Does a ‘Yankee’ bet have anything to do with the song ‘Yankee Doodle’?
The origin of the term ‘Yankee’ is unknown, but is believed to have its origins ined the Dutch word ‘Janke’, the dimunitive form of Jan or, in English, ‘John’. It was recorded as a derogatory nickname for natives of New England, specifically those in the army of Major-General James Wolfe during the Seven Years’ War, and later popularised by the song ‘Yankee Doodle’ during the Revolutionary War, in the late seventeenth century.
Even the ‘modern’ lyrics of song ‘Yankee Doodle’, which first appeared in ‘The Nursery Rhymes of England’ by James Halliwell in 1842, have nothing to do with horse racing or betting. Any such connection may be the result of a later, but different, song, ‘The Yankee Doodle Boy’, written by George M. Cohan for the Broadway musical ‘Little Johnny Jones’, which tells the tale of a fictitious American jockey – based on James Forman ‘Tod’ Sloan – who travels to England to ride in the Derby. The later song, which is set, in part, to the same tune as ‘Yankee Doodle’, was famously performed by James Cagney in the film ‘Yankee Doodle Dandy’ in 1942.
Even so, any connection with the popular ‘Yankee’ bet – which combines four selections in six doubles, four trebles and an accumulator – is tenuous at best. Interestingly, in Australia, the term ‘Yankee tournament’, which first appeared in 1961, is used to describe what is known elsewhere as a ’round robin’ or, in other words, a tournament, or part of it, in which every player or team competes against each of the others in turn. Likewise, a ‘Yankee’ bet couples every selection with each of the others, so it is not difficult to see how its name could have been derived in similar fashion, without any direct connection to America.
A strange question to pose perhaps, but these are essentially my main two experiences of ‘having a flutter’ in life. From a relatively young age it’s been something of a family tradition for us to go to the races at Great Yarmouth and make a bit of a day of it. Essentially the day and afternoon would be taken up by a thrilling day at the races, having a punt on whatever horses stood out for us (sometimes a big odds selection in hope of an equally big win) and seeing what fate and fortunate would bring. On one or two occasions we certainly had wins to remember, other times broke even, and sometimes of course we lost. The ups and downs of it all are as much part of the fun as anything. We of course all had an ice cream too (as Great Yarmouth is on the coast!) and spent some time on the beach. It’s important to seek a balance!
The thrill of racing is something that every gambler interested in the sport of kings will acknowledge. Placing a bet and having your horse take the lead in the final furlong or two is a certainly feeling to remember. This is especially true if it’s a horse you’ve been following for a while, whose form you have analysed, and hold a belief that it’s got what it takes. That and a touch of luck of course, because from time to time we all need a bit of that!
The Belmont Stakes, the last leg of the Triple Crown, is heading back to Saratoga Race Course on 7 June 2025. While Belmont Park continues its extensive renovation, Saratoga plays host for the second straight year. And with the distance shortened to 1¼ miles, this year’s race promises to be faster—and potentially more competitive—than ever.