From USA Today It keeps getting better for Queen Elizabeth II: Her horse won an historic Gold Cup race at Ascot today, the first time in the two centuries of the race it has been won by a reigning monarch. The horse-loving queen, widely respected as an expert on horse breeding and racing, appeared to be delighted as she accepted the Gold Cup after her horse, Estimate, romped to victory at Royal Ascot, the annual five-day horse-racing extravaganza that brings out brightly-plumed royals and toffs alongside ordinary punters. “One has won!” exclaimed the cheeky Daily Mail headline. The BBC, ever…

The “Economic Impact of British Racing in 2013″, a study released by the British Horseracing Authority and Deloitte, indicates that horse racing in Britain had an overall impact of £3.5B on the British economy in 2012. The study, which was published by Sports Business Daily, said that the amount was just a slight rise since the last study was completed in 2009. Once inflation is figured in, however, a small contraction of 1.2 percent is evident. Racing remains the second most popular sport in Britain, with 5.6 million people attending the races in 2012. Not including the London Olympic and…

From iGaming Business American horseracing and casino operator MTR Gaming Group Incorporated has launched a new mobile wagering application that will allow customers to place bets using their smartphones and iPad computers. Already installed at MTR Gaming Group’s Presque Isle Downs and Casino, Scioto Downs Racino and Mountaineer Casino, Racetrack and Resort regional venues, the technology permits punters who have created an account to bet on live or via simulcast while in specific areas of a track facility. The West Virginia firm stated that mobile gambling at racetracks will ‘attract a new generation of younger, technologically savvy patrons to horseracing’…

From BBC Horse racing was still worth £3.45bn to the UK economy in 2012 despite falling gambling revenues, a report has found. The report by the British Horseracing Authority (BHA) and Deloitte blamed the rise in online betting through sites based abroad for revenues falls. Web-based bookmakers do not pay a 10.75% levy to the industry, unlike physical betting shops. But the report said increases in revenues from television rights had partially offset the losses. When inflation is taken into account, horse racing was worth just 1.4% less to the UK economy than it was in 2008 – the last…

From RGJ.com Kentucky Derby winner Orb is set to take on Preakness winner Oxbow in the Belmont Stakes on Saturday following a workout that had trainer Shug McGaughey declaring his colt ready for another race. “If he has a good week, he’s a go,” McGaughey said Sunday morning at Belmont Park after Orb worked 4 furlongs in 48.30 seconds with exercise rider Jenn Patterson aboard. “He came off the track playing a little bit. He’s been eating well all week, and if he doesn’t show any ill effects of anything, I see no reason why (he won’t run).” Patterson guided…

Another year, another Triple Crown hopeful unable to come through. After Oxbow upset Kentucky Derby winner Orb in Saturday’s Preakness to extend racing’s Triple Crown drought to 36 years, the next best alternative for the Belmont Stakes is a rematch. And, it appears one is in the making. Both trainers are giving every indication their classic-winning colts will run in the Belmont on June 8. “You know me,” Hall of Fame trainer D. Wayne Lukas said after Oxbow’s 1¾-length victory over Itsmyluckyday, with 3-5 favorite Orb finishing fourth. “I like to rack them up in the big events. So, I’ll…