It’s easy to get caught up in the UK racing scene on account that we all no doubt become very familiar with the national legends of the sport (Kauta Star, Frankel, Tiger Roll to name a few in recent years). There’s no shortage of horse racing action here across both the flat and the jumps season, and of course we have a whole range of races and festivals steeped in history that draw in the nation each and every year. The Grand National, Royal Ascot and Cheltenham Festival being, for many, the big three. They attract millions at home and abroad, and yet much in the same way that other nations are open to our ‘jewel in the crown’ races and festivals, we too should cast an eye to theirs.
One favourite place of mine in part due to travels and my online casino Australia fun, is Australia. Coincidentally a favourite race of mine is from there too. Yes, you’ve got it, it’s none other than the Melbourne Cup. This grade one event really is one to watch for die hard racing fans (with the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate also high on the list). With impressive prize money (8,000,000 Australian dollars) on offer this two miler attracts the cream of the crop of world racing and is the richest two miler handicap on the planet. Held at Flemington Racecourse, in Melbourne Australia, the first Melbourne Cup took place way back in 1861, which is proof positive of its prestige. It attracts television audiences of millions and 100,000+ on course (in pre-covid times!). Winner of the 2020 race was the Aidan O’Brien trained Anthony Van Dyck.
I’ve been known to play crazy vegas casino, and an interesting fact about Vegas is that it has no race track, and in fact no professional sports held there in general. This is quite the surprise considering how much sports betting (in addition to casino going) happens there. The US is certainly no stranger to racing though with the likes of Kentucky Derby and Preakness Stakes being two highlights. One of the main highlights of the horse racing calendar, for me, is the Belmont Stakes, held in June of each year. Part of the triple crown and run over 1.5 miles and nicknamed The test of the Champion, the race has a purse of an impressive $1,000,000 and was won last year by American thoroughbred Tiz the Law.