Horse racing enthusiasts look forward to the St Leger Festival, one of the major highlights of the racing calendar. The event, which takes place at the Doncaster Racecourse, is the oldest of Britain’s five classics and spans four days, featuring a spectrum of races that showcase the finest equestrian talents. Besides the extensive display of talent, St Leger is a major draw for bettors because of its multiple betting opportunities.

Your gambling experience is even better when you wager at horse racing bookmakers, not on Gamstop. These platforms offer competitive odds, bonuses, and other excellent services tailored for Brits. Here, we explore more about the event, the top horses to look out for, and the reasons why independent betting sites are the best choice for UK punters.

St Ledger Festival: All You Need to Know about the Event

Since the inaugural race in 1776, St Leger has been capturing the hearts of horse racing aficionados, and it remains a yearly event that is held every September at the Doncaster racecourse in Yorkshire. The 2023 edition is set for September 14th to September 17th and comes with a fresh angle. Ladies’ Day kicks things off for the first time in its history, where attendees flaunt their finest outfits, competing for cash prizes. Day two ushers in the Doncaster Cup Day, marking the end of the Stayer’s Triple Crown.

At the heart of the festivities is the prestigious St Leger Stakes, a race that lends its name to the event and serves as the crowning jewel of the English Triple Crown, alongside the Epsom Derby and the 2,000 Guineas Stakes. Covering a demanding distance of 1 mile, 6 furlongs, and 115 yards (2,920 metres), this race challenges the speed and staying power of three-year-old thoroughbreds. The festival’s curtain falls on a high note with Leger Legends Day, as retired jockeys return for a special charity race.

Why Choose Non Gamstop Sites to Bet on

When you keep up with horse racing news and have a flair for making the right predictions, you can profit more as an enthusiast by betting on them. Non Gamstop sites are the ideal platforms for this. The same applies to seasoned punters looking for bookmakers where they can maximise their wagers on horse races. These operators are great alternatives to UKGC-regulated platforms for several reasons, including:

• Extensive coverage: There will be several markets on their platforms throughout the four-day event, even before it kicks off. They also cater to diverse preferences by accepting different types of bets.
  
• Better bonuses: Standalone sites might not teach you how to play the card game horse races, but they have some of the best bonuses you can take advantage of. They range from higher matched deposit offers to more free bets and cashback deals.
  
• Higher odds: One of the best parts of such bookies is their competitive lines. This means you make more from your winning bets on these platforms than on sites with lower odds.
  
• Innovative payment methods: Independent bookies support credit cards and cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. These methods allow you to transact online without worrying about your credit scores. They also have fast payouts because their verification processes are faster.

They also have their downsides, the most common being the lack of oversight by the Commission. However, some platforms are regulated in other prominent jurisdictions, while completely independent sites implement strict rules to ensure they’re on par with industry standards.

Top 3 Horse Racing Betting Sites 

If you’re looking for the best online horse racing bookmakers, we’ve briefly reviewed the top three for you below:

Magic Win

Magic Win opened its virtual doors in 2002 and operates with a licence from Curacao, which signifies it’s a safe betting platform. It has excellent odds, a live game tracker, and several horse racing markets. Signing up on the platform qualifies you for a five-part welcome offer.

Mr Slots Club

Though its name depicts its online casino offerings, Mr Slots Club has a thriving sports betting section with competitive lines and a plethora of markets. New bettors get free bets, after which you can claim crypto bonuses and other deals.

Red Lion

This dark-themed bookmaker stands out with its user-friendly interface, great live betting services, and high odds. After registering, you have free bets, combo boosts, and cashback deals to leverage. It also has 24/7 customer service, which you can access via email and live chat.

Which are the Favourites for the St Leger Festival?

Several three-year-olds will take to the Doncaster racecourse to prove they are better than their counterparts. If you keep up with horse news, you’ll learn that there are favourites with higher winning chances among these participants. We’ve listed them below, along with their odds of emerging victorious.

Gregory

Currently boasting odds of 3.50, Gregory emerges as a strong contender. Born on February 8th, 2020, this Bay Colt has secured top positions in three out of four races since April 2023. Owned by Wathnan Racing and guided by trainer J & T Gosden, Gregory’s performance, including a notable third place in the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes, shows promise.

Savethelastdance

Trained by the skilled Aidan O’Brien and owned by a consortium comprising Mrs John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg, Savethelastdance is a promising 3-year-old Chestnut Filly. With odds of 6.00, this contender entered the scene at the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden in October 2022, securing fifth place. A subsequent victory in April showcased its evolving prowess.

Adelaide River

Another entry is Adelaide River, a bay Colt guided by trainer Aidan O’Brien and owned by Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg. Born on March 11th, 2020, this 3-year-old has a remarkable record. It triumphed in its debut race, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden, in August 2022 and has since showcased unwavering excellence. Its odds of winning are 13.00.

Warm Heart

This is another rising star hailing from the stables of Mrs. John Magnier, Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith, and Westerberg. Skillfully trained by Aidan O’Brien, this 3-year-old has participated in seven races, triumphing in four, including the Pertemps Network Yorkshire Oaks and Ribblesdale Stakes. With odds of 21.00, it sets its sights on victory in the St Leger stakes.

Espionage

We also have Espionage, a Bay Colt born on April 7th, 2020, from Even Song and Galileo. In its burgeoning career, Espionage has participated in five races, securing victories in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Lenebane Stakes and the Williamhill Irish EBF Maiden. With odds of 8.00, Espionage stakes its claim as a contender to watch.