia with Racing-Europe, we would highly recommend Doug Thomson to anyone looking for a unique horse racing experience. The accommodations at the best hotels, wonderful seating at all the tracks for the biggest race days, and the fun of getting to know people from other parts of the world are unique to R-E's style of true involvement with overseas racing. One appreciates the host's experience in the racing scene, and his ability to bring our small groups into the yards and farms of respected and well-known trainers and breeders is a definite plus. Travel is a form of education and this is certainly evident in the enjoyable experiences we've had with Racing-Europe. We'd highly recommend anyone interested in the world of horse racing to get involved in these wonderful and well-planned trips.

-Judith and Barry Becker, Long Beach CA
 

I’ve been on six Racing-Europe trips and have found each of them to be entertaining, informative and a great introduction to racing and breeding in various sections of the world outside the U.S. The host is committed to providing first-rate experiences at the racetracks and the breeding/racing operations we visit. I would highly recommend Racing-Europe to anyone who has an interest in racing outside the US.

-Tom McDonough, Towson MD
 

Our two trips have been wonderful experiences, with a nice blend and combination of horse-related activities and opportunities to see nearby locales and attractions. Doug Thomson does an outstanding job of preparation and organization.

-Joe and Mary Goodman, Fairfield CT
 

Ask anyone who has traveled with Doug Thomson and Racing-Europe and you will repeatedly hear the tour was well thought out, well researched, well organized, and awesomely conducted. Everything promised in the promotional material is realized and much, much more. The trips are educational, entertaining, inspiring and just plain exciting.

My friends and I have taken two tours with Racing-Europe and we felt they were incredibly informative as well as being so much fun. Other friends have taken more of his trips and feel fortunate to have enjoyed Thoroughbred racing in so many other parts of the world. Today with the world being "flat" due to the ongoing technological revolutions, it’s necessary to know how one’s work is being conducted in other parts of the world.

No matter where you are visiting, you feel like Doug has walked the walk of the people who are involved in the industry in that particular place. Not only does he really know the places which he takes you to, but you get that he has a distinct love for each place and wants to share the feeling with you.

I recommend without any reservation the tours conducted by Racing Europe. They are well worth taking the time to consider and participate in. I look forward to having the opportunity to be involved in another one in the future.

-Leigh Ann Howard, Fallbrook CA
(President, California Thoroughbred Breeders Association)
 

When I first saw the ad for Racing Europe in the TOBA newsletter, I immediately thought, "what a great idea"! And now after traveling with them on three different occasions, I can actually testify to their splendid organization, the excellent choice of racing venues, and wonderful groups of traveling companions.

My husband and I have been to England, France, and Ireland with Doug Thomson leading us to some of the most exciting and picturesque racetracks and private farms imaginable. If you are considering a trip abroad, I highly recommend joining Racing-Europe for a unique travel and racing experience.

-Mary Brockman, Franklin TN
 

Two Derbys, a Week in Deauville, Australia, Ireland – and we keep going. The groups are small, fun and friendly. The trips are extremely well organized with special seating at the tracks, access into private racing clubs, great hotels, time for sightseeing and relaxing, visits with trainers and breeders at the big farms. What’s not to like? We’re already signed up for another one.

-John and Ellen McDaniel, Highland MD
 

I’ve had four great trips with Racing-Europe. Both my wife and I have enjoyed the fellow travelers as well as the excellent hotels and of course the great racetrack experiences. The included visits have been to the very best of trainers and farms and the small size of the groups is a real plus. Doug also pays wonderful attention to detail and is flexible if a partner wants to skip a race day to shop or sightsee.

-Don Brady, Greensboro NC
 

Racing-Europe has given me many wonderful memories over the years, on trips to England, Ireland, and France. Along with the great racing, the best thing for me has been being able to get close to so many wonderful horses. Stallions like Galileo Montjeu, Cape Cross, Dalakhani, and the legendary Sadler's Wells on the farm visits, and the active racers like New Approach and Sea the Stars at the training yards. When Sea the Stars won everything in 2009 it was like watching an old friend do well at the very highest level, as we'd seen him at home as a 2-year-old and then again just before the Derby.

-Kay Minton, Chantilly VA
 

The "Two Derbys" trip was a memorable experience from beginning to end. It was smoothly run, the seating and hotel accommodations were first class, the side trips interesting, and the group members most congenial. And ... we walked the Derby course at Epsom. The Arc and Ireland trips were every bit as good.

-Richard Brown, Vista CA
 

Doug does a wonderful job of organizing his programs. My wife and I have been happy with his hotel selections and the in-trip transportation is always reliably on-schedule. Most important, his ability to arrange visits to leading farms and training yards has provided great experiences for us. He also secures great seating at the racecourses. The combination of group meals and free evenings has allowed us the chance to make some independent choices which also appeals to us.

-Porter Thompson, High Point NC
 

I’m proud to be one of the earliest Racing-Europe "alumni", a vet of the maiden "Two Derby's" trip. Not only were the racing, the Draycott Hotel in London, and the dining awesome, I saw so many things I’d never seen before.

A visit to the Royal Mews on Coronation Day to see the Queen's horses and carriages go out to pick up visiting dignitaries. ... meeting trainer John Hammond (of Montjeu fame and whose Walk in the Park had just run second in the Derby) on the flight to France following Epsom ... going to the yards of Criquette Head and Richard Gibson at Chantilly, and seeing the training in the woods and on Les Aigles ...

After that first trip I’ve continued my association with Racing-Europe regularly. Many trips later I’ve been to the Aga Khan's farm, been to Coolmore to meet Sadler's Wells (among so many others), the list goes on forever. The day trips to historic places such as in Normandy are great for less horsey spouses and family members.

These trips have totally spoiled me. Racing-Europe is like a Five Star hotel: highly recommended.

-Nancie Sperling, Leesburg VA
 

My wife and I have been on four Racing-Europe trips, and the best way to describe them is: "First Class". Doug's attention to organization and detail makes the trip trouble free and completely enjoyable. He gets you into places that would not normally be accessible, such as farms and trainer's yards. As owners and breeders ourselves, we particularly enjoy this aspect. Hotel accommodations and race track arrangements are top of the line. We have enjoyed every minute of all our trips, and have come home with lasting memories.

-Bob Rosenthal, Winchester CA
 

I've loved being a part of Doug Thomson's Racing-Europe trips. They are the most informative and exciting trips I have ever been on. Because I love the atmosphere of the racetrack and racing in general and the look at farm life, they are perfect trips for me. A dazzling time was had in Australia, Argentina, and Hong Kong. Doug is a perfect host and has so much knowledge to impart. Don't miss his trips!

-Deborah O'Kain, Palm Beach FL
 

Anyone who loves horses and luxury travel should treat themselves to a Racing-Europe vacation. Doug Thomson has mastered the art of designing and hosting racing excursions that would impress even the most seasoned travelers. He combines the best hotels, the most fabulous restaurants, gets you about seamlessly, then tops it off with exclusive treats such as finish line seats at the Melbourne Cup and a private visit with Champion Makybe Diva. (I could go on and on!) My husband and I have been on seven trips and are planning on another.

-Patricia Lenihan, Louisville KY
 

 

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