Category: Horse Racing News

Over 130,000 people have signed a recent petition calling on horse racing in the UK and Ireland to be banned citing how over 400 horses die every year due to horse racing. The petition asks the British HorseRacing Authority to “ban this unethical sport for the rich and for the greedy”. The petition also suggests that if an outright ban fails, then the BHRA should make changes to racecourses in order to provide a safer environment for horses. This includes safer fences, reduced distances in races, a reduced number of…

Alastair Warwick, CEO of Ascot Racecourss will stand down as Chief Executive, leaving Ascot by the end of the year. On his departure, Alastair said, “It has been an absolute privilege to work for and then lead this organisation over the past 16 years. Ascot and Royal Ascot is only ever something you are a custodian of but during my time it has been a pleasure to see Ascot flourish and grow so much whilst supporting the community that it is a part of.” Felicity Barnard, who is currently Deputy…

Exclusive: Seasonal Debut Not a Concern for Dan Skelton as Grey Dawning Primed for Betfair Chase Dan Skelton is not worried that Grey Dawning hasn’t had a prep run ahead of Saturday’s Betfair Chase at Haydock and believes he is ‘as ready as he can be.’ NO PREP RUN, NO PROBLEM: SKELTON CONFIDENT AHEAD OF HAYDOCK TEST This striking grey won the Turners’ Novice Chase at the Festival but has been beaten on both seasonal debut’s in his novice hurdle and chase campaign. Despite this, Skelton is not concerned, saying:…

Jamie Snowden Stable Tour – Novice Chasing awaits Cheltenham winner You Wear It Well; Welsh National for Git Maker 2023 Mares’ Novice Hurdle winner You Wear It Well will head over fences this year with the Mares’ Chase at Cheltenham a likely target. The beginning of 2024 hasn’t quite gone to plan for her, but this new discipline and a sounder surface may prompt a return to her best. “She’s been a star for us, obviously winning at Cheltenham. She’s going to go novice chasing this year and start off…

Emily Upjohn has been declared for both the $5 million Longines Breeders’ Cup Turf and the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf at Del Mar. Trainer John Gosden is considering both races for the talented, 5-year-old daughter of Sea The Stars (IRE).  Gosden, who trains with his son Thady, scratched David Howden’s Running Lion from the Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly and Mare Turf (G1) on Wednesday. Emily Upjohn, a dual Group 1 winner including last year’s Dahlbury Coronation Cup (G1), finished third in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (G1) on her latest start…

The National Hunt season is now cranking up a notch, and it won’t be long till the excitement really starts to build for the 2025 Cheltenham Festival and Grand National. These events draw attention from casual viewers and seasoned bettors alike. With that in mind, here are five horses to watch in the lead-up to these prestigious races. I Am Maximus Having clinched victory in the 2024 Grand National, I Am Maximus is already a household name among racing fans. With a career prize of £869,842, he is a crowd…

For the casual observer, the horse racing season may seem like it is winding down as we approach the winter months. However, a closer look at the racing calendar reveals some fantastic meetings and races to enjoy across the United Kingdom over the winter period. Read on as we bring you the best of the winter horse racing schedule. November Meeting at Cheltenham We begin with the November Meeting at Cheltenham and this takes place between the 15th and 17th of November 2024. Cheltenham Racecourse is well known for the Cheltenham Festival, which takes place in March every…

Top Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien is leaving no stone unturned in his bid to win the prestigious Breeders’ Cup Classic for the first time in his glittering career. Stable star City Of Troy will undertake a full-scale workout at Southwell Racecourse on Friday to prepare for his tilt at one of North America’s most iconic races. The Epsom Derby winner is the bookmakers’ favourite to break O’Brien’s duck in an event considered by many people to be the premier thoroughbred race of the year in the US. Bettors who regularly…

Welcome to the Breeders’ Cup – an electrifying event that showcases the best of horse racing, akin to the Super Bowl in the world of equestrian sports. Celebrating its 41st anniversary this year, it promises to be a monumental spectacle. If you’re attending for the first time, it’s normal to feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. But don’t worry! This guide will equip you with essential tips and insights to help you navigate the experience and make the most of your day at the races. It’s the Championships! The…

Qatar Racing Limited’s Queen of The Pride (GB) will take on seven rivals as she steps up to Group 1 company for the first time Thursday in the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks (G1) at York. The winner of the 1 1/2-mile showpiece for fillies and 3-years-old mares (and up) is guaranteed an automatic starting position in the $2 million Maker’s Mark Breeders’ Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) through the Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series: Win and You’re In. The Breeders’ Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 82 stakes races in…

This year’s St Leger favourite Los Angeles has been supplemented for the Great Voltigeur Stakes at York Ebor Meeting. The race over 1m4f is one of the leading trials for the final British Classic of the season. Aidan O’Brien’s runner will face a maximum of 15 rivals at York in the Group Two contest. He will be bidding for the fifth victory of his career when he makes the trip across the Irish Sea for the summer event. Irish Derby Success Secured His Classic Status Los Angeles returns to winning…

Triple Group One Porta Fortuna has been entered to run in the Matron Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival. The filly is in contention to be named the leading three-year-old of the year and victory in the Leopardstown contest will help her case for that award. Donnacha O’Brien’s runner goes into the Irish race after major victories at Royal Ascot and Newmarket’s July Meeting. Daughter Of Caravaggio Has Excelled Over 1m Since stepping up to the distance of 1m, Porta Fortuna has taken a big step forward in her career.…

Horses were among the first animals to be domesticated. Humans probably used them in Russia and Kazakhstan as early as 3500 BC. Before that, donkeys were used to carry loads and pull carts. When early humans adopted the horse as the main means of work and transport, civilisation was able to advance in leaps and bounds. The adoption of the horse as a worker was the same kind of breakthrough for early societies as the harnessing of fire or the invention of the wheel. Horses have been used for hunting,…

The 2024 Belmont Stakes, a cornerstone of American horse racing, unfolded with high drama and unexpected turns on June 8. Traditionally held at Belmont Park, this year’s event was relocated to Saratoga Race Course due to extensive renovations at Belmont Park. The venue change added a unique flavour to the race, blending the historic ambience of Saratoga with the prestige of the Belmont Stakes. The History & Significance of the Belmont Stakes The Belmont Stakes is the final jewel in the Triple Crown series, following the Kentucky Derby and the…

This sport captures fans’ attention through the combinations of the beauty of the thoroughbred horse, and the spirit of competition. Attending these races increases the excitement; the act requires planning and thought in order to make a bet. To those who are figuring out their strategies in bookie betting and those who are considering and trying their luck in betting, these eight horse racing betting tips can be of great help to add on to your decision making that will help to increase your chances of winning just like those…

In a nail-biting twist, the Old Forester Mint Julep Stakes (G3) at Churchill Downs witnessed an underdog, Mystik Dan, emerging as the unexpected champion today (June 2 2024). The race, featuring fierce competition among fillies and mares, concluded with the long-shot, Mystik Dan defying the odds and securing the victory. Mystik Dan, trained by D. Wayne Lukas and ridden by jockey Irad Ortiz Jr., showcased a powerful finishing kick, surprising both spectators and competitors. This victory marks a significant milestone for the connections of Mystik Dan, as she managed to…

Horse racing in Britain boasts a long and illustrious history, intertwined with the social and cultural fabric of the nation. From its early origins to the present day, the sport has evolved significantly, including the invention of horse racing betting sites, helping it become one of the country’s most popular and well-regarded pastimes. Here, we delve into the rich history of horse racing in Britain, tracing its development through the centuries. Early beginnings The roots of horse racing in Britain can be traced back to the Roman era when soldiers…

There are many races at Royal Ascot that are steeped in history. The Commonwealth Cup is a fairly new addition to the impressive set of races at the Berkshire course in June. This year, it will be held on June 21, and as usual, it’s a very open race. The Coronation Cup is a Group 1 race that was first held in 2015. It’s run over six furlongs and can be entered by both colts and fillies as long as they are three years old. Initially, geldings were also able…

Britain’s largest racing group, Arena Racing Company (ARC) welcomes a new partnership this month with Seat Unique, a trusted premium ticketing provider The partnership welcomes Seat Unique as ARC’s Official Online Premium Ticket and Hospitality Partner, providing unparalleled premium experiences to racing enthusiasts across the UK.  The premium experience economy continues to soar, with spending in the entertainment space growing last year driven primarily by live events and sports. Consumers are placing increasing importance on bigger and more unforgettable days out. Seat Unique has seen an 88% increase in the…