The Top Horse Racing Events to Bet on in 2018

View from the grandstand is always stunning

Horse race betting is big business, with over $100 billion wagered annually across 52 countries. The thrill of the race, combined with the opportunity to back your favourites based on research or guesswork, are the reasons that horse race betting is a popular pastime for both racing fans and the public alike. The growing popularity of horse race betting has led to an increasing number of online sites to wager on, and many of these now offer markets on daily races. Still, the biggest events always offer the most opportunities to bet.

For flat racing, the 1000 and 2000 Guineas are always highly entertaining. The 2000 Guineas take place in May at Newmarket on the one-mile Rowley Mile course. It is open to 3-year-old colts and fillies, though no filly has won the event since 1944. Saxon Warrior is the current favourite to win the event, set to take down the Epsom Derby.

In shorter-distance races, it is Aidan O’ Brien who looks set to take the races by storm in 2018 with his triple entry of Happily, September and Clemmie, though experts have doubts that this particular selection can run the distance even in shorter events.

Although the sprint and flat race events are often a quieter option for betting, jumping is what gets the crowd’s hearts pounding in their chests. Flat racing may be a better option for horse racing fanatics looking to make a profit in 2018, but jumping events attract larger markets. And more surprises can happen, which give outsiders a shot.

The biggest jumping race in the U.K. and one of the most popular in the world is the Grand National. This is the event that pulls in punters who otherwise would never have a bet on the horses. Held this year on the 7^th April, Black Lion is the current favourite to win with 10/1 odds on BetStars. Other hopefuls include Total Recall and Definitely Red, but if you fancy an outside bet, Vincente is a solid option at 28/1 odds.

The Grand National may be the most well-known jumping race, but as a handicap race, it is not necessarily where all the best class racers can be found. The real talent attends the Cheltenham Gold Cup, which is considered the best race on the National Hunt calendar. This epic race takes place over three miles and two and a half furlongs, and racers must jump a total of 22 fences to make the finish line. This year’s favourite is Might Bite with 10/3 odds.

Over in the USA, the Kentucky Derby is always an event that demands attention and is part of the American Triple Crown. Taking place on the Churchill Downs Racetrack, this one-mile, two-furlong race has been going since 1875. Betting experts have offered Good Magic, ridden by J. Ortiz, as one prediction for a winner.

What better race recommendation to end on than Australia’s own Melbourne Cup on the Flemington Racecourse in Victoria? Held on the first Tuesday of November, the two-mile race is the biggest in Australia, with attendance regularly well over the 100,000 mark. In addition to prestige, it offers large cash prizes.

Category: Betting