After COVID-19 ran amok within sports, including global horse racing, many top races were cancelled or delayed in 2020.
Luckily enough, we have been able to salvage plenty and many of the major events are still due to be run from August on.
One Classic Remains in the UK
Prize money has been a bone of contention over the pond, but while racing has had to take place behind closed doors the Brits have still been able to celebrate a good return to racing so far.
In what has been a very concertinaed season after a June 1 restart, the UK has already seen action at Royal Ascot, The Derby, The Oaks, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, the Eclipse, the King George and now Glorious Goodwood.
With the bigger events already over, horse racing betting apps in the UK are looking for a profitable summer, and there is still plenty of good action to come.
Britain has five Classics, akin to the US Triple Crown, and one of those remains in the shape of the St Leger Stakes at Doncaster on Saturday September 12.
Before that comes the richest handicap race in Europe, the Ebor at neighbouring York Racecourse, the historic venue hosting this iconic race on Saturday August 22.
Australia & Europe’s Two Biggest Events Still On
From England’s biggest two-mile handicap to Australia’s. The historic Melbourne Cup, known locally as “the race that stops a nation” takes place down under at Flemington on Tuesday November 3. This long-distance cavalry charge carries a total purse of over $5.5million with prize money going right down to 12th place.
Before that, on the first weekend in October, Europe’s most prestigious race is run in Paris at Longchamp, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
A Group 1 (Grade I) over 1½ miles on the famed turf course, the Arc will feature the best of the best in Europe as well as potentially Japan. Enable, the Queen of the Turf, goes for a historic third title and a fourth successive appearance in the event before likely being retired at the end of the year.
Even if Enable doesn’t make it Stateside, there will no doubt be a strong Arc presence in the Breeders’ Cup so it remains a result to keep a keen eye on.
Triple Crown Still to be Decided
Here in the States, all the major honors are yet to be handed out. There could yet be a Triple Crown winner, after the order of the series was changed allowing only the reduced distance Belmont Stakes to take place to this point.
The winner in New York was Tiz The Law who remains favored for the rescheduled Kentucky Derby, set now for September 5. An event with plenty of history, The Derby may yet be allowed to be run with fans packed in at Churchill Downs which would be some sight to see.
After the Kentucky Derby in this strange year comes the Preakness Stakes at Pimlico on October 3. The temporary third leg of the Triple Crown is run on the same weekend as the Arc in Europe, with both races providing major clues for this year’s Breeders’ Cup World Championships.
Breeders’ Cup to End a Weird Year in Style
The Breeders’ Cup remains in its familiar position, run on the first Friday and Saturday in November (6 & 7) at Keeneland, and should be a fitting climax to what has been a troubling season for breeders, owners and trainers right around the world.
The highlight of the weekend is naturally the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the 2019 race having been won in style by Vino Rosso. The 1¼-mile event goes a long way to crowning the Horse of the Year and, given that they have been given time to mature with a delayed Triple Crown, it could even go to a sophomore which is usually a rare event.
Maximum Security, Authentic, Honor AP, Mucho Gusto and Tom’s D’ Etat could all feature.
The supporting races are endless, with Future Stars Friday encompassing all the juvenile events on one card before Saturday shows of the best of the older talent from around the States and the world.
The Breeders’ Cup Turf over 1½ miles carries the second-highest purse, while the Mile is another turf race which should attract the best of what Europe has to offer in what is a strong division over there this year too.
Champion British juvenile Pinatubo is set for the Mile, while Mohaather, Kameko and Palace Pier are all potential superstars.
The 2021 Breeders’ Cup is due to be staged at Del Mar, though races are still under the scope there after some controversies in the past which we hope can be ironed out well in time.
