Orchestra plays live at horse race

LONDON (AP) - July 9, 2009

A British horse racing track said Thursday it asked the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to give a recital at its finishing post, hoping to wow spectators and spur the 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, the "Lone Ranger" theme song, during a horse race.

Organizers said it was the first race staged with a live soundtrack.

Hopes that the music would encourage a speedier race were dashed - winning horse Action Impact covered that one mile, three furlong course (2.2km) in two minutes and 20.34 seconds, more than two seconds off the record pace.

Follow Action News on Twitter

Get Action News on your website

Follow Action News on Facebook

Click here to get the latest Philadelphia news and headlines from across the Delaware and Lehigh valleys.

Copyright © 2024 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.