After a rather long break, the world of horse-racing is set to make a triumphant return to our TV sets. The build-up to the Grand National, one of the biggest sporting events of the year, has seen punters flock to sports betting exchanges and continue their passion for horse-racing. With so much enthusiasm behind the National Hunt scene, it seems only a matter of time before the mainstream sports industry jumps on board.
The growth of eSports, the rise of social media and the development of sophisticated betting algorithms have all contributed to the evolution of the sports betting market. Today, sports betting is a multi-billion-dollar industry, dominated by a handful of companies who also control the majority of the horse-racing betting in the UK. But the future of gambling is bright; as the country continues to legalize sports betting and new technology evolves, the opportunity for smaller niche bookmakers to carve out a niche in the market grows.
Why Now?
With the build-up to the biggest horse-racing event of the year underway, it’s no surprise that people are flocking to place bets. The Grand National is one of the most prestigious events in British sport, attracting huge crowds and making for one of the most exciting times in Britain in the lead-up to the big day. But for those who want to continue betting on the excitement, there are plenty of other big sporting events taking place across the UK and Ireland this year.
But for those who want to continue betting on horse racing after the event has finished, they’ll have to wait a little while. It takes time for the results of big sporting events to trickle through to the betting systems, so after the thrill of the actual competition has faded, it can be a little dry in the betting world for a while.
Then there’s the small matter of the UK gambling laws to consider. While it is perfectly acceptable to be a sports fan and also enjoy a flutter on the horses, it’s not necessarily legal for individuals to gamble. The government has made it clear that they wish to restrict the majority of gambling taking place in the UK to real-money bets only, so after the excitement of the big day has died down, it will be a while before the bookmakers can offer their real-world financings services to UK customers. That is, until the government gets around to changing the law, at which point everything will be allowed, including eSports and fantasy sports betting.
The Biggest National Hunt Races This Year
This year, the biggest national hunt races take place across the UK and Ireland during the winter and spring, so there will be plenty of opportunity to bet on the sport you love. Here’s a look at the five biggest races, and the dates they will take place:
April 23: The Cheltenham Gold Cup (pre-dawn start, UK)
The Cheltenham Gold Cup is one of the most exciting races of the year, held annually in April at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. The competition is named after the famous Cheltenham Gold Cup, an annual race which began in 1934 and was originally restricted to horses aged three or older. The event is now open to all ages and breeds, with 14 races taking place over four days. The winner of the cup will be decided by a random drawing of all the horses’ placings, with the first having the best odds. The event is broadcast live on BBC One and the BBC Sports website.
June 9: The Grand National (1600-1800, UK)
The Grand National is one of the biggest and most exciting sporting events of the year, and it’s back! After a five-year hiatus, the return of the Grand National is sure to excite both sports fans and horse-racing enthusiasts. It is a fourteen-race event, which starts on Friday and continues on Saturday and Sunday. The final three races are designated as the “championship” races, with all the others serving as ‘sub-championship’ events. In addition to the main event, there are also a number of one-day events which take place leading up to the big day. The winner of the Grand National will be decided by a random drawing of all the horses’ placings, with the first having the best odds.
September 22: The Champion Hurdle (1600, UK)
The Champion Hurdle is a Grade 1 race held annually in September at the famous Scottish racing venue, Ayr Racecourse. The twelve-race event features a number of top-rated horses from across the pond and also takes in a host of Irish and English challengers. The first three races are scheduled for Friday, with the final nine taking place on Saturday. The event is broadcast live on Sky Sports and the BBC Sports website.
November 5: The St. Leger (1200, UK)
The St. Leger is one of the most important races of the year, named after the legendary St. Leger Stakes, a ten-race event which takes place in November and was first run in 1867. The event is held at the famous Epsom Downs Racecourse in Surrey. As with many other UK horse racing festivals, the ten-race St. Leger competition features a variety of breeds, including Thoroughbreds, Clydesdales, Lincolns, and more. The winner of the St. Leger will be decided by a random drawing of all the horses’ placings, with the first having the best odds. The ten-race event is broadcast live on ITV and the BBC Sports website.
January 28: The Cheltenham Gold Cup (dawn-dusk, UK)
Finally, we have the Cheltenham Gold Cup, restricted to horses aged five or six and held annually in January at the prestigious Cheltenham Festival. This year, a host of exciting newcomers will challenge the pre-eminent King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Racing takes place over three days, with the first three races being held on the Friday, with the last three taking place on the Sunday. The winner of the cup will be decided by a random drawing of all the horses’ placings, with the first having the best odds.
Although there is still plenty to look forward to in terms of national hunt racing, it’s fair to say that the majority of the excitement will happen before, during and just after the five big races we’ve discussed above. But for those who are looking to continue their betting activity after the event has finished, they’ll have to wait a while before the action heats up again. It’s going to be a while before UK sports betting law allows for all-ages, all-breed or fantasy betting. But that’s a conversation for another day.