Horse Racing Betting – The Most Popular Form of Sports Betting in Ireland
If there’s one thing that Irish punters absolutely love to gamble on, it’s without a doubt horse racing. Sports betting fans in Ireland enjoy horse racing betting more than any other type of sports betting for several reasons. Horse racing is part of the country’s tradition and its presence and significance has deep roots within Irish culture. Horse racing also generates a lot of revenue for the country and forms a strong part of the Irish culture and even the economy. In this article, we’ll take a look at what makes horse racing so popular in Ireland and where Irish punters can place their bets on horse racing.
What Makes Horse Racing Betting so Popular in Ireland?
Horse racing has a long and rich history in Ireland, dating as far back as 110BC. With large expanses of rural land, Ireland is one of the most suitable countries for horse racing, horse breeding, and race tracks. Thoroughbred breeding is a big business in Ireland and an important part of the country’s economy. In fact, many thoroughbred horses come from Ireland because the climate and location, and the high level of expertise in the country, make it ideal for such a business.
The Biggest Horse Racing Events of the Year
There are severla major horse racing events throughout the year, both in Ireland and the UK, that Irish punters are sure to put their money on. Below, we’re taking a look at the most important horse racing events that bring in billions in revenue, whether it’s through on-course bookmakers or online bookies.
The Irish Derby
The Irish Derby can be considered as the highlight of the year when it comes to horse racing. It’s a three-day event that takes place on the Curragh Racecourse, offering big prize money for bettors who do their homework and research the odds well.
The Galway Races
The Galway Races is another highlight in the horse racing season and one of the biggest betting events for Irish punters. Only horses above four years old participate and it’s considered a race for all the elite horse trainers in Ireland. It’s also one of the most lucrative horse races in the world for horse racing betting fans, with a prize fund going up to €300,000.
Punchestown Festival
The Punchestown Festival takes place towards the end of April every year and draws in a huge number of fans and bettors. The prize pool for this event can go up to a whopping €250,000 with a first prize of up to €150,000.
What do Irish Punters Gamble on the Most?
Despite a relatively small population, the revenue generated by Irish punters is huge, especially compared to bigger nations. In 2017, it was estimated that around Irish punters spent over €6.2 billion on gambling, both online and offline.
When it comes to horse racing betting, it’s estimated that horse racing in Ireland is a whopping £2 billion industry because Irish punters bet on horse racing more than any other sport. After horse race betting, Irish punters also enjoy betting on Gaelic football, soccer, and golf, although not nearly as much as horse racing.
Apart from its roots in Irish culture and history, horse race betting offers a different kind of thrill and entertainment value that other types of sports betting just don’t have. At any moment in a race, things can take a wholly unexpected turn, the horse least likely to win might shock the crowd with a win, or horses can get injured during the race, changing the odds drastically.
One of the biggest surprises in horse racing history was when Freewheelin Dylan won the Irish Grand National at odds of 150-1. He was the longest-priced winner of the Irish Grand National since 1870, defying the odds and shocking fans and bettors who were not expecting the outcome. Bill Shoemaker is another horse jockey who broke the world record during his career, with a record of 8,833 career wins.
Bet on Horse Racing Online – The Best Irish Betting Sites Online
There are several online bookies for horse racing betting, including some of the best Irish sites such as Ladbrokes, Paddy Power, and Bet365 among others. When choosing an online bookie for horse racing, it’s important to do your research beforehand to find the best odds on upcoming horse racing events. If you’re new to horse racing betting, get familiar with the best tips for beginners to avoid making the most common mistakes.