UK Horse Racing Tips

Archive for the ‘Racing Tips’ Category

The danger with any discussion about the ‘best’ or ‘greatest’ Derby winners in history is that is subjective and biased towards events that have occurred in the recent past. However, since its inception in 1948, Timeform has produced ratings with scrupulous consistency, such that objective, quantitative comparisons between different generations are possible. Personally I’m all for evaluating odds to chance and the like, as it holds a place in both online casinos and sports settings.

Sea Bird (145)

Sea Bird, the 1965 Derby winner, ran just once in Britain, but his effortless victory at Epsom, achieved without coming off the bridle, obviously made quite an impression on the Timeform scribes. He was awarded a Timeform rating of 145, which remains the second-highest of all time, behind only Frankel.

Mill Reef (141)

Mill Reef tasted defeat just twice in his 14-race career, once at the hands of My Swallow in the Prix Robert Papin, over 6 furlongs, at Longchamp and once at the hands of Brigadier Gerard in the 2,000 Guineas, over a mile, at Newmarket. However, he proved the outstanding middle-distance performer of 1971, winning not only the Derby, but also the Eclipse Stakes, King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. He was awarded a Timeform rating of 141. In leroijohnny casino en linge terms, this would be a sure thing.

Shergar (140)

Never before, or since, has the Derby such a one-sided affair as it was in 1981, when the ill-fated Shergar, ridden by 19-year-old Walter Swinburn, could be called the winner turning Tattenham Corner. Once pushed along, he stretched clear to win, eased down, by 10 lengths – still the widest winning margin in the history of the Epsom Classic – and was awarded a Timeform rating of 140.

Queen Anne Stakes

Established, as the Trial Stakes, in 1840, the Queen Anne Stakes is run over a mile and, since 2003, open to horses aged four years and upwards. The race was upgraded to Group 1 status in 2003, at which point it was closed to three-year-olds. The most famous winner is undoubtedly Frankel who, in 2012, won by 11 lengths and, in so doing, achieved the highest rating in the history of Timeform.

King’s Stand Stakes

Established, as the Queen’s Stand Plate – a shortened version of the existing Royal Stand Plate – in 1860, the King’s Stand Stakes is run over 5 furlongs and open to horses aged three years and upwards. The race was renamed following the ascession of King Edward VII in 1901 and upgraded to Group 1 status in 2008.

St. James’s Palace Stakes

Established in 1834 and upgraded to Group 1 status in 1988, the St. James’s Palace Stakes is run over a mile and restricted to three-year-olds. As such, it is often contested by horses that ran in the 2,000 Guineas or the Irish or French equivalents.The roll of honour includes Tudor Minstrel, Brigadier Gerard and Frankel, to name but three.

Prince of Wales’s Stakes

Re-introduced to the Royal Ascot programme, in its current form, in 1968, the Prince of Wales’s Stakes is run over a mile and a quarter and open to horses aged four years and upwards. The race was upgraded to Group 1 status in 2000, when it was also closed to three-year-olds.

Gold Cup

Arguably the highlight of the Royal Meeting, the Gold Cup was established in 1807, making it the oldest race of the week. The race is run over two and a half miles and open to horses aged four years and upwards. Notable winners include Sagaro, Yeats and, most recently, Stradivarius.

Commonwealth Cup

A recent addition to the Ascot programme, the Commonwealth Cup was established in 2015, at the expense of the recently-reinstated Buckingham Palace Stakes. Restricted to three-year-olds, excluding geldings, the race is run over 6 furlongs.

Coronation Stakes

Established in 1840, the Coronation Stakes is, effectively, the fillies’ equivalent of the St. James’s Palace Stakes and was upgraded to Group 1 status at the same time. It is often contested by fillies that ran in the 1,000 Guineas or the Irish or French equivalents.

Diamond Jubilee Stakes

Last, but by no means least, the Diamond Jubilee Stakes is run over 6 furlongs and open to horses aged four years and upwards. The race was established, as the All-Aged Stakes, in 1868 and has also been known as the Cork and Orrery Stakes and the Golden Jubilee Stakes during its history. The race was upgraded to Group 1 status in 2002 and closed to three-year-olds in 2015.