Also Interesting
The UK’s Best Horse Racing Events
We all know that football is the main sport in the United Kingdom, but did you know that horse racing is the UK’s second most popular spectator sport?
Every year over six million fans click through the turnstiles at racecourses up and down the country, making horse racing much more popular than cricket and rugby.
In this article we take a look at five of the best horse racing events in the UK – the ones that make horse racing so popular with the Great British public. Think we’ve left an event out? Let us know in the comments section below.
The Cheltenham Festival
When? Tuesday, 15th March – Friday, 18th March
Where? Cheltenham, Gloucestershire
Normally scheduled to coincide with St. Patrick’s Day, the Cheltenham Festival is not just a highlight on the sporting calendar but on the social one too. Over 260,000 people flock to the Gloucestershire venue to watch the sport’s best jockeys battle it out for a share of the £4 million purse.
There are 28 races stretching out over 4 days with the most famous being the Cheltenham Gold Cup which is held in the same regard as winning an Olympic Gold Medal. The favourites for this year’s Gold Cup are A Plus Tard, Galvin and Minella Indo.
Where there is horse racing, there is most certainly betting. Every single year, thousands of punters bet on Cheltenham and some win fairly substantial amounts of money.
Royal Ascot
When? Tuesday, 14th June – Saturday, 18th June
Where? Ascot, Berkshire
Perhaps the most famous racecourse in the UK, Royal Ascot plays host to a five day Flat racing meeting every June which hosts 18 Group races. The racecourse was founded in 1711 by Queen Anne when she visited the area and decreed that the heath looked, ‘ideal for horses to gallop at full stretch.’
Since then it has become traditional for British royalty to visit the annual event. In fact, many of Queen Elizabeth II’s horses can be seen racing at the five-day Royal Ascot event. They are identified by their distinctive purple body with gold braid colours.
The Gold Cup which is held on the third day of the event is the most prestigious and is currently held by Subjectivist who upset Stradivarius to romp to success.
The Grand National
When? Tuesday, 7th April – Saturday 9th April
Where? Aintree Racecourse, Merseyside
The Grand National was founded by William Lynn in 1829 with the first running happening in 1836 when The Duke won the inaugural event. The modern day Grand National is the culmination of a three-day race event held in Aintree, Merseyside.
It is widely regarded as the most challenging race on this British calendar and sees competitors fight it out over a 4 miles and 514 yards and 16 fences, 14 of which are jumped over twice. It’s no wonder then that around 60% of the horses that start the race never make it to the finish line.
Red Rum, who won a historic treble in 1973, 1974 and 1977 is probably the most famous horse to have run the course at Aintree. Minella Times, last year’s winner made history as it became the first horse to be ridden by a female to win the Grand National.
(Rachel Blackmore made history in 2021 riding Minella Times to Grand National victory.)
Epsom Derby
When? Friday, 3rd June – Saturday, 4th June
Where? Epsom Downs, Surrey
First inaugurated in 1780, the Epsom Derby is a Group 1 flat race open to three-year-old colts and fillies. It has a purse of £1.125 million and is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in the country.
In recent years however it has morphed into more of a social event than a sporting event with the prizes for best-dressed, celebrity guests and musical performances taking as many headlines as the racing action.
The Epsom Derby is also home to the self-proclaimed ‘Greatest Flat Race in The World’ which is some claim!
The Scottish Grand National
When? Friday, 1st April
Where? Ayr Racecourse, Ayrshire
When it comes to great races in the UK, the action isn’t just limited to England, there are great meets all over the UK. The Scottish Grand National however, is one of the best races outside of England in the calendar.
Inaugurated in 1867 this Grade 3 National Hunt steeplechase is full of drama and intrigue with horses racing over a distance of 4 miles and running 27 fences. If you love the Aintree Grand National you’ll love the Scottish Grand National too.
In terms of the purse, there is slightly less money on offer to winners but if anything, that opens up the field and adds more excitement to the race.
Also Interesting
Blue Jays Keep The Hot Stove Burning After Massive December Moves
The Toronto Blue Jays are certainly keeping things interesting this winter. While the calendar might say late December, the front office shows no signs of slowing down. They have already made waves across MLB with some massive acquisitions earlier in the month.
Rather than packing it in for the holidays, the management team is seemingly working overtime. Their goal is to build a roster that can truly compete for a championship in 2026.
Although there are no more signing announcements for the end of the year, the silence is likely temporary. Reports indicate that the team is actively pursuing several more roster improvements before the new year begins.
A Rotation Built To Dominate
The team made their intentions clear in early December. They successfully signed Dylan Cease to a massive seven-year, $210 million contract. This deal, which became official around December 8, instantly transforms the Toronto rotation into one of the strongest in MLB.
Moreover, they did not stop with just one big arm. The front office added significant depth by bringing in KBO MVP Cody Ponce on a three-year deal worth $30 million. This gives the team a level of stability that was missing in previous seasons.
With such dramatic changes to the roster, fans might be looking for a clear overview of licensed Ontario sportsbooks to understand how these moves have impacted the team’s championship odds. It is certainly a different looking team than the one that ended the last season.
Targets for the Bullpen and Lineup
It seems that the focus has now shifted from the starting rotation to other needs. Agents around the league note that the Jays remain “everywhere” in trade talks. The priority is now on finding high-leverage arms and position players to round out the squad.
The front office is reportedly looking at several specific targets:
- Robert Suarez is a primary target to help lock down the late innings.
- Luke Weaver is being considered to add veteran versatility to the staff.
- Depth pieces for the lineup are being sought to support the core hitters.
- Internal extensions remain a key part of the winter strategy.
Due to the heavy spending on Cease and Ponce, these next moves will likely be strategic. The team is looking for the right fit to complement their new stars.
The Future of the Infield and Management
Conversations are actively continuing with free agent Bo Bichette. Bringing him back is a major topic of discussion among the fanbase, even if no deal is imminent yet. Furthermore, the team has been linked to prospect Kyle Tucker, suggesting they are keeping an eye on the future as well as the present.
Manager John Schneider has also expressed optimism regarding his own contract extension. However, he made it clear that building the team comes first. Therefore, while the heavy lifting might seem done, the work continues behind the scenes.
To be sure, the MLB offseason is long. But the Toronto Blue Jays have started fast, and they seem determined to finish strong.
Also Interesting
BCU Financial: A Trusted Credit Union for the Ukrainian Community in Canada
We wanted to know what to do if you came to Canada for temporary or permanent residence. Many Ukrainians have arrived in the country, and many don’t know where to begin their financial journey. People often turn to traditional banks, where they encounter problems due to a lack of language skills and basic understanding of Canadian financial processes. We found an alternative – a credit union in Toronto. Today, we’ll look at one of the most well-known and learn more about what they have to offer Ukrainians.
What is a Credit Union in Toronto
These organisations differ from the typical bank for Ukrainians. They offer more flexible conditions, convenient online management, and a personalised approach.
However, these organisations are just as safe and reliable as banks. Let’s look at reliability using the example of the well-known BCU Financial:
- With over 70 years on the market. This credit union in Toronto has a dedicated client base with decades of experience.
- Extensive experience. Indeed, over more than 7 decades, its specialists have become experts in financial matters.
- Branches available. You can visit the office for face-to-face interaction.
- Active in the social life of the Ukrainian community. Buduchnist Credit Union provides financial support to schools, churches, and communication centres for Ukrainian newcomers.
As you can see, such companies have stability and experience. Now let’s look at how they differ from banks in financial matters.
Ukrainian Credit Union Toronto: Differences from a Traditional Bank
Firstly, such organizations welcome a personalized approach to Ukrainians. They are more flexible when it comes to obtaining a loan. Newcomers in Canada are working on receiving a good credit history. Banks always request one when reviewing a loan application.
Secondly, you can receive advice in your native language. Most Canadian banks don’t have multilingual consultants and respond only to inquiries in English or French. If, for example, you need help with a scholarship card, you’ll have to call a translator.
Third, you’ll get more flexible and understated banking for Ukrainians. It includes the ability to submit an app online. It provides such services as ordering credit cards, applying for a loan, or opening an account.
Conclusions
Credit unions are much easier for Ukrainians to work with. They speak your language, can provide advice on finances and their specific needs in Canada, and offer flexible terms. They also provide full-fledged online banking, so familiar to Ukrainians. You also become part of the community because, as a credit union member, you are, to a certain extent, its co-owner.
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