Having a bet can be a fun addition to your experience as a racegoer or for those watching from home. It's important to gamble responsibly but when done in moderation, it's an exciting hobby which can be enjoyed with family and friends.
Some of the jargon can be a little confusing and many newcomers might find a beginners' guide useful. If that's you, then you're in luck, as we've suggested some useful tips and tricks to get you started. Find a list of betting sites where you can bet on your selections.
If you are new to racing and betting, you can refer to our betting guide pages which detail all you need to know about types of bets and multiple bets, including the punters' favourites the Lucky 15 and Lucky 31.
It may sound simple but this can be one of the hardest parts, as knowing which horses to bet on is an art in itself. There are many different factors to consider when trying to pick out a winner and sometimes some are more significant than others.
Every racecourse is different, as is every horse, therefore it's no surprise that different horses perform better at certain tracks than others. While not the be-all-and-end-all, it's definitely a factor to consider.
Certain owners, trainers and jockeys tend to be more successful than most and this is especially true in the big races. Aidan O'Brien, Ryan Moore and Charlie Appleby are some of the big names on the Flat, while Willie Mullins, Paul Townend and Nicky Henderson tend to go well in the big races over jumps.
Much like course form, some horses tend to perform better when the ground is quicker, while others like it when the rain comes and don't get stuck in the mud. Ground conditions make a huge difference to some, while others can run on any ground.
All horses are given official ratings which is a numerical value attributed to their ability by the handicapper. Handicap races are designed to give every horse an equal chance of winning so the higher a horse's mark is, the more weight they carry in a race.
In Grade and Group 1 races, horses all carry the same weight (with the exception of allowances) so their official ratings directly indicate their chances of winning. For example, a horse with a rating of 170 is likely to beat a horse rated 140 off level weights, as according to the handicapper the lower rated horse needs a 30lb advantage in order to have a chance.
There are different ways to place a bet on horse racing. You can either bet while you are at the races with on-course bookmakers, online or in a high street betting shop.
The easiest way to place a bet is through an online bookmaker. Once you have made an account and added funds to your wallet, you will be able to place a bet online via website or app.
Don't have a betting account yet? Find a list with all bookmakers tested by our racing experts, that offer the best betting offers for new customers here.
If you are attending the races in person, you can place your bet with an on-course bookmaker and the process is straightforward.
Sometimes it feels like horse racing and betting have their very own language. Below are some key phrases to help you along the way:
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A day at the races is an exciting experience but you may want a few pointers to enhance your raceday experience, alongside a few tips on how to bet horses successfully.
Racecard - grab yourself a racecard when you first enter the races. It will consist of information about the horses running on the day, as well as useful raceday information.
Irishracing.com - bring your mobile along and access irishracing.com for runners, riders, all the best stats and unmissable tips from our expert team. You can also access our betting guide to help you to place a bet.
Binoculars - bring your binoculars with you so you can track your horse through the race.
There is plenty more content surrounding betting and how to place a bet on horses available to you here. Check out our other pages for information on:
