Epsom Racecourse© Photo Healy Racing
Spring is on the way, and with the pending arrival of the new Flat season, anticipation grows in horse racing circles. Spring is the time of year when warm-up races held around the world give way to the biggest events in the sport. Across the globe, the top names in racing are preparing for major events where a select few horses will race their way into the history books.
Horse race fans can use this promo code to stay up to date on the latest odds for all of the big races around the globe. This year will see thousands of horse races run, but these five events are the most anticipated of 2019.
Epsom Derby
In Britain it doesn’t get any bigger than the Derby. it is the richest race in their year and is run on the first Saturday in June. This year’s race will be held on Saturday, June 1st at Epsom racecourse. The race which was first run in 1780 draws the best three year old colts from around Europe for the £1.5 million prize.
The one mile four furlongs contest which has spawned copycat races around the world is still the one that all owners want to win and not just for the prize money. The winning colt is virtually guaranteed a lucrative career at stud after retiring from racing.
The Epsom Derby in 2018 has been ranked as the best three year old contest run anywhere in the world last year by the International Federation of Horseracing Authorities
Kentucky Derby
California Chrome won the 2014 Kentucky Derby and 2016 Dubai World Cup© Photo Healy Racing
The Kentucky Derby is to American horse racing what the Epsom Derby is to the UK. First held in 1875, the Kentucky Derby is the one horse race that crosses over to America’s mainstream culture.
The 2019 edition of the race will be held on Saturday, May 4th and it will kick off the Triple Crown of American horse racing. The purse has been raised for this year’s race to a whopping £2.31m ($3m).
Leading odds makers have installed Game Winner as this year’s early favourite. Game Winner is trained by legendary American trainer Bob Baffert. The legend has won five Kentucky Derbies and two Triple Crowns during his illustrious career.
Dubai World Cup
The Dubai World Cup is a new kid on the block in the sport of horse racing. It is all new money as the United Arab Emirate hosted event started in 1996. Its rise in the horse racing industry is combined with the increase in the UAE’s importance in the world.
What makes the Dubai World Cup one of the top races isn’t its history or tradition, but the prize money on offer. The 2019 event will take place on Saturday, March 30th with an astronomical £9.24m ($12m) given out in purse winnings.
Melbourne Cup
Horse racing fans must wait until November for the annual running of the Melbourne Cup. Held in conjunction with the Melbourne Cup Carnival, the horse race is considered the greatest two-mile event in the world.
Cross Counter is the current favourite despite the 2019 edition of the Melbourne Cup being months away. Although it is currently Australia’s second richest race, the Melbourne Cup still offers a purse of £4.02m ($5.21m).
The Melbourne Cup is open to older horses and attracts runners from all corners of the racing world.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe
Treve won back to back Arcs in 2013 and 2014© Photo Healy Racing
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is the biggest horse race in France. It is arguably also the biggest in Europe as it attracts competitors from all over the globe. The 97th edition of the race will be run on Sunday, October 6th.
The Prix de l’Arc is run at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris attracting Europe’s movers and shakers to the City of Love. In 2018, the Prix had a total prize pool of €5 million making it the richest race run in Europe. Like the Melbourne Cup the Arc is open to older horses and the winner each year is regarded as a true champion.
If you are considering placing bets on any of the above events in 2019 make sure to check out the betting offers available in your country.
