The Top Equine Stories – A Roundup From the Festive Period
A hectic Christmas period saw significant changes in the betting for many of the Cheltenham Festival’s 28 races. The dust was only settling on the markets when William Hill bookmakers announced they would become the first company to offer ‘non-runner no-bet’ terms on all races at the famous March meeting.
Punters can now bet on all Cheltenham Festival races with the benefit of non-runner money-back terms. ©GettyImages
Bets placed on Cheltenham 2024 races by William Hill customers now come with the bonus that stakes will be returned if a selection does not race in its designated contest. In addition to the non-runner money back guarantee, William Hill will also pay each-way bets down to five places on all of the Festival’s handicaps.
Confirming the new concessions, William Hill spokesman Lee Phelps said: “After a busy few days of festive racing, the ante-post picture for many of the Cheltenham Festival races looks much clearer, but there’s still certainly no guarantee that any horse will make it to the track in March.”
“So, with interest building all the time, we’re giving our customers the added reassurance that from January 1, if one of their ante-post fancies doesn’t run, they’ll get their money back as we’re now non-runner money back on all of the 28 Cheltenham Festival races.”
Frodon Retires as a Great
Frodon, one of the most popular chasers of recent times, has been retired. The Paul Nicholls-trained veteran struck up a fantastic association with Bryony Frost, who partnered the French-bred in every outing since October 2018.
During that time, the duo won the 2019 Ryanair Chase, the 2020 King George VI Chase, and the 2021 Down Royal Champion Chase. Frodon’s final start came in Boxing Day’s King George VI Chase, where he finished fifth.
Frodon also finished third in the 2022 King George and fourth in 2021‘s contest. His final victory came in last season’s Badger Beer Handicap Chase at Wincanton. It was his 19th visit to the winner’s enclosure.
Finishing in the frame in 33 of his 52 lifetime starts and winning at Cheltenham on six occasions, Frodon earned his connections over £1.17 million during a career that spanned almost eight years. He will be cared for in retirement by Frost on Exmoor National Park.
Another popular star who retired over the festive period was Sceau Royal. The 17-time winner was particularly successful at Wincanton, where he landed the Elite Hurdle three times. Grade-1 success came in 2017’s Henry VIII Novices’ Chase, which contributed to Alan King’s charge, claiming £723,648 in career earnings.
Winter Derby Gets the Cold Shoulder
During the jump racing season, few punters keep an eye on flat racing. But the sport trundles on throughout the winter months, and in February, there is a Bet UK-sponsored Winter Derby that boasts Group-3 race status.
Held at Lingfield Park since its 1998 inception, the ten-furlong contest will be staged at Southwell for the first time in 2024. However, damage caused to the Nottinghamshire racecourse during October’s Storm Babet means the racecourse is unable to entertain public/paying customers until March.
Consequently, the Saturday afternoon race scheduled to be broadcast live on ITV Racing will have little atmosphere. This was also due to be the case on New Year’s Day when a £39,000 handicap hurdle was on the card. However, this meeting fell foul to a waterlogged track.
For some reason, today’s meeting at Southwell was abandoned! pic.twitter.com/lKXfIPaIEf
— Sports & Betting History by BestBettingSites (@CDCHistory) October 23, 2023
John Gosden’s Clarehaven Stables have harvested the Winter Derby in recent years. The Newmarket handler has won four of the past five editions of the contest. His 2019 winner, Wissahickon, and 2020 scorer, Dubai Warrior, were both ridden by Frankie Dettori.
Dettori will probably not be riding in the UK during February. The Italian – the first eliminated from I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here 2023 – began his Californian adventure with three Grade-1 rides at Santa Anita on Boxing Day. One finished second beaten by a nose.
Sky Is the Limit for Newbury
Newbury bade farewell to its long-term broadcast partner, Racing TV, on December 30. Action from the circuit will now air on Sky Sports Racing as part of a five-year contract. The first 2024 meeting at the Berkshire venue is scheduled for January 17.
Hosting both flat and jumps racing, Newbury has 31 race days planned for 2024. Its famous races are the Group-1 Lockinge Stakes, the Coral Gold Cup (commonly known as The Hennessey), and the Challow Novices’ Hurdle. Captain Teague won the latter contest over the Christmas period.
Elsewhere, terrestrial broadcaster ITV has told its viewers it plans to broadcast racing on 120 of 2024’s 366 days. The station has added several meetings to its established schedule. These will include a trial of morning races that will feature as part of the popular ‘Opening Show.’
As a starting point, ITV Racing editor Richard Willoughby has explained that the network will broadcast all three days of Lingfield’s Winter Million meeting – on January 19, 20, and 21. The second race day is a Saturday morning fixture featuring a £50,000 sprint contest. It is due off at 10.10 am.
