Category: FAQ

Horse racing is known as one of the oldest sports disciplines in the world, and as such, it has a role in shaping different cultures across the globe. Even though it is still unknown when the first race took place, the oldest evidence of racing dates back to 4000 BC Central Asia, the time right after the domestication of horses. Centuries have passed, and men and horses continued to take part in this thrilling sport which nowadays attracts a large number of passionate bettors.

 

The History of Horse Racing

Horse racing has been practiced in ancient civilizations across the world, and besides the above-mentioned evidence that connects it with Central Asia, it was also common in Ancient Rome, Ancient Greece, Egypt, Syria, and Babylon. Chariot racing was one of the most popular sports among the Romans, Greeks, and Byzantines. Both mounted and chariot races were important events in the ancient Panhellenic Games, while in the Roman Empire, they were considered major industries. Later on, thoroughbred racing began to rise in British society, becoming as popular as it is today, known as the Sport of Kings. Throughout the centuries, equestrians improved their skills through numerous races. At the same time, they presented the crowds with entertainment, as well as proficient horsemanship required in battle. The races also resulted in the development of specialized equipment and dedicated breeds. And if there wasn’t for the popularity of equestrian sports, certain skills that used to be frequently used in combat would have vanished by now.

 

Organized Racing

Given the discipline’s immense popularity, it wasn’t surprising that soon enough organized horse racing became an established sport. During his reign which lasted from 1649 to 1685, Charles II organized The King’s Plate races, and those were one of the first-known events where the winners received prizes for their results. On top of that, these events also showcased the first set of rules ever recorded, and it is interesting to note that many of them are still in use today.

 

King Charles II was also the one who established the prominence of Newmarket – today’s headquarters of British horseracing. By 1750, the Newmarket races started to be controlled by the newly formed Jockey Club. The system of wagering was also established, and all social classes took part in it. Meanwhile, organized racing also evolved in other parts of the planet. For instance, its inception in the United States is considered to have begun in the 1600s, with the occupation of New York City.

 

Betting on Horse Races

Betting has been associated with horse racing on a global scale for centuries, and for many fans, it is the primary reason why they attend the events. Punters can wager on a series of different outcomes, including the horse that will finish the line first, second, or third. The most popular wagering methods are betting to win, show, and place. Thanks to today’s technological advancements, bettors can now choose between traditional and online wagering, the latter being more popular nowadays.

 

The Popularity Across Countries

Horse racing is more than just a type of entertainment, and many countries developed a significant portion of their sports tradition around it. That is why we need to mention the countries where horse racing is deeply embedded in both history and culture:

 

Ireland

Ireland is known for its nation’s strong passion for horses and horse racing. In fact, as a country with a population of only 5 million people, it has an unexpectedly high number of thoroughbred horses. To be more precise, a three-year-old statistic claims there were 50 thoroughbreds for every 10,000 inhabitants of the island.

 

According to some critics, the discipline gets even more interest than football, and the population is largely drawn to wagering. Staying on top of the racing calendar and betting on the Irish Grand National and other grand events in the country has become one of the favorite pastimes among the Irish. Thanks to the rising interest in the races and all things related to them, the stats from the past few years claim that the industry generates more than €1.8 million per year in revenue.

 

The UK

Being a huge part of British culture, horse racing is also one of the most in-demand spectator sports, currently surpassed only by football. The UK events are mostly focused on flat racing, but National Hunt racing where the horses need to jump over different hurdles also gets lots of attention. When it comes to betting, has been a huge component of the experience for a long time, and fans can easily find bookies at the racetracks, or opt for online operators if they cannot be physically present at the event.

 

The area is home to many famous racecourses, including the Epsom Downs, Ascot, Aintree, Goodwood, and Cheltenham. As for the races themselves, events like The Royal Ascot, the Grand National, and the Epsom Derby helped the racing culture grow out of the courts.

 

The United States

Horse racing developed in the United States as a result of a strong British influence. Over the years, it has grown so much that now it produces some of the world’s best events including The Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, The Breeders’ Cup, The Belmont Stakes, and others. The majority of the competitions in the USA involve valuable thoroughbreds whose lineage can be traced back to the American Stud Book, which originates in 1868.

 

Flat races are the most dominant type in the area, but Americans are also fond of a mixture of quarter-horse racing and endurance races. The most notable racecourses in the United States are Belmont Park with the Saratoga racecourse, as well as Churchill Downs and Pimlico Park, among others. Placing wagers on this particular discipline is widespread in the USA, and even though sports betting is not legalized in all states, horse racing is an exception allowed by the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act.

 

Latin America

Horse racing was introduced to the area by the Spanish and Portuguese during the colonial era, and it has been developing a rich history ever since. Its popularity has spread throughout Latin America, but it is particularly in demand in countries like Mexico, Argentina, and Chile. The most well-known event in Argentina is the Gran Premio Nacional which was first organized back in 1884. In Mexico, there is a traditional contest called the Classico del Caribe, and it has been held regularly since 1946. As for Chile, the country is proud of its Clasico Carlos Urrutia, which was initially set up in 1878.

 

Latin America is home to many passionate fans of the races, and thousands of spectators either gather to watch live events at various tracks, or they do it online. Besides the excitement of the competitions and the genuine passion for the sport, many enthusiasts are also there for the sake of betting.

 

Australia

The racing discipline came to Australia in the 18th century, together with the colonists. And during that time, the races started being regularly organized in Sydney. However, the initial events included workhorses until the 19th century when the first thoroughbreds were imported by the wealthy colonists. The Australian market is dominated by flat racing and steeplechase racing, followed by commonly organized harness racing.

 

The most famous racecourses in the country include venues like Flemington, Moonee Valley, and Royal Randwick, and the locals can enjoy a variety of legendary events such as the Victoria Derby, the Caulfield Cup, the Melbourne Cup, and The Golden Slipper Stakes. Like many other nations out there, Australians are also drawn to wagering, and many of them enjoy making predictions in the local sportsbooks, as well as through online platforms.

 

Technological Improvements

Just like almost all other sectors and industries, horse racing has also been impacted by a series of tech innovations in the past years. Even though the discipline has preserved the majority of its rules and traditions, it also embraced the use of modern tools. One of the most important areas of improvement deals with the safety of horses and jockeys, both on and off the track. For instance, the use of thermal imaging enables the experts to notice if a horse is overheating after the race, while X-rays, endoscopes, and MRI scanners help them detect a variety of health conditions before they take a toll on the animal’s wellbeing. On top of that, the emergence of 3D printing allows the teams to produce suitable splints, casts, or even prosthetics for animals that have suffered an injury.

 

Horse racing is one of the disciplines with the longest tradition in various countries in the world, and millions of fans still gather to watch their favorite events. The sport has been developing and growing for centuries, becoming an integral part of different cultures on the planet. The races are closely followed by enthusiasts who also enjoy wagering on the leading events, which continues to support the demand for races in today’s world.

 

Horse racing happens to be one of the oldest and still most popular sports in the world. Since the days of the oldest civilizations, men have trained horses to run in competitions of strength and skill. In Ancient Egypt, chariot racing was the undisputed most popular sport. Since those days, horse racing has remained a constant in human society. And though its popularity has waxed and waned, the sport has never disappeared from the public conscious.

It was during the Victorian era that horse racing grew to become the sport we know today. Some standard rules were introduced in English horse racing, and were then exported to the rest of the world. And while obviously the Victorian rules are far outdated now, they remain the foundation for the sport we all know and love today.

Horse Racing Today

Today horse racing remains incredibly popular. While not on the forefront of everyone’s minds, certain horse racing festivals and events do get quite a bit of traction. Among them, the most notable would be Cheltenham and Ascot in Britain, the Kentucky Derby and the Triple Crown races in the United States, and many others across the world.

Of course, one place where horse racing still retains an incredible amount of popularity is in the betting world. It certainly will not surprise anyone to hear that betting on the ponies is an incredibly popular pastime. After all, when speaking about “betting sports” horse racing should be the foremost on everyone’s mind.

And while the sport is certainly not the most popular to bet on, it has its fair share of fans. Countries where horse racing is incredibly popular, both to watch and place wagers on are the United Kingdom, Ireland, Japan, France, and the United States is beginning to catch up again. But, as popular as horse race betting is at land-based bookies, it truly shines online.

Why is Online Betting So Great?

For those who are unaware, online betting is incredibly popular today. In the late 90s, internet culture was just beginning to form. And a major influence on its formation were the various online betting and gambling websites. Back then, these websites were incredibly rudimentary. However, as with any bit of software, they’ve grown and developed into something much better.

Nowadays, online sportsbooks are the main way for bettors to follow their favorite sports and odds. But just what makes these websites so great? Well, it is rather obvious. Not only are web bookies easily accessible, they also let you go about the business while following the game/race. And now, with the introduction of livestreaming, bookies can actually place bets while the game is being broadcast. This factor helps users of these sites to make better decisions when putting down a wager.

What Makes Horse Racing Perfect for Online Betting?

But the question we are here to answer is why horse racing lends itself so well to online betting. And the answer is quite simple. Online betting sites have a deep interest in horse racing. The reason for this is simple. Horse racing is popular, and bookies want to make some cash. So, there are very few sports that these bookmakers pay closer attention to than horse racing. In fact, the only sport that garners more attention than horse racing is association football, and maybe cricket. In other words, the main reason that online betting is great for horse racing, is because online bookies pay very close attention to various horse racing events around the world.

Another reason why online betting is great for horse racing is because you can place a bet without actually having to watch the race. Let’s be honest, in 2022 we are all way too busy to actually watch the various horse races going on. Sure, they might be exciting, but they usually end rather quickly. Sometimes, it just isn’t worth it. Well, with online betting, you can watch the races from your PC, mobile phone or any other electronic device, place bets using that same device, all the while doing your job, housework, or just relaxing at home.

How to Beat the Odds?

Finally, betting on horse racing is excellent practice for up-and-coming gamblers to learn how to beat the odds. Many find it surprising that some gamblers do it professionally. Meaning they have no other income, other than betting or gambling. So, the question is, how do these guys beat the house edge and make a living?

Many people know the old saying “the house always wins.” This idiom refers to the fact that the casino has a house edge over the players. The same applies to bookmakers. However, bettors also have a crucial advantage on their side. Namely, you don’t have to put down a wager on every race. So, when doing research, pay close attention to which horses have an advantage and which races are likely to pay off more.

Biggest Events in 2023

In this final section of the article, we would like to take a look at a few of the most popular horse racing events in the world, that are coming in 2023. And of course, we can’t talk horse racing without bringing up Cheltenham.

For those who don’t know, the city of Cheltenham holds an annual 4-day horse racing festival. The event is usually held in March, and this upcoming year will be no different. Quite a lot of betting websites cover Cheltenham, and offer a number of promotions and benefits regarding the event.

But it isn’t only British fans that have something to look forward to. The Kentucky Derby is one of horse racing’s most famous events, with some of the greatest horses in the sport’s history running through its tracks. Horses like the Secretariat, War Admiral, Sea Biscuit, and Red Rum have all raised the dust at the Kentucky Derby.

From the west we go east, all the way to the United Arab Emirates, where horse racing is incredibly popular. The UAE Derby is going to be taking place in late March, where 20 thoroughbreds will compete for one of the biggest prizes in the world of horse racing today.

There’s a good chance most gamblers have ambitions of turning their hobby into a profession.

As you can imagine, this is no easy task. It takes years of experience to hone your skills to be a cut above the rest. However, it’s worth knowing that you don’t need to be the best gambler in the world to make your betting pay – just a little better than most.

This is a challenge which most fall short.

Why?

Because all to often gamblers forget to hone their skills.

Beating the bookies is about one thing – knowledge.

If you don’t know more than the layer who takes your bet, then you are fighting a losing battle. Knowing your niche gives you the knowledge to win.

You have a crucial advantages over bookmakers. You don’t have to bet every race. Your selectivity is a strength.

From reading books, articles and case studies about professional gamblers I’ve learned they are far from creatures of habit. In that I mean they have many and varied ways of being successful gamblers. Most have very contrasting thoughts and contradict each other with what they consider the best approach.

Some are form students, while others rely on the clock (Phil Bull). For one an each-way bet is best while others bank on a single win. Alec Bird used to make a profit betting on photo finishes. While the likes of Jack Ramsden was paid by a bookmaker who placed his bets and won a fortune betting on multi bets.

Each differed in their niche and skill set to beat the bookies.

You will need to do the same. You cannot afford to follow the crowd. How can the majority of people win?

Your strength is your difference.

Gambling is about skill although many professional punters have a very small edge. Some as little as 1% profit. To win they have to bet incredible amount of money to keep them ahead of the game.

If you simply bet for the buzz then your chance of winning big are the stuff of dreams.

You need ultimate knowledge and a wad of cash.

Our stateside friends playing the best payout online casino usa, have asked for a post on Group races… so your wish is my command! The classification of Group One, Group Two and Group Three races, collectively known as ‘Pattern’ races, is controlled by the European Pattern Committee (EPC), whose members are Great Britain, Ireland, France and Germany.

The European Pattern was introduced in 1971, to avoid the possibility of prestigious French races being restricted to horses trained in France. Casino en ligne en france fans may be well aware of this. Previously, penalties in such races were determined by the monetary value of the races a horse had won which, granted that French prize money was much higher than elsewhere in Europe, often left them at the mercy of foreign-trained horses. Instead, Pattern races were arranged, by importance, such that penalties could be based on quality, rather than monetary value.

Under normal circumstances, the EPC monitors the quality of Pattern races, based on a rolling three-year average of the official ratings of the first four finishers; in a Group One race, for example, the average official rating must be maintained at 115, or higher. If a Pattern race fails to fulfil or, indeed, exceeds expectations, it can be downgraded or upgraded at the discretion of the EPC. However, in the wake of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, the EPC has announced to that no such changes, one way or the other, will be made in 2021.