The year 2022 promises to be once again rich in horse racing. The most beautiful equestrian competitions will take place in the greatest prestige within the racecourses of Cheltenham, Liverpool or Chantilly, to name but a few. Flat races, steeplechases and sprints, here are the biggest horse racing competitions to follow this year.
The Grand National
The Grand National is an unmissable equestrian event that takes place every year in April. This is a steeplechase horse race that has existed since 1839. The event arouses great enthusiasm, especially among the English betting public. This great moment of spectacle relayed by the English press brings together more than 70,000 spectators on the racecourse of Aintree, located in Liverpool. For the occasion, journalists specializing in horse racing take on the challenge of predictions and give us their best way to bet on the Grand National while bookmakers are increasing their odds. What will be the highlight of the 2022 edition of the Grand National? We could well witness the first coronation of a female jockey!
The Grand Steeplechase de Paris
The Grand Steeplechase is a very popular horse race in France which takes place in May every year. Created in 1874, this colourful competition which takes place in Auteuil is reserved only for horses aged 5 and over. It is one of the most famous races in the horse racing world. The Grand Steeplechase offers a minimum of 850,000 euros to all the best runners, with more than half to the winner. In total, 17 events are planned during the two days of the competition. Runners challenge each other in group events over more than 6,000 meters. The courses contain obstacles of different sizes.
Races at the Hippodrome de Chantilly
Taking place in May 2022 at the Chantilly racecourse in France, this 181st edition of one of the most prestigious races in Europe still focuses on thoroughbreds aged 3 and over. The Chantilly racecourse has a soft ground that made its reputation. The stands, built in 1881 and listed as historical monuments, were restored and modernized in the early 2000s. In 2022 again, the race will reward the most deserving horses capable of covering its 2,100 meters of distance at the speed of lightning. The race is accompanied by numerous activities for visitors including a trade village and ways to learn more about the equestrian world.
The Epsom Derby in England
The Epsom Derby will take place next June at Epsom Downs, located about 30 minutes from London. This year again, colts 3 years and older will present themselves at the start and try to follow in the footsteps of Golden Horn, winner in 2015 before winning the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. The second stage of the English triple crown, the Epsom Derby propels winners towards the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, then the Prix de l’Arc at the beginning of autumn. A royal destiny, but only for the best.
The Cheltenham Festival in England
The Cheltenham Festival is considered one of the most prestigious horse racing championships in the world. It has been taking place for more than 100 years in the English seaside resort of Cheltenham located in Gloucestershire in England. Thousands of tourists are expected again this year, attracted both by the sporting competition and the inimitable festive atmosphere. This competition created in 1860 takes place over four days with several category I races, such as the Cheltenham Gold Cup, the Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase and the World Hurdle. The event is very popular with punters who spend large sums of money to try to win their bet. The public particularly appreciates the atmosphere of Cheltenham, famous for its “Cheltenham Roar”: a deafening noise produced by the cries of the delirious crowd on the opening day of the festival, which is also the start of the first race.
