Ryan Moore takes place among world’s elite for LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship at Happy Valley
The LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley without Ryan Moore is almost unthinkable, and on Wednesday night (10 December), the 42-year-old will join 11 of the world’s elite riders for the 19th time in 20 years.
That couldn’t have been taken for granted when the line-up was first announced a month ago, as Moore continued his recovery from a stress fracture of the femur, which was first revealed at the end of August.
But the four-time recipient of the LONGINES World’s Best Jockey award made his return to race riding when landing a double at Lingfield a week out from the LONGINES IJC, and was in relaxed mood at Sha Tin on Tuesday morning (9 December) after riding a barrier trial for longtime ally John Size.
Harry Eustace carries high hopes for Docklands in LONGINES Hong Kong Mile
There will be another Eustace among the names for Sha Tin’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on Sunday (14 December) once again with David's brother Harry hoping for a more prominent showing from his stable star Docklands.
The elder sibling of one of Hong Kong's brightest training talents has had a fine year himself, with Docklands becoming his first top-level winner in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.
Now a very experienced five-year-old, he bids to improve upon last year's 12th-placed finish when tackling the HK$36 million (approx. £3.5m) G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile.
Mr Vango well backed for William Hill Half A Mill Becher
After 13 runners were declared for Aintree’s William Hill Becher Chase, the first William Hill Half A Mill bonus race, Mr Vango has been popular in the betting and is the 4/1 favourite.
Gavin Cromwell: Bioluminescence all set for William Hill Half A Mill Becher Chase
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell has provided the latest on Bioluminescence ahead of her run in the William Hill Half A Mill Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday.
Khaadem bidding to become oldest LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint winner
Khaadem will attempt to become the first nine-year-old to win the HK$28 million (approx. £2.7m) G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (6f/1200m) at Sha Tin’s LONGINES Hong Kong International Races on Sunday, December 14.
Sir AP McCoy: I couldn’t give up on Constitution Hill over hurdles
Sir AP McCoy has told William Hill that he doesn’t think connections should be giving up on Constitution Hill’s career over hurdles, despite another fall in the Fighting Fifth at the weekend.
Mr Vango tops William Hill Becher betting
Following the five-day confirmation stage for Aintree’s William Hill Becher Chase, the first William Hill Half A Mill bonus race, 19 horses have been confirmed for the prestigious contest over the Randox Grand National fences, with Mr Vango heading the market as the 6/1 favourite with William Hill.
From Van Dijk to Zidane, which racehorses are named after famous football legends?
Read any decent betting guide, and you are unlikely to find the suggestion ‘bet on a horse with a really great name’.
You might land one in every 20 bets placed going down this route, but you are unlikely to be sunning yourselves in Marbella with your winnings. Clacton-on-Sea is much more likely.
Horse racing and football have both had their fair share of donkeys, but it’s hard to make many direct comparisons. Essentially, they are sporting worlds apart.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Scott Allen ploughs his way through some of the most famous horses named after football players.
Fact To File rated narrowly ahead of Gaelic Warrior despite John Durkan defeat
Sunday’s John Durkan Chase saw a career-best effort from Gaelic Warrior (173 from 169) to get the better of last year’s winner Fact To File, aided by the run of the race but building on his strong finish to last season when beating Grey Dawning in the Bowl at Aintree and following up at Sandown.
Romantic Warrior dazzles with return success in G2 Jockey Club Cup
Romantic Warrior made a triumphant return to racing at Sha Tin on Sunday (23 November) as he sauntered to an emphatic victory in the HK$5.35 million (approx. £525,000) G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup (1m2f/2000m) for jockey James McDonald and trainer Danny Shum.
Gavin Cromwell: I suspect Mark Walsh will ride Fact To File over Inothewayurthinkin in John Durkan
William Hill ambassador Gavin Cromwell has revealed that he expects Mark Walsh to ride Fact To File in the John Durkan, instead of Cheltenham Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin.
What are the best strategies for successful horse racing betting?
Everyone believes there’s a magic formula to winning on the horses - a fail-safe way to walk away from the racecourse with bags full of cash.
Plenty of seasoned punters will have theories they swear by or show you crumpled bits of paper with all kinds of mathematical wizardry.
These all might help tip the scales in your favour, but the bottom line is that nothing is certain when it comes to the sport of kings.
But don’t despair, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Scott Allen is on hand to give your betting journey a nudge in the right direction.
Whether you're betting at Cheltenham, Royal Ascot, the Kentucky Derby, or just on a windy Tuesday in Redcar, these betting strategies could help you dust away some of the cobwebs in your wallet.
Kopek Des Bordes rated higher than Lulamba after pair make winning chase debuts
Lulamba’s impressive win on chasing debut at Exeter earned a Timeform rating of 145P – the ‘large P’ indicating significant improvement to come – but later on Monday afternoon it was a rating surpassed by likely Arkle opponent Kopek Des Bordes, who was rated 150p after his chasing debut at Navan.
Sean Bowen deserves to be in best jump jockeys of modern era conversation
Sean Bowen deserves to be considered among the best jumps jockeys of the modern era, according to the horse racing experts at Timeform, after making the fastest start to the season since Sir Anthony McCoy retired at the end of the 2014/15 season.
Mr Vango and Johnnywho headline William Hill Becher betting
William Hill are excited to open the betting on the William Hill Becher Chase, the first William Hill Half A Mill bonus race this season. 35 horses have been entered for the prestigious contest over the Randox Grand National fences, with Mr Vango and Johnnywho heading the market as 8/1 joint-favourites.
Horse racing A-Z guide: Complete list of horse racing betting terms
For the uninitiated, horse racing can look like a wild world of strange jargon, complicated betting markets and people dressed in everything from fancy hats to Wellington boots.
It’s a lot more than placing a bet on the result of a handful of horses making their way round a race course.
You can keep it that simple if you like, but that strategy is likely to drain your wallet very quickly.
Horse racing rarely takes a break. There’s always a race somewhere in the world at any one time.
Whether it’s the Cheltenham Festival, The Grand National, Royal Ascot or the 3.47 at Plumpton on a wet Tuesday afternoon, understanding racing terminology is essential for confident betting and hopefully turning a profit.
If you are an experienced gambler or a newbie starting on your punting journey, there’s plenty to learn and discover.
This comprehensive guide by Sports News Blitz’s horse racing expert Scott Allen covers terms used online, trackside and in betting shops across the UK, Ireland and international markets.
Horse racing news: William Hill put up £500,000 bonus in new Randox Grand National series
William Hill are thrilled to unveil the ground-breaking ‘William Hill Half a Mill’ Randox Grand National bonus series, which offers £500,000 to connections of any horse that can complete a famous trial and Grand National double in the same season.
The lucrative bonus is available to the winners of the William Hill Becher Chase at Aintree, the William Hill Classic Chase at Warwick and the William Hill Grand National Trial at Haydock – if they can go on to triumph in the Randox Grand National at Aintree on Saturday April 11, 2026.
It will see the prize money for the world’s greatest race double to £1million.
Virtual horse racing betting: A complete guide to odds, strategies and winning tips
Virtual horse racing has emerged as one of the most accessible forms of gambling for bettors worldwide.
While traditional afternoon and evening horse racing has been merrily ticking along for hundreds of years, virtual horse racing offers 24/7 action with competitive odds, without the risk of your selection having a meltdown in the stalls.
However, many punters still don’t trust virtual horse racing. They believe there’s too much ‘new-fangled technology’ going on in the background to feel comfortable about putting a large chunk of cash on something that isn’t flesh and blood.
Well, Grandad, it’s time to put those fears to one side, as Sports News Blitz’s Scott Allen walks you through the world of virtual horse racing and answers some questions you may have.
What are the dates for the UK’s top jumps races in the 2025/26 National Hunt season?
Struggling to find out when and where the biggest jumps meetings and festivals of the 2025/26 National Hunt season take place?
Don’t worry, Sports News Blitz’s horse racing and betting expert Scott Allen has got your back.
Giavellotto, Minnie Hauk and Cicero’s Gift among strong UK and Irish entry for Hong Kong International Races
Giavellotto, Minnie Hauk and recent British Champions Day Queen Elizabeth II Stakes winner Cicero’s Gift are among a strong entry of 33 horses from Great Britian and Ireland for the 2025 LONGINES Hong Kong International Races at Sha Tin on 14 December.
Taking on the world’s best sprinter, Ka Ying Rising, in the LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint is a tall order, but UK and Irish entries include G1 winners Khaadem, Kind Of Blue, Big Mojo, Arizona Blaze and Buccanero Fuerte, as well as She’s Quality, also entered.