Animal Kingdom (11/2) was a comfortable two-length winner of the 2013 Dubai World Cup at Meydan on Saturday evening.
The American-trained horse tracked the front running Royal Delta before moving into the lead as they entered the home straight. Jockey Joel Rosario quickly established a several length lead and found few challengers in final furlongs.
Animal Kingdom, winner of the 2011 Kentucky Derby, is trained in the US by Englishman Graham Motion and there was a strong UK link to the placed horses too. Red Cadeaux, trained by Ed Dunlop, belied his 25/1 price to finish second, while Marco Botti's Planteur (10/1) and Andrew Balding's Side Glance (33/1) filled third and fourth spots.
UK racegoers could have the chance to see Animal Kingdom race at the Royal Ascot meeting in June 2013.
30 March 2013
Race Day Betting: Lincoln Handicap
The running of the William Hill Spring Mile (13.55) does suggest the ground is still on the soft side at Doncaster based on an estimated time of 1 minute 41 seconds.
The field bunched down the middle of the course in the Spring Mile and the first four horses to finish were drawn: 16, 8, 20, and 13.
Based on this evidence, the selection is Richard Fahey’s Justonefortheroad. The trainer said of this horse to the Sportinglife.com:
“He's a hard horse to really get to grips with - just when you think the handicapper has him he goes and wins. He loves soft ground and coming off a fast pace..”
The gelding has recent winning form on soft ground over 7f and 8f. He was fourth in the 2011 running of the Spring Mile and ‘won’ the race among those horses drawn on the far side of the course, when the first three were drawn 16, 19, and 22. Justonefortheroad was drawn 10 that day and has the same draw number in the 2013 Lincoln Handicap.
The stable has also had a number of winners already in March, including at the first day of the Lincoln meeting that was interrupted by the weather last week.
Justonefortheroad is available at 12/1 with the sponsors William Hill.
The field bunched down the middle of the course in the Spring Mile and the first four horses to finish were drawn: 16, 8, 20, and 13.
Based on this evidence, the selection is Richard Fahey’s Justonefortheroad. The trainer said of this horse to the Sportinglife.com:
“He's a hard horse to really get to grips with - just when you think the handicapper has him he goes and wins. He loves soft ground and coming off a fast pace..”
The gelding has recent winning form on soft ground over 7f and 8f. He was fourth in the 2011 running of the Spring Mile and ‘won’ the race among those horses drawn on the far side of the course, when the first three were drawn 16, 19, and 22. Justonefortheroad was drawn 10 that day and has the same draw number in the 2013 Lincoln Handicap.
The stable has also had a number of winners already in March, including at the first day of the Lincoln meeting that was interrupted by the weather last week.
Justonefortheroad is available at 12/1 with the sponsors William Hill.
29 March 2013
Racing Preview: William Hill Lincoln Handicap
The postponed William Hill Lincoln Handicap takes place at Doncaster on Easter Saturday (30 March). Given the circumstances surrounding the rescheduled running of the race it will be an advantage to forego the early betting prices on offer and adopt a stance of ‘wait and see’ before having a bet on any of the 22 declared runners.
The race was postponed last week because of snow and the ground at Doncaster is currently being described as soft. Before I have a bet I want to watch the earlier races on the card to see (a) exactly how soft it is and (b) whether there is any advantage on any part of the track where the ground may be firmer.
The William Hill Spring Mile (13.55) is run over the same course and distance and has 20 runners. It will be an instructive race for the Lincoln, giving clues as to where the advantage might lie with stall position.
It will also be interesting to see the condition and fitness of the horses. The recent snow and poor weather could have prevented some trainers doing as much work with their charges as they would have wished.
The cold weather might also mean that some horses are not looking their best but this might belie their actual
fitness.
For example, Charlie Hills, trainer of Lincoln favourite Captain Bertie (7/1 with William Hill), has written of the gelding:
“The horse is still quite hairy but he is a gelding and the weather has been bitterly cold again over the last week, culminating in yet more snow on Sunday, so you can't really blame him for holding onto his coat.” (week commencing 18 March 2013)
But Hills goes on to say: “Captain Bertie is still in great form at home and the extra week [delay] shouldn't be a problem.”
It will be important to get a good look at the runners beforehand.
27 March 2013
Dubai World Cup Carnival 2013
The Dubai World Cup Carnival reaches its climax this weekend (30 March) at Meydan racecourse with the running of the Dubai World Cup itself.
The Dubai World Cup was initiated by the ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum in 1996, himself the owner of the Godolphin Racing stable and Darley Stud breeding operations. The race was run at Nad al Sheba until 2009 and was moved to its current home at Meydan in 2010.
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| Dubai World Cup, Meydan |
Fittingly, given that he inaugurated the race, Sheikh Mohammed has won the race five times with his Godolphin operation and once under his own name with Singspiel in 1997, trained by Sir Michael Stoute in the UK.
Godolphin’s most recent victory was last year’s running of the race when Monterosso was victorious and he lines up again to defend his title in this year’s renewal.
The Dubai World Cup is billed as the world’s richest horse race and in 2013 the total prize purse is US$ 10 million. With US$ 6 million going to the winner and the race taking about 2 minutes to run, it works out at US$ 50,000 earned per second by the winner. A nice return.
There is no entry fee for the race but participation is by invitation only. The whole Dubai World Cup Carnival, which runs from January to March, is truly international and brings together horses from racing centres in both the northern and southern hemispheres: UK, USA, Japan, South Africa, Australia, UAE et al.
The Dubai World Cup race night is the culmination of the carnival and the eight races on the card have combined prize money of US$ 27 million. The US-trained Royal Delta is currently the favourite for the race in what is a very open betting heat.
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| Meydan Fireworks |
25 March 2013
Good Friday Racing Open Days
Good Friday is traditionally one of the few days in the UK racing calendar when no racing is scheduled. But for the racing enthusiast it provides an opportunity to visit one of the racing stable open days that take place.
In the north of England the racing centre at Middleham is celebrating its 20th Good Friday open day. Visitors can see behind the scenes at a number of trainers’ stables, see horses working and taking a dip in the equine pool.
Trainers opening their stable doors include: Mark Johnston, Micky Hammond, George Moore, Jedd O’Keeffe, James Bethell, and Ann Duffield.
Middleham Castle overlooks many of the racing stables in the town and was the sometime childhood home of King Richard III, whose remains were found in Leicester in 2012.
King Richard was a man who knew the importance of a horse and incredibly he has given an endorsement to the Middleham Open Day on the website, saying:
“You don’t need to be racing enthusiasts as there’s something for everyone to do … It really is a great family day out.”
There will also be a guest appearance by last year’s Grand National winner Neptune Collonges.
When I last went to the open day a few years ago the Methodist Church on Park Lane was serving some excellent scones and cakes. If they are still serving doing it, it is worth a visit for a well-earned cup of tea and a cake (or two) as a restorative after a morning’s walking up hill and down dale from stable to stable.
In 2013 Good Friday and Easter have become a talking point in Flat racing circles because of the somewhat chaotic and limp start to the new season.
Regardless of the weather, which eventually caused the postponement of the second day of Doncaster’s Lincoln meeting, there would have been a week’s break between the first Flat turf meeting of 2013 and the second meeting.
Trainer George Baker has commented:
“By some strange quirk of the Programme Book* (the powers that be blaming Easter...), there is no turf flat racing after Doncaster for a week. A strange way to usher in a new season. Easter ?? We have it every year, and every year we know some years in advance (if we so wish) when it will fall. So surely not beyond the wit of man to organise a more structured start to the turf season. Two days at Doncaster, and then nothing for a week does not make much sense.....
This year, probably more by luck than judgement, it is just as well that the betting shop fodder of all weather dross will fill the gap. As Great Britain slips steadily into the North Sea, most turf tracks will be unraceable anyway....”
*The Programme Book is published by Weatherbys and contains the race conditions for all UK races. Trainers use the Programme Book to help plan suitable races for their horse through the season.
24 March 2013
Flat Or Jumps?
Horseracing in the UK is divided into two ‘codes’ or types: flat racing and jump racing (also called National Hunt racing).
Most horseracing enthusiasts have a preference for one code or another and each code has its own characteristics.
In theory flat racing is the summer racing code and jump racing is a winter sport. But with the advent of all-weather flat racing at tracks like Wolverhampton, Southwell, Lingfield, and Kempton and summer jumps racing, the reality is that both codes now take place year-round. It is, however, still generally the case that the most valuable (measured by prize money) flat races take place during the ‘summer’ (April to October) whilst the most valuable jumps races take place in the ‘winter’ (November to April).
Flat racing is characterised by:
• Speed
• Glamour
• Warm summer days
Flat races take place from a minimum distance of five furlongs (5f) (a furlong equates to about 200 metres, or 1/8th of a mile) up to 2 miles 5 furlongs 159 yard for the Queen Alexandra Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting in June.
Breeding and bloodstock are a more influential aspect of flat racing than they are in jump racing. A successful horse on the flat can be retired to stud duties as young as four years of age, or after just three seasons’ racing.
For example, Frankel, the wonder horse of the current generation, ran 14 times in his racing career between 13 August 2010 and 20 October 2012 (winning them all) before being retired to stud duties. It was announced in March 2013 that German filly Danedream (winner of the 2011 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France) is in foal to Frankel. The fee to have Frankel mate with or ‘cover’ your filly is GB£ 125,000.
So it is easy to appreciate why the owners of good flat horses wish to retire them to stud rather than risk an injury or a tarnished reputation by prolonging their careers.
Important races in the UK Flat racing season include: the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas (Newmarket), the Derby (Epsom Downs) the Oaks (Epsom Downs), the St James’ Palace Stakes (Royal Ascot), Prince of Wales’ Stakes (Royal Ascot), and the St Leger (Doncaster).
Jump racing is characterised by:
• An emphasis on stamina and jumping ability rather than speed (by comparison to the flat)
• Association with the countryside pursuits such as hunting
• Cold, crisp winter’s afternoons
Jump races can be over hurdles or the bigger fences (steeplechase races) and range from two miles to four miles plus (like the Grand National at Aintree which is 4 miles and four furlongs).
There are even flat races run under the jumps code called National Hunt Flat races or ‘bumpers’.
There is less emphasis on breeding in the jumping code. This means that good horses have longer racing careers and can return for several consecutive seasons to contest the same races. The benefit of a longer career is that racing enthusiasts get to know a horse and a favoured horse can develop quite a following amongst the race-going public.
In the jumping code the Cheltenham Festival, held over four days in mid-March, has become the focal point of the season. Almost as soon as the season gets properly underway in November there will be talk of which horses will go to Cheltenham and which race they will contest. But there are, of course, other valuable races throughout the season such as: the Paddy Power Gold Cup (Cheltenham), the Lancashire Chase (Haydock Park), The Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (Newbury), the Tingle Creek Steeple Chase (Sandown Park), the King George VI Steeple Chase (Kempton Park), and of course the Grand National Steeple Chase (Aintree).
Most horseracing enthusiasts have a preference for one code or another and each code has its own characteristics.
In theory flat racing is the summer racing code and jump racing is a winter sport. But with the advent of all-weather flat racing at tracks like Wolverhampton, Southwell, Lingfield, and Kempton and summer jumps racing, the reality is that both codes now take place year-round. It is, however, still generally the case that the most valuable (measured by prize money) flat races take place during the ‘summer’ (April to October) whilst the most valuable jumps races take place in the ‘winter’ (November to April).
Flat racing is characterised by:
• Speed
• Glamour
• Warm summer days
Flat races take place from a minimum distance of five furlongs (5f) (a furlong equates to about 200 metres, or 1/8th of a mile) up to 2 miles 5 furlongs 159 yard for the Queen Alexandra Stakes at the Royal Ascot meeting in June.
Breeding and bloodstock are a more influential aspect of flat racing than they are in jump racing. A successful horse on the flat can be retired to stud duties as young as four years of age, or after just three seasons’ racing.
For example, Frankel, the wonder horse of the current generation, ran 14 times in his racing career between 13 August 2010 and 20 October 2012 (winning them all) before being retired to stud duties. It was announced in March 2013 that German filly Danedream (winner of the 2011 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France) is in foal to Frankel. The fee to have Frankel mate with or ‘cover’ your filly is GB£ 125,000.
So it is easy to appreciate why the owners of good flat horses wish to retire them to stud rather than risk an injury or a tarnished reputation by prolonging their careers.
Important races in the UK Flat racing season include: the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas (Newmarket), the Derby (Epsom Downs) the Oaks (Epsom Downs), the St James’ Palace Stakes (Royal Ascot), Prince of Wales’ Stakes (Royal Ascot), and the St Leger (Doncaster).
Jump racing is characterised by:
• An emphasis on stamina and jumping ability rather than speed (by comparison to the flat)
• Association with the countryside pursuits such as hunting
• Cold, crisp winter’s afternoons
Jump races can be over hurdles or the bigger fences (steeplechase races) and range from two miles to four miles plus (like the Grand National at Aintree which is 4 miles and four furlongs).
There are even flat races run under the jumps code called National Hunt Flat races or ‘bumpers’.
There is less emphasis on breeding in the jumping code. This means that good horses have longer racing careers and can return for several consecutive seasons to contest the same races. The benefit of a longer career is that racing enthusiasts get to know a horse and a favoured horse can develop quite a following amongst the race-going public.
In the jumping code the Cheltenham Festival, held over four days in mid-March, has become the focal point of the season. Almost as soon as the season gets properly underway in November there will be talk of which horses will go to Cheltenham and which race they will contest. But there are, of course, other valuable races throughout the season such as: the Paddy Power Gold Cup (Cheltenham), the Lancashire Chase (Haydock Park), The Hennessy Gold Cup Chase (Newbury), the Tingle Creek Steeple Chase (Sandown Park), the King George VI Steeple Chase (Kempton Park), and of course the Grand National Steeple Chase (Aintree).
Royal Ascot Raises The Stakes
Ascot racecourse has announced that total prize money to be won at the Royal meeting in June 2013 will reach £5 million for the first time. There is now a minimum prize pool of £60,000 across all races at the five-day Royal meeting.
On the Tuesday the St James’ Palace Stakes now has prize money of £350,000, an increase of £100,000 from 2012, whilst the Coventry Stakes has risen from £85,000 to £120,000 in 2013.
The Windsor Forest Stakes has been renamed the Duke of Cambridge Stakes and has had the prize money increased by £25,000 to £125,000.
On the Friday the Coronation Stakes is also now worth £350,000.
The Diamond Jubilee Stakes remains the most valuable race at the Royal Ascot meeting with a prize pool of £500,000.
Charles Barnett, Chief Executive at Ascot, explained:
“We have worked hard to make the international races competitive globally in recent years and our focus this year has been to enhance the top three-year-old races, the feature handicaps, the two-year-old championships and the programme generally. It is very important to us to have a significant minimum amount on offer, and we have set that at £60,000.”
“We have seen some remarkable racing at Ascot in recent years and whilst the importance of winning at Royal Ascot both in terms of prestige and in value to the bloodstock industry can't be denied, increasing prize money is equally crucial to attracting the best horses to run in a highly competitive market.”
On the Tuesday the St James’ Palace Stakes now has prize money of £350,000, an increase of £100,000 from 2012, whilst the Coventry Stakes has risen from £85,000 to £120,000 in 2013.
The Windsor Forest Stakes has been renamed the Duke of Cambridge Stakes and has had the prize money increased by £25,000 to £125,000.
On the Friday the Coronation Stakes is also now worth £350,000.
The Diamond Jubilee Stakes remains the most valuable race at the Royal Ascot meeting with a prize pool of £500,000.
Charles Barnett, Chief Executive at Ascot, explained:
“We have worked hard to make the international races competitive globally in recent years and our focus this year has been to enhance the top three-year-old races, the feature handicaps, the two-year-old championships and the programme generally. It is very important to us to have a significant minimum amount on offer, and we have set that at £60,000.”
“We have seen some remarkable racing at Ascot in recent years and whilst the importance of winning at Royal Ascot both in terms of prestige and in value to the bloodstock industry can't be denied, increasing prize money is equally crucial to attracting the best horses to run in a highly competitive market.”
22 March 2013
For The Love Of Horseracing
An excellent video by Alfred Dunhill into the life and racing career of amateur jockey Sam Waley-Cohen, winner of the Cheltenham Gold Cup on Long Run in 2011. Well worth 25 minutes of your time to watch.
21 March 2013
Bet Types: Win Double
A ‘double’ bet consists of two selections in a single bet. It requires both selections to win in order for the bet to be paid out as a winner.
1. The bet stake is placed on the first selection
2. If the first selection wins then the original stake and the winnings from that first bet are then placed as the stake on the bet for the second selection
3. If the second bet wins then the stake and winnings for the second selection are returned as the payout for the bet
The Spring Double consists of picking the winners of the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster and of the Grand National at Aintree in March/April.
The Autumn Double consists of picking the winners of the Cambridgeshire and the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in September and October.
The Spring Double
The Spring Double is a phrase given to a two-part bet that seeks to find the winners of both the Lincoln Handicap (held at Doncaster these days) and the Aintree Grand National Chase Handicap in April.
Doncaster’s Lincoln Meeting heralded the traditional start of the new Flat racing season which runs from late March/early April until November. The meeting’s status as the Flat season’s opener has been lessened somewhat by all-weather Flat racing which means racing takes place year-round.
In 2013, however, the notion of a ‘Spring’ double is looking laughable. At the time of writing a band of snow is forecast to be sitting across much of northern England on Friday and Saturday. On Thursday an inspection was called for Saturday morning at Doncaster and plans are already in place to reschedule Saturday’s card for a week later – Saturday 30 March 2013.
Arena Racing Company’s racing director Jim Allen explained: "Should Saturday's meeting be abandoned, which looks increasingly likely, we will host the meeting a week later on Easter Saturday, March 30”.
Kate Miller, PR director for William Hill, which sponsors several of the races on Doncaster’s card said: "It's very difficult to plan for the unthinkable and no one could have anticipated such inclement weather. The William Hill Lincoln and Spring Mile raise the curtain to the turf Flat Season and we're grateful that a contingency plan is in place to save them."
The William Hill Lincoln Handicap is run over the distance of one mile and is open to horses aged 4-years and older. In 2013 the winner will collect GB£ 62,250 in prize money.
The Lincoln Handicap is labelled a Heritage Handicap. Heritage Handicaps are usually (but not always) those races that have a long, established history in the racing calendar. The British Racing Authority (BHA) also stipulated that such races should offer a minimum of GB£ 75,000 in total prize money.
The Ebor (run over 1 mile 6 furlongs in August) at York is a Heritage Handicap, as is the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (run over 1 mile 1 furlong) in late September.
Doncaster’s Lincoln Meeting heralded the traditional start of the new Flat racing season which runs from late March/early April until November. The meeting’s status as the Flat season’s opener has been lessened somewhat by all-weather Flat racing which means racing takes place year-round.
In 2013, however, the notion of a ‘Spring’ double is looking laughable. At the time of writing a band of snow is forecast to be sitting across much of northern England on Friday and Saturday. On Thursday an inspection was called for Saturday morning at Doncaster and plans are already in place to reschedule Saturday’s card for a week later – Saturday 30 March 2013.
Arena Racing Company’s racing director Jim Allen explained: "Should Saturday's meeting be abandoned, which looks increasingly likely, we will host the meeting a week later on Easter Saturday, March 30”.
Kate Miller, PR director for William Hill, which sponsors several of the races on Doncaster’s card said: "It's very difficult to plan for the unthinkable and no one could have anticipated such inclement weather. The William Hill Lincoln and Spring Mile raise the curtain to the turf Flat Season and we're grateful that a contingency plan is in place to save them."
The William Hill Lincoln Handicap is run over the distance of one mile and is open to horses aged 4-years and older. In 2013 the winner will collect GB£ 62,250 in prize money.
The Lincoln Handicap is labelled a Heritage Handicap. Heritage Handicaps are usually (but not always) those races that have a long, established history in the racing calendar. The British Racing Authority (BHA) also stipulated that such races should offer a minimum of GB£ 75,000 in total prize money.
The Ebor (run over 1 mile 6 furlongs in August) at York is a Heritage Handicap, as is the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket (run over 1 mile 1 furlong) in late September.
19 March 2013
Back Your Bookie
There is nothing quite like the British betting shop. They have an atmosphere, culture, and spirit all of their own. Over the years I have visited what passes for their equivalent in Hong Kong, China, Croatia, Lithuania, Germany, and Nevada and nothing can match them.
My current favourite betting shop is the Ladbrokes shop located just off the town square in Downham Market. This shop achieves its ranking at the top the list for a few reasons: (1) it is good-sized, modern shop with large windows, giving it an open, airy atmosphere; (2) I am in profit for that particular shop out of all the bets I have placed there; (3) there is a café just down the street that does an excellent cheese on toast, perfect for staving off hunger during an afternoon’s racing.
Unfortunately, I no longer have a need to visit Downham as often as I did, so my visits to that shop are few and far between these days.
My second favourite betting shop was the Coral shop in the south terminal at Gatwick airport. There was nothing especially notable about the shop itself except that it did make waiting for a plane more enjoyable. No, this shop’s rating was due to the fact that it was opposite a Krispy Kreme doughnut outlet. There was nothing more pleasurable than scoffing down a trio of doughnuts (one original glazed, one glazed raspberry, one custard filling) whilst watching a few races. Sadly both the Coral betting shop and the Krispy Kreme concession have gone, to be replaced by a Wetherspoon’s.
2011 marked the 50th anniversary of the legalisation of ‘licensed betting offices’ on the UK high street. Almost since they first opened they have been under attack from those groups and institutions which see the betting shop as a blight on the high street. Even today, when retailers are going out of business in towns across the UK, certain politicians and opponents still want to talk down the UK betting sector.
Such is the opposition to betting shops, the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) has started its ‘Back Your Local Bookie’ campaign.
If you are interested in learning more about the history and development of the UK betting shop, these two books are a good place to start:
Down The Bookies: The First 50 Years of Betting Shops; John Samuels (2011) Racing Post Books
Better Betting with a Decent Feller: A Social History of Bookmaking; Carl Chinn (2004) Aurum Press
If you can get your hands on a copy of Bookmakers Office Supplies (BOS) Magazine, its articles also discuss the UK betting sector’s past, present, and future.
As Graham Sharpe, William Hill’s Media Relations Director, notes in the foreword to Down The Bookies:
“Anyone who has spent even the shortest amount of time in one of these unique, misunderstood establishments will recognise in John’s terrific book their real strengths and their few weaknesses. As the high street struggles to survive, you can bet the betting shop will be among the last to close its doors … [The high street] would not be the same without it.”
My current favourite betting shop is the Ladbrokes shop located just off the town square in Downham Market. This shop achieves its ranking at the top the list for a few reasons: (1) it is good-sized, modern shop with large windows, giving it an open, airy atmosphere; (2) I am in profit for that particular shop out of all the bets I have placed there; (3) there is a café just down the street that does an excellent cheese on toast, perfect for staving off hunger during an afternoon’s racing.
Unfortunately, I no longer have a need to visit Downham as often as I did, so my visits to that shop are few and far between these days.
My second favourite betting shop was the Coral shop in the south terminal at Gatwick airport. There was nothing especially notable about the shop itself except that it did make waiting for a plane more enjoyable. No, this shop’s rating was due to the fact that it was opposite a Krispy Kreme doughnut outlet. There was nothing more pleasurable than scoffing down a trio of doughnuts (one original glazed, one glazed raspberry, one custard filling) whilst watching a few races. Sadly both the Coral betting shop and the Krispy Kreme concession have gone, to be replaced by a Wetherspoon’s.
2011 marked the 50th anniversary of the legalisation of ‘licensed betting offices’ on the UK high street. Almost since they first opened they have been under attack from those groups and institutions which see the betting shop as a blight on the high street. Even today, when retailers are going out of business in towns across the UK, certain politicians and opponents still want to talk down the UK betting sector.
Such is the opposition to betting shops, the Association of British Bookmakers (ABB) has started its ‘Back Your Local Bookie’ campaign.
If you are interested in learning more about the history and development of the UK betting shop, these two books are a good place to start:
Down The Bookies: The First 50 Years of Betting Shops; John Samuels (2011) Racing Post Books
Better Betting with a Decent Feller: A Social History of Bookmaking; Carl Chinn (2004) Aurum Press
If you can get your hands on a copy of Bookmakers Office Supplies (BOS) Magazine, its articles also discuss the UK betting sector’s past, present, and future.
As Graham Sharpe, William Hill’s Media Relations Director, notes in the foreword to Down The Bookies:
“Anyone who has spent even the shortest amount of time in one of these unique, misunderstood establishments will recognise in John’s terrific book their real strengths and their few weaknesses. As the high street struggles to survive, you can bet the betting shop will be among the last to close its doors … [The high street] would not be the same without it.”
18 March 2013
Invest In A Racing Education
Nothing beats the enjoyment to be gained from an afternoon spent horseracing. There are so many different elements to a day at the races that there is something for everyone.
Whether it is the getting dressed up for a day out, an excuse to celebrate with racecourse hospitality (much improved at many racecourses over the last decade), the simple but pleasurable activity of people watching, the fun fairs that now accompany many family days at racecourses, or just getting out in the fresh air in (largely) pleasant surroundings, horseracing can offer it. And this hasn’t even touched upon the horses themselves or the betting.
For many visitors to the racecourse, the racing is not of the greatest importance. The race meeting might coincide with a work trip out, be a good venue for a hen party, or just a need to keep the children occupied during half-term. Such race-goers may have little appreciation for the quality of racing on the card, little understanding of the intricacies of racing or betting, and it might be their sole visit to a race meeting that year.
But for those who wish to become regular race-goers it is well worth the time and effort learning more about horseracing and betting, the terminology, a bit about the rules, and even an appreciation of the racehorse itself.
Many racing enthusiasts are lucky to have a grandfather or father who introduced them to racing at a young age, teaching them about the history of horseracing, the various elements of betting on horses and what to look for in a horse.
But if you are not lucky enough to have such a family mentor, there are many more sources of information these days to help improve your knowledge. The advent of Facebook and Twitter also make it much easier to find like-minded enthusiasts with whom to discuss racing matters and learn from their experiences. Initiatives like Student Racing have also made it easier for students to get involved in racing and many universities have horseracing societies.
My first day’s racing was in November 1998 with the university horseracing society. It was a meeting at Huntingdon and I knew very little about the card of races or the horses I was watching. Looking through the archives now I actually saw Edredon Bleu win the Peterborough Chase that year. This would turn about to be the first of four consecutive wins in the race between 1998 and 2001. Trained by Henrietta Knight (who also trained triple Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Best Mate), Edredon Bleu had already won the Grand Annual Chase at the Cheltenham Festival in March that year and would go on to win the Queen Mother Champion Chase at the Festival in 2000, two Haldon Gold Cup Chases (Exeter, 2002, 2003), and the King George VI Chase (Kempton Park, 2003).
But I did know that horseracing was incredibly exciting and sociable with the added potential to win money to pay for your day out. I also knew there was a lot to learn and since that day I have been adding to my understanding of racing by watching, reading, and asking.
It is an ongoing process that has so far incorporated: history, psychology, maths, statistics, biology, equine anatomy, and law.
I hope the entries in this blog can help and inspire other people to get the same enjoyment, excitement, exhilaration, and exasperation from racing that I have.
17 March 2013
Under Starter's Orders
This blog begins its life just as the mud continues to settle after the four days of the Cheltenham Festival 2013 and just ahead of the start of the new Flat racing season which begins at Doncaster on Friday 22 March. With the weather the UK has been experiencing this Spring, some of the two-year-olds running in the William Hill ‘Download The App’ Brocklesby Conditions Stakes on Friday afternoon could get a snowy shock for their first appearance on the racecourse.
The Cheltenham Festival 2013 was, as always, an absorbing week’s racing but not a ‘classic’. There were undoubtedly some good performances by some talented horses – Sprinter Sacre (Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase), Our Conor (JCB Triumph Hurdle), Bobs Worth (Betfred Cheltenham Gold Cup Chase) – but it lacked some of the rivalry of previous years that make for great Cheltenham Festivals. Perhaps this year’s Festival can been viewed as a year of transition as a new crop of horses come to the fore.
The aim of this blog is to discuss the current events in UK horseracing, to preview the big meetings on both the Flat and Jumps (the Guineas meeting, Royal Ascot, QIPCO Champions Day, the Grand National meeting, Cheltenham Festival etc.), to explain some of the terminology surrounding betting and horseracing, and generally to peer inside the esoteric and fascinating world of the ‘Turf’.
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