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InspirationPhotography

Photography series by Peter Bartlett captures the chaotic energy of a race meet

If ever there was a group that justified the phrase 'mixed bunch', it would be horse race crowds. From the serious punter nose-deep in statistics to the casual racegoer enjoying an excuse for a pint, you'll find the young and the old, the rich and the poor, the country set and the townies.

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Two women in elaborate fascinators and smart dresses smile at a horse racing event, with spectators in formal attire visible behind them under a cloudy sky

Yorkshire-based street photographer Peter Bartlett spent much of 2019 visiting race meetings in the north of England, to capture a fly on the wall document of attendees enjoying a day out. And his photo series 'A Day at the Races', captures the chaotic energy of racing culture dramatically and entertainingly.

In hindsight, Peter's candid photos also draw attention to the easy frivolity of pre-pandemic race days. With spectator sports set to continue behind closed doors for the foreseeable future, we wonder when we'll witness such carefree dynamics again?

A limited-edition photobook of A Day at the Races will be published through ADM Publications in October, for £12.50-£20. It's available for preorder now, here.

Two men in suits view a busy racecourse from a grandstand, with crowds scattered across the green and large screens in the distance
Two men in suits examine a race day programme together at a horse racing venue, with formal crowds and tiered buildings visible behind them
Three elderly men in suits stand on the grass at a racecourse, with spectators and grandstands visible behind them.
Well-dressed racegoers stand on the grass at a racecourse with spectators visible in the grandstand behind them.
Woman taking a selfie with four men in smart casual attire on a racetrack viewing platform
An older man in a navy blazer raises binoculars to his eyes whilst watching a race, stood next to another man at a racecourse grandstand
An older man in glasses and a striped jumper studies his betting slip surrounded by other racegoers at a horse racing venue
A couple kiss at a horse racing event, with the man in a grey waistcoat and the woman in an orange patterned jacket, spectators visible in stadium seating behind them
Men in suits sheltering under umbrellas during heavy rain at a horse racing venue, with spectators visible in the grandstand behind them
Two racegoers with bright pink hairstyles stand in the parade ring, one wearing an orange patterned suit and the other a floral dress, surrounded by spectators in the stands behind them
Two men in suits laugh together at a racecourse whilst holding pints of beer, with spectators and a white racing vehicle visible behind them
Man in bright blue windowpane suit and pink tie on phone at a horse racing venue, with Victorian grandstand and spectators behind him
Four smartly dressed men in blazers and ties chat and hold drinks in the grandstand at a horse racing venue
Peter Bartlett's limited-edition photobook A Day at the Races, with a navy cover featuring a photograph of racegoers in blue suits and hats at a race meeting
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