The Biggest Horse Races Around the UK

The Biggest Horse Races Around the UK

Horse racing is a year-round event which takes place on almost every single day in the calendar. Those involved enjoy a very brief break on Christmas Day before the action picks up again on December 26th.

That accessibility is one reason why horse racing is so popular among racegoers and also the betting community. There is no waiting around for the season to commence and, on 364 days of the year, there will be something to enjoy.

Some races will necessarily be more important than others and here is a guide to the UK’s biggest meetings.

The Grand National

Held on the iconic Aintree course on the first Saturday of April, the Grand National is a unique event in many ways. It is a test of endurance as each horse and jockey must jump 30 challenging fences around four miles and 500 yards of the circuit.

The National was first run in 1839 and it’s produced some unforgettable moments in British horse racing with Red Rum’s hat trick the most notable achievement.

This National is also a race that unites the entire betting community and the general public. If an individual places just one wager every year, chances are that it will be on this Aintree race. It’s a meeting that attracts global interest so, along with all UK operators, the best horse racing betting sites in India are among those who get heavily involved.

Markets will appear many months in advance of the race and they will continue to adjust until the Grand National gets underway. Websites such as Asiabet are among those who monitor horse racing betting and they offer a comprehensive look at the odds for all events.

Visitors to the site can assess those odds while reading supporting information such as breaking news stories and opinion articles, plus betting strategies and guides. Anyone wanting to stake can also get involved via the links.

All sportsbooks referenced by Asiabet will be willing to accept new players who complete a secure registration form. Once that’s been received, it’s likely that a generous welcome promotion will be released.

Funding operators are on standby to handle financial transactions while customers services can advise if necessary. Anyone looking to stake on a regular basis may also find ongoing promotions, together with live betting and mobile apps.

It’s a perfect partner for all forms of horse racing betting, but the Grand National isn’t the only big event on the schedule.

The Epsom Derby

The Epsom Derby was first run in 1780 which makes it one of the oldest organised sporting events in the world. This is widely considered to be the biggest flat race on the UK horse racing calendar and it is traditionally run on the first Saturday in June.

The Epsom Downs course in Surrey is the venue for a race open to three-year-old thoroughbreds. Although this race is on the flat, it’s an undulating and testing track with a distance of one mile, four furlongs and six yards.

Like the Grand National, the Derby has produced some dramatic races. The list of legendary winners includes racing royalty including Nijinsky, Shergar, Mill Reef, the Minstrel and Shirley Heights.

The Cheltenham Gold Cup

Serious racegoers may argue that the Cheltenham Gold Cup is a more prestigious race than the Grand National. Both are held over the jumps and, while the Gold Cup is a shorter race, it’s another test of skill and speed.

This race takes place at the end of the Cheltenham Festival which is arguably the most important meeting on the National Hunt calendar. It runs for four days in the middle of March each year and it gives way to a great summer of British sport.

Best of the Rest

Racegoers may consider the Grand National, the Derby and the Cheltenham Gold Cup as the ‘big three’ but there are many more top class UK meetings to enjoy. 

There are far too many to list in full but they would include the St Leger, the 1,000 Guineas, the 2,000 Guineas, the Welsh Grand National, the Scottish Grand National, the Ebor and the Oaks.

The big events form just part of a packed calendar, but they are the standout renewals in a busy schedule.