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To some, horse racing might seem like a fruitless sport, but to others, it is one of the most exhilarating ways to spend their time. Horse racing has a very rich history, and the image that accompanies it is an evening of relaxation and fun that can lead to some hefty rewards.
To anyone who isn’t familiar with the sport, horse racing might seem complicated. The aspect of betting on horses attached to this sport can get a little tricky for some too. You can also bet online and enjoy downtime at home on websites like this one.
For anyone who wants to know more about horse racing, but doesn’t know where to start, this article serves as a Beginner’s Guide to everything there is to know about horse racing.
The Types:
Horse racing isn’t as simple as it sounds. It is made up of a variety of different types, all of which have different rules and regulations. Some of these include:
- Steeplechase race: this type of race contains large hurdles which are made to be difficult for racers to jump.
- Bumper race: these are beginner races for small horses, and they feature no hurdles at all.
- Graded races: these are the most exciting of all, and feature the most experienced race horses.
Other types also include cross country races, juvenile races, maiden races etc.
What to do on Race day:
Race days feature a calm, enjoyable afternoon where you can sit back, relax and either bet on the horses or simply enjoy the race. It’s always a good idea to find people around you who are well experienced in admiring the sport, so that you can quickly learn the tricks of the trade from them.
Race days feature drinks, food and great company apart from the thrilling races as well. If you’re just getting into horse racing, it’s good to go to a few races and enjoy them without placing any bets.
Reading the Race card:
To fully enjoy the sport, it is important to understand it. Horse races feature the racecard, which is essentially the score card of the race. This features different aspects, including the age and weight of the horse and the jockey’s silk.
The silk simply shows the jersey of the jockey whereas the age and weight of the horse are determinants of its race performance. Reading the form itself can be a little complicated, it’s okay to ask for help from seasoned fans if you don’t understand what’s going on.
Just remember that better figures don’t always mean a better performance, simply betting on the top horse doesn’t guarantee a win, and just like that, betting on a lower ranked horse doesn’t mean a loss.
Placing a Bet:
Once you’re well versed in the art of the sport, you can go ahead and bet on your favorite horses. It’s safe to bet on horses that are considered favorites by seasoned fans of the sport. It is also important to test your luck a little and let yourself get a feel of risk taking, instead of simply sticking to the statistics.
Get to know the horses, actively be involved in finding out who the trainers and the jockeys are, and then simply go with the statistics, or your gut. This depends entirely on which one you believe in more.
Once you have finally become comfortable about horse racing, you can let loose and experiment as you place your bets. Choose the horses you like the most, or conduct field research to make sure you earn rewards.
At the end of the day, horse racing is an extremely fun sport. Whether you’re placing bets or not, you definitely will not regret getting into it.
Michael specializes in journalism, digital content production and social media management. He has a passion for numerous sports including football, horse racing and ice hockey. Michael currently works on a freelance basis, producing daily content for various outlets within the sports industry.
