Why Horse Racing is So Much Fun To Bet On

Even before the days when online sports betting was just about everywhere that you turn, there was one sport which was attracting gamblers all over the world, horse racing. Personally speaking I have been gambling on horse racing for around 20 years and the advancement in online betting have taken gambling on this sport to the next level. I often speak to people who love to bet on football, rugby or even MMA, who tell me that they feel apprehensive about betting on horse racing. In my view though, I think that horse racing is one of the most fun sports to gamble on, and here is why. 

Studying Data

Slightly geeky but I absolutely love to study form guides ahead of the race, whilst studying form is not unique to horse racing, the form guides here feature a far greater amount of information, and factors to consider. For example we must consider the weight of the horse, the jockey riding it, the weather conditions and the length of the race, far more factors than in any other sport. Doing this much work beforehand means that if your horse does win, there is an even greater sense of satisfaction. You can find info about racing form all over, and in particular, 188Bet's blog has an extensive section on horse racing. 

More Upsets

Unlike in a football match where there are only 3 possible outcomes in terms of winning and drawing, horse racing is different altogether and there are very often between 7 and 40 horses that enter a race. Within the race you could have horses falling at fences, a favourite not feeling up to it and you can very often see long outsiders romping home to victory. Every sport has upsets, but none has as many as horse racing which makes it so much more exciting to watch. 

Thrill of The Race 

Only in athletics will you find a straight race to follow, which always makes you feel excited. A rugby match will play out over the course of 80 minutes, and it of course has its ups and downs during that time. A horse race however is over and done with in the space of a few minutes, and it isn’t usually until the final furlongs that you get an indication as to who will actually win it. 

Long Odds

If you get long odds on a football game, it is likely that this selection will lose, but in horse racing that is not always the case. Take a look at the Grand National for example, over the last 5 years there have been winners at 66/1 and 100/1 including some 20/1 shots. This not only makes the races more exciting but gives you the chance to win some big money if you get it right.

5 Ways to Suss Out and Select a Winning Racehorse

If you are an avid horse race better and are looking for smart ways to increase your chances of a sweepstake, you can do so in a few simple steps.

No, you don’t have to take a physical examination- although we doubt you would be allowed within touching distance of any participating thoroughbred. However, our experienced horse race bookies have shared some of their identifying tell-tale signs for a winning horse.

If you are a newbie to horse racing, the upcoming Breeders’ Cup challenge is a great opportunity to try these steps for sport. Become one of the lucky winners in a $28 million prize-winning. While it does not guarantee a 100% efficacy, we are sure they are worth checking out.

1. Look at the trainers

When selecting a thoroughbred, check the experience of the trainer. You are not only looking for someone with past winning experience, but also their accomplished feats. How recent was their last victory? Has the trainer claimed the horse before; did they win anything while working together?

The answers to these questions are available online, and can also be found by talking to fellow horse race connoisseurs and betters. If a horse has a trainer with a winning past, and they have won together as a team before, pick those who have won 12% - 16% of their mounts, at least.

2. Check for Changes in horse equipment

Look for 3 to 4 different thoroughbreds that have won their previous race, or at least made the top 5 finishers in their last race. Be sure to also look for notes on recent changes to equipment.

Look to see if a horse is using blinkers or not, check for bandages on on their legs (especially the front legs), and be sure to note if any changes have been made to their shoes based on track conditions.

3. Analyse their last 10 races

Horse race pundits do it the logical way, by analysing the horse’s performance in the last 10 games, and forecasting future results based on analytics. If you are at a loss on which horse to pick, use this method. Sometimes, statistics pays off.

Look out for a pattern; suppose a horse has 2 in a row, won one, lost another and won 2 in a row, and so on- just like it did the last time. If you see a winning pattern, and the next race indicates a win, go for it. This may not seem exactly logical, but it works at times.

4. Choose the healthy-looking horses

This might seem like a no-brainer, but it will surprise you how many people overlook this fact. Some horses are usually worn out and tired, perhaps due to overtraining by their handlers. Watch the horses carefully, if they seem tired, avoid betting on them.

This is why it is advisable not to bet too early. Wait until the last few minutes prior to a race before you cast your betting. This allows you to study each competing horse carefully before you make a final decision. The stronger and fitter the horse, the higher its chance of winning.

5. Bet on the race favourite

This is a lazy way to bet, but it reduces risk and guarantees a fair measure of success. After all, 80% of people cannot be wrong about something, right? According to this dated article, betting on a race favourite wins 30% - 33% of the time. While it is not very high, it counts for something.

The only disadvantage is that reduces your payouts when you do win. Nonetheless, better something than nothing. However, if you want to increase your chances, go for the underdog- you never know, lady luck might just smile on you.