British Horse Racing

Top British jockey Lester Piggott is said to be improving after being hospitalized last weekend. Piggott, who has a history of cardiac problems, is undergoing a series of routine tests but is in good spirits, according to his family. Piggott, 83, rode the winners of nine Epsom Derbys and 5,300 races during his career. Stateside, […]

A project that hopes to take horse racing to the streets next year in major metro areas got a boost Wednesday with a trial run at a British racecourse. According to the Racing Post, both trainers and jockeys gave a thumbs up to the exhibition, which took place at Aintree, where a temporary three-furlong artificial […]

The British Horseracing Authority is looking into an incident at Nottingham Wednesday that has left a sour taste in the mouth of one owner. Craig Buckingham tells the Racing Post he’s considering quitting the sport after what happened in the Sprint Final of the Grassroot Series. As the horses were being loaded into the gates, […]

Sir Alfred Munnings was known across Britain for his brilliance and perfectionism as a painter of Thoroughbreds, feverishly sketching and practicing on Newmarket’s Warren Hill in an attempt to capture the poetry of horses taking flight. But while Munnings sat with his sketchbook at the start of a race, his wife Violet found herself in […]

Britain’s Jockey Club and other entities have supported a new team-based racing competition set for 2019. Among the unique aspects of the series: jockeys will not be allowed to use whips other than for safety reasons. Jeremy Wray, founder of the Championship Horse racing concept, said he’s not trying to stir up a debate over […]

Top British trainer John Gosden says the European trend of average human heights increasing is bad news for the ongoing shortage of stable help in Britain. Gosden tells The Telegraph he has struggled to find riders of appropriate size and strength; the average person is becoming taller and therefore heavier, and those who are tall […]

If horse lovers needed more proof that Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II bears some resemblance to commoners when it comes to her stable, a report on Horse and Hound this week reveals she keeps an eye on her broodmares even in the midst of her hectic schedule. The Queen’s broodmares at Sandringham are monitored by […]

In the wake of headlines detailing drunken brawls at British race meetings over the past few months, Royal Ascot has announced additional security protocols for its upcoming meet. According to The Guardian, racegoers may be subject to a breathalyzer test before being allowed on the grounds. The track will no longer offer mobile beer sellers, […]

A group of owners and breeders have reached an agreement to purchase an interest in the UK bookmaking brand the Tote, according to gamingtoday.com. The “Alizeti consortium” will acquire a 25 percent share of the Tote for $201 million, with an option to purchase 100 percent later on. Fred Done (Betfred) purchased the Tote from the […]

The wrong horse was put up as the winner of a recent race at Kempton Park in Britain, prompting action by the British Horseracing Authority to minimize the risk of future mistakes. The Guardian reports that Oregon Gift, the 10-11 favorite, appeared to have lost the March 23 race to Bird For Life, who was an […]