An equestrian sport that has been practiced over centuries, most notably in the Roman Empire, Horse Racing is now often considered as the sport of kings. In modern times, Horse Racing still finds itself as an integral part of the sporting calendar, most notably in the United States, France and Australia. The Kentucky Derby in the USA, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe in France and the Melbourne Cup in Australia, are probably the three most important horse racing events in the world. The Melbourne Cup in particular is billed as ‘the race that stops a nation’. It is the richest and most prestigious “two-mile” handicap in the world, and the second richest turf race in the world.
Horse Racing
Horse Racing Articles
Tommy Berry goes from zero to hero
by Alfred Chan, 19 Jun 2013
In the space of 12 months, 22-year-old Tommy Berry has shot out of obscurity to become one of the best riders in the world as he continues his run of success against the world’s best in Hong Kong. Working as a professional jockey is a unique athletic profession because unlike other sports, the jockey’s career [...]
2013 Royal Ascot: Day 1 preview, live race updates, blog and results
by Justin Cinque, 18 Jun 2013
Highlighted by three Group 1s and champions everywhere, Day 1 of Royal Ascot showcases the best of global racing each year. Join us for live updates and a blog as we bring you coverage of the first day of the Royal meeting from 10:30pm AEST. There’s so much excitement as we look towards Day 1 [...]
Australia’s Royal Ascot interest stretches beyond our runners
by Andrew Hawkins, 18 Jun 2013
You may think that Australian interest in Royal Ascot, the United Kingdom’s premier festival for flat racing which begins tonight our time, is merely focused on the two (or technically three) Australian runners in Shamexpress, Sea Siren and Animal Kingdom. You’d be wrong. There are 30 races to be run over five days this week. [...]
What Australian racing can learn from Royal Ascot
by Tony Edser, 18 Jun 2013
Where else in the world can you stand around with 80,000 people singing Hey Jude after the last race? Can you imagine a Derby Day crowd singing Jimmy Barnes after the last? With the Royal Ascot carnival starting tonight I thought I would share what makes Royal Ascot special, unique and why it is a [...]
Royal Ascot 2013: Day 1 preview – Animal Kingdom, Shamexpress…
by Andrew Hawkins, 18 Jun 2013
The opening day of 2013 Royal Ascot is a unique raceday at the start of a unique festival. What sets it apart from other race meetings and festivals is that three of the best races of the whole carnival are races one, two and three of 30 races to come over the next five days. [...]
Vale Sir Henry Cecil, master trainer (1943-2013)
by johnny nevin is a legend, 15 Jun 2013
Last Tuesday the legendary English horse trainer Sir Henry Cecil passed away. Over a period of 43 years he trained 25 classic winners, 75 Royal Ascot winners and was Champion Trainer 10 times. He also sent Group 1 winners to the USA, Canada, Italy, Ireland and France. Greatness is defined over a long period of [...]
Four internationals to follow for the 2013 Melbourne Cup
by Andrew Hawkins, 14 Jun 2013
The northern summer has become a key period for internationally-based Spring Carnival hopefuls to stake their claim for a Melbourne sojourn with strong performances. Yesterday, the Moonee Valley Racing Club won the attention of racing’s biggest owners and trainers when it invited 20 of the world’s best middle-distance gallopers for October 26′s Cox Plate. No [...]
Makybe Diva upgrade step in right direction
by Alfred Chan, 12 Jun 2013
Yesterday’s upgrade of the Makybe Diva Stakes to Group 1 status is long due on two fronts – promotion of staying races and promotion of weight-for-age racing. Formerly known as the Craiglea Stakes, the Australian Pattern Committee’s decision to increase the prize money of the race to $350,000 qualified the race for Group 1 status. [...]
My favourite horse and the joy he gave me
by Cameron Rose, 12 Jun 2013
In recent weeks we’ve seen The Roar’s top fifty Australian racehorses of all time, and we must applaud Justin Cinque, Andrew Hawkins and Sheek for their collaboration. For myself, as no sort of racing historian, it was a valuable learning experience, and an enjoyable one to boot. But today, I’d like to honour the horses [...]
The Roar’s top 50 Australian racehorses of all-time (Part 10) 50-46
by Andrew Hawkins, 10 Jun 2013
After a number of weeks of contentious discussion, we finally complete our lists of the best horses to race in Australia. Who are the final horses to scrape into the list? Read the thoughts of Andrew Hawkins, Justin Cinque and Sheek below: 50. Andrew Hawkins – Briseis (b. 1873) 17/6/2/2 (35%) Despite her limited career, [...]
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