The Racing League made it’s eagerly awaited return in August for its second season. The first proved highly successful, but some changes have been made to the format, with seven regional teams having taken the place of the original 12 sponsored versions. And with six exciting meetings set for Thursday nights across some of England’s best-known racecourses, this year’s event promises to be even bigger than the first. What is certain is that racegoers and punters alike have had their interest piqued. Indeed, the top betting sites have already climbed on board and are currently offering odds and specials for the 2022 version.
As for how the Racing League is set up, two runners from every team will feature in each of the seven races per meet. The winner of each race takes home 25 points, contributing to an overall leaderboard, eventually crowning the leading Racing League jockey and team, won last year by Jack Mitchell and Team talkSPORT respectively. And while there are three exciting meets set for August, it is the month of September that will witness the final denouement of the 2022 Racing League
Who is taking part in the 2022 Racing League?
Whereas the inaugural Racing League of 2021 featured 12 sponsored sides, the event has been somewhat streamlined this time round and has taken on a regional flavour. With all parts of the UK and Ireland represented, you can expect a nice rivalry to develop as the six meetings take place. The seven teams are as follows:
Wales and the West: Captained by top trainer Jamie Osborne and featuring riders of the calibre of 2021 Derby-winner Adam Kirby and David Egan. Yet the star attraction is none other than three-time Champion Jockey Frankie Dettori.
Ireland: Led by Kevin Blake, the Irish outfit bursts plenty of talent, including Tom Marquand and Jason Watson, both of whom are currently near the top of the rankings in the All-Weather Championships All Star Champion Jockey Leaderboard.
Scotland: The team from north of the border is led by Royal Ascot-winning racehorse trainer Linda Perratt. And the Scots boast a formidable stable of jockeys, including Kevin Stott, Ryan Sexton and Andrew Mullen.
The North: Managed by larger-than-life former footballer Mick Quinn, the North boast former Irish and British Champion Jockey Jamie Spencer in their talented squad. And with two meets set for Newcastle racecourse, expect The North to be well supported.
Yorkshire: The Tykes are managed by well-known Sky Sports racing and At the Races presenter Leonna Mayor and have the likes of Cam Hardie and Dougie Costello mounting up
London and the South: The southern team are led by well-known ITV racing pundit Matt Chapman and feature two jockeys in flying form in the shape of Marco Ghiani and Sean Levey, as well as the bookies favourite for the top jockey award, Daniel Muscutt.
The East: The East are led by none other than Rupert Bell, who captained Team talkSPORT to victory in 2021. This team also boast the two top jockeys from the 2021 version, Hayley Turner and winner Jack Mitchell. It’s no wonder The East lead the bookmakers’ list of favourites this time round.
August races
The first three of the six planned Racing League meets are set for August, with the curtain raiser in Doncaster on 4th August. The second meeting is scheduled for the ever-popular Lingfield on 11th August, with Newcastle on hosting duty on August 25th
September racing events
September is a huge month for the Racing League as it is when the final three meets will take place and the winner of the Racing League 2022 will be decided.
On Thursday September 1st the League heads to the iconic surrounds of Windsor racecourse in Berkshire. The following Thursday it will be Southwell racecourse in Newark’s turn to host the event, with the 2022 Racing League reaching its denouement in the lively surrounds of Newcastle – also the venue for the August 25th meet – on Thursday September 15th. We can only imagine the excitement if hometown favourites The North are in contention, especially as the team is managed by none other than popular former Newcastle United sharpshooter and media personality Mick Quinn. Expect fireworks each and every night the 2022 Racing League is on and interest to continue growing in an event which is promising to become a staple of the British racing calendar.
