Seat Unique becomes official partner for the ARC

a line of lady racegoers

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…

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2024 Preakness Prospects: Muth, Arkansas Derby Winner

A Group Of Jockeys Racing In A Muddy Race Preakness Stakes

This week’s horse racing spotlight falls on Muth, the recent victor of the Arkansas Derby, positioning him as a frontrunner for the eagerly anticipated 149th Preakness Stakes, slated for May 18 at Pimlico Race Course. With the horse racing world’s eyes fixed on him, along with Kentucky Derby winner Mystik Dan, Muth stands out as a prime contender, especially in the absence of Bob Baffert’s entrants from the Kentucky Derby due to previous sanctions. Trained by the Hall of Famer himself, Muth carries the hopes of Zedan Racing Stables into…

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Eleven runners set for Newbury’s feature Group 1 Race

an image of newbury racecourse logo

Eleven remain on course for Newbury’s Group One feature race of the Flat season, the £400,000 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes on Saturday 18th May, 2024. Six-time Group One winner Inspiral, trained by John and Thady Gosden for Cheveley Park Stud, heads the top-quality line up in the first older horse Group One of the season. The superstar mare could make her seasonal re-appearance over the mile at Newbury and have a first tilt at the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes. The five-year-old daughter of Frankel, last seen when winning the Breeders’ Cup Filly &…

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Friendly Soul heads seven runners for Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York this Wednesday

an arial image of York racecourse to represent gathering for Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes

The John and Thady Gosden-trained FRIENDLY SOUL heads seven runners for the Group 3 Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York this Wednesday, May 15th during the Dante Festival. Owned and bred by George Strawbridge, the daughter of Kingman comes into the race unbeaten in two starts and looked an eye-catching winner on seasonal return earlier this month in the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket, where the first two home drew 12 lengths clear of the third. Ahead of her Tattersalls Musidora engagement, her rider Kieran Shoemark said: “She was very impressive on…

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What you need to know about horse racing

horses racing betting

Horse racing is a genre of performance sport, involving well trained horses that are ridden by jockeys, over a certain distance and field. It is a well-known sport all around the globe, being one of the oldest and most common professional sports, even since classical antiquity, some might say. As any other sport, it varies in many formats, and different countries have created their specific way of playing this equestrian performance. Variations go from races with particular breeds of horses, to running over obstacles, or even performing on different track surfaces.…

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City Of Troy Heads the Pack for Epsom Derby 2024

Epsom Derby 2024 news - image of horses racing on grass

The Epsom Derby is one of the biggest horse races worldwide, let alone just in the UK. It’s one of the oldest flat races to be in existence, having first been run in 1780. It’s an annual event that attracts a global audience. The short race features the biggest and best eligible horses. 2024 Epsom Derby: All You Need To Know The Epsom Derby is held at the Epsom Downs Racecourse, which is located in Surrey. The race course is left-handed and consists of a distance of 1 mile, 4 furlongs, and…

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How TV has Impacted the Growth of Horse Racing

black and white images of horses racing

Television is one of the most popular things in the world as is sport and these two things go hand in hand, with some of the most watched channels in the world being sports channels. Horse racing is one of the most watched and bet-on sports in the world and as more people want to watch horse racing the more views it gets on TV. When more people watch the sport it invites more money and a better viewing experience for the fans. More viewers means a bigger prize purse…

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Racehorse Trainer Aidan O’Brien Inducted into QIPCO Hall of Fame

Aidan O'Brien Hall of Fame 2024

Aidan O’Brien has joined the QIPCO Hall of Fame, becoming the first induction for 2024. With a career spanning back to 1993, when he saddled winner, Desert King, on his first day as a trainer, to today, he is regarded as one of the most successful racehorse trainers of all time. Born in 1969, O’Brien is one of six children and comes from a farming family in County Wexford where his father also trained racehorses. O’Brien and his wife, Anne-Marie, had four children who have all grown to become jockeys.…

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Racehorse Shishkin dies in tragic accident

Shishkin Vs. Energumene Will Light Up the Cheltenham Festival 2022

A prominent name on the racetrack, Shishkin, has died following a tragic accident it was reported on Sunday, April 28th 2024. Nicky Henderson announced the racing stable, Seven Barrows, had unexpectedly lost Shishkin after he became cast in his stable and fractured a hind leg. “He was an absolute superstar and his CV is testament to that”, said Henderson on X. “The Supreme Novice Hurdle and the Arkle were his Cheltenham Highlights, but the battle with Energumene in the Clarence House at Ascot was probably his greatest.” he continued. The…

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London Marathon runners raise over £15K for Racing Welfare

Katy King - London Marathon Runner for 2024 helped raise funds for the Equine Welfare Charity

Dedicated London Marathon runners have raised over £15K of valuable funds and awareness for the horseracing industry’s human welfare charity, Racing Welfare. A total of ten runners, some of whom have personally benefitted from Racing Welfare’s support or who have links to the racing industry, pounded the streets of London on Sunday (21), each clocking up 26.2 miles around the iconic course. So far, they have raised an impressive £15,588 for Racing Welfare, with more funds continuing to be donated post-event.  The sum raised by the intrepid runners will allow the charity to provide professional guidance and practical help and support…

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BHA launch HorsePWR to highlight equine welfare standards

bha horsePWR hub image featuring a black horse

The British Horse Racing Authority (BHA) has launched HorsePWR, a digital hub concentrating on a communications campaign to help build awareness around equine welfare in racing. The new central resource hub puts the Thoroughbred at the forefront of users’ minds and aims to help share data and talk about their purpose, lives, safety and risks of the sport. The hub complements existing resources such as horse racing results, and other news resources, and helps underpin the high welfare and safety standards upon which the industry is built. The hub has…

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Your Guide to May’s 150th Kentucky Derby

Image of horses racing to represent Japan Horse Racing

Tagged as the “most exciting two minutes in sport”, the Kentucky Derby has that quality of transcendence shared by only a handful of sporting events. It is, as such, both a cultural and sporting event, bringing in casual fans and those who have never watched a horse race before. It shares those qualities with the Grand National and Melbourne Cup, both of which are described as races that stop a nation. The 2024 Kentucky Derby will be the 150th running of the iconic race, which is the most-watched and attended…

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Biggest Horse Races in Europe

The Grand National"Aintree Racecourse and the Grand National have a storied history" (CC BY-SA 2.0) by David Holt London. Image for biggest horse races in Europe.

Horseracing may not be broadcast as loudly on the European stage as football is, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less exciting or significant for its spectators. The excitement of horse racing, alongside its long history attached to Europe’s wealthiest and most powerful people, has led to some horse racing events becoming immense events and attractions. Let’s look at the horse races that have become the biggest across Europe. Grand National (Liverpool, UK) Perhaps the world’s best-known and popular horse race is Liverpool’s Grand National. The race, which you may…

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Sir Gino remains unbeaten over the hurdles at Aintree

Sir Gino Grand National 2024

Sir Gino (11-10 Favourite) made it four wins from as many starts over hurdles when coming home the winner under Nico de Boinville for the Grade One Boodles Anniversary 4-Y-O Hurdle at Aintree on Thursday, 11th April. Having been forced to swerve last month’s Cheltenham Festival when his stable was in the doldrums, the son of It’s Gino made no mistake as he prevailed by three and a quarter lengths from Kargese. Winning horse racing trainer Nicky Henderson said: “It was a messy sort of a race and they were playing…

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Former racehorses showcase their second careers in Aintree RoR Parade

RoR Parade will feature Lady Buttons

The second day of the Randox Grand National Festival on Friday, 12 April, sees the return of the annual Retraining of Racehorses (RoR) Parade at 12.40pm before racing starts. The line-up of eight horses taking part in the RoR Parade illustrates the versatility of the Thoroughbred. It shows off the diverse options available to racehorses after their racing careers end. The parade includes horses excelling in slightly more unconventional activities, such as horseball, and the more traditional disciplines of dressage and showing. Blaklion Aintree favourite Blaklion returns to the course where…

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Grand National News: River Island becomes style partner of Ladies Day

Randox Grand National Festival announce River Island as style partner for Ladies Day, 2024

Iconic high-street fashion retailer River Island has been named the official style partner of Ladies Day for the 2024 Randox Grand National Festival this week. This year, Ladies’ Day, including the Style Awards, will take place on Friday, 12th April, running from Thursday, 11th April to Saturday, 13th April. The overall Style Award prize package is this year worth £10,000 – double the amount it was worth in 2023. Brand new for 2024 is the Sustainable Style Award, which will see a prize worth £2,000 awarded to the most fashionably…

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Jockey, Stefano Cherchi dies after fall in Australia

Jockey Stefano Cherchi.

Jockey Stefano Cherchi has tragically died two weeks after falling from a horse at the Canberra Races in Australia, the NSW Jockeys Association said on Wednesday. 23-year-old Cherchi from Sardinia, who had ridden over 100 winners in the UK, fell during a meeting at Canberra. On 20 March 24, his mount Hasime fell in the Affinity Electrical Technologies Plate, and two other riders narrowly avoided serious injury when they became unseated during the incident. After receiving emergency medical treatment at the track, Cherchi was rushed to hospital, where it was discovered he had sustained a…

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Chester Racecourse announce 17% increase in prize fund for 2024

Save the Last Dance race horse at Chester Racecourse

Chester Racecourse has announced a total prize fund increase of 17% (from 2023) to £3.275 million in 2024 across 15 of its race days. Owned by Chester Race Company, the move will see more than £1.3m of the total fund offered over three days of the prestigious Boodles May Festival, from Wednesday 8th to Friday 10th May.  Uplifts in the race values of the 200-year-old Chester Cup* (£170,000), the Group 3 Boodles Chester Vase, Group 3 Ormonde Stakes (both £140,000) and the Listed Weatherbys Cheshire Oaks (£120,000) help contribute to a 13%…

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Who are the Biggest Winners from the Cheltenham Races’ History?

Who are the Biggest Winners from the Cheltenham Races’ History? Image of horses racing on grass

The Cheltenham Festival is widely deemed a key event in horse racing that assembles the most superior horses, jockeys, and trainers worldwide. Unique, this festival, with its reputation for fantastic races, acts out the parade of the competitive fire, and these highlight the highest level of jump racing. In this article, we look at the stalwarts of the week that were, and somewhat endearingly, dig into the tales of those who coloured the Cheltenham fields with their everlasting performances. Major Winners The Cheltenham Festival, of course, regarded as the most…

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Racing Welfare win Silver Smiley Charity Film Award

Racing Welfare has scooped a silver at the Smiley Charity Film Awards

Racing Welfare won a silver at the Smiley Charity Film Awards on March 20th in recognition of its impactful 2023 Mental Health Awareness Week film. The gala was held in Leicester Square, where many royal, global and European film premieres take place. From 15 finalists within their category, the expert panel of judges deemed Racing Welfare’s film worthy of the silver award. Taking gold, was breast cancer awareness charity, CoppaFeel. The film, which was commissioned for Mental Health Awareness Week in 2023, depicts anxiety building up for a racehorse trainer. It…

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Horse Racing Breeds: What Makes Them Superior?

The Thoroughbred: Horse Racing Breeds: What Makes Them Superior?

Throughout history, horse racing has captivated audiences worldwide. The speed, agility, and grace of these magnificent animals leave spectators in awe. But what exactly makes certain horse breeds superior on the racetrack? Breeders have spent centuries meticulously crafting breeds specifically for racing, resulting in a diverse range of equine athletes, each with its own unique strengths. Thoroughbreds: The Bloodstock Aristocracy with a Racing Pedigree The Thoroughbred reigns supreme in the world of horse racing. Bred for pure speed and athleticism, these horses boast a lineage that can be traced back…

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Highlights of the 2024 jumps and Flat season

Horses racing out of the start box

Randox Grand National Once again, the Cheltenham Festival served up some thrilling racing over the four days of the meeting; however, with the action from Prestbury Park at an end, thoughts turn towards the tail end of the jumps season and the start of the Flat racing. Indeed, there’s still much jump action to look forward to in the coming weeks, and the main event on the horizon is the Randox Grand National, which takes place on Saturday, 13th April, the third day of the three-day Aintree festival. This year’s…

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The Most Thrilling Moments in Horse Racing History

a horse racing with jockey on grass. The Jockey is wearing red and white, the horse is a bay

The track is a place where dirt and dust fill up the air. The smell of the horses is strong. You hear shouting from the crowd. It’s loud. Horse racing is not particularly appealing when you put it that way, is it? But everyone’s hearts race with the horses. It’s hard to explain to someone who never visited a track.  Perhaps the most notable part of the horse racing history is Circus Maximus. Perhaps one of the greatest buildings Romans have ever built, this behemoth could fit up to 150,000…

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A Quick Look at the Upcoming Kentucky Derby

As the spring of 2024 blossoms, the world of horse racing turns its eager eyes towards Louisville, Kentucky, home of the iconic Kentucky Derby. Known as “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports,” the Derby continues to be a pinnacle of American horse racing tradition, blending fast-paced action on the track with a cultural festival that captivates the nation, with millions around the world placing bets on the races. If you’re interested in taking part in the action, take a look at sites that offer Cheltenham betting offers, as they’re more…

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Are These the Two Most Important Grand National Victories of All Time?

Are These the Two Most Important Grand National Victories of All Time?

The Grand National is the one race that galvanizes the entire United Kingdom and beyond. It’s a day when the country stands still. Both punters and casuals alike are glued to their TV sets hoping to back the winner. This year, the race takes place on April 14th at Aintree, at the new time of 4 pm rather than 5:15 pm in order to improve the likelihood of good ground. The race used to start at 4:15 pm. However, that was changed back in 2015 to avoid clashing with the…

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