Sports Then and Now

With the big day just around the corner, there’s going to be a lot of punters looking to get some money involved with Grand National 2018 betting. Of course, if you’re looking to make your money back, it couldn’t hurt to check out the Betfair Grand National tips to see who the favourite is. Of course, not all bets made at the Grand National are solely for the sake of winning money. Some of the bets are placed with the intention of raising money for charity. One specific, and very appropriate, charity: the Injured Jockey’s Fund.

The Injured Jockey’s Fund first appeared in the 1960’s under the influence of John Oaksey. Well, his full name was John Geoffrey Tristram Lawrence, 4th Baron Trevethin and 2nd Baron Oaksey, but for obvious reasons he went by John Oaksey. Oaksey came from nobility but became a jockey because he really enjoyed riding horses and was encouraged in doing what he loved by his father. Oaksey also worked as the racing correspondent for the Daily Telegraph which meant he could report on his races first hand, including a memorable instance in 1963 where he reported directly on what was happening in a race that he lost by barely a quarter of a length. This reporting is still hailed by some as one of the finest pieces of sports writing in the world. Read the rest of this entry →

The W.S. Cox Plate is one of the highlights of the Australian Spring Racing Calendar: the exceptional Moonee Valley circuit overlooks the city’s skyline and puts race goers as close to the action as is possible. The race, dubbed as one in which legends are made, is run over weight-for-age conditions, and stands as Australia’s premier horse racing event.

Mark the Date, Horse Racing Fans

The Cox Plate is set to take place on Saturday the 28^th of October this year, the second day of the two-day carnival that Moonee Valley race track puts together, along with the Group One Manikato Stakes, run over 1 200 meters, the night before the Cox Plate. Eight races will be run on the Friday evening, and then ten more the following day. So, whatever you have in mind for this year’s race, whether it’s a little Cox Plate betting or just the fun of watching the extravagant race-day outfits and spectacular races, this article outlines everything you need to know. Read the rest of this entry →

The day ought to have been another cheerful competition, but destiny had its way by adding an additional Grand National event into the books of history. It was in 1956 with a horse named Devon Loch owned by HM Queen Elizabeth. The name of the Rider was Dick Francis and these characters all made up this historical event.

Dick And The Scars Of Devon Loch

Irrespective of having 2 former champions and a forthcoming champion in the steeplechase on this very day, Devon Loch was favored for showing his capability by winning two times that year and being a third runner-up at the Cheltenham that same season. Just as one would have hoped to predict from the horse racing grand national – everything was adding up for a blow at the trophy. There came a boost for his headway when two of the people’s favorites stumbled – leaving just M’as-tu-vu at the forefront and Devon coming sound somewhere in the middle. This horse didn’t encounter any difficulty getting past these obstacles except for when trying to diverge to pass a horse that collapsed before him during the opening circuit. Read the rest of this entry →

Outlander has looked strong in the events leading up to Chetlenham on March 17th.

With the Cheltenham Races drawing closer each day, people are taking strong notice of the various horses set to run. The races always draw a big crowd of course, but it’s also one of the most popular times for placing bets. With the Bet365 Cheltenham non-runner no bet offer, at least you know you’re guaranteed to get a refund if your horse doesn’t end up running.

So, who is looking good this year? One horse that is standing out as an early contender is Outlander.

Could Outlander Take Top Spot?

Of course, nothing is for certain, but with the race taking place on March 17 it makes sense to start looking at favourites. Many are calling Outlander as the main contender in the race, and he is believed to be able to beat both Don Poli and Empire Of Dirt, who just so happen to be his stablemates. Owned by Michael O’Leary, he sees the horse as their “main chance” at winning the cup as well.

It’s making it much easier for race watchers, and Outlander’s owner, to make these bold statements thanks to the fact that Outlander trains in the same yard as the other top contenders – Empire Of Dirt and Don Poli. It’s easy to make comparisons when they are sharing space and training at the same time.

Outlander is also coming off a career-best performance that happened during Christmas as the Lexus Chase when he won. Obviously, that puts him and his team in a very confident position heading into Cheltenham. As for the odds, right now the nine year old horse is sitting at 14-1 odds heading into the Gold Cup race.

Now despite his odds at looking good for Cheltenham, he won’t run at Aintree. Read the rest of this entry →

American Pharoah is the first horse racing Triple Crown winner in 37 years.

After 37 years and many close calls, it might have been fair to believe that horse racing in the 21st Century was not destined for a Triple Crown winner. However, that was before American Pharoah did what 13 previous horses could not since Affirmed in 1978 and added victory at the Belmont Stakes to wins at the Kentucky Derby and Preakness.

With his wire-to-wire victory, American Pharoah is now the 12th member of an impressive club that began with Sir Barton in 1919 and also includes well known horses including Secretariat, Affirmed, Citation, Whirlaway and War Admiral.

While much has been made of the 37 year drought, perhaps the real number to indicate just how challenging it is to win the Triple Crown is that American Pharoah is just the fourth winner in the last 67 years. In fact, if you set aside the anomaly between 1973 and 1978 when there were three Triple Crown winners in a six year stretch, American Pharoah accomplished what 20 horses had not been able to complete since Citation in 1948.

That both jockey Victor Espinoza (twice) and trainer Bob Baffert (three times) had been in this position previously gave both of them an interesting perspective and understanding of the pressure and extra demands surrounding a run for the Triple Crown.

Of course, the different component of the equation in 2015 was the horse and American Pharoah proved that he was up to the challenge. That he headed right to the front and then stayed there throughout, actually growing his lead over the final quarter mile, illustrated that he was indeed a champion worthy of immortality. Read the rest of this entry →

Churchill Downs is the most famous horse track in America.

Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky is one of the most recognizable track names in the U.S. Opening in 1875, this über famous racetrack has been the home of the Kentucky Derby and Oats ever since the race’s founding, and many other races throughout history. The closing of two earlier tracks in Kentucky paved the way for Churchill Downs to replace them in a major way. As one of the most popular sports at the time, Kentucky needed a horse racing track, and a man named Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. delivered. The track is actually named after the men who leased the land to Clark, John and Henry Churchill.

By 1902, Churchill Downs came under the control of a man named Matt Winn, who turned the track into a prestigious display of thoroughbred racing, steering away from its late-1800s reputation of being a gambling site. Being a 1 ¼ mile track, Winn and his business partners decided to use the track for more than just horses. They built a clubhouse, and began using the facility for things like auto racing and concerts. The reputation, sophistication, and discernment of Churchill Downs came to full realization when it was officially staked as a National Historic Landmark in 1986.

Today, the track is still home of the most famous horse races in North America, and continues to expand its capabilities and pliability by introducing events like night horse races, concert tours, and state fairs. The track has reached a total size of 147 acres, far exceeding its original size of 80 acres. This allows for the 150,000 attendants of the Derbies, especially the Kentucky Derby, and the sizable crowds that come for the 360° cinema. Read the rest of this entry →