UK Horse Racing Tips

Racing is universally known as the sport of kings, and in the UK it’s certainly a sport that the nation holds close to its collective heart. With races like the Grand National and 2000 Guineas steeped in 100 years plus of history, and with royal connections to festivals such as Royal Ascot, there can be no doubting its appeal in the country.

Let’s not assume that a love of horse racing begins and ends in the UK though.  Horse racing holds truly global appeal, and many of the world’s most prestigious racecourses and races are abroad. Vast numbers of Australians for instance simply can’t wait for the Melbourne Cup 2019. Held on Tuesday, 5th November (and first held way back in in 1861!) this much loved racing spectacle is set to feature the cream of the crop of thoroughbred racing. With prize money of A$8,000,000 this jewel in the crown of Australian racing takes place in Flemington, Melbourne, Victoria and is known to be the richest two mile handicap in the world. Previous winners include the likes of the Godolphin owned and Charlie Appleby trained Cross Counter in 2018 and Rekindling the year prior. The race is part of the stylish and lavish Melbourne Cup Carnival.

If we travel around 7400km from Melbourne we find ourselves at the visually stunning Happy Valley Racecourse in Hong Kong. While the current problems in the area are lamentable, the Happy Valley course situated on Hong Kong Island offers a skyline view like no other, and is popular with both locals and tourists. With a 55,000 spectator capacity and dazzling views, especially during night-time racing, this is one for the racing casuals and purists alike. The course is one of two in Hong Kong, was built in 1845 and had its first race held there the following year.

If you’re less about the views and more about the dollars signs, you may want to check out horse racing in Dubai. Of course the interest from this area of the world within worldwide racing as a whole is ever apparent, but it’s on Dubai soil that the Dubai World Cup meeting is held. It’s the race day that holds the distinction of being both the richest day ($35 million dollars) and the richest race (the Dubai World Cup – $7.2 million dollars going to the winner in 2019). Held each year at the Meydan Racecourse, Godolphin has once again experienced much success here, registering its record seventh victory in 2018 with the Saeed bin Suroor trained Thunder Snow.

The reality is that wherever you find yourself in the world, you’re never far away from top class racing action, unmissable festivals, and big money races. And all of this is held up by a general public with a love of this, the sport of kings.

Introduction

In every sport, there are names that transcend the sport itself and become known to even to non racegoers. For many people, Kauto Star is one such name that even those with little racing interest are likely to know. A French-bred National Hunt racehorse, it was an incredibly powerful horse that pulled in over £3.75m in prize winnings across a stellar career. While it sadly passed on age 15 in June 2015, what it leaves behind is one of the most impressive career legacies for a horse of its kind.

Career Summary

Known for its determination and capability for a big comeback, Kauto Star managed to shock the world with a Cheltenham Gold Cup win in 2007. However, it returned in 2009 to win it again, becoming the first horse in history to win the cup, lose it, then win it back. Sadly, it began to reduce in performance levels afterward, despite wins at tournaments such as the King George VI Chase and the Betfair Chase.

With five King George VI Chases, it is the most decorated horse to attend these events. With a Timeform rating of 191, too, it’s one of the most decorated horses of all-time.

Achievements & Highlights

When retiring in 2012, it was provided with an option to move into career options – but none were particularly forthcoming. Injuries in 2015 occurred after falling and it had to be euthanized after sustaining injuries which it could not recover from. It was paralyzed and unable to stand, and the decision was made to put down.

With a rating of 191, it stands as the third strongest steeplechaser of all-time, just behind Arkle and Flyingbolt.

Wins – Tingle Creek Chase (2005, 2006), Old Roan Chase (2006), Betfair Chase (2006, 2007, 2009, 2011), King George VI Chase (2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011), Aon Chase (2007), Cheltenham Gold Cup (2007, 2009), Ascot Chase (2008), JNwine.com Champion Chase (2008, 2010).

Associations – Clive Smith, Henri Aubert, Paul Nicholls, Serge Foucher.

Earnings – £3.75m+.

A pony went to the doctor complaining about having a sore throat. The doctor said: “It’s OK, you’re just a little horse.”

A racehorse owner takes his horse to the vet. “Will I be able to race this horse again?,” he asks
The vet replies: “Of course you will, and you’ll probably win!”

Why should you never be rude to a jump jockey? In case he takes offence.

A talking horse walks into a bar and approaches the manager. “Excuse me, good sir,” the horse says, “are you hiring?”

The manager looks the horse up and down and says, “Sorry, pal. Why don’t you try the circus?”

The horse nickers. “Why would the circus need a bartender?”

Did you hear about the man who was hospitalized with six plastic horses inside him?

The doctor described his condition as stable.

A young jockey and his stable lass girlfriend make the decision to get married. Everything is planned and the couple intend to honeymoon in Italy for a week. The marriage goes without a hitch and the couple set off on their honeymoon. While checking in the lady behind the desk asks ‘We have two suites available for you, would you like the bridal?’ ‘No thanks says the jockey I’ll just hold her ears till she gets the hang of it!’ –

A horse walks into a bar. The barman says “hey”. The horse says “sure, thanks

The 2018 Grand National was the first renewal of the world famous steeplechase run on heavy ground since 2001, when Red Marauder beat three other finishers, two of whom had been remounted. On this occasion, twelve of the 38 starters completed the course, but those that didn’t included the previous year’s fourth Blaklion, who was brought down at the first, and the well-backed favourite, Total Recall, who lost all chance with a couple of bad blunders on the first circuit and was eventually pulled up before the second last.

In a finish dominated by Irish challengers, perennial Irish champion trainer Willie Mullins went very close to winning with his apparent second string, Pleasant Company, but ultimately it was Tiger Roll, trained by Gordon Elliott, who just held on to win in a dramatic photo finish. The race had looked all over when Tiger Roll swept into a six-length lead at the Elbow, but the diminutive eight-year-old tired close home and, at the line, was all out to hold his rallying rival by a rapidly diminishing head. Irish-trained horses filled the first four places, with Bless The Wings, also trained by Gordon Elliott, 11 lengths away in third and Anibale Fly, trained by Tony Martin, a neck further back in fourth.

Fresh from victory in the Cross Country Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, Tiger Roll was sent off 10/1 joint-second favourite for the National. His victory was a second in three years for owner Michael O’Leary after Rule The World in 2016 and a second for trainer Gordon Elliot after Silver Birch in 2007. Jockey Davy Russell, though, was riding his first Grand National winner after 13 unsuccessful attempts; his previous best finish had been third place on Saint Are, trained by Tom George, in 2017. Russell, the oldest jockey in the race at 38, said afterwards, “I was thinking of all the times my dad used to cut the grass and…I’d make National fences to jump over on my feet in the garden. I won the National a thousand times in the back garden, but never like that!”