Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the UK, and major events like the Royal Ascot or the Cheltenham Festival attest to it. However, aside from years-long tradition and widespread appeal, the sport is also very popular among punters.
Naturally, racehorse betting enthusiasts have one question — how do you pick a winning racehorse? We’ve looked into every single method of choosing one. Some of our findings may seem like educated guesswork, while others might blow your mind. Let’s get started!
Brief History of Horse Racing
Horse racing has always been an activity of the nobility, whether in contemporary times or the days of ancient Rome and Egypt. It’s impossible to pinpoint when horse racing became what it is today, but we do have a rough idea.
As a point of reference, even Norse mythology mentions Odin racing with his magical horse, Sleipnir. But if we were to look for more ground-based and proven facts, Ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt are pretty good indicators of how old the activity can be.
When it comes to more recent and organised horse races, the introduction of the Jockey Club in the 1700s was the instigator, and you can read more about it here. Over the years, several major races were established, including:
- 1711: The Royal Ascot
- 1780: Epsom Derby
- 1809: The Grand Guineas
- 1829: The Grand National
- 1860: Cheltenham Festival
The popularity of horse races worldwide began around the same time as in the UK, including the famous Kentucky Derby in 1875 and the Melbourne Cup in 1861.
Factors to Consider When Picking a Winning Horse
For those who like statistics, picking a winning horse might include checking the horse’s previous race history and a few other valuable data. Tips based on controlled factors may not work all the time, but it’s still important to consider before the race:
- Check the course and the going — Some horses show interesting results by winning specific courses multiple times. Of course, the race type and distance also make a big difference, but if a horse you’re planning to bet on has already won the same course at the same distance, you might be onto something.
- Consider the form of the horse — Nowadays, we have access to more stats than ever, so it’s always a good idea to check the form of the horses participating in the race you’re planning to bet on.
- Learn about the jockey — Punters often overlook the importance of the trainer and the jockey. Their track record is nearly as vital as the horse’s, so it’s worth going for a jockey with previous race-winning experience.
Unforeseen Factors Affecting Horse Racing
Sometimes, unpredictable events could steer the race in a certain direction. For instance, a change in weather conditions might affect the course, and some horses do better in mud than others.
Meanwhile, even a slight difference, like the starting position, could have a massive influence on the outcome of the race. For instance, the number one spot in flat races has the shortest distance for a horse to travel. In fact, it’s a good sign for your horse to end up in a position like that on a draw.
Another way you could stay ahead of any unforeseen factors is to inspect the behaviour of the horse before the race. You should look for signs of good health like a shiny coat, or pay attention to its stance during the parade. Focus on muscle definition and try to see how much ground a horse can cover while walking.
Of course, when you’ve settled on the horse, you can take advantage of bonuses similar to those of online casino real money sites, which are only tailored for sports betting. There are numerous UK bookies offering free bets and odds boosts for horse racing events, so why not put all these tips we’ve mentioned to the test?
Main Horse Racing Betting Tips
Even with decent prediction tips at hand, horse racing can be a very challenging sport to bet on. Here are some general betting strategies that might help you:
- Always use betting bonuses when available
- Age is not crucial, but avoid betting on horses without any wins
- Get to know the trainers and jockeys
- Check the stats and comments of previous races
- Consider the surface and how your selected horse does on it
Conclusion
This concludes our guide to picking the winning horse, and we hope you find it useful. We know there’s no way of knowing which horse will win for sure, but educating yourself and learning more about particular horses, jockeys, courses, and uncontrolled factors could at least lead you to make an informed guess. If you take all these into consideration, all that’s left to do is to cheer on your favourite racehorse!