Bar for just a few public holidays, horse racing takes place almost every single day in the UK and it is multi-million pound industry.

The are a total of 59 racecourses in the UK, some stage only Flat, others only jumping, while some offer a combination of the two.

Five courses – Chelmsford, Lingfield, Newcastle, Southwell and Wolverhampton have all-weather tracks.  Only Chelmsford and Wolverhampton are exclusively all-weather venues as the other three all maintain a turf track also.

In all, 41 racecourses stage National Hunt racing with 18 tracks hosting solely Flat racing.

Cheltenham is known as the home of National Hunt racing and every year it hosts the Cheltenham Festival in March. Kempton (in December) and Aintree (in April) hold the other two major meetings of the National Hunt season.

On the Flat front, the major events of the season are the Derby meeting at the start of June and Royal Ascot in the middle of the same month. Glorious Goodwood at the end of July makes up the three big fixtures that define the season.

Nature Of The Courses

British racecourses come in many shapes and sizes and there is certainly a vast array on offer.

At most tracks the races are run left-handed, ie anti-clockwise around the course, however some courses are right-handed (clockwise) - for example, Kempton, Ascot and Sandown.

This can be crucial to a horse's chances in the National Hunt sphere as not all horses jump straight - if a horse veers left when jumping on a right-handed course then the end result will be that it has to run further than its rivals.

Some courses are quite unique in their layout, for example Cartmel and Fontwell are considered quirky because they are both figure-of-eight circuits.

The Terrain

When weighing up a potential wager on any horse in the UK, the punter should bear in mind the differing forms of terrain or obstacle difficulty the horse will encounter at the selected venue. These factors will play a significant part in shaping the horse racing odds for that race.

For example, the finishing straight at Cheltenham is uphill, which tests a horse's stamina, as does the steep gradient at Pontefract races for the Flat competitors.

On a similar note, Newbury's fences are regarded as stiffer than most, meaning that a horse must be a decent jumper if it is to do well there, whilst Haydock’s Flat track is considered fair due to its lack of undulations.

List Of UK Racecourses

After our recent look at the best Irish racecourses, here is a brief course-by-course guide to what your selections will experience at each of the racecourses dotted around the UK

Aintree:  Has two left-handed courses, the 2m2f flat Grand National circuit and the 1m3f Mildmay Course. The home of the Grand National.

Ascot: Flat and National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 6f and 34 yds with a straight 1m course. Draw- Low numbers favoured on the straight course.

Ayr: Flat and National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 4f with a straight 6f course. Draw-High numbers favoured in 5f & 6f races, low numbers favoured in races over 7f.

Bangor: National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 5f.

Bath: Flat. Left-handed circuit of about 1m 4f and 25yds with a 6f spur. Draw- Low numbers favoured in sprint contests.

Beverley: Flat. Right-handed circuit of 1m 3f and 44yds with a 5f spur. Draw- High numbers favoured on the 5f to 1m course.

Brighton: Flat. Left-handed "U" shaped course of 1m 4f. Draw- Low numbers favoured in sprints.

Carlisle: Flat and National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 5f with two spurs of 6f and 1m. Draw- High numbers favoured in races up to 1m.

Cartmel: National Hunt. Left-handed figure-of-eight circuit of 1m with a diagonal finishing straight.

Catterick Bridge: Flat and National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 180yds with a 5f straight course. Draw- Low numbers favoured in 5f & 7f races.

Chelmsford: All-weather track (plans for a turf course). The course is laid out as an eight-and-a-half furlong left-handed oval, with a two-furlong home straight.

Cheltenham: National Hunt. Two separate courses, both left-handed and about 1m 4f round.

Chepstow: Flat and National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 2m with a straight 1m course. Draw- High numbers favoured on straight course.

Chester: Flat. Left-handed circuit of 1m 73yds. Draw- Low numbers highly favoured.

Doncaster: Flat and National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 7.5f with a straight 1m course. Draw- High numbers favoured on the straight course, low numbers favoured on the round course.

Epsom: Left-handed horseshoe course of 1m 4f with 5f, 6f & 7f spurs. Draw- Low numbers favoured races up to 1m.

Exeter: Undulating right-handed track of about two miles.

Fakenham: National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of about 1m.

Ffos Las: Large, oval track that hosts both Flat and Jump fixtures.

Fontwell: A figure-of-eight chase course with an oval hurdles course.

Goodwood: Flat. Right-handed "U" shaped course of 1m 3f with a straight 6f straight course. Draw- High numbers favoured.

Great Yarmouth: Flat. A 13-furlong straight course which is well suited to long gallopers.

Hamilton: Flat. Right-handed. Full circuit of 1m 5f with a straight 6f course. Draw- Middle numbers best on straight course.

Haydock: Flat and National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 5f with a 6f spur. Draw- Low numbers favoured in 6f, 7f & 1m races.

Hereford: National Hunt. Square in shape with a right-handed circuit of about a mile-and-a-half.

Hexham: National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 4f.

Huntingdon: National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 4f.

Kelso: National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 3f.

Kempton: Flat and National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 6f with a straight 5f course. Draw- No advantage in sprints races, high numbers favoured on the round course.

Leicester: Flat and National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 2m with a straight 1m course. Draw- High numbers favoured.

Lingfield: Flat and National Hunt. Left-handed course for races of 1m 4f and more round, also straight & round 7f 140yds courses. The 3.5f run-in is slightly downhill. Draw- High numbers favoured on the straight course.

Ludlow: National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 4f.

Market Rasen: National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 2f.

Musselburgh:  Flat and National Hunt. Right-handed course of 1m 2f with a straight 5f course. Draw- High numbers favoured in races from 7f to 1m.

Newbury: Flat and National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 7f with a straight 1m course. Draw-No advantage.

Newcastle: Flat and National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 6f with a straight 1m course. Draw- No advantage.

Newmarket: Flat. Rowley Mile course is 2m long with a right-hand bend. Round course is 1m 7f. Draw- Low numbers favoured. July Course 2m long with a right-hand bend. Draw- No advantage.

Newton Abbot: National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m.

Nottingham: Flat. Left-handed circuit of 1m 4f with a 1m straight course. Draw- High numbers preferred in 5f & 6f races.

Perth: National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 2f.

Plumpton: National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 2f.

Pontefract: Flat. Oval shaped course of 2m. Draw- Low numbers favoured in 5f & 6f races.

Redcar: Flat. Left-handed circuit of 1m 6f and 132yds with a straight 1m 1f course. Draw- No advantage.

Ripon: Flat. Right-handed circuit of 1m 6f with a straight 6f course. Draw- Low numbers favoured in 5f & 6f races.

Salisbury: Flat. Straight 1m course with a small right-handed loop. Draw- High numbers favoured in 5f & 6f races.

Sandown: Flat and National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 5f 35yds with a straight 5f course. Draw- Low numbers are favoured over 5f. High numbers favoured in races over 7f.

Sedgefield: National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of about 1m 2f.

Southwell: Flat (A.W) and National Hunt . Left-handed circular circuit of 1m 2f.

Stratford: National Hunt. Left-handed circular circuit of 1m 2f.

Taunton: National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 2f.

Thirsk: Flat. Left-handed circuit of 1m 2f 50yds with a straight 6f course. Draw-High numbers favoured in 5f & 6f races.

Uttoxeter:  National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 3f.

Warwick: Flat and National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 6f 32yds with 5f, 1m and 1m 2f shoots. Draw- Low numbers favoured over 5f.

Wetherby: Flat (occasional) and National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 4f.

Wincanton: National Hunt. Right-handed circuit of 1m 3f.

Windsor: Flat. Right-handed figure-of-eight circuit of 1m 6f. Draw- High numbers favoured in 5f & 6f races.

Wolverhampton: Flat. Left-handed circuit of 1m 4f with a straight 5f course. Draw- High numbers are preferred on the straight course.

Worcester: National Hunt. Left-handed circuit of 1m 5f.

York: Flat. Left-handed "U" shaped course of 2m with a straight 6f course. Draw- No advantage.

Racecourse Owners Groups

Britain’s racecourses are split between three distinct groupings – The Jockey Club, Arena Racing Company (ARC) and the Independents.

In brackets you will find the event/race the racecourse is most famous for.

The Jockey Club racecourses comprise of:

Large courses: 

• Aintree – Merseyside (Grand National)
• Cheltenham – Gloucestershire (Cheltenham Festival)
• Epsom – Surrey (The Derby)
• Haydock Park – Merseyside (Betfair Chase)
• Kempton Park – Surrey (King George VI Chase)
• Newmarket July Course – Cambridgeshire (July Cup)
• Newmarket Rowley Mile – Suffolk (The Guineas)
• Sandown Park – Surrey (The Eclipse)

Smaller courses: 

• Carlisle – Cumbria (Carlisle Bell)
• Exeter – Devon (Haldon Gold Cup)
• Huntingdon – Cambridgeshire (Peterborough Chase)
• Market Rasen – Lincolnshire (Summer Plate)
• Nottingham – Nottinghamshire (Further Flight Stakes)
• Warwick – Warwick (Classic Chase)
• Wincanton – Somerset (Kingwell Hurdle)

ARC’s portfolio of racecourses is made up of:

• Bath – Somerset (Beckford Stakes)
• Brighton – East Sussex (Brighton Mile)
• Chepstow – Gwent (Welsh Grand National)
• Doncaster – South Yorkshire (St Leger)
• Ffos Las – Dyfed (Welsh Champion Hurdle)
• Fontwell Park – West Sussex (National Spirit Hurdle)
• Great Yarmouth – Norfolk (John Musker Stakes)
• Hereford – Herefordshire (N/A)
• Lingfield Park – Surrey (Derby Trial)
• Newcastle – Tyne & Wear (Northumberland Plate)
• Royal Windsor – Berkshire (Winter Hill Stakes)
• Sedgefield – County Durham (N/A)
• Southwell –Nottinghamshire (Hever Sprint)
• Uttoxeter – Staffordshire (Midlands National)
• Wolverhampton – West Midlands (Lady Wulfruna Stakes)
• Worcester – Worcestershire (N/A)

The independently run racecourses are listed as follows:

Large courses:

• Ascot – Berkshire (Royal Ascot)
• Chester – Cheshire (Chester Cup)
• Goodwood – West Sussex (Goodwood Festival)
• Newbury – Berkshire (Lockinge Stakes)
• York – North Yorkshire (Ebor Festival)

Small courses:

• Ayr – Ayrshire (Scottish Grand National)
• Bangor-On-Dee – Clwyd (N/A)
• Beverley – East Riding Of Yorkshire (Beverley Bullet)
• Cartmel – Cumbria (N/A)
• Catterick – North Yorkshire (North Yorkshire National)
• Chelmsford – Essex (N/A)
• Fakenham – Norfolk (N/A)
• Hamilton – Lanarkshire (Glasgow Stakes)
• Hexham – Northumberland (N/A)
• Kelso – Roxburgh (Morebattle Hurdle)
• Leicester – Leicestershire (King Richard III Stakes)
• Ludlow – Shropshire (N/A)
• Musselburgh – East Lothian (Scottish Sprint Cup)
• Newton Abbot – Devon (Lord Mildmay Memorial Chase)
• Perth – Perth & Kinross (N/A)
• Plumpton – East Sussex (Sussex National)
• Pontefract – West Yorkshire (Pipalong Stakes)
• Redcar – North Yorkshire (Zetland Gold Cup)
• Ripon – North Yorkshire (Great St Wilfrid Handicap)
• Salisbury – Wiltshire (Dick Poole Stakes)
• Stratford – Warwickshire (N/A)
• Taunton – Somerset (N/A)
• Thirsk – North Yorkshire (Thirsk Hunt Cup)
• Wetherby – West Yorkshire (Charlie Hall Chase)

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Luis Enrique Martinez Garcia, or simply Luiz Enrique as he’s best known, was born in May 1970 and he is a legendary figure in the world of football betting – remembered fondly for his playing days and more recently in the dugout.

Renowned for his versatility on the pitch and his leadership skills for club and country, Luis Enrique enjoyed a hugely successful playing career before making the switch to management and he’s continued to make a positive impact on the sport.

How Much Is Luis Enrique Worth?

According to the latest estimates in May 2025, Luis Enrique has a predicted net worth of around £25 million.

The majority of his wealth was obtained from his football career but there have been a number of endorsements and brand deals that have helped to bolster his financial portfolio.

Enrique allegedly signed a £1 million per year salary during his tenure as Spain national team manager, while he is currently earning around £4.7 million per season as manager of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Playing Career

Making his debut at just 18 years old, Luis Enrique’s footballing career began at Sporting Gijon. He impressed during his time at the club, attracting attention from several of the country’s biggest teams – including a certain Real Madrid.

In 1989, he made the switch to the Santiago Bernabeu and enjoyed eight glorious years at the club, winning two La Liga titles and the Copa Del Rey crown.

However, a big move to rivals FC Barcelona materialised in 1996 and that changed the course of his career and the way he impacted betting odds going forward.

He was a pivotal figure at Camp Nou during his time at the club, helping Barcelona to two La Liga titles, the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.

In addition, he was named club captain from 2002 to 2004 and he remains a fan favourite to this day.

Furthermore, Luis Enrique was a mainstay in the Spain national team, amassing over 60 international caps while winning a gold medal as part of the Spanish team at the 1992 Olympic Games.

Switch To Management

Luis Enrique decided to retire from playing in 2004 but quickly turned his hand to management and he was given an opportunity at Barcelona B before brief stints at AS Roma and Celta Vigo.

However, he always looked destined for the top job at Camp Nou.

In 2014, he was appointed as head coach of Barcelona and Luis Enrique was in charge for one of the club’s most decorated campaigns, with La Blaugrana winning the La Liga title, Copa Del Rey crown and Champions League trophy in 2015.

In addition, Luis Enrique took charge of the Spain national team – leading the nation to the Euro 2020 semi-finals before stepping down due to personal reasons.

He returned to the helm in 2022 but stood down again after Spain crashed out of the 2022 World Cup in the last-16 stage.

Since then, he was appointed manager of Paris Saint-Germain and he led the Ligue 1 giants to the domestic title and French Cup double in his first season in charge.

Under Luis Enrique, PSG reached the Champions League final in 2024/25.

Family Life

Luis Enrique married long-time partner Elena Culell in December 1997, with the couple giving birth to three children: a son named Pacho and two daughters, Sira and Xana.

In August 2019, devastating news struck the family as youngest daughter Xana passed away after a five-month battle with bone cancer.

Luis Enrique opted to take a leave of absence from his role as Spain national manager to be with his family during the period, and the family have continued to honour Xana on a regular basis – both in interviews and on social media.

In 2022, Luis Enrique shared a heartfelt message on a social media channel to pay tribute to his daughter on what would’ve been her 13th birthday.

The family have had to endure one of the toughest moments but the love and bond that they have for each other is clear for all to see.

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*Photo credit belongs to Adobe*

Simone Inzaghi is a household name in the world of football, though perhaps he is best known for being the younger brother of World Cup-winning striker Filippo Inzaghi.

Born in April 1976, Simone Inzaghi is a former professional footballer and he is the current manager of Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal.

How Much Is Simone Inzaghi Worth?

As of June 2025, it is widely believed that Simone Inzaghi has a net worth of around £4 million – with the majority of his earnings obtained in his post-playing career.

He has enjoyed successful tenures at Lazio and Inter Milan, two of Italy’s biggest football clubs, and he is likely to attract some of Europe’s top outfits in the coming years.

Inzaghi was one of Europe's highest paid managers at Inter but he is now the highest paid manager on the planet, joining Saudi Pro League giants Al-Hilal for £25 million per year, with a signing bonus in the region of £4 million.

Having signed on the dotted line with Al-Hilal, Inzaghi is officially the highest-paid manager in the world. Stefano Pioli, Matthias Jaissle, and Laurent Blanc are current Pro League managers with higher salaries than many of the managers at Europe's biggest clubs. 

Playing Career

Simone Inzaghi started his professional football career with Piacenza in 1993 but his rise to prominence truly began during his time at Lazio.

In the 1999/2000 campaign, he scored 15 goals in 30 Serie A encounters and he was key to the club’s domestic double that season.

Winning both the Serie A title and the Coppa Italia crown in the same season would be a dream come true for any aspiring Italian footballer but you could argue that he peaked early in his career.

Inzaghi found himself in the shadow of his older brother at times but enjoyed stints at Sampdoria and Atalanta before retiring from football in 2010.

He did get one over on his sibling in 2000 as Lazio clinched the Scudetto on the final day of the Serie A season, much to Filippo’s disappointment.

Switch To Management

After making the tough decision to retire in 2010, Simone Inzaghi decided to try his hand at management – beginning with Lazio’s youth teams. He was an instant hit and worked his way up to first team coach just a few years later.

In five years at the club, he led Lazio to a Supercoppa Italiana title and they consistently finished inside the top five in Serie A, securing European football on a regular basis.

His impact did not go unnoticed and Inter Milan came knocking in 2021, and the Nerazzurri made an offer that he simply could not refuse.

It took Simone Inzaghi a few years to settle down and adjust to life at San Siro but Inter were crowned Serie A champions in 2023/24 while the Italian giants faced Paris Saint-Germain in the 2024/25 Champions League final at the end of May 2025.

En route to the final, Inter consistently defied the odds – and their semi-final success over competition favourites Barcelona will live long in the memory as one of the best Champions League semi-final stories of all-time. The final didn't end so positively, however, with Inter on the wrong end of a 5-0 scoreline. 

Family Life

While Filippo has stolen much of the limelight, that has allowed Simone Inzaghi to enjoy a more private personal life over the years. He shares a son with actress and television presenter Alessia Marcuzzi, though the couple are no longer together.

In 2018, Simone Inzaghi married Gaia Lucariello, a fashion model and famous social media influencer in Italy. The couple have two sons; Lorenzo, born in 2013, and Andrea, born in 2020.

Brother Filippo, an iconic figure with sports betting punters, and ex-partner Alessia were both in attendance at the wedding in Tuscany, with over 200 guests witnessing the marriage.

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*Photo credit belongs to Adobe*

• The Championship Playoff Final first took place in 1987, with Charlton beating Leeds

• Crystal Palace are the most successful team in football’s most lucrative match with four wins

• Read below for the history of the Championship Playoff Final

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The Championship Playoff Final is not only a big occasion in football betting.

It is arguably football’s most lucrative fixture, and in seasons where two teams have sewn up the automatic spots, the opportunity to enter the playoffs gives clubs and fans hope. 

It helps retain competitiveness deep into the campaign. Teams can get rolling over the closing weeks of the season and ride that wave to Wembley, and perhaps to the riches and glamour of the Premier League. 

This format also gives something else to ponder in Championship predictions. Here’s all you need to know about the Championship Playoff Final.

How Do The Championship Playoffs Work?

Teams finishing third, fourth, fifth and sixth in the Championship qualify for the Playoffs. This opens up the season for those who can’t quite catch the best Championship teams.

From then on, it’s a straightforward matchup of third versus sixth and fourth versus fifth.

These are two-legged ties, with the lower seed playing at home in the first leg. This gives the team with a better league position home advantage to finish the tie, which is generally considered to be beneficial. 

As is commonplace for two-legged ties like these, the winner is determined by aggregate score. The two scores are simply added together. There are no away goals to consider in the Playoff Semi-Finals.

If they are level after 180 minutes, and at the end of a long season, it goes to extra time. This in the standard format of two 15-minute halves. Should the scores remain level through this period, a penalty shootout will decide the tie.

The winners of the semi-finals meet at Wembley. All of the Football League Playoff Semi-Finals usually take place across a bank holiday weekend in May.

If tied after 90 minutes of the final, it’s once again straight to extra time and penalties. The winner goes into the Premier League next season, while the loser remains in the Championship.

Championship Playoff Final History

The 1990 Playoff Final was the first to be played in the current format. The 1987, 1988 and 1989 Playoff Finals were played across two legs. In fact, the first ever Playoff Final required 270 minutes of action.

Each getting a 1-0 win in the two-legged tie, Charlton and Leeds were forced into a replay at St Andrew’s. The Addicks were victorious in the one-off game, which served as an example for how the Playoff Final would work from 1990 onwards.

Played at the old Wembley from 1990 until 2001, Cardiff was home to the Championship Playoff Final from 2001 until 2006. The Millennium Stadium hosted the three heaviest wins in the history of the Playoff Final.

Although only hosting for a few seasons, the Millennium Stadium saw some of the bigger Playoff moments.

In 2004 and 2005, for instance, Crystal Palace and West Ham snuck into the Playoffs in sixth, but both went on to win the final.

Palace had a change of manager to thank for their turn around, while the Hammers were lucky to have this format, having been 12 points off third-placed Ipswich.

The Playoffs don’t always reward the teams who have been thriving in live betting throughout the season.

The Final returned to Wembley in 2007, and there have been further examples of this with Blackpool gaining promotion from sixth in 2010, and Watford missing out in 2013 despite being just two points off the automatic spots.

Luton, who won the 2023 Playoff Final, were 11 points clear of sixth across the 46-game regular season but it doesn't always work out that way. Southampton finished fourth in 2023/24 and beat Leeds United, one place above them, in the 2024 Playoff Final.

The last decade has generally seen teams finishing third or fourth win the final. Blackpool in 2009-10 were the last team to finish sixth in the table and earn promotion. 

Championship Playoff Final Winners List

The Championship Playoffs are a different test from the 46-game grind. It’s a question of coping under pressure, and of hitting form at the right time.

Having one of the Championship top scorers might not matter if they aren’t on top of their game in May. Here are the teams who have overcome those pressures to win the Championship Playoff Final:

• 1987 – Charlton

• 1988 – Middlesbrough 

• 1989 – Crystal Palace

• 1990 – Swindon Town

• 1991 – Notts County

• 1992 – Blackburn Rovers

• 1993 – Swindon Town

• 1994 – Leicester

• 1995 – Bolton

• 1996 – Leicester

• 1997 – Crystal Palace

• 1998 – Charlton

• 1999 – Watford

• 2000 – Ipswich

• 2001 – Bolton

• 2002 – Birmingham

• 2003 – Wolves

• 2004 – Crystal Palace

• 2005 – West Ham

• 2006 – Watford

• 2007 – Derby

• 2008 – Hull

• 2009 – Burnley

• 2010 – Blackpool

• 2011 – Swansea

• 2012 – West Ham

• 2013 – Crystal Palace

• 2014 – QPR

• 2015 – Norwich

• 2016 – Hull

• 2017 – Huddersfield

• 2018 – Fulham 

• 2019 – Aston Villa

• 2020 – Fulham

• 2021 – Brentford

• 2022 – Nottingham Forest

• 2023 – Luton Town 

• 2024 - Southampton

• 2025 - Sunderland

Biggest Margin Of Victory In A Championship Playoff Final

Three goals is the biggest margin of victory in a Championship Playoff Final. This was achieved three times in six years with Bolton, Wolves and Watford running out 3-0 victors against Preston, Sheffield United and Leeds respectively.

The highest scoring Championship Playoff Final was before the trio of 3-0s, though.

Charlton and Sunderland matched up at the old Wembley back in 1998 and played out a 4-4 thriller.

The Addicks were the eventual winners in a dramatic penalty shootout, securing their second Championship Playoff Final win after toppling Leeds over two legs in 1987.

Of the 3-0 wins, Wolves’ triumph can be viewed as the most emphatic. The Midlands club scored all of their goals before half-time, with Mark Kennedy, Nathan Blake and Kenny Miller getting on the scoresheet.

While Wolves blew the Blades away in 2003, the final between Bolton and Preston two years earlier was a different pattern, despite finishing with the same score line.

Gareth Farrelly’s strike from outside the box gave Wanderers a first half lead. It was a tense affair from then on, though, with both teams enjoying periods of pressure.

Only in the 89th minute did Bolton get an insurance goal. Ricardo Gardner scored a matter seconds later to seal a 3-0 win for Sam Allardyce’s side.

Since 2015, Playoff finals have been nervy affairs. Brentford’s 2-0 win over Swansea in 2021 is the only time a team has won by two clear goals at Wembley with Huddersfield and Luton needing penalty shootouts to win in 2017 and 2023 respectively. 

Which Club Has Won The Most EFL Championship Playoff Finals?

Crystal Palace have won the most EFL Championship Playoff Finals. The Eagles won in 1989, 1997, 2004 and 2013. No other club has won more than two Playoff Finals.

Fulham, Hull, West Ham, Watford, Bolton, Charlton, Leicester and Swindon have each won the EFL Championship Playoff Final twice.

This includes Playoff Final wins before the division was renamed. Fulham have been the most successful club in recent memory, winning the big game in 2018 and 2020.

Palace have been ruthless in finals, winning four of their five appearances. At the other end of the spectrum, Derby and Reading have lost three Playoff finals apiece while Sheffield United have lost four finals. 

While previously seen as a yo-yo club, Palace have consolidated in the Premier League. The 2023-24 season is their eleventh consecutive campaign in the top flight.

How Much Do Clubs Earn For Winning The Championship Playoffs?

There is no direct financial prize for winning the Championship Playoffs.

It is, however, regarded as the most lucrative match in world football. Some estimates suggest that promotion can be worth towards half a billion pounds, with more conservative estimates coming in at £150 million.

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Tony Incenzo's Championship Playoff Final Memories

THE Championship Play-Off Final is abundantly described as football’s richest game. It delivers a massive financial carrot via promotion to that elusive top flight promised land.

To quantify, Play-Off Final winners will subsequently pocket a minimum of £140-150 million in 12 months of Premier League membership. The match itself attracts frenzied Championship betting.

On a personal note, this wonderful showpiece provided me with my greatest day as a football supporter. It came when I was in the press box to watch my beloved Queens Park Rangers defeat Derby County 1-0 at Wembley Stadium on 24th May 2014 before 87,348 spectators.

QPR’s decisive goal was scored by Bobby Zamora in the last minute. So I caught up with Zamora for an interview to ask him about his priceless match winning moment…

Bobby, before we talk about your goal let’s look back at the match itself. Rangers went down to 10 men when Gary O’Neil was sent-off after an hour. The scoreline was 0-0 at the time. In-play betting suggested it would be an uphill struggle from there and it most certainly was wasn’t it?

Yes it made things more difficult. It was a very tough game and Derby were a very good side. They were in great form and they were playing some excellent football that season. So we were up against it somewhat with 10 men.

The R’s had to defend really well in that last half an hour at Wembley as Derby were dominating possession weren’t they?

Our defenders were absolutely magnificent. Richard Dunne and Nedum Onuoha were fantastic. They really, really were. It was fortunate enough for us that everyone defensively was on their ‘A’ game and we managed to grind out the victory.

Despite all the pressure from Derby, QPR managed to break away and you sensationally scored the winning goal with 10 seconds of normal time remaining. What do you remember about that moment?

I just wanted to get into the box. Whenever the ball goes wide, it is a case for the strikers to make sure they are in the penalty area. When I was initially running in, I thought I couldn’t get in front of the two Derby County centre-backs as I was a little bit of a distance away from them.

But as it happens, Junior Hoilett crossed the ball a couple of seconds earlier than I anticipated. So I checked back. Then their defender Richard Keogh miscued his clearance and it fell just in front of me.

After many years of training and me staying behind after training for repetition of hitting the target, it just becomes instinctive rather than thinking about it. Thankfully it worked in our favour. It dawned on me afterwards how huge the occasion was and it was nice to be a part of that.

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I also chatted to another QPR man who was in the thick of the action against Derby County – Gary O’Neil, who took one for the team with a last man challenge for his red card…

Gary, even for an experienced player like yourself it must have still been a really big game at Wembley?

Oh yeah the Play-Off Finals are the biggest games I’ve ever played in because of what is riding on them. You have worked through the whole season and what’s going to happen in the next year is dependent on 90 minutes.

In my first Play-Off Final with West Ham, I found it difficult to play the game rather than the occasion. So in the second one with QPR, I think I managed to perform a bit better having been there before. I had learnt from how I prepared and got ready for the previous Final.

You were sent-off in QPR’s Play-Off Final against Derby for bringing down Johnny Russell just outside the box in the 60th minute to prevent a goal. What are your recollections of that incident?

I didn’t think it was definitely going to be a red card. That was the reason that I made the foul. I was never going to get the ball – it was three or four yards further ahead of me. So it was one of those situations where you get a split second to make a decision.

For some reason, something told me that it was the right thing to do. But for about the next 30 minutes when I was sat in the changing room, I was pretty sure it wasn’t the right thing to do!

However it turned out to be the right decision in the end as we got the winning goal. It was an up and down day for me.

So you weren’t able to watch the rest of the game after you had been sent-off?

There was a very small TV screen just inside the tunnel. I managed to watch that and I was just praying that the lads could get to penalties, where it would be like the toss of a coin who would win promotion.

Obviously we had Bobby Zamora up our sleeves to score the vital goal – the joker in the pack to come and save us with seconds to go.

What did the other QPR players say to you after the final whistle at Wembley?

They were saying stupid things at the time when emotions were running high. They were saying it was the best red card they had ever seen and all sorts of silly stuff!

In the end, I was lucky that it ended up working out for the best as I could easily have been the villain and the one who cost us promotion. If I could go back in time, I would hope to not be the one who had to make that decision.

I’d leave it for someone else to bring Russell down! But unfortunately, it was only me and goalkeeper Robert Green from there on that could stop him.

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*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

The Oaks at Epsom takes place on the first day of the Epsom Derby meeting. It is always run on the Friday of The Derby Festival, the day before the Saturday highlight - the Epsom Derby.  

First run in 1779, the Oaks at Epsom Downs is the second oldest of the five horse racing betting Classic races and for three-year-old fillies only. 

Epsom Oaks History

The 12th Earl of Derby and some friends came up with the idea of running the race for fillies during a party at his estate, which was called The Oaks, on the outskirts of Epsom.

The race was first run as The Oakes Stakes the following year, 12 months before the introduction of The Derby. 

The Oaks subsequently became one of the most important races for three-year-old fillies anywhere in the world and has prompted other countries to devise their own equivalents, including the Irish Oaks (Ireland), the Prix de Diane (France) and the Oaks d’Italia (Italy) 

Run over 1 mile 4 furlongs – just like the Epsom Derby - the Oaks has been staged at Epsom Downs every year since its inaugural race, apart from between 1915-1918 and 1940-1945 when World Wars 1 and 2 meant the race had to be switched to Newmarket for safety reasons. 

Most Successful Oaks Jockey 

Frank Buckle has ridden the winner of the Epsom Oaks nine times.

He has partnered Nike (1797), Bellissima (1798), Bellina (1799), Scotia (1802), Theophania (1803), Meteora (1805), Neva (1817), Corinne (1818), Zinc (1823) to victory. 

Most Successful Oaks Trainer 

Robert Robson has been successful 13 times in the Oaks.

Scotia (1802), Pelisse (1804), Meteora (1805), Briseis (1807), Morel (1808), Maid of Orleans (1809), Music (1813), Minuet (1815), Landscape (1816), Corinne (1818), Pastille (1822), Zinc (1823) and Wings (1825) all did the business for the trainer. 

Oaks Winners (2014 -2024) 

Epsom Oaks Result 2024 

• 1st - Ezeliya 13/2, Jockey: Chris Hayes, Trainer: Dermot Weld 

• 2nd - Dance Sequence 7/1, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby 

• 3rd - War Chimes 50/1, Jockey: Tom Marquand, Trainer: David Menuisier 

Epsom Oaks Result 2023 

• 1st - Soul Sister 11/4, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden 

• 2nd - Savethelastdance 5/6F, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien 

• 3rd - Caernarfon 40/1, Jockey: Connor Beasley, Trainer: Jack Channon 

Epsom Oaks Result 2022 

• 1st - Tuesday 13/2, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien 

• 2nd - Emily Upjohn 6/4F, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden 

• 3rd - Nashwa 4/1, Jockey: Hollie Doyle, Trainer: John & Thady Gosden 

Epsom Oaks Result 2021 

• 1st - Snowfall 11/2, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien 

• 2nd - Mystery Angel 50/1, Jockey: Ben Curtis, Trainer: George Boughey 

• 3rd - Divinely 20/1, Jockey: Seamie Heffernan, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien 

Epsom Oaks Result 2020 

• 1st - Love 11/10F, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien 

• 2nd - Ennistymon 6/1, Jockey: Seamie Heffernan, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien 

• 3rd - Frankly Darling 7/4, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: John Gosden 

Epsom Oaks Result 2019 

• 1st - Anapurna 8/1, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: John Gosden 

• 2nd - Pink Dogwood (IRE) 3/1, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien 

• 3rd - Fleeting (IRE) 25/1, Jockey: Wayne Lordan, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien 

Epsom Oaks Result 2018 

• 1st - Forever Together (IRE) 7/1, Jockey: Donnacha O'Brien, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien 

• 2nd - Wild Illusion 5/2F, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby 

• 3rd - Bye Bye Baby (IRE) 8/1, Jockey: Wayne Lordan, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien 

Epsom Oaks Result 2017 

• 1st - Enable 6/1, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: John Gosden 

• 2nd - Rhododendron (IRE) 8/11F, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien 

• 3rd - Alluringly (USA) 16/1, Jockey: Seamie Heffernan, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien 

Epsom Oaks Result 2016 

• 1st - Minding (IRE) 10/11F, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien 

• 2nd - Architecture (IRE) 12/1, Jockey: Frankie Dettori, Trainer: Hugo Palmer 

• 3rd - Harlequeen 14/1, Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa, Trainer: Mick Channon 

Epsom Oaks Result 2015 

• 1st - Qualify (IRE) 50/1, Jockey: Colm O'Donoghue, Trainer: Aidan P. O'Brien 

• 2nd - Legatissimo (IRE) 5/2F, Jockey: Ryan Moore, Trainer: David Wachman 

• 3rd - Lady of Dubai 7/1, Jockey: Adam Kirby, Trainer: Luca Cumani 

Epsom Oaks Result 2014 

• 1st - Taghrooda 5/1, Jockey: Paul Hanagan, Trainer: John Gosden 

• 2nd - Tarfasha (IRE) 9/2, Jockey: Pat Smullen, Trainer: Dermot K. Weld 

• 3rd - Volume 9/1, Jockey: Richard Hughes, Trainer: Luca Cumani 

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*Photo credit belongs to Adobe*

Darts is now one of the most entertaining spectacles in sport.

It has gone from being a pub game to a fully functioning sport in a relatively short amount of time and millions of people around the world tune in every week to watch the 2020 Premier League Darts.

Fallon Sherrock sent shockwaves across the sporting world back in December 2019 as she became the first female player to win a game at the PDC World Championship.

Her impact and influence on the biggest stage of all only helped to increase darts’ reputation.

Sherrock’s achievements will go down in history and her victory over Mensur Suljovic will surely rank as one of the greatest darts matches ever in years to come.

For now, let’s look at the current list of the best darts games of all-time…

Phil Taylor vs Raymond van Barneveld (2007)

We simply have to start with that clash between Taylor and Van Barneveld in the 2007 PDC World Championship final.

Trailing 3-0 early on, Taylor rallied to level the scores at six sets apiece – the 2007 final was going to a deciding set.

The Circus Tavern went wild as Barney celebrated a famous success – it was the perfect way to sign off at the venue before the tournament moved to the Alexandra Palace.

To this day, most fans believe that this is the greatest darts match in history.

Adrian Lewis vs Phil Taylor (2013)

This was easily the most exciting match in Grand Slam of Darts history – Lewis and Taylor combined for a sensational 32 maximums.

Lewis finished the match with a 110.99 average while Taylor recorded 109.46; the fans were treated to a top-class spectacle.

Taylor himself stated that he felt that this was the best he had ever played – the match will certainly live long in the memory.

He eventually secured a 16-9 triumph over his darting protégé but Lewis wouldn’t have to wait too long to get revenge.

 

Raymond van Barneveld vs Michael van Gerwen (2016)

Van Gerwen was incredible in 2015, winning a range of major tournaments including The Masters, UK Open, World Matchplay and Grand Slam of Darts.

Going into his clash with Van Barneveld, the world number one was unbeaten in over two months…

The 2007 champion secured a shock triumph, snatching a 4-3 victory in front of a jubilant Alexandra Palace crowd.

Van Gerwen averaged a staggering 105.78 but it wasn’t enough to defeat a spirited Van Barneveld on that occasion.

Michael van Gerwen vs Michael Smith (2016)

Van Gerwen set a new record for the highest televised average, recording a colossal 123.40 against Smith in the 2016 Premier League.

The Dutchman almost clinched a 7-0 whitewash but missed a chance at double 18 to secure the sweep.

Bully Boy admitted afterwards that he was second best from the beginning – Van Gerwen was just too good on the night.

The world number one is still the best darts player in the business and many believe he ranks above Taylor as the greatest of all-time.

 

Mensur Suljovic vs Gary Anderson (2018)

This game will live long in the memory with darts betting fans all over the world.

Anderson came out on top in one of the greatest televised darts finals, with the Scotsman joining Phil Taylor and Michael van Gerwen as the only players to win the darts Triple Crown.

Both players topped the 100 average mark and recorded 14 maximums apiece.

Suljovic was crestfallen at the end but the Austrian will be proud of his involvement in what is widely regarded as the best match in World Matchplay history.

 

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Tom Hevezi / AP Photo*

Added to the Epsom Oaks/Derby meeting in 1902, the Coronation Cup regularly attracts runners who lined up in the Derby or Oaks during their Classic campaign and contains a roll of honour of all-time greats.

Horses such as Pretty Polly, Petite Etoile, Mill Reef, Rainbow Quest, Singspiel, and St Nicholas Abbey are all etched on the winner’s board. 

Offering £425,000 (2024) in total prize money, the race never fails to attract a field containing the most talented older horses in training. 

Top Coronation Cup Jockeys 

Legendary jockey Lester Piggott is the most successful rider in the Coronation Cup winning the race on nine occasions from 1953 to 1983.

Three of those wins were back to back starting with Nagami in 1959 followed by a double win on Petite Etoile in 1960 and 1961.

The two leading jockeys in the Coronation Stakes over the last 20 renewals are Ryan Moore and Frankie Dettori who have both won the race twice each. 

With Dettori now plying his trade in the United States, Moore is the jockey who can continue to make/break new records in this race. 

Top Coronation Cup Trainers 

The leading trainer in the Coronation Cup over the last 20 renewals is Aidan O’Brien O'Brien who has won the race a record nine times.

Those nine winners coming from Yeats (2005), Scorpion (2007), Soldier Of Fortune (2008), Fame And Glory (2010), St Nicholas Abbey (2011, 2012 & 2013), Highland Reel (2017) and Luxembourg (2024). 

Emphasising the often international appeal of this race, it is multiple French Champion Trainer André Fabre who lies second on the all-time list with six wins in all, In The Wings (1990) and Swain (1996) are just two of the Fabre-trained horses that took the the prize back across the Channel to France. 

Top Coronation Cup Horses Of All Time 

Being open to runners aged four and older, some previous winners return to Epsom in a bid to defend their crown. With new four-year-olds breaking on the scene season upon season, to do so is no mean feat.  

Double winners include Petite Etoile, Pretty Polly, The White Knight, Triptych and Warrsan, but the only horse to win the race on three separate occasions was St Nicholas Abbey.  

Hailing form the yard of Aidan O’Brien, St Nicholas Abbey landed close to £5 million in total prize money during his career, was a six time Group 1 winner, including this race in 2011, 2012 and 2013. 

It’s highly unlikely his record in the Coronation Cup will ever be bettered. 

Recent Coronation Cup Winners

• 2024 – Luxembourg, Aidan O'Brien / Ryan Moore 

• 2023 - Emily Upjohn, John & Thady Gosden / Frankie Dettori 

• 2022 – Hukum, Owen Burrows / Jim Crowley 

• 2021 – Pyledriver, W Muir & C Grassick / Martin Dwyer 

• 2020 – Ghaiyyath, Charlie Appleby / William Buick 

• 2019 – Defoe, Roger Varian / Andrea Atzeni 

• 2018 – Cracksman, John Gosden / Frankie Dettori 

• 2017 – Highland Reel, Aidan O’Brien / Ryan Moore 

• 2016 – Postponed, Roger Varian / Andrea Atzeni 

• 2015 – Pether’s Moon, Richard Hannon / Pat Dobbs

Some clubs are content living off their past. Others reminisce about a once-in-a-lifetime evening of glory, turning each player present into folk-heroes.

A select few though define themselves by success. A season finishing runner-up in their league is a disaster for them. They want more trophies. More garlands. Year after year. Generation after generation.

Bet on the top 20 most successful clubs in their upcoming fixtures with 888sport.

Naturally enough, the established superpowers of world football feature strongly below but there are those too who are utterly dominant amongst inferior opposition.

All have one thing in common in that they are the most successful football clubs on the planet. 

Most Successful Football Clubs In World:

20) FCSB – 59 

It was a High Commander of the Romanian Royal Army who signed off on the club formerly known as Steaua București first coming into existence. Moreover, their old ground used to be owned by the Ministry of National Defence. 

Steaua, back in the day, were the very definition of an establishment club. 

Yet, for all that they had Romanian football in a stranglehold for several decades, they also lifted the European Cup in 1986, additionally reaching the final again three years later. Their brilliance travelled.

In March a 27th league title was secured, their first for nine years. 

19) Galatasaray – 62

The Lions don’t have the jungle all to themselves in Turkey, with Fenerbahce and Besiktas big cats in their own right.

This esteemed trio have historically divvied up the silverware and wrestled supremacy away from each other. 

Which makes Gala’s record 25 Super Lig titles all the more impressive while in recent years a string of successes in the Turkish Cup has helped bump up their overall trophy haul. To this day, they are the only Turkish club to win a major UEFA competition. 

18) Boca Juniors – 62 

Crowned national champions on 35 occasions, Boca have also lifted the Copa Libertadores on six occasions, the most recent of which was their 2007 triumph led by the irrepressible Juan Roman Riquelme. 

Boasting a historical edge over their bitter rivals River Plate – a rivalry that can get a little tasty at times – Boca are the most successful club in Argentina. 

17) Anderlecht – 64 

Champions of Belgium on 34 occasions, Anderlecht are by some distance the nation’s most celebrated team.

They have translated their domestic glories into continental honours, too, with a pair of Cup Winners’ Cups and the UEFA Cup in 1983. Only Club Brugge can better their total of nine Belgian Cup wins. The last few years have been relatively quiet relative to the club's decorated history.

16) Manchester United – 70 

Despite a decade-plus in the doldrums since Alex Ferguson hung up his hairdryer, Manchester United’s 20 league titles remains an English football record.

Their impressive FA Cup tally of 13 meanwhile stretches right back to 1909. Their latest cup success was in May, bettering their arch-neighbours City. 

The Red Devils have all-too-infrequently added to their trophy count since Ferguson’s retirement but the next manager to get things right at Old Trafford has history and stature on their side. 

15) Liverpool – 71

The Jurgen Klopp era saw Liverpool add to an already bulky trophy collection, not least with another continental honour.

Only Real Madrid and Milan have won the European Cup/Champions League more.

A recent League Cup triumph had them briefly edge ahead of their arch-rivals United but we can expect the football odds to lengthen on the Reds securing a second Premier League title now that their highly influential German coach has bid auf weidersehen. 

14) Juventus – 72 

Already Italy’s most decorated club, Juventus embarked on a remarkable spell of dominance across the 2010s that extended their lead over the two Milan clubs. 

Feared and respected in equal moderation, the Old Lady is not to be trifled with when she has the scent of a Scudetto in her nostrils. 

Record holders for title wins and Coppa Italia triumphs, a lack of European silverware in recent years has become their Achilles Heel. 

13) Ajax – 75 

Not only are Ajax the Netherlands’ most dominant force, they’re a footballing institution, responsible for making the beautiful game that bit more picturesque. Few clubs have influenced the sport worldwide like de Godenzonen.

The 36 league titles and four European Cups speak for themselves but Ajax is far more than a trophy-winning machine.

From the players that have developed at the club through to the tactical innovations of Rinus Michels and Johan Cruyff they helped change everything. 

12) Olympiacos – 82 

Olympiacos have relentlessly accumulated hardware throughout their history, and particularly so since the turn of the century.

Recent glory in the Europa Conference League was the first ever European honour for a Greek side, a famous night that amply atoned for finishing third in the league.

Such is their fearsome dominance of the Super League two seasons of falling short feels like a drought. 

11) Bayern Munich – 82 

Bayern Munich were already Germany’s big, bad wolf, but 10 straight Bundesliga titles and two Champions League wins in the last decade have seen them reach new heights. 

Trebles in 2013 and 2020 have represented a period of unprecedented supremacy for FC Hollywood. 

A trophy-less season this time out will no doubt see them return hungrier and scarier than ever before. 

10) Al-Faisaly SC – 83 

Winners of 18 more Jordanian league titles than any other club, Al-Faisaly SC have an absurd total of 81 domestic honours, including 21 FA Cup wins. 

The Blue Eagles are two-time AFC Cup winners, going back-to-back in the mid-noughties. 

The recent emergence of Al-Hussein Irbid has rendered them second best for the time being. They won’t take kindly to that. 

9) Porto – 84 

Defying the betting and all sensible logic, Porto famously lifted the Champions League in 2004, propelled to unlikely glory by a young and hungry Jose Mourinho. 

Let’s not forget though that in 1987, the Dragons equalled that feat, scoring two late goals to stun Bayern. There is also a brace of UEFA Cups up for consideration too. 

If all this proves Porto have genuine international presence it’s at home however where their trophy haul gets stratospheric. Thirty Primeira Liga crowns equates to a title for every four years of their existence. 

8) Benfica – 85

The Eagles have long soared over Portuguese football, a name synonymous with the great Eusebio and, in modern times, a clever recruitment policy that finds gems, polishes them up, and sells them on for huge profit.

Even back-to-back European Cup successes in the early Sixties pale to their domestic feats, with 38 Primeira Liga titles a testament to their lofty status. 

7) Barcelona – 100 

It has been nip and tuck between Barcelona and Real Madrid over the last few years. Barca dropped off the pace due to financial issues, but returned to top spot in La Liga in 2022-23.

The club's impact worldwide cannot be overstated. They changed football infinitely for the better by giving a stage to Cruyff, Maradona and of course the GOAT himself. 

6) Real Madrid – 109

Since the start of 2021-22, Los Blancos have won a pair of La Liga titles, two Champions Leagues, and the Copa del Rey.

That glorious spell has seen them regain an overall advantage over Barcelona. Their total of 15 European Cups and Champions Leagues is a record no team comes within touching distance of. 

5) Penarol – 112 

Never relegated from Uruguay’s Primera Division in 132 years, the Decano are a mainstay of South American football, boasting five Copa Libertadores and three Intercontinental Cups. 

Winning their league title a staggering 53 times, Penarol are the only club to have players represent Uruguay across every one of their World Cup appearances. 

4) Rangers - 117

Rangers missed an opportunity to add to their haul in the 2022 Europa League final, but that doesn’t prevent them being the joint second-most successful football team in the world. 

Champions of Scotland on 55 occasions and 34-time winners of the Scottish Cup, much of Rangers’ advantage can be attributed to their record 28 League Cups, winning their most recent in 2023/24. 

=2) Celtic – 118

Seven domestic trebles and 13 league and cup doubles tells a persuasive tale of long-standing superiority.

A feted European Cup triumph in 1967 meanwhile not only greatly increased their standing on the world stage but was especially notable for one astonishing fact. Every one of the Celtic players on the pitch in Lisbon were born within 30 miles of Glasgow. 

In 2019, the club raised a bat for half a century of league titles. They have gone on to win another four since. 

=2) Nacional - 118

Even after winning the Uruguayan league title in 2022, Nacional’s total of 49 remains four short of rivals Penarol. 

Where the Tricolores do have the advantage is in international competition, collecting more silverware on the global stage than Penarol, their arch-rivals for a century and more.

They are only Uruguayan team to have won the Copa Interamericana twice.

1) Al Ahly – 125

Granted, a lack of elite competition domestically lies at the core of Al Ahly’s sustained dominance of Egyptian football. That though takes nothing away from the imperious manner in which that dominance has been achieved.

They have won three times as many league titles as any of their peers. They have the most Egypt Cups, the most CAF Champions Leagues, the most African Cup Winners’ Cups and the most CAF Super Cups. 

Unsurprisingly, they were named the CAF Club of the 20th Century and furthermore they’re showing no signs of slowing down. This past season has harvested another trio of major honours.

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*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

The French Open is the second of tennis’ four Grand Slams. Taking place in late May and early June, it is the only Grand Slam played on clay courts.

As a result, the list of tennis betting favourites for the event often features some different names – this is a chance for clay-court specialists to write their name into the sport’s history books.

There are other factors to consider from a live betting perspective, too.

Long rallies are the norm on the iconic red clay of Roland Garros, testing the durability, flexibility, and recovery times of each player competing across the men’s and women’s draws.

Here are the most successful players in the Open Era:

Rafael Nadal – 14 titles

The King of Clay is – by an enormous margin – the most successful player in French Open history.

Rafael Nadal holds a raft of records on clay courts, including winning 81 consecutive matches, which is the longest single-surface streak in the Open Era.

From 2005 until 2022, only three other players won the men’s singles title at Roland Garros. His 96.6% winning percentage at the event is clear of anyone else, as is his total of 112 total match wins and 15 semi-final appearances.

In 2008, 2010, 2017, and 2020, Nadal won the French Open without dropping a set.

Unsurprisingly, he’s the only player to have done this on four occasions. He’s not only the lone player to have won a French Open title in three separate decades – the Spaniard won multiple titles in each of those decades. 

Standing alone in every category, Nadal is undeniably the greatest clay-court player in tennis history. Many of his records look utterly unbreakable. 

Chris Evert – 7 titles

Seven of Chris Evert’s 18 Grand Slam titles were won at Roland Garros. Evert, with 70 overall clay titles, is the most successful clay court female tennis player of all-time.

The American defended the French Open on three occasions, going back-to-back in 1974, 1975, 1979, 1980, and 1985, 1986.

Her French Open finals were dominated by duels with Martina Navratilova – four of her eight finals were against Navratilova, and she was victorious on three occasions.

Steffi Graf is the only player with more wins at the French Open. In the Open Era, Iga Świątek is the only player who can boast a better winning percentage than Evert at Roland Garros. 

Björn Borg – 6 titles

Prior to Nadal’s reign, Björn Borg was in a league of his own at the French Open. Borg has double as many titles as any other man in the Open Era, winning four in a row from 1978 to 1981 after going back-to-back in 1974 and 1975.

The Swede’s wins in 1978 and 1980 were completed without dropping a set. His winning percentage of 96.1% is only narrowly behind Nadal and puts him over 10 percentage points ahead of his nearest rival.

Borg didn’t have the longevity to put up a huge number of wins (he has less than half of Nadal’s total), but he was a Nadal level of dominant during his pomp in the 1970s and early eighties. 

Steffi Graf – 6 titles

Twelve years separated Graf’s six French Open titles. Runner-up on three occasions, including some iconic bouts with her rival Monica Seles, Graf first won at Roland Garros when she defeated Navratilova in an epic final in 1987.

In 1988, Graf won the French Open without dropping a set en route to completing the calendar year Grand Slam. She lost three of the next four finals before winning three French Open titles in a four-year period. 

Justine Henin – 4 titles

Justine Henin defeated compatriot Kim Clijsters in straight sets to claim her first French Open title. Two years later, the Belgian dispatched Mary Pierce to win at Roland Garros for a second time.

This started a run of three consecutive French Open titles, equalling the record set by Monica Seles. In the second and third of those titles, Henin didn’t drop a single set.

Only four players in the Open Era can boast a better winning percentage at Roland Garros. 

Iga Świątek – 4 titles

Świątek is destined to climb this list. Champion of this event in 2020, 2022, 2023, and 2024, Świątek has already equalled Henin and Seles’ historic mark of three consecutive French Open crowns. 

A 35-2 record at Roland Garros is unmatched in the Open Era. A run of 21 consecutive wins is already the fourth-most all-time and could be added to at the 2025 edition of the French Open.

Most Roland Garros Wins All-Time

• Rafael Nadal – 14

• Max Decugis – 8

• Chris Evert – 7 

• Björn Borg – 6

• Steffi Graf – 6 

• Suzanne Lenglen – 6 

• Henri Cochet – 5 

• Margaret Court – 5 

• Adine Masson – 5 

• Iga Świątek – 4 

• Justine Henin – 4 

• Andre Vacherot – 4 

• Paul Ayme – 4 

• Kate Gillou – 4 

• Jeanne Matthey – 4 

• Helen Wills – 4 

• Mats Wilander – 3 

• Ivan Lendl – 3 

• Gustavo Kuerten – 3 

• Novak Djokovic – 3 

• Maurice Germot – 3 

• Rene Lacoste – 3 

• Arantxa Sánchez Vicario – 3 

• Monica Seles – 3 

• Hilde Krahwinkel Sperling – 3 

Who are the Most Successful French Open Doubles Players?

Martina Navratilova holds the record with seven women’s doubles titles and two mixed doubles titles. Roy Emerson is the most successful player in men’s doubles with six titles in six years in the 1960s. 

Emerson and Navratilova also won two singles titles apiece at Roland Garros.

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*Credit for the main photo belongs to Adobe*