Horse Racing: Ultimate 2024 Racing Guide
Are you ready for a new year of horse racing? Here at BetMGM we've got you covered with extensive odds and streaming of every UK and Irish race in 2024, plus thousands of major meetings around the world.
This horse racing guide will take you through everything you need to know when betting on the horses in 2024. From the biggest races this year to quick 2024 racing tips, we’re here to help you every step of the way.
Biggest horse races in 2024
Let’s start with the premier racing fixtures to put in your diary in 2024. Keep an eye out for BetMGM horse racing offers around these major events, including extra places and odds boosts. Here are the biggest horse racing fixtures 2024 has to offer:
Cheltenham Gold Cup – Friday 15 March 2024
The World Cup of horse racing, Cheltenham Festival is the biggest racing meeting in the world. Four days of scintillating action in mid-March, culminating with the Gold Cup.
This race carries more prestige than the £625,000 prize pot – a fund dwarfed by other big races around the world. Cheltenham gets underway on Tuesday 14 March, with the Gold Cup scheduled for the Friday.
Grand National – Saturday 13 April 2024
The Grand National is the biggest horse race on the planet for sheer volume of bets. Millions of people bet on the Grand National, either with the bookies or in sweepstakes. The number of runners is reduced from 40 to 34 for the first time in 2024. The fence heights have also come down in recent years.
It means you can bet on the Grand National with more confidence that your pick will complete the race. This remains a gruelling 4 miles and 2½ furlongs run and we can expect more close finishes in the future now the conditions are better for horses.
Epsom Derby – Saturday 1 June 2024
The biggest race of the UK and Irish flat season, the Epsom Derby is set to be a classic in 2024. Hotly-tipped horse City Of Troy is already the favourite to win the Derby after three victorious outings in 2023, and the three-year-old is one of the big horses to watch for 2024.
Ascot Gold Cup – Thursday 20 June 2024
The pomp and ceremony return during the height of the English summer when the Ascot Gold Cup gets underway. This race for horses four years and older often attracts runners that weren't quite ready for the Classics the year before.
Horses can create dynasties at Ascot, returning year on year to claim the Gold Cup. Yeats and Stradivarius are two recent multiple-champions here, but 2024 is likely to see a new name added to the Gold Cup honours board.
Irish Derby – Sunday 30 June 2024
If you enjoy betting on the Epsom Derby then you'll likely see a few of the same runners rock up at the Curragh for the Irish Derby.
Only 19 horses have ever won the Epsom Derby and Irish Derby. In 2023 Auguste Rodin did just that, and punters may be interested in a double bet on City of Troy to be the 20th this year.
King George VI Chase – Thursday 26 December 2024
Boxing Day horse racing doesn’t get bigger than the King George VI Chase at Kempton. Horse racing betting fans pour over the racecards in search of a winner. However, they’re not just looking at this race. The King George VI Chase is an ideal stage to watch runners who may succeed at Cheltenham three months down the line.
Quick 2024 racing tips
2024 is a big year for horse racing. Bettors have access to thousands of races around the world and tweaks to the BHA's regulations means we could see more competitive results than ever before.
So, if you're planning on betting on events in 2024 then these horse racing tips may come in handy:
Track the Ante Post odds now
BetMGM has Ante Post odds on the biggest National Hunt and Flat races in the UK and Ireland. The early months of 2024 is where you'll discover the likely champions of the big races later in the year.
January and February results are critical for three-year-old horses that are expected to run at Cheltenham and many of the big summer Flat races. So, keep an eye on the names tipped to win the 1000 Guineas, 2000 Guineas and the Oaks, cross reference them with your horse racing form guide, and back them for success in winter months. You can then bet on the Ante Post markets with more confidence too.
Stick with the big trainers
The most powerful horse racing trainers are expected to dominate Cheltenham, Aintree and Epsom this year. The big boys have been able to ride the recent cost of living crisis, and have more horses running than ever compared to smaller trainers. It means betting on Nicky Henderson and Gordon Elliott horses will be the go-to option for many punters in 2024.
Live stream earlier races
BetMGM offers horse racing live streaming and betting on UK and Irish races. One of the best tips when betting on the races is to live stream the first couple of races, and then bet with more confidence on a meeting's later races once you understand the course conditions.
You'll need to bet in order to watch a stream, so keep those early wagers small as you gather your knowledge.
Use EW+
BetMGM offers more places on scores of races each day. EW+ increases the number of places for selected races and still pays out the same. If you're new to each way betting then EW+ is the perfect boost to widen your chances of winning a bet.
Horses to watch in 2024
Here are some horses to keep an eye on in 2024, and where they're likely to succeed:
City Of Troy
There's a growing hope that 2024 could produce a Triple Crown winner and the BetMGM horse racing odds have come in to Evens on City Of Troy winning the 2000 Guineas. The three-year-old dominated all three races in his maiden 2023 season and is also favourite for the Derby. Win both the Guineas and the Derby, and he'll be well backed to claim St Leger victory at Doncaster in September.
Monty's Star
A convincing winner at Punchestown on New Year's Eve, trainer Henry de Bromhead has Monty's Star set up to headline Cheltenham over the next couple of seasons. The seven-year-old looks a cert to run in the Brown Advisory Novices' Chase, with a stab at the Cheltenham Gold Cup to come in 2025. He's worth monitoring.
Ylang Ylang
Opera Singer currently leads the Epsom Oaks odds for 2024 but Ylang Ylang is the horse to watch. The three-year-old runs effortlessly well and won the Newmarket Fillies' Mile in October. She'll get a couple of outings before Epsom is should be a good bet to entertain punters.
2024 Cheltenham betting
There are 28 races at Cheltenham Festival and BetMGM is covering them all in 2024. However, not everyone has the time to bet on every single race, so it's important to make smart choices when deciding when to bet.
We've looked over the Cheltenham Ante Post odds to unearth three tips for the festival:
Triumph Hurdle – Burdett Road 4/1
Burdett Road won the Triumph Hurdle Trial Juvenile Hurdle at Cheltenham's meeting in November and that sets up this British runner for the big one in March. The horse has stepped up its results since James Owen took over as trainer and his 12-length win at Huntingdon this winter was one of supreme confidence. Sir Gino and Storm Heart are close in the betting for the 2024 Triumph Hurdle but Burdett Road looks a sure pick here.
Champion Chase – El Fabiolo 4/5
El Fabiolo was an outsider to win the 2024 Champion Chase until his display at Cork in December. A commanding victory under Paul Townend say his Cheltenham odds tumble past early favourite Jonbon, and the price is likely to stay that way. The French horse won the Arkle in 2023 and is a great Ante Post shout to add to his Cheltenham haul this year.
Mares Novices Hurdle – Dysart Enos 4/1
Priced alongside fellow favourite Brighterdaysahead, Dysart Enos is well placed to claim victory in the Mares Novices Hurdle. Dysart Enos has won her last five races without too much trouble. She has a year on Brighterdaysahead and is comfortable running under Paddy Brennan.
2024 Grand National betting
Betting on the Grand National intensifies in the weeks leading up to the big race but the Ante Post markets are ideal for punters who want to get in ahead of time and snag a better price. There are three main options for Grand National betting: back the winner, bet each way, or create a combination bet on multiple runners. Here are three 2024 Grand National tips to get you started:
Mahler Mission – Win
Had Mahler Mission won the Gold Cup at Newbury in December then trainer John McConnell would have pushed him for Cheltenham. Now, it looks like Mahler Mission's season will tilt to the Grand National and his odds have already fallen to 20/1. He should get a run at the Cotswold Chase to test his nerve and, assuming he impresses there, is destined to be a top pick for the Grand National.
Vanillier – Each Way
Vanillier was a respectable second at the Grand National last year at 20/1 and he's well priced at 16/1 in the Ante Post markets to place once more. The Gavin Cromwell-trained nine-year-old has laboured for results towards the end of 2023 in shorter-length races but Aintree is where he's being angled towards. He is well worth considering at this price.
Coach Rambler – One to avoid
Corach Rambler arguably benefitted from a much reduced weight when storming to victory in the 2023 Grand National. His form carrying 11st 10lbs and heavier since then has been reasonable but not good enough to point to success at the 2024 Grand National. It therefore seems unlikely that the Ante Post favourite will repeat his stunning victory.
Biggest global horse races 2024
Cheltenham and the Grand National are the two biggest racing UK horse races – but there are more lucrative races to win if you’re an owner, trainer or jockey gunning for prize money.
From America to Japan, international horse racing’s biggest events in 2024 offer a combined £65.6m in prize money. Millions are spent on flying the world’s elite horses around the world to compete for the biggest trophies and winners’ cheques on the planet. These elite runners have a packed 2024 horse racing calendar to prepare for.
Below are the big ones to look for in 2024. Make sure you mark early November in your diary!
Saudi Cup | 24 February 2024 – £15.7m
The richest single race on the planet, the Saudi Cup attracts racehorse owners from around the world and is a fairly straightforward 1,800 metre bolt around the Riyadh racetrack.
Dubai World Cup | 30 March 2024 – £9.4m
Once the world's richest horse race, the Dubai World Cup is a big draw for American racehorse owners. For many US-bred, three-to-four-year-old horses it marks the end of their track running career.
Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe | 6 October 2024 – £3.9m
Longchamp Racecourse decks out in full splendour for the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe – French horse racing's ultimate display of pageantry. This 1½ miles bolt often draws winners from the UK, Ireland and Germany.
The Everest | 12 October 2024 – £10.5m
The younger sibling of the more classical Melbourne Cup, the Everest is the richest turf race in the world with entry fees of £370,000. It takes a little over a minute for the 1,200m race to finish.
The Golden Eagle | 2 November 2024 – £5.2m
Run for the first time in 2029, the Golden Eagle horse race gives horses a final chance at glory when they reach their fourth year and has become a go-to race to bet on from Rosehill Gardens Racecourse.
Breeders' Cup Classic | 2 November 2024 – £4.7m
America's biggest horse race in terms of prize money is the Breeders' Cup Classic, where three-year-olds who have impressed in the Triple Crown events seek one big windfall. The Breeders' Cup festival changes venue every year.
Melbourne Cup | 5 November 2024 – £4.4m
Australian horse racing reaches its peak in November for the Melbourne Cup, where more than 75,000 fans watch the action at the Victoria Racing Club. The Melbourne Cup often attracts Irish, French, and New Zealand horses.
Japan Cup | 24 November 2024 – £5.9m
Japan's premier race is an invitation-only event that, in recent years, has attracted runners from around the world. However, Japanese horses have won the Japan Cup every year between 2006 and 2023.
Arima Kinen | 22 December 2024 – £5.9m
It is estimated Japanese racing betting fans wager as much as £220m on the Arima Kinen each year. Ten of the 16 horses are selected to compete by racing fans.