If you have ever looked at a race card and wondered what on earth was going on, been baffled by tote betting, or just want to expand your knowledge on betting on the horses, then this page is for you.
We have articles covering every facet of the sport of kings, and they are all presented in simple language as 5 – 10 minute reads, so you can work your way through them at your own pace and know all there is to know about horse racing betting by the end.
What's the Difference Between Fell, Unseated & Brought Down?
A horse hitting the deck during a race is bad news for your bet, but it's not always the fault of the horse or the rider, and so being able to understand the nature of the accident when studying the race card is important if you want to make savvy betting decisions.
How Often Do Naps Win in Horse Racing?
Not everyone feels confident in researching which horses to bet on (and some of us just can't be bothered let's be honest), and often times tipsters will be the answer. Anyone who has taken this approach will have seen the term 'nap' next to a horse or two, but do you know what it means?
Everything You Need to Know About Amateur Jockeys
The word 'amateur' can sometimes be taken as meaning 'less skilled', but this is not necessarily the case with amateur jockeys. While they may not take a fee for riding, amateur jockeys have won some of the biggest competitions the sport has to offer, even going up again professional jockeys. Here is how the world of an amateur jockey works.
What is Point-to-Point Racing?
Before the days of professionally maintained racetracks and fully trained groundsmen, people used to race across the countryside from one 'point' to another 'point'. This was, and has remained an amateur activity, but one that you can bet on nonetheless.
Jockey Weighing In & Weighing Out Rules
You have probably heard of handicapping, but you might not have known that the weight of the jockey contributes to this calculation. The weighing process is tightly controlled, both before and after a race.
How Fast Do Horses Run in a Race?
A lot can impact the speed of a race horse, not least the weight of the jockey which is an unavoidable extra that slows them down. On top of this though, distance and horse breed are considerations, and their speed is relative to whatever they are being compared against.
What Does Pulled Up Mean in Horse Racing?
Bettors are right to pay attention to horses that have pulled up (PU on the racecard) in the past, but each case should be judged on its own merits. After all, even some of the biggest names in the sport have been pulled up in the past, so understanding the finer details is important before making any betting decisions.
Prize Money in Racing: Where Does It Come From?
Bettors are interested in how much they can win from their bets, but what about the owners, jockeys and trainers who are responsible for successful horses? Where does the money they win come from and how is it distributed?
Do You Have to Pay to Enter a Horse Race?
The horse racing business is all about money, and owning a horse is expensive even before that horse is entered into a race. There are many costs involved including the race entry fee, but of course the reward will far outweigh the costs if the horse is successful.
What Are Maiden, Novice & Introductory Horse Races?
Young horses, just like young people, need to train and practice in order to learn their trade and improve in ability. The best way for them to do this is to compete with each other and horses that are not too far ahead of them. Enter maiden, novice, and introductory races.
Amateur Horse Races: What Are They & Can Anyone Enter?
In this case, the word amateur relates to the jockey, not the horse. This means experience and ability can vary wildly in amateur races, but that doesn't mean they are no good. There have been many excellent amateur jockeys, many of whom have gone on to become professionals.
Can Anyone Enter a Horse in a Race?
It may feel like owning a racehorse is just a pipe dream without a fortune in the bank, but there are ways of making it much more affordable if you go looking for them. You don't need to be anyone special to enter a horse into a race, but there are plenty of rules and regulations to follow once you get your hands on one.
Drug Testing In Horse Racing: How Common Is Doping?
Horse racing may have something of an unfair reputation for this sort of thing, but actually, the stats tell a different story. What's more, the classifications as to what counts as doping include anything and everything, not just deliberate attempts at cheating.
Why Are Horses Priced in Guineas?
A leftover from the real olden days of horse racing, the guinea may no longer exist as legal tender but it is still used as a unit of value when it comes to buying and selling horses. Is there a good reason why this outdated amount is still in use in the sport?
Horse Racing Headgear: What Are Blinkers, Cheek Pieces & Tongue Straps?
It's quite possible that you have never paid too much attention to a horses headgear, but the most diligent of horse racing bettors will know exactly what their horses is wearing, and will know how to find that info on a racecard.
What Are Auction, Claiming & Selling Races?
Among the myriad of different types of horse races out there, auction, claiming, and selling races are arguably the least well understood. All horse races are aimed at a specific type of horse, or are run for specific reasons though, and these are no different.
Naming Racehorses: Can You Call A Horse Whatever You Like
Knowing the sense of humour in this country, you won't be surprised to find out that race horse names need to fit certain guidelines and be signed off before they can be used. You can get pretty creative with the name you choose, but it's not a free for all.
Jockey Silks Explained: What Do They Represent & Are They Unique?
Jockey silks aren't just there to look pretty on race day, they serve a real purpose too. There are even rules surrounding the design of the silks and some designs can be sold for thousands of pounds. You can even create your own in a few minutes using free software online.
What Happens When a Horse Bites in a Race?
Not something that springs to mind when choosing which bets to place, nevertheless biting does occasionally take place before or during a horse race. We look at past occurrences and also investigate the rules surrounding chomping horses.
Which Racecourses Offer Grade 1 or Group 1 Races?
For anyone wanting to see only the very best of British horse racing, grade 1 and group 1 races are the ones to watch. There are some extremely famous races in this article, but also some you may not be so familiar with.
What Are Steamers & Drifters in Horse Racing?
Horse racing terminology can be baffling at the best of times, and these two are prime examples. We explore what they are, why they happen, and how to score a net win from steamers and drifters.
Horse Racing Classifications: How Do Race Grades & Classes Work?
The world of horse racing can be a confusing place for the uninitiated, what with all the class's, grades, groups, weights and official ratings to contend with. Once you understand how everything is structured though, you can digest a lot of race information in very little time.
How to Bet on the Grand National: A Beginner's Guide
The biggest horse race of the year provides many things; more excitement, a bigger field, better than average odds, etc. However, with so many horses to choose from your betting strategy should probably be adapted too in order to give yourself the best chance of making it out with a net win. Here's how.
Can Trainers and Jockeys Bet on a Horse Race?
As professionals who are actively involved in the races we all bet on, is it right that trainers and jockeys should be allowed to get in on the action? After all they can directly affect the result of the races they are involved in, so what are the rules?
How Often Do Horses Fall in a Horse Race?
It's not something you want to see happening whether you have a bet on the horse that goes down or not, but it does happen from time to time, although as that stats in this article show, the frequency of fallers is decreasing.
How Do Dead Heats and Photo Finishes Work in Horse Racing?
The terms dead heats and photo finishes come from historical methods used to judge very close calls, but how are these things decided today, and what happens to your bet in a true dead heat?
What are the All Weather Championships in Horse Racing?
All you need to know about the All Weather Championships is contained here. Perhaps not shrouded in history like traditional racing, this once dismissed event is now a real staple on the racing calendar.
What is Harness Racing?
It might look a little odd to us British punters, but harness racing - or trotting as it is also known - is much more popular in other countries around the world. The rider sits in a cart instead of riding atop the horse in this style of racing, and the horse's gait is an important factor.
Is Horse Racing Fixed?
The sport of horse racing has had some bad press in this department, perhaps unfairly compared with other sports with an equal number of scandals, and although attempts at race fixing have definitely occurred is it fair to say the sport is fixed?
Is It Worth Betting on the Favourite in Horse Racing?
It's a debate as old as the sport itself: is betting on the favourite a worthwhile endeavour? There have actually been some very interesting research into this subject and the statistics are explored in this article. As always though, these stats only tell part of the story.
Ante Post Betting in Horse Racing
It's riskier to place a bet too far in advance, a lot can change in the run up to the race and your horse may not even end up running at all, but that's why ante post prices are more tempting - you can take home greater winnings if your guts bet comes in.
How to Read a Racecard
It can be baffling to the uninitiated, but the racecard holds key information about your horse and it's previous performances. It is actually much easier to understand that it may seem too, so with a little practice you will be able to scan the racecard in seconds and make use of the info within.
Non Runners in Horse Racing
You've studied the form guides, picked your horse and placed your bet, only for the nag to be withdrawn from the race. What happens in this and other similar scenarios is explained within.
Track Surfaces in Horse Racing: Grass, Dirt & Synthetic
Did you think that all horse races were run on grass? Think again. In this country turf is the most common surface type but in hotter climates dirt is much more commonplace. There are even synthetic surfaces being used these days too.
All Weather Racing Explained: Surfaces, Races & History
All weather surfaces might be a new concept for some readers, but in fact the first ever race held on an all weather surface was way back in 1966 in the USA. These days it is a much more viable idea, but it does have its setbacks and it isn't always popular with more traditional racing fans.
Lengthen the Odds With BetVictor
BetVictor offer punters a way to get better returns on their bet by predicting not just the winning horse but the winning distance too. Ideal when the odds on a dead cert are not much cop, or if you just fancy a challenge.
Trainer & Jockey Championship Betting in Horse Racing
It's not just the horses that you can bet on with horse racing, but the men and women riding and training them too. There are prizes for the most successful in their field, and there are prizes for punters who can predict the winners of these competitions too.
Tote Placepot Betting
The placepot, when used well, can offer up huge returns if it comes in. It's a bet that offers a greater chance to win but getting the balance right is key. Spend too much & you could lose value, spend too little & your chances decrease significantly.
Horse Racing Weights Explained
Arguably one of the more misunderstood elements of horse racing, the methods of and reasons behind adding extra weight to a runner make perfect sense once you look into them. This article explains all.
How to Study Horse Racing Form
The form guide can be an overwhelming sight if you don't know what you are looking at, but once you have learned a few simple codes it becomes the key to finding the perfect horse to bet on. Yet it doesn't always tell the full story.
What Is the Starting Price (SP) & Should You Take It?
Choosing whether or not to take the starting price is a gamble in itself; will the price lengthen or shorten? But what exactly is the starting price, how is it formed, and is there a way to ensure you get the best odds?
Tote Jackpot Betting
Offer the great British public a chance to win big for low stakes & you will likely have a hit on your hands. That was certainly the case with the Tote Jackpot. But unlike the lottery, a combination of knowledge & research can squeeze increased value from this bet.
What Is Draw Bias & How Much Should it Influence Your Bets?
The draw might be random, but the effect it could have on the outcome of some races is undeniable. However, draw bias data isn't quite as cut and dry as it might first appear, and in some cases it ceases to be a factor at all. Learn how to tell the difference here.
What is Unnamed Favourite Betting?
Taking the unnamed favourite might sound like a silly idea considering you have no idea which horse you are betting on at the time you place your bet, but if you know what you are doing it can actually be quite the savvy move.
How Does Winning Distance Betting Work?
Most horse racing markets a fairly short lived, but the Winning Distances market can often span all of the races at a day's meeting. When you throw spread betting into the mix there is potential for big rewards, as well as bigger losses.
Scoop6 Betting
Guessing the outcome of 6 races on the trot is no mean feat, but if you manage it then a share of the scoop6 dividend is yours. This weekly bet has proved incredibly popular thanks to the low stakes & high potential return, but you don't actually need to be spot on to win.
How to Bet on the Winner of a Horse Race
The most common and most easy to understand horse racing bet of them all, the race winner market. This one has been around since the dawn of time, but the art of actually finding a winner is not so easy, and getting the very best price is another factor to consider when betting on this market.
What Is the Going & Why Does it Matter?
When the going gets tough, the horses don't usually run. That might not as catchy a phrase as the one used in the 1988 Billy Ocean song, but it's certainly true of UK horse racing. But what exactly is 'the going' and how does it affect a race?
How do Horse Ages Work in Racing?
Unlike a lady, you should always ask a horse's age. It is much more than just a number and can even dictate which races the horse is allowed to enter. Using this information alongside a form guide is vital, and can be a good way to spot any red herrings or hidden gems.
Each Way Edge: What Is It & How Does It Work?
Improving on the already popular Each Way betting market, Betfair offer their customers an 'Edge' by allowing them to customise the number of places included in the each way bet. This gives punters total control, but there are some terms to be aware of.
What Does 'Betting Without' Mean in Horse Racing?
For those races that have a clear favourite at odds so short it is hardly worth betting at all, the betting without market comes into its own. This market allows you to find value in the race by removing the favourite from your bet and evening out the field. Here's how it works.