Category: Races

The most famous of the five British Classic horse races, the Derby Stakes was co-founded in 1780 by Edward Smith-Stanley, Earl of Derby and Sir Charles Bunbury and named after the former as the result of a (probably apocryphal) coin toss. Notwithstanding interruptions for the two world wars, when a substitute race, dubbed the ‘New Derby Stakes’, was staged at Newmarket, the Derby has taken place on Epsom Downs ever since. Back then there was of course no jokacasino online pokies real money or the like.

Of course, the Derby is a Group 1 contest, intended to test the class of three-year-old colts, who compete at level weights, and, theoretically, fillies, who receive a 3lb weight-for-sex allowance from their male counterparts. However, it is worth noting that no filly has run in the Derby since Cape Verdi, who was beaten favourite in 1998, and none has won since Fifinella. In any event, the nature of the Derby means that long-priced winners are typically few and far between.

That said, in 244 runnings of the Epsom Classic, so far, three winners have been sent off at treble-figure odds, although the last of them was over a century ago. In 1898, Jeddah, trained by Richard March and ridden by Otto Madden, belied odds of 100/1 to win, narrowly, by three-quarters of a length and, a decade later, Signorinetta, trained by Odoardo Ginistrelli and ridden by Billy Bullock, repeated the feat with a rather more convincing two-length win. The third and final 100/1 winner was Aboyeur, trained by Alan Cunliffe and ridden by Edwin Piper, who was awarded the race following the disqualification of the favourite, Craganour, in 1913; his victory in the so-called ‘Suffragette Derby’ was overshadowed by fatal injuries suffered by Emily Davison. At the other end of the scale, the shortest-priced winner in the history of the Derby was the hitherto unbeaten Ladas, trained by Mathew Dawson and ridden by John ‘Jack’ Watts, who, in 1894, made short work of just six rivals at prohibitive odds of 2/9.

Run over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in early May and open to three-year-colts and fillies, the 2,000 Guineas Stakes is, of course, the first of five British ‘Classic’ races. The race was inaugurated by the Jockey Club, under the stewardship of Sir Charles Bunbury, on April 18, 1809 and, notwithstanding sponsorship, the title still reflects the original prize money.

 

In the pre-decimal currency system, a.k.a. ‘£sd’ or ‘pounds, shillings and pence’, a pound consisted of 240 pence, or 20 shillings, with 12 pence to the shilling. In Britain, the term ‘guinea’ dates back to the second half of the sixteenth century, when it was used to describe a coin, worth 21 shillings, which was originally made from gold from the Republic of Guinea in West Africa. The coin was taken out of circulation in the late nineteenth century, but ‘guinea’ is still used in certain contexts, such as when quoting professional fees or prices, to describe the sum of 21 shillings, or £1.05 in modern terms. This is a very modest amount of course in terms of gambling nowadays, whether at the course or say on www.jokaroom.io .

 

According to the Bank of England inflation calculator – which, for the year 1809, relies on data collected from the Retail Price Index (RPI) – the original prize fund for the 2,000 Guineas, i.e. £2,100, would we worth nearly £140,000 in modern terms. For the record, the winner of the inaugural contest was Wizard, ridden by William ‘Bill’ Clift, who also rode the winner of the first 1,000 Guineas, Charlotte, for the same connections, five years later.

 

Fast forward the best part of two-and-a-bit centuries and the total prize fund for the 2023 renewal of the 2,000 Guineas was in the region of £500,000, of which the winner, Chaldean, carried off the lion’s share, of £283,550. Granted that that sum, alone, is more than double the modern equivalent of the original total prize money, it would be fair to say that, from connections’ point of view, the 2,000 Guineas has fared very well indeed, in terms of inflation.

 

 

The world-famous Royal Ascot is one of the UK’s biggest horse racing events, and this year’s five-day event is scheduled to take place at Ascot Racecourse in Berkshire, England, from Tuesday, June 17, until Saturday 21.

Royal Ascot is steeped in prestige, style, and tradition, and this year is expected to be a sellout. The question being asked here is, how much does the crowd influence races at events like this? Let’s dive straight in to find out.

How much does the crowd influence major horse racing events like Royal Ascot?

The crowd’s presence and behaviour have an enormous influence on the overall race day experience. It can impact a jockey’s performance by acting as a powerful tool that can motivate and encourage them to maintain pace and take the lead. However, it can also put jockeys under a certain amount of pressure or induce stress and anxiety, which can make them underperform.

In other words, the crowd influence on race day can have both negative and positive effects. The same is true of horse racing today in South Africa, not just at UK events like Royal Ascot.

Positive impacts of the crowd

We can start by taking a quick look at the positive impacts that crowds can have on race day, which far outweigh the negative impacts. Examples include the following:

• Encouragement and motivation – horse racing crowds can sometimes help give runners a boost of energy, especially when they feel they have the support of the crowd
• Enhanced performance – similar to above: some jockeys can perform better and achieve faster times by tapping into the crowd’s positive energy
• Sense of community – large crowds can help foster a sense of community and belonging among the crowd, and help to create unique shared experiences
• Break up monotony – when jockeys interact with the crowd, it can help break up the monotony that can sometimes occur over multi-day events and help them remain more focused on their upcoming race

Negative impacts 

Some of the main negative impacts that crowds can have on runners are the following:

• Distraction – some jockeys can be distracted by large crowds, especially when they are overly enthusiastic or negative towards them, which can disrupt their concentration and make them underperform
• Anxiety – crowds can also sometimes create a sense of anxiety for jockeys and a fear of failure and letting down the crowd, which can affect their performance
• Pressure – crowd pressure can lead some runners to deviate from their strategies, meaning some jockeys feel obliged to please the crowd by maintaining pace or trying to lead the field of runners too early

To sum up, the power of the crowd at a horse racing event is a mixed blessing. Although it can create anxiety and pressure among some of the runners, the crowd can also be an incredible motivator providing a unique source of energy that can help them win races.

Therefore, jockeys who can tap into the energy of the crowd and use it to their advantage can often be far more successful than when they focus on negative aspects of the crowd.

What is the biggest race at Royal Ascot 2025?

Out of the 20 races that are scheduled to be held at Royal Ascot 2025, the most hotly anticipated race is the Ascot Gold Cup. This year’s Gold Cup race at Ascot is expected to take place on June 19 at 16: 25 (GMT).

If you are thinking about betting on this upcoming race, then you might want to consider Illinois – the current odds-on favourite to win this race outright. At the time of writing, Illinois is priced at around 2.25 in the decimal odds format, meaning it has a 44.40% implied probability rate of winning.

In fractional odds, 2.25 is 5/4, and in American/moneyline odds, it’s +125. Some of the other runners in this year’s Ascot Gold Cup are Candelari, Trawlerman, Sweet William, Jan Brueghel, and Yashin.

Some of the other races to look forward to at Royal Ascot this year are the Queen Anne Stakes, the King Charles III Stakes, the Queen Mary Stakes, the Prince of Wales, and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes.

Final thoughts

If you plan on heading to Royal Ascot to be part of the crowd and enjoy the race day experience, remember to book your tickets from a reputable vendor sooner rather than later. Tickets usually always sell out, meaning you may have to just settle for watching the event on television or on your favourite live-streaming platform.

Also, if you decide to place a wager on Royal Ascot 2025, stick to betting on legally permitted sites that specifically cater to people in your region, such as 10Bet Africa, and avoid betting on unlicensed/unregulated sportsbooks.

 

As the 2025 Grand National Festival approaches, anticipation builds not only for the world’s most famous steeplechase but also for the supporting cast of exceptional races that make this three-day spectacular one of jump racing’s defining occasions.

Among these prestigious contests, the Melling Chase stands as a jewel in Aintree’s crown – a race that has consistently delivered memorable performances from the sport’s elite chasers.

With Jonbon expected to return for another tilt at glory after his impressive victory in 2024, and a plethora of other close contenders, those at Aintree will be spoilt for choice when assessing their horse racing tips this year.

What sets the Melling Chase apart is its unique position within the National Hunt calendar. Staged over two miles and four furlongs on Aintree’s Mildmay Course, it occupies that fascinating middle-distance territory that tests both speed and stamina in equal measure.

This creates an intriguing battleground where proven two-mile specialists stepping up in trip meet established middle-distance performers, resulting in tactical confrontations that have produced some of racing’s most memorable duels.

The timing of the race – approximately three weeks after the Cheltenham Festival – provides horses who competed in either the Queen Mother Champion Chase or the Ryanair Chase an ideal opportunity to confirm their class or seek redemption. This strategic positioning in the calendar has ensured that the Melling Chase consistently attracts championship-calibre fields.

Since its inauguration in 1991, the Melling Chase has been captured by some of the most celebrated names in National Hunt racing. The race’s prestige is perhaps best illustrated by examining the remarkable champions who have etched their names into its history.

Moscow Flyer’s consecutive victories in 2004 and 2005 rank among the most impressive achievements in the race’s history. Jessica Harrington’s superstar, already a dual Champion Chase winner, demonstrated his extraordinary versatility by dominating over the extended trip at Aintree, cementing his status as one of the greatest chasers of the modern era.

Few performances in the Melling Chase can match the breathtaking display produced by Sprinter Sacre in 2013. Nicky Henderson’s phenomenon, often described as the “Black Aeroplane,” arrived at Aintree having demolished his rivals in the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham. His victory in the Melling Chase formed part of a perfect season that established him as one of the most visually impressive jumpers ever witnessed.

The race has also showcased the talents of Master Minded, who followed his Champion Chase achievements with a commanding Melling Chase victory in 2011. Paul Nicholls’ exceptional talent demonstrated the perfect combination of speed and stamina that defines the ideal Melling Chase winner.

As the feature race on Ladies’ Day (Friday), the Melling Chase plays a crucial role in maintaining the momentum of the Grand National Festival.

While Saturday’s Grand National understandably commands the greatest attention, the Melling ensures that the quality of competition remains consistently exceptional throughout the three days.

With prize money of £250,000, the race attracts connections seeking not only financial reward but also the prestige that comes with victory in one of chasing’s most competitive Grade 1 contests. This combination of factors has established the Melling Chase as Ladies’ Day’s centrepiece – a guaranteed spectacle of elite equine talent.

The race also serves as a perfect counterpoint to the Grand National itself. While the National tests endurance and courage over marathon distances and formidable obstacles, the Melling celebrates speed, precision jumping, and tactical acumen. Together, they showcase the diverse challenges that make National Hunt racing so captivating.

As we count down to the 2025 Grand National Festival, the Melling Chase stands ready to deliver another spectacular chapter in its distinguished history – a race that may not command the same global recognition as the Grand National itself, but which remains, for racing purists, an equally essential component of Aintree’s magnificent April showcase.

The Grand Military Gold Cup is one of the oldest races held at Sandown Park Racecourse, with the first running of the race held in 1841. The race is a National Hunt Chase open to horses aged five years or older and is run over a distance of three miles and half a furlong. Unlike the majority of races, there is a specific restriction to jockeys in the race – they must be a serving or retired Military Amateur Rider.

 

The biggest trainers in the UK often try to target this race, with the likes of Paul Nicholls, Nicky Henderson, David Pipe and Jamie Snowden all winning the race in recent years. The latter actually jointly-holds the record for winning the race as a jockey with four wins to his name – the other jockeys to have won the race four times are LBdr Jody Sole and Gerald Oxley. Jamie Snowden actually became the first person to win the race as both a jockey and a trainer, having won the race with Farceur Du Large in 2024.

 

The most successful horses in the Grand Military Gold Cup are Klaxton (1950 – 1952), Charles Dickens (1970 – 1972) and Special Cargo (1984 – 1986), who have each won the race a total of three times, all in consecutive seasons. This century, only one horse has won the race more than once – Kings Mistral, who on the race in 2001 and 2003. Ratings wise, the highest rated horse to win this century is Hoo La Baloo, who won the race off a mark of 145.

 

Previously, the race had been run in March, but in 2024 the decision was made to move the race to January. The most recent renewal saw www.racingclub.com syndicate horse Farceur Du Large run out victorious, in a dominant display that saw him finish over four lengths ahead of runner-up Rose Of Arcadia.