Horse racing, like everything else in this whirlwind and tumultuous year, has seen great changes in 2020. It has suffered from the initial pandemic suspending heats and qualifiers before cancelling the biggest events of the year across the globe whilst seeing some of the smaller races run and spectated by punters on the tv rather from the stands. Throughout all these setbacks, as a sport, it remained positive and managed to put on some of the top races.

Strikingly constant, many of the big horse races which frequent our screens and draw millions to the race tracks were not on this year. But this did not stop horse racing providing the diehard punters with a relatively sustained fixture list of horse races throughout Britain and the world. And whilst many big races were taken from all those involved in horse racing this year, it just gives us punters an extra pot of money saved to go mad with betting next year – right? It is important to check Thursday’s racing tips to have the best chances at winning with that money you’ve saved.

As disappointing a year as it has been in general, and particularly with regard to horse racing, the sport has managed to retain some of its presence with races still going ahead. Yes, they are without fans. Yes, the big events of the year such as the Grand National were cancelled. Other races such as the Kentucky Derby were postponed causing disruption. Yes, one of the big hitting races of the year, the Melbourne Cup did go ahead. Indeed, despite the disruption and clear problems faced by the horse racing community, the sport was not hit nearly as badly as other sports have been. Additionally, the sport is propped up almost exclusively by betting. Whilst many an old school veteran bettor may have not been able to get out to the bookies, the majority of sports betting and particularly horse racing betting is now done online. Through the luck and wondrous nature of 21st century technology – which has saved us in most departments from family and friends to working from home this year – the betting on horse racing managed to continue. The horses still ran and the bets still flowed but this is by no means a worthy substitute for actual punters going to racetracks up and down the land and spectating these events live.

Following a pretty woeful year for all there is some serious hope for the year to come. Provided things get moving forward with the pandemic we could see a return to some form of normality. Fans could return to the track and spur on their favourite selection of horses. But more importantly, the horses are primed and ready for a tremendous year. Many races saw incredible results this year with a number of horses hitting amazing form. Combine this prospect with things like Tiger Rolls chance at 3 in a row Grand Nationals and there is some substance behind a claim of 2021 being a good year for the sport. Authentic took a closely won race at the Breeders Cup  to become the Horse of the Year in America in emphatic style. Twilight Payment beat a few other favourites to clinch O’Brien a second Melbourne Cup win. And whilst some big races were taken from the fixture list, week in week out smaller races across the globe were continuing to take place and provide those fans with some much needed entertainment. This alone warrants a successful 2021 for the sport – have a look here for some of the fixtures lined up for next year. It has clearly cemented its importance in, particularly British culture but also, world sport with its sustenance throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic. Whilst it has been a marred year, 2021 only holds hope and a chance to smash it out the park for many top performing horse racing stars.

But the all important question is, can Tiger Roll stay with it at his fine age enough to win, what would be, a momentous 3rd Grand National in a row. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see to find out. But in between then and now there’s plenty more horse racing and horse betting to be had. So enjoy it, because it is a luxury that is not across the board of all sectors and sport during these tough times.