How to Bet on Horse Racing – Beginner’s Guide
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Horse racing is one of the most popular sports in the world of betting, and you will find various markets on the races. Here at LeoVegas, we offer the best odds for your favourite horse racing markets. In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know to start staking on the races.
Horse Racing Betting Guide Basics
Before you begin wagering on horse racing events, it’s important to know some general information. You probably know that the aim of the game is to guess the winning horse, right? But do you know about each-way and tricast betting?
Then there’s all the different data about the race itself that you need to consider. For example, different events use a diverse range of distances, surfaces, and number of horses. If you’re not clear on the rules of the event you’re betting on, then how do you suppose you’re going to make the most optimal wagers?
Never fear, though. This is why we’ve put together this handy guide – to help budding bettors such as yourself. By the time you’re through reading this, you’ll be like the Frankie Dettori of horse racing betting.
When you stake on horse racing, most of the time you’ll be betting on which horses will place in an event. There are different bets depending on the number of racers, however. If there are fewer than five runners, you can only bet on the winner. The number can vary depending on the event but there are usually eight or more runners. In these races, you’ll be able to wager on first, second, and third places.
There are sometimes different surfaces to consider, and these play to different horses’ strengths. Most races occur on turf, but there are also dirt races and artificial surfaces sometimes too. Grass is the most popular surface in Europe, but some of North America’s most famous meets are on dirt tracks. There is no standard distance for a horse race either. Some are sprints, while others, like the Grand National, take place over several furlongs. This is a crucial factor in betting as some horses are known to run out of steam quickly.
Types of Horse Racing Bets
There are loads of types of horse racing bets, making it one of the most engaging activities for bettors. In this section, we’ll briefly outline some of the main types of horse bets you have to choose from.
Winner
The simplest way to stake on a horse race is to choose a horse that you think is going to win and make an outright bet on it. For this type of bet, you’ll only get a return on your stake if your horse comes in first place.
Each-Way Bets
Placing an each-way bet is considered the safer option in horse racing, especially if there are a lot of horses competing. For this bet, you’ll get a return on your stake if the horse finishes in first, second, or third. The amount you get back differs depending on its place.
Cover
You can make a cover bet on a certain number of places. In this scenario, you’ll get a return on your stake if the horse wins, and your money back if it places in one of the cover spots. For example, a cover bet for two places would see you get your money back if the horse finishes second, but you wouldn’t get anything for third place.
Forecast / Reverse Forecast
If you are confident about who you think the first two horses to finish in a race are, you could place a forecast bet. This is when you bet on the first and second places in the correct order, and it can result in much higher returns than simply picking a winner. A reverse forecast is when you bet on who will come first or second, but it can be in any order. This costs twice as much as a straight forecast bet.
Tricast / Reverse Tricast
A tricast bet is going to pay out an even higher amount if it comes to fruition. This is when you stake on the horses to finish in first, second, and third place. A reverse tricast would be picking the three finishers, but they can place in any order.
Others
It’s always wise to keep an eye out for other bets you might be able to place on a particular event. Sometimes we run specials on the biggest races of the year, and these can represent excellent value for money.
Useful Tips For How to Bet on Horse Racing
Horse racing is one of the most popular sports to bet on because there is a lot of information available to bettors. This means that it’s possible to use betting strategies and systems to give yourself the best chance of winning. Nothing is guaranteed in this game but arming yourself with knowledge is much better than going in blind.
It’s a great idea to follow a few horse racing experts on Twitter and in other places. There are also YouTube videos out there that run through the best strategies for betting. Consuming all the information you can get hold of should give you a head start and allow you to wager with confidence.
Horses The first thing you’ll be looking at when you place a bet on horse racing is the different horses in the race. You can pull up the form in the horse racing betting guide to see where they’ve placed in their last few meetings. Horses tend to go on streaks. That means, if one has already won the last few races, it will be a favourite to do so again. You can also have a look at what the horses’ strengths and weaknesses are, and assess how they will perform on the distance and surface of the race they are in.
Jockeys The horses may be the most important factor in horse racing betting, but the jockeys are also hugely influential on the result. That’s why some people have gone on to become household stars. Jockeys can also go on hot streaks, so analysing their recent races is crucial.
Weather The weather and other random conditions can influence the outcome of a race, and some horses perform better in certain situations than others. Again, you can check this information by conducting some detailed research into a horse’s history.
Bankroll Management
The shrewdest bettors out there always make sure they have a handle on their finances and give themselves limits on how much they are allowed to stake on a particular day. It’s important to lay yourself some ground rules, otherwise you could end up losing a lot of money. Remember, horse racing betting is supposed to be about having fun, above all else.
What are the Big Horse Races of the Year
There are horse races happening nearly all the time, and when there aren’t real-life events you can stake on virtual ones. However, some bettors prefer to wait for the biggest as these can offer the most excitement.
Horse races UK
The principal race of the year in the UK is the Grand National, which is held every year at Aintree Racecourse. This handicap steeplechase has been described as the “ultimate test of horse and rider”. The amazing thing about the Grand National is that it manages to attract a huge range of bettors who wouldn’t normally stake on horses. This turns it into a festival-like occasion, and people all over the country are glued to television screens when it’s on.
Horse races Europe
The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe is one of the largest horse races in Europe, and currently the second richest turf race in the world. It’s a Group 1 flat horse race that takes place at the Longchamp Racecourse in Paris, France. It has been going on since 1920 and is one of the most momentous occasions on the horse racing calendar.
Horse races North America
North America is home to plenty of the planet’s greatest races, but the Kentucky Derby is the most famous one around the world. This annual event takes place in Louisville, Kentucky, and is the most-watched race in North America. Nicknamed The Run for the Roses, it also forms part of US horse racing's Triple Crown.
How to Place a Bet on Horse Racing at LeoVegas
If you feel like you’re ready to start placing bets on horses here at LeoVegas, it’s simple to do so. All you need to do is follow the steps below and you’ll know how to bet on horse racing in no time:
- Register an account with LeoVegas by providing details such as your date of birth and address.
- Once you’ve registered, top up your account with some funds.
- Don’t forget to claim your welcome bonus!
- Navigate to the sports section of the site on the right-hand side.
- Select “browse sports” and then choose horse racing.
- Have a look through the different events coming up.
- Pick the event you want to bet on and see the other options that open up.
- Add the horses you want to stake on to your bet slip. Once you have made all your selections, you can decide what type of bet you want to place. For example, if you pick three horses in the same race, you’ll then have the option to place a tricast bet.
- Wait to see if your bets come in. If you win, your money will be instantly credited to your account.
- You can then withdraw your winnings by going to your account and selecting the amount you want to take out.
The more you go through these steps, the more you will know how to place a bet on horse racing. Soon, staking on horse racing here at LeoVegas will be second nature to you.
Summary
Horse racing betting is one of the most accessible wagering activities available. There’s so much information out there that you can use to put yourself at an advantage. Betting on the sport at LeoVegas is simple, and we pride ourselves on offering a wide range of markets with competitive odds. Remember, if you ever need help or advice, our team is always on hand to assist you. Start your horse racing betting journey at LeoVegas!