With a new year comes a new horse racing calendar to look forward to, and in 2019 there are plenty of exciting events taking place. Two of the biggest events are Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, but 2019 has plenty in store for horse racing enthusiasts throughout the year from jumps racing to flat race events.
Cheltenham Festival
In March, the Cheltenham Festival takes place and is a leading event in the racing calendar for people all over the world. 2019 is a particularly important year for this event though, as last September it was reunited with the original Gold Cup trophy that was previously in private ownership since 1971. This year will be the first since then that it will be presented to the winner of the steeplechase event. Cheltenham is a great event with plenty of entertainment, live music, champagne bars and, of course, exhilarating horse racing. With betting companies looking forward to a majority of these events, Cheltenham at Timeform is especially exciting as so many people get involved.
Grand National
The Grand National at Aintree Racecourse is the highlight of April and appeals to horse racing enthusiasts from far and wide. It’s the most prestigious jump race in Europe and involves a four-mile, thirty-fence handicap steeplechase that’s adrenalin -inducing for anyone watching. Because of the difficulty of the course, this event is a real test of both the horse and the rider, with many amazing runnings over the years in the bid to win the £1 million in prize money.
Guineas Festival
Held in Suffolk, the Guineas Festival takes place in May and the big race has a purse of £500, 000 in prize money. The 2,000 Guineas is the first leg of the Triple Crown, followed by the Derby and the St Leger.
Royal Ascot
Royal Ascot takes place in June and is Europe’s largest flat festival, with horses from all over the world competing. Royal Ascot is renowned for being a glamorous and sophisticated event, attracting A-list celebrities and royalty who come to enjoy the high-class racing as jockeys compete to win the £7.3 million in prize money. Even the Queen never misses this event, having witnessed it in person every year throughout her reign.
Epsom Derby
Taking place in Surrey in June, the Epsom Derby – often referred to as The Derby – is an iconic event that has inspired so many other races around the world. It’s deemed the Greatest Flat Race in the World and is the pinnacle of racing in Epsom. The big race of the meeting is also the richest horse race in Britain, but there’s also the Coronation Cup and Oaks to enjoy.
Glorious Goodwood
Held in the beautiful Sussex countryside, Glorious Goodwood is a highlight of the flat season where fans can enjoy five days of fantastic racing. The big race of Day One is the Goodwood Cup but it’s the £1 million Sussex Stakes on Day Two that really draws in the crowds. Day Four sees the King George Stakes take place before the Stewards Cup finishes off a brilliant five days of racing.
