Category: Big Races

Horse racing fans have plenty to look forward to in 2024, with the upcoming calendar packed with a ton of top-class action taking place across the world.

Next year undoubtedly looks exciting in the United Kingdom and Ireland, with top trainer Aidan O’Brien set to unleash a horse that looks to be a potential superstar.

Australian horse racing fans also have a stellar year lined up, with the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in November the undoubted highlight.

Picking the potential winners of races this far in advance is no easy task, so punters would be well advised to ensure they keep a close eye on respected tipping sites.

When it comes to reliable information, whether you are looking for horse racing tips tomorrow or a little further down the line, OnlyRacing.com.au has all the bases covered.

With that mind, we take a closer look at two horses we believe will deliver sizeable winning returns to punters when they contest the biggest races in 2024.

City of Troy – Epsom Derby

O’Brien spoke in glowing terms about City of Troy after the horse produced a devasting performance to turn the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket Racecourse into a procession last month.

The son of Justify is now odds-on with some betting firms to win next year’s 2000 Guineas at the same venue, while he is priced at 3.50 to win the Epsom Derby.

O’Brien says that City of Troy is ‘the best two-year-old he had ever trained’ – high praise given the number of quality performers he has previously had in his stable.

Timeform handicapper Simon Baker gave the horse a rating of 125p after that victory, which places him in the same bracket as a previous superstar of the sport.

“City of Troy’s Dewhurst win was the best performance in the race since Frankel, and while we could wait a lifetime and not see anything in that league again, there can be no doubt that City of Troy is a tremendous prospect in his own right,” Baker said.

“Not all recent high-achieving Dewhurst winners have advanced their form markedly at three, but everything about City of Troy, from his powerful physique to his strong-galloping style, suggests he can go on improving, which makes him just about the most exciting horse around for 2024.”

Balance Play – Melbourne Cup

The recent Tattersalls Autumn Horses in Training Sale at Newmarket may well have produced an early pointer for a potential winner of the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

Balance Play was bought by McKeever Bloodstock, Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott for AU$1.155 million and has been touted as an ideal candidate for ‘the race that stops the nation’.

The horse was rated 101 going into the session, having won three of his six starts in high-class handicaps during his three-year-old campaign.

Balance Play is from the same family as Bauer, who famously missed out on winning the 2008 Melbourne Cup by a nose for trainer Luca Cumani.

Claudia Miller, bloodstock manager for Tulloch Lodge, says she was under ‘strict instructions’ not to leave the sale without the horse and was delighted when the hammer came down.

“He is a lovely three-year-old – lightly raced, very consistent and effective on all going,” Miller said. “He is just the exact profile of the horse we look for at this sale. We are very excited to get him.”

It’s finally here! The Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup is an exciting event horse racing calendar, with events starting today and ending tomorrow (Nov. 4). Set against the stunning backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains, this event combines the thrills of high-stakes racing with the glamor of a Hollywood soiree. But, like any major event, the key to an unforgettable experience lies in the details.

Whether you’re a seasoned racing enthusiast or a newbie drawn to the excitement, these seven tips will guarantee you have the time of your life at the Santa Anita this weekend.

1. Dress the Part

The Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup isn’t just a horse race; it’s a fashion spectacle. Ladies often don dresses and sophisticated hats or fascinators, while gents fashion themselves in dapper suits and ties. While there’s no strict dress code, remember, it’s better to be overdressed than underdressed. This is your chance to embrace the old-world charm of horse racing, so don’t be shy about going all out.

2. Get Familiar with the Field

Instead of simply putting stakes on a horse, take the time to familiarize yourself with the contenders. Read up on their previous performances, their trainers, and jockeys. There’s a certain thrill in rooting for a horse you have a personal connection with, even if it’s just because you admire its name or back story.

3. Plan Your Arrival

The Santa Anita Park, though vast and accommodating, can get crowded on the day of the Breeders’ Cup. To ensure you get a good parking spot and a comfortable viewing position, aim to arrive early. Also, keep in mind that there might be traffic snarls. Using a ride-sharing service can save you the stress of driving and parking.

4. Indulge in the Culinary Delights

From gourmet dining options to food trucks offering local delights, the Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup offers more than just equine excitement. Before diving into the races, make it a point to explore the culinary spread. Many visitors claim that some of their most memorable moments come from the delightful flavors they’ve savored at the event.

5. Engage in Non-Racing Activities

While the races are the main attraction, the Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup has evolved to be a full-fledged festival. Between races, stroll through the grounds, enjoy live music performances, or even partake in wine and craft beer tastings. Embracing these activities ensures a well-rounded and enjoyable experience, even if your favored horse doesn’t win.

6. Be Smart with Your Wagers

The excitement of the 2023 Breeders Cup betting scene can be electric, and while it’s tempting to dive into the action, remember that the essence of the day should be enjoyment. Set aside a predetermined amount that you’re comfortable parting with. Whether you’re using the classic method of placing a wager or using apps and other digital platforms, always play responsibly. If you’re unfamiliar with the terms, ask around or read up on wagering guides. Remember, it’s not just about the stakes but the thrill of the game.

7. Make Memories

Last but certainly not least, remember to soak in the ambiance and make memories. Whether it’s capturing the race’s high-speed moments with your camera, having a picnic on the lush grounds, or simply reveling in the joy of the event with friends and family, ensure you create moments you’ll cherish for years to come.

In summary, the Santa Anita Breeders’ Cup is more than just a horse race—it’s an experience, a festival, and a display of equine brilliance. As you look forward to the weekend, remember that enjoyment doesn’t solely come from picking the winning horse. It comes from the laughter you share, the food you taste, the music you dance to, and the memories you make. Embrace the entirety of what the Breeders’ Cup offers, and you’re guaranteed a weekend like no other.

Nowadays, the first two Classics of the season, the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas, are staged on the Saturday and Sunday of the Guineas Festival at Newmarket in late April or early May. The 2,000 Guineas, which is open to three-year-old colts and fillies, was established by the Jockey Club on April 18, 1809. The 1,000 Guineas, which is restricted to three-year-old fillies, followed five years later on April 28, 1814.

Both races are run over a mile on the Rowley Mile Course and took their names from the prize money originally awarded to the respective winners; until the adoption of decimal currency, a guinea was a money of account, standardised at a value of twenty-one shillings. However, since 2001, both races have offered identical prize money, currently guaranteed at £500,000, of which £223,550 goes to the winner.

Both races owe their existence to Sir Charles Bunbury, who became a senior steward at the Jockey Club in 1768 and susbequently adopted the role of ‘perpetual president’. Of course, Bunbury is also credited with co-founding the Derby, alongside Lord Derby, Edward Smith-Stanley, in 1780, but continued to exert a major influence on horse racing until well into the nineteenth century. The other British ‘Classics’, the St. Leger and the Oaks, were first run in 1776 and 1779, respectively, but were not designated as such until after the inaugural running of the 1,000 Guineas.

Of course, the first Group 1 races of the British Flat season are the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas, run over the Rowley Mile at Newmarket in late April or early May. However, both races are restricted to three-year-olds, colts and fillies in the case of the 2,000 Guineas and fillies only in the case of the 1,000 Guineas.

The first Group 1 race of the season open to horses aged four years and upwards is the Lockinge Stakes, which is run over a straight mile at Newbury in mid-May. Named after the village of Lockinge, approximately 20 miles north of Newbury, near Wantage, in the Vale of the White Horse district of Oxfordshire, the Lockinge Stakes was inaugurated in 1958.

Following the creation of the European Pattern in 1971, the Lockinge Stakes was assigned Group 2 status. Indeed, the race was demoted to Group 3 status in 1983, but was promoted again two years later and still further, to Group 1 status, in 1995. At that stage, the Lockinge Stakes was closed to three-year-olds, but has since become the showpiece of the Flat season at the Berkshire course, worth £350,000 in guaranteed prize money. Since 1995, the roll of honour includes Soviet Line, who won back-to-back renewals in 1995 and 1996, Frankel, who won on his 4-year-old debut in 2012 and, most recently, Cartier Champion Older Horse, Palace Pier, in 2021.