LONDON — Horseracing fans at a British course were treated to the sounds of soaring strings, stirring brass as well as the thunder of horses’ hooves.
Officials at the track said Thursday they asked the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to give a recital at the finishing post, hoping to wow spectators and spur the athletic animals to quicken their pace.
Kempton Park race course, just south of London, staged the unique event on Wednesday, as the orchestra played the “William Tell Overture” during a horse race.
Organizers said it was the first ever race staged with a live soundtrack.
But hopes that the music would encourage a speedier race were dashed.
Winning horse Action Impact covered the 2.2-kilometre course in two minutes and 20.34 seconds, more than two seconds off record pace.