If there’s one thing that’s certain about horse racing, it’s that there are always big races to look forward to throughout the year with plenty of thrilling betting opportunities. Here are the upcoming highlights to look forward to for the rest of 2018.
Kentucky Derby
When: 4th May
Where: Churchill Downs, Kentucky, USA
Described as “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”, the Kentucky Derby has been raced every year since 1878 and is the 1st leg of the Triple Crown.
2,000 Guineas
When: 5th May
Where: Newmarket, United Kingdom
First raced in 1809, the 2,000 Guineas is a Group 1 race for 3-year-old fillies and colts contended over one mile on turf.
1,000 Guineas
When: 6th May
Where: Newmarket, United Kingdom
First run in 1814, the 1,000 Guineas is a Group 1 race for 3-year-old fillies raced over one mile on turf at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile.
The Oaks
When: 1st June
Where: Epsom, United Kingdom
Raced over a distance of 2420 metres on the grass track of Epsom Downs, The Oaks is a Group 1 race open for 3-year-old fillies.
The Derby
When: 2nd June
Where: Epsom, United Kingdom
The Derby was first run in 1780 and is Britain’s richest horserace. Contended over 2420 metres at Epsom Downs, the Derby is open to 3-year-old colts and fillies.
Royal Ascot
When: 19th-23rd June
Where: Ascot, United Kingdom
Dating back to 1711, every day of the Royal Ascot is started with a horse-drawn procession by the Royal Family and the whole event includes 8 Group 1 Races, which won’t leave you much time for real money slots!
Irish Derby
When: 30th June
Where: The Curragh, County Kildare, Ireland
As Ireland’s counterpart to The Derby, the Irish Derby is raced over a distance of 2414 metres and is open to 3-year-old colts and fillies.
King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes
When: 28th July
Where: Ascot, United Kingdom
Raced over a distance of 2414 metres, The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes is Britain’s most prestigious open-age Flat race.
St. Leger
When: 15th September
Where: Doncaster, United Kingdom. First raced in 1776, the St. Leger is contended by 3-year-old colts and fillies over a distance of 2921 metres.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe
When: 7th October
Where: Longchamp, Paris, France
With a 1st prize of $3.3 million from a purse of $6million, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe is the most prestigious and richest in Europe and is raced over 2400 metres.
British Champions Day
When: 20th October
Where: Ascot, United Kingdom
Offering over $5 million in prize money across 6 races, including 4 Group 1 events, the British Champions Day is the conclusion of the British Flat racing season.
Breeders Cup
When: 2nd-3rd November
Where: Churchill Downs, Kentucky, USA
Including a number of prestigious races including the Breeders’ Cup Classic, the Breeders Cup brings to a close the international thoroughbred season on the Flat.
Melbourne Cup
When: 6th November
Where: Flemington, Australia
Affectionately known as the “race that stops a nation”, the Melbourne Cup is the highlight of the Australian sporting calendar and is contended on turf over a distance of 3200 metres by 3-year-old colts and fillies.
Enjoy the rest of the 2018 horseracing season!
