19
May
Record overseas entries head to Ascot this summer
This year’s horse racing festival at Royal Ascot may well have an international feel to it, as a record number of overseas entries assemble on the iconic venue this summer. 2015 Breeders Cup Mile winner Tepin will be among the star names competing at Ascot, with the horse that is unbeaten so far this year having been entered into the hotly contested Queen Anne Stakes. With record prize money on offer this year, it is perhaps no wonder that so many of the leading horses from around the world are taking their opportunity to gain a spoil of the riches. With over one hundred and sixty entries from foreign shores in total, this years racing at Royal Ascot looks set to be some of the most competitive in recent history.
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Such figures beat those of the previous record set back in 2013, with thirty-five entries coming from outside of Europe. Closer to home however, Trainer Aiden O’Brien makes his presence felt with over half of Ireland’s eighty-one entries coming from his long list of talented horses. As Royal Ascot draws closer, we are only likely to see further additions to the race line up’s, with many big names battling it out to secure famous wins. Tepin is the 3/1 favourite with bookmakers Coral to claim glory in the Queen Anne, closely followed by Irish bred Belardo, who is at 7/1. For those of you who just can’t wait for Ascot, more horse racing betting coverage can be found at Coral.
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The number of foreign entries is only likely to grow as a result of juvenile races, and with additional prize money of £1million from last year, the fact that earnings are now over £6.5million in total is certain to ensure the iconic meeting continues to grow in the future.
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One disappointing piece of news for race organisers however is the withdrawal of Chautauqua from the Diamond Jubilee Stakes. Regarded as one of the finest sprinters in the world of horse racing, with trainers Wayne Hawkes deciding it was in the best interest of his horse to pull out. However, the inclusion of other big names in the horse racing betting from Ascot including Japanese favourite A Shin Hikari, means that there are still plenty of winners to back. A Shin Hikari is offered odds of 10/1 by Coral to claim victory in the Prince of Wales Stakes, with the Aiden O’Brien trained Found the favourite at 3/1.
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Royal Ascot organisers are predictably delighted with the number of international entries, with the event running from the 14th-18th of June likely to draw record crowds through the gates.
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