Why was the 1880 Derby winner, Bend Or, subject to an objection?

Why was the 1880 Derby winner, Bend Or, subject to an objection? The history books still record that, on May 26, 1880, the unbeaten 2/1 favourite Bend Or, ridden by Fred Archer, edged out Robert The Devil, ridden by Edward Rossiter, to win the Derby by a head. However, shortly afterwards, a rumour began to circulate that Bend Or was not, in fact, Bend Or, but another three-year-old chestnut colt, named Tadcaster. Like Bend Or, Tadcaster was homebred by Hugh Grosvenor, First Duke of Westminster, at his Eaton Stud in Cheshire and, like Bend Or, was sired by the 1873 Derby winner Doncaster, but out of a different dam.

According to Richard Arnull, a soon-to-be-former stud groom at Eaton Stud, the two colts had been inadvertently switched as foals. His motivation for revealing that information, after the fact, remains unclear, but the rumour resulted in the joint-owners of Robert The Devil, Charles Brewer and Charles Blanton, who also trained the horse, lodging a belated objection against ‘Bend Or’ on the grounds that he was ‘not the horse he was represented to be’. In the absence of irrevocable evidence, one way or the other, the Epsom stewards faced a nigh on impossible task to resolve the matter and, based on what was effectively hearsay, unanimously overruled the objection, such that the result was allowed to stand.

Fast forward 130 years or so and, in 2012, evidence came to light that suggested, whatever his original intentions, Richard Arnull was right. A research project compared mitochondrial DNA taken from the skeleton of Bend Or with that taken from the living relatives of Tadcaster and proved, beyond reasonable doubt, that the 1880 Derby winner could not have been out of Rouge Rose, believed to be the dam of Bend Or, but proved a perfect match for Clemence, the dam of Tadcaster. A fascinating chapter in racing, of course the gambling world has changed significantly since then with wolfwinner online pokies for real money and the like, though racing is as popular as ever!

What is NRNB in Horse Racing?

If you are the kind of racing punter who likes to tackle the ante-post markets, you’ll likely have come across the term NRNB. It stands for Non-Runner No Bet, meaning that you will have your stake returned if, for some reason, your selection does not participate in the race.

NRNB is, therefore, an easy concept to understand, yet that said, its importance to some bettors cannot be understated. Moreover, it gets a bit more complicated as part of horse racing betting strategies.

To explain, you should consider the following scenario: If you place a bet, say, a couple of hours before a race, and your selection is suddenly scratched from the race, it’s almost certain that NRNB will be applied automatically. You’ll get your money back by presenting your betting slip (if you’re at the track) or automatically refunded to your online betting account.

Now, what if the bet wasn’t placed a couple of hours before the race but several months before it? Perhaps surprisingly for some inexperienced bettors, it’s actually highly unlikely that you would get your money back. That might sound unfair, but we can elaborate on the reasons why.

NRNB & Ante-Post Betting Strategies

It’s important to understand NRNB within the context of ante-post betting. If you were to look at the 2026 Grand National odds today, it’s clear that the markets will look very different nine months from now when the race goes off. There is a summer and the best part of the national hunt season to get through before we reach Mid-April at the Grand National at Aintree.

The allure of finding value

Therefore, you might see a horse available at 100/1 in the Grand National markets today who ends up being 10/1 on race day after impressing across the jumps season. That’s the art of ante-post betting: you are betting on the potential. It is an attempt to outsmart the bookmakers.

Now, the flipside is that your selection might not end up running in the race. If NRNB is not offered (which is unlikely at this point in our Grand National example), then you wouldn’t get your money back. The argument, on the bookmakers’ behalf, is that you are benefitting from potentially inflated odds and thus your wager is twofold: first, you are betting on the horse winning the race. Secondly, you are betting on the horse participating in the race.

For balance, we should say that there can be instances where you pick a horse in the ante-post markets and its odds actually rise before the race goes off, meaning you took a price that was lower than the SP. This does happen, but it’s again part of the ups and downs of ante-post betting.

A balance between risk and reward

So, why bother at all with ante-post betting? Why not just wait until closer to the race, knowing you will get your stake back if the horse doesn’t run? Well, as hinted, it’s all part of the art of ante-post betting. You are, in a sense, hunting for value. We can give some real-world examples. In January 2021, Put the Kettle On was priced around 66/1 for the Queen Mother Champion Chase that upcoming March at the Cheltenham Festival. By the time the Festival rolled around two months later, the mare was priced with an SP of 17/2. She duly won the race, and those who took the risk in January were handsomely rewarded.

It doesn’t always work out as neatly as it did with Put the Kettle On, but it is an example of what ante-post bettors are trying to achieve. They get double satisfaction – knowing that they won the race and that they got a much better price by employing a long-term strategy.

We will finish with an important tip. If you have an eye on a particular festival, shop around different bookmakers, as many will offer NRNB on big races as part of a promotion. It could give you an extra piece of insurance as part of your racing strategy.

Why did Sheikh Adbdullah Almalek Alsabah remove his horses from George Boughey?

Why did Sheikh Adbdullah Almalek Alsabah remove his horses from George Boughey? For readers unfamiliar with the name, Sheikh Adbdullah Almalek Alsabah is a former champion owner in his native Kuwait, where he is a member of the ruling family, and has invested increasingly heavily in British bloodstock over the last decade or so. He has, or has had, horses in training with numerous trainers throughout the country, including David O’Meara, Richard Fahey, Kevin Philippart De Foy, Richard Hannon and, until recently, George Boughey. Boughey, on the other hand, is a Classic winning trainer based at Saffron House Stables in Newmarket. He set up on his own, at the age of 27, in 2019, having spent six years as assistant trainer to Hugo Palmer at nearby Kremlin Cottage Stables and, with already over 300 winners to his name, is considered one of the rising stars of the sport.

On June 28, 2023, four days after Royal Ascot, it was reported that Sheikh Adbdullah had removed all his horses from Saffron House Stables, citing a breakdown in communication between himself and Boughey before, and during, the Royal meeting. He told the ‘Racing Post’, ‘I spend millions of pounds on horses every year and if I lose, I’m not angry or upset, but it’s very important there is openness between the owner and trainer.’

His principle cause for complaint was the participation of his promising two-year-old Asadna, who was sent off 7/2 favourite for the Group 2 Coventry Stakes, but could finish only ninth, beaten six lengths by the winner, River Tiber. Asadna suffered a cut to his shoulder on the previous Friday morning but, according to Boughey, ‘…did not miss a day of work and was at no point lame.’ Sheikh Abdullah, though, was insistent that he ‘told him [Boughey] not to run [Asadna].’ His frustration was compounded when his intended runners in the Palace of Holyrood Stakes and the Commonwealth Cup, Dark Alert and Al Dasim, were withdrawn, late in the day, on veterinary advice.

What is a Stake Horse Race?

What is a Stake Horse Race? Ever wondered what makes certain horse races stand out? If you’ve heard the term “stake race” and aren’t quite sure what it means, you’re in the right place.

Stake horse races are some of the most talked-about events in the racing calendar. They gather top horses and skilled jockeys, attracting lots of interest at the track.

If you want to understand what makes them important and what to look out for, let’s take a closer look. You may have heard the term stake betting, but for all the details on stake horse races, keep reading.

Defining a Stake Horse Race

A stake horse race is a type of race where horse owners pay an entry fee, called a “stake”, to allow their horse to compete. These funds are pooled to form the race’s prize money, which can make these races especially rewarding for those involved. Sometimes, prize money is further boosted by additional contributions from racecourses or sponsors.

Stake races often require horses to meet strict entry standards based on age, past performance, or breeding, so only standout riders and horses make it to the start. As a result, these races are known for competitive action and high stakes for all participants.

Put simply, a stake horse race is all about high-quality competition and generous rewards.

Key Characteristics of Stake Races

Stake races stand apart from other kinds of horse racing. Here’s why:

  • Bigger prizes: As explained above, the entry fees and added money create a much larger prize fund.

  • Strict entry standards: Only horses meeting certain requirements are allowed to compete, such as those based on age, prior performance, or breeding.

  • Top talent: These races attract experienced trainers and the best jockeys, leading to a high standard of racing.

  • Popular events: They often feature as the highlight of a race day; they draw big crowds and significant attention.

These qualities make stake races some of the most keenly anticipated contests for racing fans.

Types of Stake Races

There isn’t just one kind of stake race; there are several, each with their own rules.

Handicap Stakes

All horses carry different weights to make the finish as close as possible and level the competition.

Listed Stakes

These races attract strong competitors and decent prize funds, sitting below the top level but still very respected.

Group Races

This is the highest class, with Group 1 at the very top, followed by Groups 2 and 3. Only the best compete at these levels.

Age-Restricted Stakes

Certain races allow entry only to horses of a set age, such as two-year-olds or three-year-olds, to keep the contest balanced.

Each type of stake race brings its own sense of occasion and excitement to the racing calendar.

Importance in the Racing World

Stake races are highly regarded throughout horse racing. As mentioned earlier, their stricter entry requirements and larger prize pots mean only the best reach the starting line. Winning a stake race is a major achievement and adds prestige not just for the owner and trainer, but for the horse as well.

These races often draw bigger crowds, and are covered widely in the media. Success in such events can also increase a horse’s value for breeding, marking them out as future stars of the sport.

It’s no surprise then that, throughout the season, stake races are the contests that capture everyone’s attention and genuinely shape the future of horse racing.

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