If you want to meet those within racing can I suggest you join a racing club. Not an owners club, just a club for people who love racing. I’ve been on the same quiz team as Peter Walwyn. One of the greats, true gent. Although it was a bit difficult to hear him over the noise. Me being team captain I had the pen. Mis-heard and we (I) much to his embarassment managed to get a question wrong about Bustiono! Sorry Peter. 
Our West Berkshire Racing Club have most of our events (talks and stuff) at Newbury Racecourse, plus stable and stud visits. Paul Nicholls took us around Dicheat. It costs just £12 to join, £2 for events @ Newbury, £5 for most visits.
Here is some of the sort of stuff we and other racing clubs do: Excuse the ugly ginger bloke in the centre, he gets everywhere! 
See how many people you recognise, from Grand Natiional winning jockeys to commentators, journalists and many more.
http://www.westberksrc.org.uk/Gallerypage.html
That reminds me, I need to pay my 2013 membership.
I know there are many such clubs all around the country, bound to be one in your area.