Aidan O’Brien

On this page you find articles on Aidan O’Brien and sports betting in general.

Royal Ascot 2018 Top Trainer and Jockey Betting – Horse Racing Odds June 19-23

O'Brien and Moore are odds-on to dominate Royal Ascot again

There are a number of specials surrounding next week's Royal Ascot. The most popular are traditionally the markets surrounding Top Trainer and Top Jockey, though there are odds-on favourites in both. Aidan O'Brien has been Top Trainer at the Royal meeting for the past four years and a powerful team has been assembled to ensure the master of Ballydoyle takes the lion's share of the prize money again. O'Brien amassed a record tally of 28 Group or Grade 1 winners in 2017 and has already sent out two UK classic winners this season in Saxon Warrior and Forever Together. Rhododendron, U S Navy Flag, Hydrangea and Order Of St George are just a few of the stars that the Irish trainer will be sending over. Coral are among those layers offering 1/2 that O'Brien is top dog again this year but the Cashel-based team is not the only one expecting the winners to flow at Royal Ascot next week. John Gosden will run Cracksman and also has high hopes for the likes of Without Parole, Stream Of Stars, Lah Ti Dar and Stradivarius. The yard has been in cracking form so the general 7/2 will make plenty of appeal. Sheikh Mohammed's Godolphin team won the Epsom Derby a couple of weeks ago but the operation's leading trainer, Charlie Appleby, is as big as 14/1 to be Top Trainer at Royal Ascot and Sir Michael Stoute is 16/1 in places.

Royal Ascot 2018 Top Trainer Betting

Aidan O'Brien 8/11 John Gosden 7/2 Charlie Appleby 14/1 Sir Michael Stoute 16/1 Mark Johnston 25/1 William Haggas 25/1 Roger Varian 33/1 Wesley Ward 33/1 Clive Cox 50/1 Saeed bin Suroor 50/1 The Top Jockey betting is shaping up to be a match between Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori. Moore holds the record for most number of wins at a single Royal Ascot meeting, riding nine in 2015. He's been Top Jockey at the meeting for the past four seasons but Dettori has won 50 races down the years at Royal Ascot, including that famous 'Magnificent Seven' in 1996. The pair are backed by the two stables that are likely to dominate proceedings so will have plenty of ammunition and are 8/11 (William Hill) and 7/2 (Betway) respectively to top the charts in 2018. Godolphin's retained jockeys, James Doyle and William Buick, are respectively a best 10/1 and 12/1 but you can get 20/1 about Hamdam Al Maktoum's retained jockey Jim Crowley, even though he has a possible plum ride on Battaash in the King's Stand Stakes. Champion jockey Silvestre De Sousa is 33/1 with several bookmakers.

Royal Ascot 2018 Top Jockey Current Best Odds

Ryan Moore 8/11 Frankie Dettori 7/2 James Doyle 10/1 William Buick 12/1 Oisin Murphy 16/1 Jim Crowley 20/1 Adam Kirby 25/1 Andrea Atzeni 33/1 Silvester De Sousa 33/1 Jamie Spencer 40/1 Paul Hanagan 66/1

13th June 2018 / paul - Category: Horse Racing Betting

Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas Odds and Preview – Horse Racing Betting May 26

Zibha looks in the zone to cause Irish 2000 Guineas shock

The return to action of Battaash in the Armstrong Aggregates Temple Stakes at Haydock this Saturday is attracting plenty of media interest but there is Group 1 action in the British Isles this weekend in the form of the Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas at the Curragh.

Irish 2000 Guineas History and Trends

The €350,000 Tattersalls Irish 2000 Guineas is a Group 1 race run over a mile at the Curragh. It is open three-year-old colts and fillies but the fairer sex also have their own race, the 1000 Guineas, the following day so few take on the boys. First run in 1921, it comes three weeks after the English version so suits late-developing types. The mile course at the Curragh is also run around a bend so differs from Newmarket in that respect. Nine colts have completed the English 2000 Guineas/Irish 2000 Guineas double - Churchill last year the latest. But this year's Newmarket winner is heading to Epsom for the Derby en route to a possible tilt at the Triple Crown. Aidan O’Brien has won the 11 times, seven in the last 10 years, and is again strongly represented with four runners in a final field of 11.

All of the last 16 winners had run within the previous three weeks
All but two of the last 16 winners had won over at least 7f and had last raced at Newmarket
Almost three-quarters of the last winners were drawn in stall four or lower

Irish 2000 Guineas Winners Since 2002

2017 – Churchill (4/9 fav) 2016 – Awtaad (9/2) 2015 – Gleneagles (2/5 fav) 2014 – Kingman (4/5 fav) 2013 – Magician (10/3) 2012 – Power (5/1) 2011 – Roderic O'Connor (7/2) 2010 – Canford Cliffs (9/4 fav) 2009 – Mastercraftsman (6/4 fav) 2008 – Henrythenavigator (5/4) 2007 – Cockney Rebel (6/4 fav) 2006 – Araafa (12/1) 2005 – Dubawi(7/4 jfav) 2004 – Bachelor(12/1) 2003 – Indian Haven (8/1) 2002 – Rock Of Gibraltar (4/7 fav)

U S Navy Flag was a smart two-year-old, winning the Middle Park and Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket and beating Landshark in an earlier run at the Curragh. But he ran 10 times and has not exactly covered himself in glory two runs this season, finishing tailed off behind stablemate Gustav Klimt in a 2000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown last month. I can't understand why he's only a general 3/1 while the Qipco 2000 Guineas fifth is widely available at 7/2.

Gustav Klimt has ground to make up on Elarqam, however, and Mark Johnston's colt looks a deserving favourite at the general 7/4. Unbeaten last year, the North Yorkshire raider was fourth to Saxon Warrior at Newmarket on his first try over a mile. He has the early speed to take advantage of an inside draw and is clearly the one to beat with recent rain also in his favour but ZIBHA is available at four times the current price (8/1) with Irish bookies Boylesports and offers more value.

Fozzy Stack's Choisir colt obviously needs to improve a few pounds to trouble the likes of Elarqam and Gustav Klimt but he didn't make his debut until December. He showed increased maturity to beat older horses on his Turf debut in a Group 3 at Leopardstown earlier this month and is only now growing into his imposing frame. There is more to come and the inclusion of a Ballydoyle pacemaker in the 2000 Guineas should ensure he gets his preferred end-to-end gallop.

Irish 2000 Guineas Current Best Odds

Elarqam 7/4, U S Navy Flag 3/1, Gustav Klimt 7/2, Zihba 8/1, Symbolization 14/1, Would Be King 20/1, Romanised and Threeandfourpence 33/1, Spanish Point and Landshark 50/1, Theobald 66/1

25th May 2018 / paul - Category: Horse Racing Betting

Investec Derby 2018 Preview and Odds – Horse Racing Betting June 2

Warrior can prove himself a true champion in the Derby

Epsom Derby History and Trends

Forget Kentucky, the Irish Derby and the Prix du Jockey Club, Epsom's Investec Derby is the original and the best. First run in 1780, a year after the first-ever running of the Oaks on Epsom Downs, the Derby pre-dates the Kentucky Derby by more than a century but would probably have been known as the 'Bunbury' had Lord Derby not won a coin toss with his great friend Sir Charles Bunbury. The latter would have his revenge, however, his Diomed won the first colts' Classic at Epsom while Lord Derby had to wait until 1787 before he saw his colours carried to victory when the previously unraced Sir Peter Teazle scored under Sam Arnull. By the middle of the 19th century, the Derby had established itself as the most important horse race of the year in Britain. Thousands flocked to Epsom Downs by any means possible and it even stopped Parliament business in the first Wednesday in June every year. The switch to a Saturday is a relatively new concept, designed to maximise betting revenue, but the race still draws thousands to Surrey and the roar as the runners hurtle around Tattenham Corner is comparable to most stirring sounds on a British racecourse. There have been some brilliant winners in the last 50 years alone - Sea Bird, Nijinsky, Mill Reef, Shergar, Nashwan, Generous, Lammtarra, Galileo, High Chaparral, Sea The Stars and Camelot to name but a few. Victory guarantees massive stud fees and immortality.

Confined the three-year-old colts, the season's fourth Classic is very much a race for fancied runners. 11 of the last 12 winners have been among the top three in the betting on the day
All of the last 12 winners had finished in the first four in their previous run
Most of the last dozen winners had run at least three times and won at least twice with one of those victories coming at Group 3 level or higher
All but two of the last 12 winners had run in the previous five weeks
None of the last 12 winners had run before at Epsom
Only two of the last 10 winners have been trained in England, seven have been trained in Ireland with four of the last six trained by Aidan O'Brien

Year	Winner	Jockey	Trainer	Odds
2017	Wings Of Eagles	Paddy Beggy	Aidan O'Brien	40/1
2016	Harzand	Pat Smullen	John Oxx	13/2
2015	Golden Horn	Frankie Dettori	John Gosden	13/8 Fav
2014	Australia	Joseph O'Brien	Aidan O'Brien	11/8 Fav
2013	Ruler Of The World	Ryan Moore	Aidan O'Brien	7/1
2012	Camelot	Joseph O'Brien	Aidan O'Brien	8/13 Fav
2011	Pour Moi	Mickael Barzalona	Andre Fabre	4/1
2010	Workforce	Ryan Moore	M Stoute	6/1
2009	Sea The Stars	Mick Kinane	John Oxx	11/4
2008	New Approach	Johnny Murtagh	Jim Bolger	5/1
2007	Authorized	Frankie Dettori	Peter Chapple-Hyam	5/4 Fav
2006	Sir Percy	Martin Dwyer	Marcus Tregoning	6/1
2005	Motivator	Johnny Murtagh	Michael Bell	3/1 Fav
2004	North Light	Kieron Fallon	Sir Michael Stoute	7/2 JF
2003	Kris Kin	Kieron Fallon	Sir Michael Stoute	6/1
2002	High Chaparral	Johnny Murtagh	Aidan O'Brien	7/2
2001	Galileo	Mick Kinane	Aidan O'Brien	11/4 JF
2000	Sindaar	Johnny Murtagh	John Oxx	7/1

The Betfred Dante at York has long been a good trial for the Investec Derby. John Gosden, trainer of Roaring Lion (6/1 with Betbright) plotted the same course with his 2015 winner Golden Horn and there are high hopes that the grey can get closer to SAXON WARRIOR than he did in the Qipco 2000 Guineas. However, Roaring Lion has twice finished behind 2000 Guineas third Masar this season and there seems no reason why the form should be reversed at Epsom given there is no certainty that the Gosden colt will stay 1m4f. Masar looks overpriced at a general 14/1 by comparison but there really seems little point in opposing Saxon Warrior given Aidan O'Brien has pretty much covered every base in the Derby trials this season. His 2000 Guineas winner travelled like a dream at Newmarket considering some 'experts' thought that the mile trip would be too short. Quickening going into the dip at HQ, the Deep Impact colt never looked like being caught. He is bred to stay the distance at Epsom and is very well balanced considering his size so should handle the turns and gradients. BetBright are still offering 8/11 against him extending his unbeaten record and that should attract the big-hitters. Young Rascal (a general 11/1) beat Dee Ex Bee in landing the Chester Vase and could have Al Muffrih as a pace-maker. Hazapour beat Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown and is widely available at 14/1 while French challenger Study Of Man won a Group 2 at Saint-Cloud on only his third start, though had only three rivals and can be backed at 33/1 with William Hill. The Gosden second string, Sevenna Star, is the same odds but he doesn't look built for Epsom and would only be worth considering if the heavens opened.

Investec Derby 2018 Current Ante-Post Odds

Saxon Warrior 8/11, Roaring Lion 6/1, Young Rascal 11/1, Delano Roosevelt and Masar 14/1, Knight To Behold 16/1, The Pentagon 20/1, Rostropovich, Sevenna Star, Dee Ex Bee, Study Of Man and Kew Gardens 33/1, Nelson 40/1, Al Muffrih and Zabriskie 66/1 (Odds correct at 4.15pm May 24)

24th May 2018 / paul - Category: Horse Racing Betting

Investec Oaks Latest News and Odds – Horse Racing Betting June 1

Sea Of Class could sweep away Oaks rivals

Twenty one fillies are standing their ground with just over a week to go to the third Classic of the UK Flat season with more than half of the entries trained by Aidan O'Brien, though reports suggest Happily, who was third in the Qipco 1000 Guineas, will likely run in the Tattersall's Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh this weekend. However, Ballydoyle doesn't have the ante-post favourite or any of the current first three in the ante-post betting, even though the stable have won the race six times in total and three times in the last six years.

Investec Oaks Winners in the Last 20 Years

Year Winner Jockey Trainer Owner Time

1998	Shahtoush	Michael Kinane	Aidan O'Brien	Nagle / Magnier	2:38.23
1999	Ramruma	Kieren Fallon	Henry Cecil	Prince Fahd bin Salman	2:38.72
2000	Love Divine	Richard Quinn	Henry Cecil	Lordship Stud	2:43.11
2001	Imagine	Michael Kinane	Aidan O'Brien	Nagle / Magnier	2:36.70
2002	Kazzia	Frankie Dettori	Saeed bin Suroor	Godolphin	2:44.52
2003	Casual Look	Martin Dwyer	Andrew Balding	William S. Farish III	2:38.07
2004	Ouija Board	Kieren Fallon	Ed Dunlop	Earl of Derby	2:35.41
2005	Eswarah	Richard Hills	Michael Jarvis	Hamdan Al Maktoum	2:39.00
2006	Alexandrova	Kieren Fallon	Aidan O'Brien	Magnier / Tabor / Smith	2:37.71
2007	Light Shift	Ted Durcan	Henry Cecil	Niarchos Family	2:40.38
2008	Look Here	Seb Sanders	Ralph Beckett	Julian Richmond-Watson	2:36.89
2009	Sariska	Jamie Spencer	Michael Bell	Lady Bamford	2:35.28
2010	Snow Fairy	Ryan Moore	Ed Dunlop	Anamoine Ltd	2:35.77
2011	Dancing Rain	Johnny Murtagh	William Haggas	Martin and Lee Taylor	2:41.73
2012	Was	Seamie Heffernan	Aidan O'Brien	Smith / Magnier / Tabor	2:38.68
2013	Talent	Richard Hughes	Ralph Beckett	J Rowsell & M Dixon	2:42.00
2014	Taghrooda	Paul Hanagan	John Gosden	Hamdan Al Maktoum	2:34.89
2015	Qualify	Colm O'Donoghue	Aidan O'Brien	Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez	2:37.41
2016	Minding	Ryan Moore	Aidan O'Brien	Smith / Magnier / Tabor	2:42.66
2017	Enable	Frankie Dettori	John Gosden	Khalid Abdullah	2:34.13

Oaks History

The Oaks, restricted to fillies, if often viewed as inferior to the colts' Classic, The Derby, but it actually pre-dates its more famous relation. It was first run in 1779 and named after the country estate of its founder, the Earl Of Derby. The first winner, Bridget, was owned by the Earl. It's contested over 1m4f at Epsom and is intended to be the middle-distance championship for three-year-old fillies. Last year's winner, Enable, went on to prove herself as the best of her generation when winning the Arc de Triomphe in the autumn and the form is nearly always worth following later in the season. Bye Bye Baby won a Group 3 at the Curragh on her latest start but finished well beaten at Navan earlier when favourite and was behind the much less-exposed Hazel Bay and Sizzling. Magic Wand, who runs in the same colours, improved to beat another O'Brien filly, Forever Together, in the Cheshire Oaks and looks a better bet at 12/1 with William Hill. However, Magical is currently the shortest odds of his trainer's legions (11/1 with Sportingbet) with the step up in distance expected to suit the daughter of Galileo, though she was behind Wild Illusion in the Prix Marcel Boussac at Chantilly last year. The Godolphin filly brings Classic form into the Oaks having finished an honourable fourth in the 1000 Guineas when just finding 1m on the short side. She is a best 7/1 for the Oaks but the superbly-bred Sea The Stars filly SEA OF CLASS oozed quality when sauntering to victory in the Fillies' Trial at Newbury and is more interesting at 10/1 with 888sport. A direct form line through Arcadian Cat gives William Haggas' charge every chance of beating current 9/4 favourite Lah Ti Dar and the longer distance should bring about even more improvement. That said, the Gosden filly is a real threat having won both races so far in impressive fashion. Injury robbed her full sister, So Mi Dar, of her chance to win the Oaks but it's currently all systems go for the Pretty Polly winner, who looks a high-class prospect.

Investec Oaks Current Best Odds

Lah To Dar 9/4, Wild Illusion 7/1, Sea Of Class 10/1, Magical, Bye Bye Baby and Forever Together 12/1, Perfect Clarity 14/1, Give And Take 16/1, Sun Maiden 20/1, I Can Fly 20/1, Ballet Shoes, Sizzling and Ejtyah 40/1, Flattering and Hazel Bay 50/1, Athena, Mrs Sippy, Broadway and Park Bloom 66/1

23rd May 2018 / paul - Category: Horse Racing Betting

Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes – Horse Racing Betting May 19

Rhododendron can bloom in the Lockinge Stakes

The Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes is the first major mile contest for older horses in the UK Flat season. This year's field of 16 is bigger than usual but the quality has not been diluted with several Group 1 winners in the line-up and a couple of improvers enriching the mix.

Lockinge Stakes History and Trends

Contested over the straight mile at Newbury in Berkshire, the race is named after Lockinge, a village located on the border of Berkshire and Oxfordshire. It was established in 1958 and originally open to horses aged three or older. The first running was won by that year's 2000 Guineas Stakes winner Pall Mall and the horse repeated his success as a four-year-old in 1959. The Lockinge Stakes was given Group 2 status in the 1970s but relegated to Group 3 level in 1983. Promoted back to Group 2 in 1985, it was raised to Group 1 level and closed to three-year-olds in 1995. It now forms part of the British Champions Series, being the second race in the mile division which concludes with the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes in October. Winners of the Lockinge Stakes often go on to compete in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot with the mighty Frankel the last to win both races in the same year in 2012.

Four-year-olds have easily the best record in the Lockinge Stakes. That age group has won nine of the last 11 runnings with five-year-olds taking the other two. Older horses rarely take part and should be avoided if turning up.
Only 11 fillies have taken part since 2004 but three of those have won. Aidan O'Brien saddled Somehow to finish fourth last year and runs another filly, Rhododendron, who might have better credentials.
The last 11 winners had all won over a mile previously.
All recent winners had been officially rated 113 or higher.

Addeybb has won five of his seven starts and has begun to take giant strides this year. He won the bet365 Mile at Sandown last month in taking fashion having landed the 32Red Lincoln in March. He ticks all the boxes except the fact that he hasn't raced on anything quicker than good ground so far. Age and distance may count against the classy Limato and LIGHTNING SPEAR is also older that preferred age range. However, David Simcock's seven-year-old was second in the race last year and comes to hand early. He will be at home on the surface and is available at 25/1 in places. That is excellent each-way value considering he finished ahead of Zonderland, Beat The Bank and Lancaster Bomber when sixth in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot in October. The lightly-raced Alexios Komnenos could run better than his 40/1 quote from BetVictor suggests but it's no surprise to see RHODODENDRON installed as favourite. The 4/1 with 888sport may not last long given she never runs in anything but the highest grade nowadays. She only faded close home behind Cracksman in the Prix Ganay at Longchamp on her reappearance but that merely suggested she'd appreciate the return to a mile. She was second in the 1000 Guineas and Oaks last year and also in the Breeders' Cup Filly and Mare Turf. In between, the Galileo filly won the Prix de l'Opera at Chantilly and she can record her first victory since in the Lockinge.

Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes Current Best Odds

Rhododendron 4/1, Limato 5/1, Addeybb 6/1, Beat The Bank 9/1, Zabeel Prince 11/1, Lancaster Bomber 12/1, Librisa Breeze 16/1, Deauville 18/1, Suedois 20/1, Lightning Spear 25/1, Zonderland and War Decree 33/1, Dutch Connection and Alexios Komnenos 40/1, Accidental Agent 50/1, Lahore 66/1 (Odds correct at 4.30pm May 17)

17th May 2018 / paul - Category: Horse Racing Betting

Qipco 1000 Guineas Odds and Preview – Horse Racing Betting May 6

Illusion's form is no trick of the light

The gender pay gap has the subject of many a hot debate in recent months. The All-England club at Wimbledon is leading the way in the sporting world and both the winner of the men's singles and women's singles will receive exactly the same amount of prize money this year. However, the gap still exists in racing when it comes to jockeys and opportunities. Hayley Turner and, latterly, Josie Gordon have been trying to redress the balance, taking a lead from America's Julie Krone among others, but the profession is still male dominated, as have been the training ranks despite the efforts of Jenny Pitman, Henrietta Knight and Venetia Williams. Prize money for the Qipco 2000 Guineas and 1000 Guineas also varies to the tune of £47,500 but not in the way you would imagine given the value of a top stallion will usually trump that of a top broodmare. The fillies' Classic is the more valuable race which is why it attracts runners from across Europe. In fact, only two English-based trainers have won the race in the last 11 years if you don't count the disgraced Mahmood Al Zarooni.

1000 Guineas History and Trends

The 1,000 Guineas dates back to 1814 and is a Group 1 race run over 1m for three-year-old fillies. The second of the five English Classics, it is staged at Newmarket in late April or early May each year. Unlike the 2000 Guineas and its influence on the Derby, it's usually a good trial for the Oaks at Epsom in June with Kazzia, in 2002, and Minding, in 2016, completing the double. Nearly all recent winners finished in the first three on their previous start and most had won at least twice before with 11 of the last 16 having won on their most recent outing. However, this is not always a race for fancied runners with nine of the last 16 not being among the top three in the betting on the day. Aidan O'Brien has trained the winner on four occasions and three times in the last six years. Owner Hamdan Al Maktoum has seen his colours carried to success five times. Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori have both ridden the winner three times. Ballydoyle does not have as good a record in this race as the 2000 Guineas but has been taking steps to put that right in recent years and four fillies will try to extend their winning sequence to three this year. Happily is a general 5/2 and her form last season was top class. She won the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh and the Gran Criterium at Chantilly before trying her luck in the Breeders' Cup. She's bred to be a champion and it's unlikely she'll fail through lack of fitness so is preferred to stablemates I Can Fly, Sizzling and Sarrocchi. Laurens is a worthy challenger from the north as she was only beaten once last season and won the Group 1 Fillies Mile over the course and distance of the 1000 Guineas in October - Karl Burke's filly is a stand-out 9/1 with Coral. Liquid Amber dented a few reputations when storming home in a Group 3 at the Curragh in August and Willie McCreery's entry can be backed at 14/1 with William Hill. Soliloquy won the Nell Gwyn, normally a good trial for this, last month, beating Altyn Orda and Billesdon Brook, but third Eirene has been beaten since so the 6/1 with Boylesports may not be much value. Charlie Appleby also runs WILD ILLUSION and she's been the largely forgotten filly of this year's race. I can't understand why the daughter of Dubawi should be 9/1 with Coral unless it's the fact that William Buick has chosen to stick with Soliloquy. Last year's win in the Prix Marcel Boussac was no fluke and the second had earlier beaten Laurens at Deauville. She won over a straight mile at Yarmouth on her debut and appears to handle any going so a big run is anticipated. Dan's Dream would be a dream winner for the charity she represents but she's improving fast and could pick up some nice prize money towards a worthy cause at the general 14/1.

Qipco 1000 Guineas Current Best Odds

Happily 5/2, Soliloquy 6/1, I Can Fly 7/1, Laurens and Wild Illusion 9/1, Dan's Dream, Anna Nerium and Liquid Amber 14/1, Altyn Orda 16/1, Madeline, Sarrocchi, and Sizzling 33/1, Billesdon Brook, Vitamin and Worship 50/1

4th May 2018 / paul - Category: Horse Racing Betting

Qipco 2000 Guineas Odds and Preview – Horse Racing Betting May 5

O'Brien's Warrior can tough it out in the 2000 Guineas

BetVictor are currently the only bookmaker offering place betting down to fourth place in the Qipco 2000 Guineas and they are currently among those still offering 5/1 about the much-touted Mazar, winner of the Craven Stakes, in the first Classic of 2018.

2000 Guineas History

The 2000 Guineas, now sponsored by Qipco, was first run in 1809. It's name relates to the original purse and it pre-dates the 1000 Guineas, for fillies only, by five years. Along with 1000 Guineas a day later, the 2000 Guineas is run over Newmarket’s Rowley Mile and is the first of the five English Classics, all restricted to three-year-olds – the others being the Derby and Oaks, both over 1m4f at Epsom in early June, plus the extended 1m7f St Leger, which takes place at Doncaster in September. It is also the first leg of the British Triple Crown. Sir Charles Bunbury, who played an important role in the development of British racing including overseeing the extension of the Jockey Club’s authority, was inspired to introduce the two youngest Classics with the first race being won by Wizard, who gained £1,522 for his connections, This year's Qipco 2000 Guineas is worth more than £283,000 to winning connections. The 2000 Guineas is still a good trial for next month's Derby but probably no longer the best. Smolensko, appropriately owned by Sir Charles Bunbury, was the first horse to complete the double when landing both Classics in 1813. Since then, 36 other colts have completed the double, the most recent being Camelot in 2012. Last year's winner, Churchill, won the Irish 2000 Guineas a few weeks later but failed to add further successes. Aidan O’Brien has won the 2000 Guineas on eight previous occasions but it's not always the stable's first string that comes out on top. The first English classic has thrown up its fair share of shock results in recent years with half of the last 12 winners starting at 8/1 or bigger. The previous year's Dewhurst Stakes, run over 7f on the Rowley Mile, is probably still the best trial ahead of the Craven Stakes run at Newmarket in April.

Qipco 2000 Guineas Current Best Odds

Gustav Klimt 5/2, Masar 5/1, Elarqam and Saxon Warrior 6/1, Expert Eye 12/1, Roaring Lion 16/1, James Garfield 20/1, Headway and Tip Two Win 33/1, Rajasinghe, Murillo and Raid 50/1, Nebo 66/1, Cardsharp 100/1

The annual Ballydoyle conundrum this year features three runners. Punters have fallen in line with Seamie Heffernan's choice Gustav Klimst after he beat two stable companions and the in-form Imaging in a trial at Leopardstown. He beat Nebo in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last July and his breeding suggests he will also be best at around a mile you can understand why he's the general 5/2 favourite, though will need to improve again to overtake Donnacha O'Brien's mount SAXON WARRIOR (6/1 with Ladbrokes).

His trainer has been untypically bullish about the potential of the son of Deep Impact, who is reported to have strengthened up over the winter. He was already an imposing type and, though the Racing Post Trophy he won at Doncaster in the autumn has not been a great trial for the 2000 Guineas in the past, wins in both races is not unprecedented, though Roaring Lion's run behind Masar in the Craven Stakes let the form down.

Elarqam is also unbeaten and defeated Tip Two Win in a Group 3 at York last year. He is a best 6/1 with Betbright to give Mark Johnston a first winner in the race since 1994. James Garfield beat Expert Eye (12/1 with Betbright) and Raid in winning last month's Greenham Stakes at Newbury and may be overpriced at a general 20/1 but there are concerns about the step back up to a mile.

3rd May 2018 / paul - Category: Horse Racing Betting

Dubai World Cup Odds and Preview – Horse Racing Betting March 31

Vazirabad can record an historic third victory in Dubai Gold Cup

Dubai World Cup - A Short History

Horse racing in the UAE wasn't established until 1981 with it taking another 10 years to form the Dubai Racing Club. But, in March 1992, Nad Al Sheba racecourse was opened and hosted the inaugural Dubai International Jockeys' Challenge 12 months later. That competition paved the way for the first Dubai World Cup meeting to be held in 1996 and it instantly propelled both Nad Al Sheba and the UAE onto the global stage with American wonder horse Cigar taking the inaugural running of the meeting's big race. Thirteen years later, it was at the 14th staging of the World Cup that another American superstar, Well Armed, brought the curtain down at Nad Al Sheba with Meydan polished and ready to start hosting some of the world's most prolific equine stars. The world's largest integrated racing facility, Meydan's Grandstand has a seating capacity for more than 60,000 alongside a luxurious hotel. Legendary US trainer Bob Baffert is targeting a fourth Dubai World Cup with WEST COAST and says he is unconcerned by a wide draw in the 1m2f contest on the Dirt track. There can't be anyone doubting Baffert's ability or judgement after Arrogate's thrilling last-to-first victory 12 months ago. West Coast is short enough in the betting at the general Evens but had a nice pipe-opener at Gulfstream Park in January and one of his big rivals on paper, Thunder Snow, is drawn even wider while another, the French challenger Talismanic, has never raced on Dirt before. North America reversed earlier running with Thunder Snow last time in a Group 1 but will be relying on a fast start to take advantage of the two stall.

Dubai World Cup Current Best Odds

West Coast Evens, Talismanic and North America 8/1, Forever Unbridled 9/1, Gunnevera 10/1, Thunder Snow 14/1, Pavel 16/1, Mubtaahij 22/1, Awardee 66/1, Furia Cruzada 100/1 It's more than feasible that the Americans could top and tail one of the richest race days in history as ECONOMIC MODEL looks the one to beat in the opening Godolphin Mile, also run on Dirt. Confidence behind the locally-trained Heavy Metal and Kimbear means that Chad Brown's five-year-old, back to his best last month after a break, is available at 7/1 with several leading bookmakers. Though Charlie Appleby trains exclusively for Dubai-based Godolphin he is based in Newmarket and has high hopes for GOLD TOWN in the UAE Derby and BLUE POINT in the Al Quoz Sprint. The former is 6/4 with Boylesports having won both races by wide margins since being switched to Dirt - he probably has Aidan O'Brien's Mendelsshon to beat. Blue Point is a general 10/11 to win his race over 6f on the Turf course having made an eye-catching reappearance at Meydan last month but the Dubai Gold Cup is shaping up to be one of the best races of the day. VAZIRABAD will have to reverse recent running with Rare Rhythm to record an historic third successive victory in the 2m Group 2 contest but that shouldn't be too difficult as the Godolphin runner had the advantage of a recent run when coming out on top over 1m6f earlier this month. The extra quarter-mile will make all the difference for Alain De Royer-Dupre's star stayer, who also has a much better draw. Boylesports are again best odds at 9/4.

29th March 2018 / paul - Category: Horse Racing Betting

Breeders’ Cup 2017 Preview and Odds – Horse Racing Betting November 3-4

Arrogate to come out best in Classic conundrum

There will be a record number of European-trained horses running at this year's Breeders' Cup meeting, staged for the first time at Del Mar near San Diego in California. The 35 runners exceeds the 30 that ran at Santa Anita, also in California, in 2009 when six were successful. Percentage-wise, however, that success rate was eclipsed in 2013 at Santa Anita, when Europe had five winners from just 16 entries - will that feat be bettered this year?

Breeders' Cup - A Brief History

The Breeders' Cup was staged for the first time in 1984. Racing is staged on both the Dirt track, prevalent in the USA, and the Turf course. The meeting is staged over a Friday and Saturday with the second day being the big one in terms of prize money and status as it features nine Grade 1 contests, all being designed as championship races - there are only four Grade 1 races on the Friday. The United States has hosted every Breeders' Cup meeting since its inception, apart from in 1996 when Woodbine in Canada staged the event. This is the 10th year in which the meeting has been split over two days. Runners have to qualify to earn an invite to the Breeders' Cup with a maximum of 14 runners allowed in each Grade 1 contest. D. Wayne Lukas has trained most Breeders' Cup winners, followed by Bob Baffert and Ireland's Aidan O'Brien. Mike Smith is the most successful jockey in Breeders' Cup history having ridden 25 winners - Frankie Dettori is the leading jockey from Europe. In 2016, a staggering $160million was wagered through the on-course betting pool at Santa Anita. Many Americans, of course, don't have access to internet betting sites because of State legislation. Having broken Bob Baffert's long-standing record for Grade 1 or Group 1 victories in a season in last week's Racing Post Trophy, Aidan O'Brien is hoping to inflict further misery on the Americans by winning at least one of the big races on Saturday. Ballydoyle's best hope may be RHODODENDRON in the Fillies and Mare Turf. Second in both the 1000 Guineas and the Oaks earlier this year, the Galileo filly came good again in the Prix de l'Opera at Chantilly last month and is 7/2 for this Saturday's contest with several bookmakers, including 888sport. Unfortunately, she's been handed the outside stall so Ryan Moore will need to get her smartly out of the gate to grab a decent position. Marsha and LADY AURELIA lock horns again in the Turf Sprint having finished 1-2 in the Nunthorpe at York. Many believe the latter and Frankie Dettori should have won on the Knavesmire and Wesley Ward's three-year-old is very much back on home Turf for this one and she's odds-on in some places to take her revenge with John Velazquez back in the saddle. RIBCHESTER is 7/2 with 888sport and carries many of Britain's hopes of success in the Breeders' Cup Mile. Trained by Richard Fahey in North Yorkshire, he runs in the colours of Godolphin, who have earned more prize money in Breeders' Cup than anyone else. He will relish the opportunity to run on decent ground for the first time since winning the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, though isn't as well drawn as likely market rival World Approval. The $6million Classic is a fitting finale on Saturday and is being billed as a clash between ARROGATE and Gun Runner. The former came out best when the pair clashed in the Dubai World Cup at the start of the year and, despite the latter's subsequent exploits, will do well to reverse the form with Bob Baffert's superstar, who has been trained with this race in mind - the 11/4 with sportingbet is unlikely to be available nearer the off!

Breeders' Cup Classic Current Best Odds

Gun Runner 2/1, Arrogate 11/4, West Coast 6/1, Collected 7/1, Churchill 16/1, Mubtaahij 25/1, Gunnevera 40/1, Pavel and War Decree 50/1, War Story and Win The Space 100/1

2nd November 2017 / paul - Category: Horse Racing Betting

Racing Post Trophy Odds and Preview – Horse Racing Betting October 28

Can Atzeni come home first again in the Racing Post Trophy with Chilean?

Having already won the Racing Post Trophy on seven occasions, it would be fitting if Aidan O'Brien made history at Doncaster this Saturday. Trainer O'Brien, master of the all-conquering Ballydoyle operation in Ireland, is on the verge of breaking Bobby Frankel's long-standing record of 25 victories in Group or Grade 1 races during a season. He's already equalled the record and has four of the 12 runners in the Racing Post Trophy, the last of the year's races at the highest level in the UK. Failure, however, would not be the end of the record attempt with the Breeders' Cup at Del Mar next week still to come and possible opportunities in Hong Kong. But O'Brien would love to shatter the record as near to home soil as possible and Doncaster's Town Moor has been god to the stable down the years. High Chaparral, Brian Boru, St Nicholas Abbey and Camelot have been among Ballydoyle's previous winners in the Racing Post Trophy, run over a mile for two-year-olds. It's been run since 1961 and has gone through various incarnations including the Timeform Gold Cup, Observer Gold Cup and Futurity Stakes. Five winners have gone on to win the following year's Derby so this is still an important trial but the final entries suggest that O'Brien's quartet aren't going to have things all their own way - and then there is the tricky dilemma of deciding which of the four is best suited to the test. Though number one stable jockey Ryan Moore rides the unbeaten Saxon Warrior, past experience tells us that jockey bookings are no guarantee of pecking order when it comes to multiple Ballydoyle entries in big races - this year's Irish Derby immediately springs to mind! Ryan Moore has, in fact, never ridden the winner of the Racing Post Trophy and an additional worry is his trainer's more recent record with two-year-olds at Doncaster - just one of his last 18 entries has won and the stable's overall strike-rate on Town Moor is little better. That said, Saxon Warrior was impressive when winning the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at Naas, though I'm not sure it justified best odds of 15/8 in this Saturday's big race. Stable companions The Pentagon, improving when last seen in July, and Seahenge, third in the Dewhurst Stakes and already a winner at Doncaster, are useful back-up plans and priced up at 9/2 and 12/1 respectively. But Ireland has even stronger hand with Verbal Dexterity, winner of the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh last month and bred to stay a mile and further. Jim Bolger has never won the Racing Post Trophy but has a live contender this year. However, we shouldn't ignore the home defence and especially Roaring Lion (7/1 with 10Bet). John Gosden is another top trainer seeking his first win in this end-of-season Group 1 but his colt won the Group 2 Royal Lodge at Newmarket last month and is still improving so demands respect. Andrea Atzeni has ridden the last four winners of the Racing Post Trophy so it's a surprise that his mount CHILEAN is 12/1 with several bookmakers, including 10Bet. Martyn Meade, who has enjoyed tremendous success this year with Eminent and Aclaim, trains the son of Iffraaj. The colt gets his speed from his sire and stamina from his dam, a decent middle-distance performer in France. He seems adaptable to going and the manner of his win in a Listed race at Haydock last month was eye-catching. This is obviously another big step up but he looks capable of shocking better-fancied rivals and denying Aidan O'Brien that record, for the time being at least.

Racing Post Trophy Latest Odds

Saxon Warrior 15/8, Verbal Dexterity 7/2, The Pentagon 9/2, Roaring Lion 7/1, Seahenge and Chilean 12/1, Loxley 14/1, Gabr 33/1, Coat Of Arms 66/1, Merlin Magic and Theobald 100/1, Alfa McGuire 150/1

26th October 2017 / paul - Category: Horse Racing Betting