Major Horse Racing Events Betting Guide 2024

Horse racing enthusiasts and punters have recently found sufficient opportunities to bet on major horse racing events. From the Coral Scottish Grand National to the Breeders Cup, these events offer exciting prospects for seasoned fans and newcomers to horse racing betting.

Read on to discover more about these events and how you can maximize your betting experience.

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Major Horse Racing Events

Keep reading about the biggest horse racing events in the world that you will not want to miss as a fan and punter.

Coral Scottish Grand National

Simply the year’s iconic sporting day of jumps racing in Scotland, the Coral Scottish Grand National isn’t an event to be missed by any racing fan and sports bettor placing bets with top horse racing bookmakers.

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With eight races, top trainers, the world’s best jockeys, and the very best in equine talent, you will want to be part of the Coral Scottish Grand National action.

Taking place over four miles with a maximum of 30 horses jumping 27 fences, this racing event isn’t only ideal for viewers who enjoy a crowd’s electric atmosphere but also provides punters with a wide range of markets and options to pick a horse racing winner.

Christian Williams, a Welsh, has dominated the race in the previous two seasons, with Jack Tudor-ridden Kitty’s emerging as the victor in 2023. The same horse had given the trainer a memorable 1-2 in 2022, with a 2nd place behind Win My Wings.

With many other potential contenders with a globally recognised performance, you will not want to miss out on being part of this biggest fixture in Scotland in 2024.

Boodles May Festival

The Boodles May Festival is one of the premier horse racing majors events at Chester Racecourse. It will take place between 8th and 10th May. Each year, this illustrious festival attracts over 65,000 attendees, blending racing excitement with a vibrant social atmosphere.

Leading betting sites also cover the Boodles May Festival comprehensively, providing punters with many opportunities to use horse betting systems, place bets and enjoy the thrill.

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Eight winners of the previous races, including Ryan Moore, Frankie Dettori, and Ryan Sexton, will be looking to continue their imperious form into 2024.

With a history dating back to the early 19th century, this racing event boasts a rich tradition and heritage. It showcases world-class jockeys and horses competing in a range of prestigious races.

Chester’s unique racecourse’s short straights and tight turns present a challenging test for contenders, adding an element of unpredictability to the event’s races.

Kentucky Derby and 2000 Guineas

The Kentucky Derby will take place between 3rd and 4th May at Churchill Downs, Louisville, KY.

This racing event takes place on the same day as the 2000 Guineas. For both racing fans and punters who love a sense of occasion, the 2000 Guineas and Kentucky Derby offer enough hours to enjoy the races and place exciting bets.

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The 2000 Guineas racing event is the first English Classic of the season. It occurs at Newmarket. This year’s renewal promises to be the first stride on the road to the City of Troy’s history, a colt that could become the first horse to lift the Triple Crown in England since 1970.

Certainly, the City of Troy has the pedigree to achieve that. Justify, the colt’s sire, lifted the US Triple Crown in 2018. City of Troy’s juvenile battle marked him as the best Irish or UK-trained horse since Frankel.

Aidan O’Brien, his trainer, came close to winning the Triple Crown when Camelot lifted the 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby trophies before finishing second at St Leger in the final leg.

The Kentucky Derby is the US Triple Crown’s first leg. Each competitor that lines up for these races will do so in the hope of outdoing the likes of Justify.

Fierceness, The Breeders’ Cup Juvenile winner, is the early favourite for this year’s Kentucky Derby event. However, other top contenders still have time to show their competitiveness, and bettors can guess and pick outsiders in horse betting.

Epsom Derby

The Epsom Derby offers one of the world’s most impressive flat horse races. This earns it a rightful place as a highlight in the horse racing world.

The 2024 event will occur on 1st June 2024 at the famous Epsom Downs Racecourse. This renowned event attracts more than 100,000 viewers, crafting a captivating spectacle for aficionados both on-site and those livestreaming the event on their favourite sports betting platforms and other sites. 

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The event is always a huge occasion to showcase the top hats and tails in early June every year. Since the Triple Crown of Nijinsky in 1970, only three competitors have completed the Epsom Derby double, demonstrating how difficult a feat it is.

With stablemate Henry Longfellow looking like a potential and lively contender, the City of Troy is not likely to have things its own way. Also, Godolphin’s Group One-winning juvenile Classic Wisdom must be respected in this year’s event.

Breeders Cup

The Breeders Cup will take place between November 1st and 2nd at Del Mar, Del Mar, CA. It is the biggest end-of-year annual flat horse racing event.

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As the Climax of the US horse racing campaign and for many of the global flat horse racing championships, the event’s glamour and glitz attract almost 100,000 fans to the Breeders’ Cup courses and millions more to the online betting sites.

Who Are the Favourites to Win in These Horse Racing Events?

  • Coral Scottish Grand National: Conflated at odds of 9/1
  • Boodles May Festival: Ryan Moore to win the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle at odds of 7/1
  • Kentucky Derby and 2000 Guineas: City of Troy at odds of 7/1
  • Epsom Derby: City of Troy at odds of 7/1
  • Breeders Cup: Arabian Knight at odds of 9/4

Major Horse Racing Events FAQ

🐎 What are some major horse racing events in 2024?

The Coral Scottish Grand National, Boodles May Festival, Kentucky Derby, Epsom Derby, and Breeders Cup are some of the major events.

🐎 What types of bets can you place during horse racing events?

Popular bet types include Win, Exacta, Place, Trifecta, and Quartet or Superfecta.

🐎 How can one increase their bankroll during these horse racing events?

By picking recommended horse betting platforms and placing strategic bets, using strategies such as exotic bets.

🐎 What strategies can punters use to enhance their chances of winning during horse racing events?

One effective strategy is to study the Horse Racing Handicap, which provides valuable insights into each horse’s performance and potential. By analyzing the handicap, punters can make more informed betting decisions.

🐎 Why are the Kentucky Derby and 2000 Guineas significant racing events?

The Kentucky Derby and 2000 Guineas are significant racing events because they mark the beginning of the Triple Crown races in the United States and England, respectively, and attract top contenders aiming for prestigious victories.

What Can You Wager on During These Horse Racing Events?

Numerous types of bets are available to pick from. The main and most popular types are:

  • Win: Your bet wins if your horse of choice comes in the first place.
  • Exacta: The objective is to predict which two horses will finish among the top three.
  • Place: This bet requires you to pick a horse you expect to “place.” For your bet to be successful, your horse of choice must be among the first three to cross the finish line.
  • Trifecta: The goal is to predict the first three horses to complete the race in the correct order.
  • Quartet or Superfecta: With this bet, the objective is to forecast the first four horses to complete the race in the correct order.

With the high quality of horses set to be on show throughout these events, there will likely be a massive buzz when the best of the generations meet.

If you are a fan of major horse racing events and punter, you’ll enjoy some exciting moments as you increase your bankroll. Just pick a recommended horse betting platform to get started on the right track.

Zigmas Pekarskas

Co-Founder & CEO

Zigmas, the Co-Founder & CEO of SmartBettingGuide project, is known for his deep knowledge of poker, sports betting and casino games. He has been in the gaming world for a long time and brings a lot of experience to the table. Zigmas also is an iGaming content creator with more than 15 years of experience in the field. With over eight yea ..
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