Horse racing on the flat shifts around the world along with the changing seasons. In the southern hemisphere, as we move into spring, the biggest race is down under is the Melbourne Cup, which pulls in the biggest crowds. Challengers from every corner of the world come to feel the drama and witness the excitement. Melbourne never disappoints.
Once the battle of power is over in the south, the carnival moves to Europe where the most famous stables will cross their spears in one of the most famous racing festivals, Royal Ascot. Before the UK, studs across the pond will be galloping towards one of the most cherished titles in the sport, The Triple Crown. Kentucky Derby, the Preakness, and the Belmont Stakes, which are held in May and June, are a huge world stage that gathers American fans and punters alike who are looking for the next horse that will make history.
As our flat season coming to a close, the new season just underway in Australia, with many trainers already deciding which horses will travel overseas, which ones will compete at home, and which races to target on both fronts. It’s a logistical nightmare. But that’s on them to figure out.
We, as fans and generally people who like watching horse races while keeping an eye on horse racing betting odds, can sit back and enjoy the show while contemplating and discussing possible new superstars on the track. Early favourites are not always the best bet. Actually, they rarely are. So, let’s see what racing around the globe has in store in the year ahead, which horses are in the spotlight and why, and if the potential is real or just hype that can put bettors in the red.
Melbourne Cup: Australia’s National Moment
The Melbourne Cup is a race of only a few minutes, but the build up lasts for weeks prior. It’s not called “the race that stops the nation” for nothing. Before all horses and jockeys gather in Flemington in November, they all go through preparation races at country tracks and city courses. Then comes Cup Day, on November 4. Being that it’s only one race, the prize pool is massive of about $6.5 million USD, with half going to the winner, and the rest is dispersed among other racers. Why does the race in Australia reels in so much attention? Unpredictability. It’s one of the last races in the season where stables are looking to make that last final push for the remaining trophy, while fans are figuring out how to bet on horse racing without losing their shirts. The Melbourne Cup has had its fair share of surprising champions.
A horse that looks ordinary very often goes unnoticed by analysts, commentators and fans, can suddenly find its rhythm and win. We had a few stunners like this, so it’s not unheard of, especially in Australia. Some of the key elements every bettor looks for is where a horse starts on the grid and how much weight it has to carry, since this can change its chances in a big way.
Kentucky Derby: The American Dream
Every year in early May, Louisville, Kentucky becomes the world’s biggest stage for horse racing. The first stage of the Triple Crown is also one of the most exciting and most famous races where the elite gather to enjoy expensive drinks, chat about horses, and cheer with passion. Regular folks can also be a part of the spectacle called “the most exciting two minutes in sports”, enjoying their beer and watching their wagers on Stake.com.
The Derby is open only to three year old horses, which means every year brings a fresh group of runners with no past Derby form that have to qualify at the prep races held throughout winter and spring before the race.
At the end, we have about 20 horses. For a horse race, this is a big number of studs that creates chaos at the start, favouring only the ones who can handle the pressure well and find their rhythm in the havoc.
Placing bets can be difficult. Horses’ line up may help with making predictions, since the outer stalls have more ground to cover, while the inside ones are probably going to get stuck in the traffic. Often, the ones in the middle have the best chances.
Preakness Stakes: The Shorter Test
Two weeks after the Derby comes the Preakness Stakes. The race is shorter and smaller, with many new horses coming to try out their luck. A couple of weeks is a short time, so trainers tend to bring in horses that didn’t run the Derby and are well rested for the upcoming race in Baltimore. Speed matters a lot here, and aggressive jockeys can win by pushing to the front early and daring the rest to catch up.
Bettors might be in a pickle here. New horses could be a new chance for the win, but they are also untested, risky and unfamiliar to the track. In case trainers decide to bring in the same horse that ran in Kentucky and won, bettors need to be careful about the horse’s stamina and ability to repeat the victory. An easy victory at the Derby can mean that the horse is about to make the same run, while the ones that barely pulled through the final stretch can fall through.
Belmont Stakes: A Classic with a Twist
The Belmont Stakes is the third jewel in the American Triple Crown which was originally known as the “test for the champion” since it’s one of the longest races with a mile and a half track. Next year, it will be shortened temporarily to a mile and a quarter. Shorter race can only mean one thing, it’s going to come down to speed instead of stamina.
Horses that have already ran on this track are the ones worth watching since the track has its own flaws, like tighter turns and shifting surface conditions, and is heavily favouring horses who are agile enough to handle the tricky curves and adapt to different footings. Away from the stables and stalls, fans are having the time of their life. Horses that won the Derby and Preakness come here in hopes of snatching the Crown, creating drama and ruckus. Regardless, it’s still a spectacle that creates legacies.
Epsom Derby: Britain’s Big Day
In mid June, the spotlight turns to Britain. The Epsom Derby is the country’s oldest flat race, with a tradition dating back to the 18th century, defined by steep turns and an inclining finish that will test the bravery and balance of every horse. It’s also an initiation race for three year olds. Horses often come from smaller races looking to make a mark in the history of racing by winning one of the most famous ones in the world. For their owners, this opens a door for massive profits that they’ll rake in with the breeding careers of their studs.
Betting on the Epsom Derby can be tricky, and many punters are looking for some advice from prominent figures in the sport, like taking notice of how to bet on the race from greats such as Frankie Dettori.
The Epsom Derby often goes to the horse that’s calm and obedient, graced by speed, balance, strength and endurance, while a horse that fights its rider or loses focus on the downhill run rarely wins.
Royal Ascot: Five Days of Class
And then comes a showdown. Royal Ascot is a week long festival attended by the royal family, as well as thousands of fans who flock to see dozens of races for all types of horses. Several races are the centrepieces. The Gold Cup for long distance horses is one highlight, as is the Jubilee Stakes for sprinters. Every race has serious prize money, and the total across the week now tops £10 million.
Royal Ascot stands out not only for many different races and a massive purse, but for the crowd that’s in attendance. These are not your average people looking to score on their ticket, but a crowd of royal elites with famous last names and family trees stretching back centuries, wearing formal attire as a sign of tradition and protocol. For the rest of us who are actually looking to win a bet, Ascot can be a challenge. Watching horses could help, but the main concern is the track field. Conditions change fast, and the horse that can adapt quickly often triumphs.
Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe: The Autumn Crown
France has one of the most prestigious races in the world in the Arc. In early October, racing fans gather in Paris to watch Longchamp, widely considered the best flat track in the world. The Arc brings together the best middle distance horses from Europe and beyond, and with a purse of €5 million, it is also one of the richest. Since the race is held in early autumn, when we have a lot of rain and soft ground, horses with the greatest balance and stamina usually come out on top.
Trainers often have two horses for this race, one to set the perfect pace for their potential champion in the back that will shoot past the others in the final stretch. As for those watching their bets, focusing on horses that already have experience with soft turf could bring in profits, which brings us to the World’s Best Racehorse awards. Often a horse that wins the Arc, becomes the champion, so there’s another chance for the bettors to cash in.
Rising Jockeys & Stars to Watch
A winning bet relies not only on horses, but on their jockeys as well. One name making a lot of buzz in horse racing is Saffie Osborne, a British jockey in her early 20s who rode Heart of Honor in Belmont. Her age is not keeping her behind older riders. What she lacks in experience, Osborne makes up for in passion and discipline. Famous trainers are keeping a close eye on the emerging talented jockey, and are already lining up to back her ambition and incoming success. In the U.S. and North American circuits, jockeys like Flavien Prat and Irad Ortiz Jr. continue to dominate the leaderboards, with Prat dominating the charts in wins and earnings.
Ortiz is close by. Karis Teetan from Hong Kong is another name making waves in the sport. An international career is still on the horizon, but he is definitely one of the names bettors are looking into when placing wagers. Keeping track of the rider can make or break your bet. They sometimes make last minute switches that can take the race in a completely different direction.
Favourite Horses & Likely Contenders
Predicting winners a year in advance is an unthankful job, so take this with a grain of salt. Sovereignty, winner of the 2025 Belmont Stakes, is the one to watch in the United States. In European circuits, Delacroix is the horse that reigns. Horses that come from families known for strength and endurance, rather than just speed, often do better in the longer races that happen later in the year, so it’s worth paying attention to them as the season goes on.
In big handicaps at Ascot or in the UK, watch horses who are improving rapidly or stepping up in class as they are often underpriced in early books making them a great value and a chance for a winning bet.
Betting Strategies
The horse racing season is long, with many twists and turns along the way.
Making predictions should be taken with a healthy dose of scepticism. There are no guarantees in betting, but we can make some good guesses and cross our fingers. Running on hopes and dreams won’t cut it, so make a good plan before the races start.
First, split your wagers. Put part of the money on the races and horses far into the future, like the Royal Ascot 2026 races, and keep the other half to bet on the upcoming races. This can be risky since betting upfront is like driving in the fog, but if you manage to make the right bet and have a hit, the payout can be significant.
Second, use each way or place bets in big fields, especially handicaps or large sprints. These give you more room for error and can save you a lot of money when your top pick doesn’t land. Third, factor in late changes. A switch of a star jockey or the removal of a jockey due to injury can tilt odds. Fourth, track surface. Some horses thrive on soft ground, while others need firm soil to gain footing. Finally, stay alert. Horses get injured, jockeys get sick. It’s all normal and part of the sport. Be ready to adjust bets or hold back when in doubt.