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Betting on horses can be tricky for most beginners. Some things need to be explained before you can go all out on betting. You have to know the terminologies, types of races and the odds. Horseracing has a rich history with fascinating statistics. Here are ten things to get you up to speed about horse betting.

1. The History of the Jockey Matters

You have to look at the history of the jockey before placing any bets. If you notice one jockey that always finishes first, second or third no matter the horse, they have the unspoken talent. You should also consider the history of a jockey with a particular horse. If every time they are paired with the horse, they finish first or second, that can be a safe bet. There is a chance they will finish in one of the top three spots.

2. Don’t Always Bet On Your Favourite.

Horse racing is one of the notoriously unpredictable games. Learn to be flexible with your bets. When you bet on the favourite every time, you are limiting your chances of winning. Look for a horse that offers the most value. It’s not all about the horse that is likely to win. Sometimes the winning horse may not be very profitable in terms of betting. Feel free to cheer on your favourite but place your money where it’s supposed to be.

3. You Need To Know The Signs Of A Confident Horse.

Watch your horse’s pre-race and see how they behave because, according to experts, it tells a lot. An anxious horse is less likely to perform great at the race. First, you have to find out the signs you need to look out for. Once you know, it will be easy to sport a winner in the line-up and easy to place a bet. Of course, you cannot base your decision solely on this fact, but it will help.

4. Understand the Terminologies

It’s a fact that when you are a newbie, there are terms used in the horse racing sport that you won’t be able to grab. Get familiar with the phrases because they will be essential for your betting success. Race comments can give you a lot of insight into the horses and the jockey. You need all the information you can get to make money from horse betting. It will take you time to grasp all the terminologies, but it’s imperative that you do.

5. You Do Not Have To Bet On All The Races.

The temptation to bet on all the races for beginners is very high. You always want to make a profit from every single horse program. Try to resist the urge because this is a learning period. Take things more slowly and progress gradually. You will notice there are mistakes you were making with the first bets that can be avoided. Most beginners experience losses on their first bets because they are still learning the new sport. Only bet on the races you are confident in when you are new.

6. The Track Conditions Matter

This is probably something you never thought would affect a horse race, but it does. It’s mostly overlooked, especially by newbies. Always account for the track conditions when betting on a horse. Look at the track condition in the previous races and how the horses performed. You will understand the different conditions cause variations. The weather and the track condition is a package deal. So you have to think about the weather during the time of the race.

7. You Need To Know The Trainers.

Horse trainers have a track record for a reason. As much as the best trainers do well when they have a good horse, their efforts also matter. All the pros horse bettors know the trainers, and they keep a record of their work. You will notice there are one or two trainers that consistently deliver outstanding horses. They go all out to prepare the horses for the races in different climates and track conditions. This will give you a rough idea of which horses you need to keep your eyes on.

8. The Starting Position Matter

All horse bettors know this for a fact. But because you are getting started, it’s worth mentioning. Every horse has its own unique abilities and characteristics. They perform differently when they start from different positions. But you shouldn’t make any assumptions about the starting position. Try and trace the history of the horse with regards to starting positions.

9. There Are Different Types Of Bets.

You will have to choose between exotic and straight wagers. But as a beginner, you should stick to straight bets because they are less complicated and cheap. You can afford to make minor mistakes and escape with small losses. As you become a pro, you can start exploring exotic bets. You can bet on multiple horses and multiple races with exotic wagers.

10. You Need To Understand The Odds.

Just like in any other sport, betting on horses also need to understand the odds. There are plenty of books, websites and people ready to offer information on horse betting odds. Take advantage of every accurate information and use them to place winning bets. Understanding the odds will set you apart from other beginners.

Conclusion

These ten facts are essential when you finally take an interest in horse racing. They will help you become the bettor you want to be in future. Your journey will be so easy if you can use these vital tips.

Horse racing enthusiasts are spoilt for choice when it comes to daily online betting. However, there are some great alternatives to betting on a horse race and below you will discover some of the best casino games for horse racing fans.

You will notice most of the casino games highlighted below fall under the slots category of casino gaming and that is because it is easier to tailor a slot game to a particular theme. If you are interested in seeing a huge selection of various slot games, head to https://www.platincasino.com/ie/home.html where there are plenty available to play.

Returning to the horse racing theme and one the best online casino games for horse racing fans is Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven. This game was released in 2010 and produced by Playtech in celebration of the success achieved by the famous jockey. The Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven slot game is played on five reels with 25 paylines and although the graphics may not be cutting edge, there is plenty to like about the slot from a horse racing fans point of view. There are three Frankie symbols, one of which is the wild, plus various horse racing themed symbols including trophies and horseshoes. The free games race feature is a nice touch and this allows you to back a jockey to win a race, much like you would at a sportsbook. If your selection finishes in first, second or third, you will receive free spins. As a horse racing fan, you are likely to return to Frankie Dettori’s Magic Seven again and again. This game is one many a list of aus online casinos to explore and play.

Moving on and we come to Sure Win, a horse racing themed slot game developed by Microgaming. This casino game was released in 2019 and has enjoyed great success as players back a horse to win the race. Complete with an impressive RTP of 96.29%, Sure Win has 5 reels and 25 paylines and some the symbols to look out for on the reels include binoculars, a jockey’s hat, tickets to the races and a golden cup. Three horses and three jockeys complete the basic symbol selection and in terms of the horse racing theme, Sure Win is difficult to beat.

Not all of the leading casino games for horse racing fans are slots and virtual horse racing has become popular in recent years. If there is no horse racing markets available at your online bookmaker, virtual horse racing is a great alternative. In many ways, virtual horse racing is like a computer game as the race is software based. You choose the horse you would like to back just as you would do with a standard race and place your bet. If you are interested in betting on horse racing but do not have the time to learn everything about the horses and jockeys in real races, virtual horse racing is the perfect casino game.

Some of the other slot based casino games that are ideal for horse racing fans include Derby Dollars, Lucky Day at The Races, and Champion of the Track.

The best horse racing tracks in the US

Horse racing is one of the most popular and oldest sports in the world. There is evidence of it as far back as during the Roman Empire, with competitors racing horses whilst standing behind them on chariots. And it has been in no decline over the years.

In fact, following the COVID-19 pandemic, horse racing was one of the first sports to get back to business, and as a result saw its popularity increase. As people were stuck without being able to watch football, basketball and a number of other sports, more TV coverage was horse racing’s gain whilst others lost out.

For those who have been invested in horse racing for much longer though, there are always some races that they look forward to more than others. The US has some of the best races and tracks in the world when it comes to horse racing, maybe not THE BEST in the world, it’d be hard to compare anything with Aintree, England and its world famous Grand National race. But they certainly have some spectacular ones, and here are some of our favourites.

Churchill Downs, Pimlico Park and Belmont Park

Now there is a reason why we have combined these three tracks together, and that’s because they are the three tracks that make up the legendary Triple Crown in the US. First up in the Triple Crown races is the Kentucky Derby, known as The Run for the Roses. Taking place on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky.

The course has a magnificent grandstand that looks over the 147 acre site, with the race run over a distance of 1 ¼ miles, or 10 furlongs/2,000 metres. The course is an absolute spectacle that people flock to in huge numbers, even famous figures have been in attendance at some of the biggest races it hosts, such as Jack Nicholson and Queen Elizabeth II.

The next race in the Triple Crown is the Preakness Stakes, nicknamed The Run for the Black-Eyed Susans. The Preakness takes place two weeks after the Derby on the third Saturday of May, at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland.

Whilst it may be a slightly shorter race with the Preakness stakes seeing colts, geldings and fillies racing over a distance of 1 ³/₁₆ miles, or 9/5 furlongs/1,900 metres, it doesn’t take away from the history of the track, which is the second oldest in US history. Opened to the public in 1870, Pimlico Park sees some of the biggest events outside of the Triple Crown take place there too, such as the Dixie Stakes and the Pimlico Special.

The final track of the Triple Crown is Belmont Park in Elmont, New York, which hosts the Belmont Stakes, known as The Test of the Champion. This race takes place on the third

Saturday following the Preakness Stakes, usually making it the first or second Saturday in June. It has the longest running distance of any American race course, and so is also the longest race of the Triple Crown at 1 ½ miles, or 12 furlongs/2,400 metres.

It too has a long and illustrious history much like Pimlico, having operated as far back as 1905. Alongside the Belmont Stakes, it also hosts some other incredible spectacles too, such as the Champagne Stakes, Man O’ War Stakes, Jockey Club Gold Cup, and Mother Goose Stakes.

Despite how long the Triple Stakes has operated for, only 13 horses have ever won all three races to claim the prize. The first being Sir Barton in 1919, and the last being Justify in 2018.

Arlington Park

Situated in Illinois, in the suburbs of Chicago, Arlington park is one of the most beautiful tracks in the whole of the US. It too, like the others, has amassed quite the history over the years, having opened up to the public in 1927, and hosting the first ever $1 million horse race with the Arlington Million.

Sadly, it wasn’t all good times for Arlington Park when in 1985, the grandstand that was famous around the world, was burnt to the ground during a horrendous disaster. But, like a phoenix from the ashes, it has been rebuilt and is as beautiful as ever, allowing fans to witness the continuation of that million dollar race that it made history for.

Monmouth Park

New Jersey is known for many things; the TV Show Jersey Shore, musical icons such as Bruce Springsteen, Jon Bon Jovi and Frank Sinatra, and there are some of the best casinos NJ has to offer there as well. But it is also home to Monmouth Park, nicknamed The Shore.

Again, this is another track that is over 100 years old, with the track dating back to 1870 when it was first situated in Oceanport New Jersey, near the Atlantic Ocean. And it has seen many big races in its time, including its flagship races, the grade one Haskell Invitational Handicap and the United Nations Stakes.

That’s it from us, what are your favourites?

There you have some of the best tracks in the US, in our opinion anyway. But are there some that should get a special mention? Some favourites we’ve missed off? Why not get in touch and let us know what you think should’ve made our list of the best horse race tracks in the US.

Horse racing remains quite a popular sport in the United Kingdom, and within this, the Royal Ascot races are the most prestigious and famous on the calendar. There is good reason for this, as they are over 300 years old, and have a close association with the Crown, as the Ascot Racecourse was founded by Queen Anne in 1711, with a race called Her Majesty’s Plate, where the winner was awarded a huge sum of 100 guineas. Of course, today, the prize money for the races is in the millions of pounds, with many more being wagered at the venue itself as well as online – you can check out this Betway review to find the best online bookmakers for the Royal Ascot event.

Greencoats and Gold cups

Ascot quickly became a tradition and by the early 19th century, it was considered a place ‘to be seen’ already, with a formal dress code having been established by this time as well – a tradition that is in place till today. The Gold Cup, which is the blue riband race at Royal Ascot, was first run in 1807, and it has become the most anticipated race of the festival since then. It was at this inaugural Gold Cup race that the first Royal Enclosure was established as well, for King George III and his guests to view the race. The origin of two other of Royal Ascot’s major traditions, meanwhile, can be traced to the 1820s. 1823 saw the first mention of a Ladies’ Day at the meeting, and now on Ladies’ Day Ascot is as much about fashion and style as it is about racing. Two years later, in 1825, came the first Royal Procession which has grown to become another of Royal Ascot’s most beloved traditions.

Another long tradition is that of the Greencoats, who have formed the ceremonial guard for the Monarch since 1744. Their green uniforms have become iconic and are as much a part of the Royal Ascot festivities as anything else. Their role was developed in the early nineteenth century to include crowd control – they used their prickers to move racegoers off the course. Today, Greencoats offer their unrivalled experience to assist guests throughout the Royal Meeting.

The height of decadence

The Royal Enclosure has the strictest dress code, with men wearing morning dress and a top hat, and women in dresses and hats as well. There are strict colour requirements for these, while it is also extremely difficult to make it into the Enclosure in the first place – first-time applicants must apply to the Royal Enclosure Office and gain sponsorship from someone who has attended the Royal Enclosure for at least four years. Until 1783, jockeys were permitted to wear whatever they liked when racing. This caused a great deal of confusion when attempting to pin down the winners of each race. Jockeys were thus instructed to wear the colours of their horse’s owners. Each jockey’s colours are unique to the owners of each horse. The BHA states that there are 18 colours to choose from when creating a new racing colour, and keeps a register of those combinations already used.

Lester Piggot has the record for the most winning rides at Royal Ascot with an incredible 116. The equally iconic Sir Henry Cecil, meanwhile, trained a record 75 Royal Ascot winners, including a Queen Anne Stakes for ‘horse of a lifetime’ Frankel. In terms of horses, Brown Jack was one of the earliest equine phenomena to grace Royal Ascot. A former Champion Hurdle winner, the horse switched codes to the flat and went on to make a winning appearance at seven straight royal meetings between 1928 and 1934. In more recent times, the legendary Yeats also made the Royal Ascot turf his own by winning four consecutive Gold Cups between 2006 and 2009.