Horse racing has seen some truly outstanding competitors take to the track, where they have exceeded themselves far and above the standard of their peers.
Both flat and jump racing have boasted a host of stars, although the longevity of careers in the National Hunt has allowed horses to establish a greater legacy.
Careers on the flat tend to be short and sharp, lasting two or three seasons. Therefore, it’s crucial for owners, trainers, and competitors to ensure that they're able to maximise their time on the track.
Their counterparts in the National Hunt have the opportunity to develop their charges, which can see improvements made over time.
There are a number of factors such as age and heritage that can contribute to success for horses in both disciplines, but most importantly, talent is the decisive element.
Genetics can take you so far, but just like with humans, children are not always able to match up to the sporting talent of their parents.
We’ll now break down the key aspects that great champions of the past have had over their rivals and what to look out for in future competitors when eyeing up a horse racing bet.
Heritage
Having famous relatives in the world of sport can be a daunting prospect. Expectations are always raised when a competitor has a famous sire, dam, or even an ancestor further down the genetic line that was a star of the racing world
Bloodline does not always guarantee success, with a number of horses that have been reared from outstanding pedigree, but have underwhelmed in their respective careers.
There are exceptions to the rule – none more so than the case of Galileo and his numerous offspring.
During his one season in flat racing, Aidan O’Brien’s charge was dominant. Galileo won The Derby and the Irish Derby by comfortable distances before he triumphed at Royal Ascot in the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes, beating out Fantastic Light.
His rival got the best of him in a thrilling contest in the Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, losing out by a head on the line.
Galileo’s career ended with an underwhelming sixth-place finish in the Breeders’ Cup Classic before being put into retirement to sire the next generation of competitors.
Galileo himself came from excellent stock, descending from the Canadian-bred horse Northern Dancer, who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness Stakes in 1964.
Galileo has become one of the most successful sires in the history of racing. Arguably the greatest flat racing horse of all time – Frankel – comes directly from his bloodline.
Found, Highland Reel, Gleneagles, Australia, and Minding have also been reared directly from the Irish-bred horse. His effect is even spreading to the next generation again.
Nathaniel was already a talented horse in his own right, winning the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the Eclipse during his career.
Following his retirement, he sired Enable, who has entered the realm of Frankel’s greatness after winning the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe in back-to-back years
Bloodline is prevalent in the flat discipline rather than the National Hunt; although Sadler’s Wells, which sired Galileo, also reared High Chapperel, who in turn sired the great Altior, who has been a star of jump racing over the last four years.
If there’s a bloodline to be a part of, it’s the Northern Dancer ancestry downwards. Altior is one of the ones to watch in the latest Cheltenham Festival betting odds, and he's not alone in the dynasty.
Age
In flat racing, age restrictions prevent horses from below the age of three from competing in elite races. Certain meets are restricted to only three-year-olds, such as the 2,000 Guineas, The Derby, Irish Guineas and the Irish Derby.
The Triple Crown races – the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and the Belmont Stakes – in the United States are also restricted to three-year-olds. The careers of sprinters can be short ones, with the prime year being their second season in the sport.
Enable won the majority of her crowns in her three-year-old campaign, and although she battled injuries in her four-year-old campaign, John Gosden’s charge was able to find her rhythm to triumph at l’Arc and the Breeders' Cup Turf.
Frankel enjoyed the same success in his three-year-old season, winning the Guineas, St James’s Palace Stakes, Sussex Stakes, and the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes.
He doubled up on his Sussex Stakes crown in the following term before adding the International and Sprint Stakes crowns to his collection.
For horses of that ilk, the best age is between three and four, although there have been cases where five- and even six-year-olds have triumphed. For long-distance flat runners, older horses can find success, although the younger breed are beginning to dominate.
In the National Hunt, it takes time for horses to develop into jumpers.
At the age of five, the truly elite competitors come into their own after making their way through novice hurdles. Winners of the Cheltenham Gold Cup usually range between seven- and nine-years-old.
The last seven champions have fallen in this bracket, although Nicky Henderson’s Long Run outstandingly won the event at age six.
Grand National winners tend to be older than their Gold Cup counterparts. Red Rum was 12 on his final run to glory, having previously won the race at age eight and nine.
It's been trending downwards to move more in line with the Gold Cup as injuries can curtail careers rapidly with age.
The last four winners have been under the age of 10, suggesting that speed over stamina is becoming a more important part of the event. Eight appears to be the prime age when eyeing winners for horse racing betting on the National Hunt scene.
Closing Speed
The most important aspect of the race is the closing speed of a horse - the final furlong is where champions are made.
The most exciting part of the meet that gets the crowd out of their seats is the stretch run, where horses with the speed and stamina to get over the line are able to etch their place in history.
Red Rum was arguably the best stretch runner in the history of the Grand National.
His crown was a testament to his skill; after 30 gruelling jumps, he managed to find the speed to beat Crisp to triumph for the first time at Aintree.
Ginger McCain’s charge had the pedigree again to see off L’Escargot for his second triumph at the event before dominating for a record third time in 1977.
The Gold Cup has also seen its fair share of close runs. Most recently in 2014, Lord Windermere had the edge over his rivals down the stretch to secure the crown by a head ahead of On His Own.
Jim Culloty’s charge was a 20/1 outsider for the event, but had the pace when it mattered the most to deliver the victory.
The horse doesn’t have to be flawless over the hurdles or on the flat, but it has to have the pace and endurance during crunch time to secure crowns.
There have been quality horses on the track that have been favoured, but never managed to close out major meets. The best of the best seize the opportunity and ensure that they are over the line first.
*Odds subject to change - correct at time of writing*
