Category: Horse Racing

One of the most anticipated race weekends of England’s summer season will be headlined by the 2021 Darley Yorkshire Oaks on Thursday, August 19.

The winner of this year’s race will earn more than £220,000 in prize money, and Aidan O’Brien star Love looking to become the Yorkshire Oaks’ first back-to-back winner since 2002-03.

The defending champion may not be the favourite, however, considering another of O’Brien’s top fillies, Snowfall, is in frame to lead his list of contenders at the York meet.

SportQuestion.com dissects a selection of the leading horses likely to challenge for the top prize in the Darley Yorkshire Oaks, including one veteran who’s yet to race thus far in 2021.

Snowfall (4/7)

Enable became the most recent horse to win the Yorkshire Oaks on two occasions following victories in 2017 and 2019, and Snowfall can spoil Love’s party if the 4/7 favourite succeeds at York.

Trainer Mathew Dawson’s record of nine Yorkshire Oaks victories may never be beaten, but O’Brien is at least climbing closer in the stakes as he eyes his sixth triumph in this race.

And Snowfall could be just the horse to do it after she’s won all three of her races so far in 2021, including her most recent success in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh in July:

The BBC quoted O’Brien following that result when he praised Snowfall as “very smart and she has a lot of quality,” and it’s difficult to disagree as she seeks to join her stable-mate in winning this race.

Love (4/1)

Next in line according to the horse racing experts is Love, a 4/1 shot who could be worth a gamble at those odds considering she’s already tasted Group 1 success at York in the past year.

In fact, it will be almost 12 months to the day since Ryan Moore rode Love to victory in the 2020 Yorkshire Oaks, where she demolished the field to finish five lengths clear of Alpinista.

While there’s sure to be a lot of bookmaker money going towards the clear favourite Snowfall, there’s rarely an occasions where the progeny of legendary Galileo should be overlooked.

Tarnawa (9/2)

Rounding the selection of top fillies likely to challenge for this particular crown, Tarnawa returns to British shores after touring France and the United States during the second half of 2021.

It was a hugely successful jaunt, too, as the five-year-old finished 2020 with a perfect four wins from four, with the last of those coming in the Breeders’ Cup Turf at Keeneland in November:

THE FILLY TAKES IT! Tarnawa wins the #BreedersCup Turf 🙌 @BreedersCup | #BC20 pic.twitter.com/Asa67DuD6Q

— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) November 7, 2020

Almost two years removed from her most recent defeat, there’s little about the horse that’s not to love, not to mention she’ll have the edge in experience over most of her peers in York.

Ring rust may be of some concern considering trainer Dermot Weld hasn’t ridden Tarnawa since November, but then again that long respite could cause concern for her opponents to come.

Unibet Stewards’ Cup – Odds Leaders

Team	Odds
Snowfall	4/7
Love	4/1
Tarnawa	9/2
Wonderful Tonight	13/2
Eshaada	10/1
Joan of Arc	10/1
Santa Barbara	12/1
Alpinista	12/1
Cayenne Pepper	14/1
Loving Dream	14/1

 

When it comes to the sport of kings, there is nothing more exhilarating than watching a dash for the finishing line and when it comes to those who are charged with training some of the best horses in the world, they are often asked one rather pertinent question.

That being just what breed is the best when it comes to racing and although the Thoroughbred will undoubtedly be viewed by many at the top of the list, there are countless other varieties of equine power to choose from.

With that said, it would certainly be remiss to suggest that the Thoroughbred of the species is not the dominant force when it comes to horse racing and with it being solely developed for this pursuit in particular, it stands to reason as to why it is so coveted.

The evolution of this breed came during the 17^th & 18^th century within the United Kingdom and with three horses being imported with an eye on being the fastest, the trio of the Byerley Turk, Darley Arabian and Godolphin Arabian played a huge part in what we know as a Thoroughbred today.

While not only are they known for their speed, but they are also highly intelligent horses at the same time and it is this combination of factors, which also provides them with an extra edge over the likes of an Arabian or Quarter Horse.

Not to mention the incredible horsepower that this breed can generate and the fastest ever speed that was recorded by a Thoroughbred was back in 2008, as Winning Brew raced past the timing gun at 43.97mph.

An incredibly impressive speed it must be said and also when you consider that they usually have a heigh of anywhere over 60 inches, it is one of the best examples of both pace and power in any sporting environment.

While across the United States, Thoroughbred races are highly popular with both the viewing public and punters alike and on any given race meeting, a considerable number of wagers are placed on this special breed of horse.

While in states like Pennsylvania, the ability to place a bet on high-profile races, has certainly caught the imagination of the State and an ever-increasing number of people are now looking to put their money where their mouth is.

Of course, it is not just the other side of the Atlantic Ocean which is home to the cream of the racing crop, as there are multiple courses within the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, and they also allow such sporting wares to be displayed on a regular basis.

Ask any top trainer worth their salt and they will wax lyrical about the prowess a Thoroughbred can offer and although this will always be the optimum choice when it comes to chasing a race win or two, there are handful of options that could also be considered for glory.

👑 “The General Stud Book has chronicled the exploits of Thoroughbred stallions for over 250 years. Galileo will forever stand amongst the greatest of them.”

One of a kind: the bloodstock world pays glowing tribute to the mighty Galileo 👉 https://t.co/n6uTfRmX3f pic.twitter.com/UPBWQCrHVw

— Racing Post Bloodstock (@rpbloodstock) July 11, 2021

One of those is the Appaloosa which originates from the USA and with it being a breed that contains not only the Thoroughbred but also the Arabian and Quarter Horse within its lineage, you can understand why it can hold its own on the racetrack.

At a range of 56 to 64 inches, it is not quite as tall as other breeds and for what it lacks in size, it certainly makes up in visual quality – if only because of their famous spotted coat pattern that they show off with pride.

Considered to be a rather versatile horse, the Appaloosa is just as adept on the flats than it is on the jumps and when you also account for just how friendly they are in terms of temperament, they are often a popular choice when it comes to breeding.

Of course, both the Arabian and the Quarter Horse cannot be ignored from the discussion either and when you consider that the former of the two can reach a top speed of 40mph, they are certainly no slouches when it comes to racing their rivals.

Although when it comes to the Arabian breed, their element to endure long distance rides should certainly not been forgotten either and although they may not have a blistering top speed, their ability to go further than the rest certainly sets them in good stead.

However, when it comes to the conversation of pace, the Quarter Horse is rather prominent in the discussion and with a maximum speed of 55mph, the term horsepower is one that seems incredibly fitting for such a magnificent breed.

The Breeders’ Cup is seen as the culmination of a hard season on the flat, and the action in 2021 will be taking place at Del Mar in November.

The race changes venue constantly and this time it will go to San Diego, California. You can check out some of the best Del Mar Race Track Horse Racing Tips here.

Stars from around the globe will be heading to the track in the United States later in the year to etch their names into the history books, but which horses are the early picks for some of the featured races that will be taking place at the Breeders’ Cup later in the season?

Essential Quality- Breeders’ Cup Classic

The Breeders’ Cup Classic is the race that all the American trainers will be looking to win this season. It is the final leg of the Grand Slam of racing in the United States and will likely attract some of the stars of the season that have already put down their markers in the Triple Crown races.

At this point, it looks hard to see anything other than another famous victory at the Breeders’ Cup for Essential Quality. The three-year-old has already tasted victory at the huge event in the past after winning the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile last year.

His perfect record was ended at Churchill Downs in the Kentucky Derby, but that defeat could be put down to poor luck. He returned to the track with a stunning run in the Belmont Oaks, as he renewed his rivalry with Hot Rod Charlie in a classic finish. Essential Quality showed his class in the closing stages to finish a length and a quarter ahead of his rival. And, we wouldn’t be surprised to see the same one-two once again at Del Mar.

Love- Breeders’ Cup Turf

The Breeders’ Cup Turf will almost inevitably be won by one of the European raiders making the trip to the United States. Of the current contenders, it would be hard to look past Love continuing her excellent form by showcasing her dominance on the turf with potentially the biggest win of her career.

She will be looking to join recent greats such as Enable and Found as filly/mare winners of this race, and it is hard to look past her chances. Trainer Aidan O’Brien has an excellent record in this race, having won six occasions in the past.

Love’s place in the race was assured with victory in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot, as she marked her return to the track with a victory over Audarya. That was her fourth straight victory, with her first win in that sequence coming in the 1000 Guineas.

She ended her 2020 campaign with victories in the Investec Oaks and Yorkshire Oaks. Her form this season has continued to blossom, and she looks a very solid contender for Del Mar.

Palace Pier- Breeders’ Cup Mile

Palace Pier is already regarded by many as the best horse in training in Europe. He will be able to show the rest of the world just how talented he is in the Breeders’ Cup Mile.

Frankie Dettori will be onboard the four-year-old. Dettori last won this race in 2018 with Expert Eye, and he will certainly be onboard the contender with the best chance in this year’s renewal. Palace Pier’s only defeat under rules came at Ascot in October last year, as he finished third behind The Revenant.

However, doubts surrounding his credentials at the course were routinely answered in June, as he won the Queen Anne Stakes in commanding fashion from Lope Y Fernandez.

That was his third group victory of the season, with his last two wins coming in Group 1s. His performance at Newbury in the Lockinge was professional, and he showed every inch of the same grit when winning at Royal Ascot.

Of course, to place a bet in Britain, without falling foul of the law, you must do so with a licensed bookmaker. Under normal circumstances or, in other words, COVID-19 restrictions permitting, you essentially have three options; online, in person, in a licensed betting shop, or in person, with an on-course bookmaker or the Tote.

For a good while recently betting shops were closed and racecourses devoid of spectators (though they’re now slowly gearing back up thankfully!), and hence bookmakers, because of COVID-19 restrictions, the online option has become increasingly popular in recent times. To place a bet online, you must open an account with an online bookmaker and fund that account by an appropriate payment method, such as a debit card or a digital wallet, such as Paypal or Skrill. Thereafter, you simply need to click on your selection(s), click the type of bet you wish to place and click to confirm placement.

There are sometimes additional perks that come bundled in with online bookies. For instance sign up bonuses, bet boosts, and various other offers and free bet incentives designed to lure you away from the competition. Some services, like Bet365 live racing, even let you watch free streams of races. A pretty substantial perk all things considered!

In a betting shop, the process of placing a bet largely mirrors that of online, but you need to write your selections, type of bet and stake on a betting slip, which you hand to a cashier, in return for a printed receipt. Payment is by cash or debit card. On the racecourse, you must to tell a bookmaker, or Tote cashier, the racecard number of your selection, type of bet and stake, again in return for a printed receipt. Traditionally, cash has been the ‘betting medium’ of choice on the racecourse, but debit card payments are increasingly accepted. Over the past year especially, paper money has understandably become less commonplace.