Race Horse Magazine

Before you go ahead and start placing bets on your favorite horses, you must first understand the basics of horse race betting. In this article, we are going to talk about some common types of horse racing bets available at top sports bookmakers.

You can bet on a horse to win a race. This is probably the most straightforward type of horse racing bets available. If you bet £10 on a certain horse to win the race, for example, you will receive returns if the horse finishes the race first.

You can also bet on a certain horse to place. Betting on a horse to place means expecting the horse to finish in the top 2, 3, or 4 depending on the number of horses competing in the race. With 5 to 7 runners, betting on a horse to place means expecting the horse to finish first or second in the race. With 8 or more runners, the horse you bet on must finish in the top 3. In handicap with 16 or more runners, the horse must finish in the top 4 in order for you to win the bet.

You can bet each way – placing a ‘Win’ bet and a ‘Place’ bet on the same horse – in order to increase profitability. Other types of horse racing bets including the Exacta, Trifecta, Placepot, Quadpot, Jackpot, and many more are also available. We will discuss them in another article, so stay tuned for more updates right here on this site.

Aside from usual classic flat races and the conditions races, we also have handicap races. In British horse racing, handicap races are races where horses are rated by handicapper and are given certain weights to carry according to their ability. The concept behind handicapping is fairness; weights are used to make the races fair so that poorer horses still have a chance of competing against better horses.

Horses that are entering handicap races are divided into 6 classes, namely Class 2 to Class 7. Class 1 is for horses competing in conditions races. Handicaps of rating 86-100, 91-105 and 96-110 are categorized as Class 2, also known as the Heritage Handicaps. In Class 3, we have handicaps of 76-90 and 81-95. Handicaps of rating 66-80 and 71-85 are categorized as Class 4, while those of rating 56-70 and 61-75 are categorized as Class 5. We have handicaps of rating 46-60 and 51-65 in Class 6, and handicaps of rating 46-50 in Class 7.

One of the most important things to pay close attention to when you are watching – or betting on – handicap races is the quality of each horse. In order to carefully determine the winner and enjoy the race to the fullest, you need to be able to read handicaps and determine if the horses competing are showing similar level of abilities.

Some handicap races are also very prestigious, with some of the best horses in the country competing for the title of champion. Now that you know the basics of handicap races, you can enjoy this type of horse races even more.

In British horse racing, The Classics are part of flat racing run over a set of restrictions. Each event that is part of The Classics is filled with horses that are three years old only. If you want to catch the best of flat racing, The Classics should be on your list of must-watch races for sure.

The first race starting The Classics is of course the 2,000 Guineas Stakes. Staged at the Newmarket Racecourse, this particular horse racing event is usually held in early May each year; the event also marks the start of flat racing season. The race is open for 3 years old Colts and Fillies, and it is run over a distance of 1 mile.

Following the 2,000 Guineas Stakes, we have the 1,000 Guineas Stakes. For this race, only 3 years old Fillies are allowed to compete. The race is also held in early May at the Newmarket Racecourse, just one day after the 2,000 Guineas Stakes.

On the first weekend of June, we have The Oaks. This classic flat race is run over a distance of 1 mile and 4 furlongs. Only Fillies of 3 years old can compete in this particular flat racing event. The Oaks is also noted to be one of the most challenging races for Fillies, especially because the nature of Epsom Racecourse where The Oaks is held is challenging.

The Derby, also held at Epsom Racecourse just one day after The Oaks, is a race for Colts and Fillies. Following these four classic events is The St. Leger at Doncaster Racecourse.

Understanding different aspects of horse racing can surely help you enjoy the sport even further. In this part, we are going to take a look at flat racing and various aspects related to this particular type of horse racing. Let’s get started, shall we?

Flat racing or flat race is basically a horse race run over a level track. There is always a predetermined distance for every race, set according the race’s category or class. If you love to watch jump racing events during fall and winter, you can certainly sit back and enjoy flat racing events during summer. The season stretches across the summer months due to the better weather.

The first common type of flat racing event is called Sprints, which are basically 5, 6 or 7 furlong races. Keep in mind that 1 furlong is equal to 220 yards. Middle-distance races are usually stretched across 1 meter to 1 meter 4 furlong course. In middle-distance races, stamina and balance become highly important. Lastly, we have the so-called Stayers races, run over a distance of 1 meter 6 furlongs all the way to 2 miles.

Flat racing events are further categorized based on the nature of the event. You can find classic flat races as well as conditions races and handicap races. Each category reflects certain regulation used in the race, making flat racing events that much more interesting to enjoy. Now that you know some of the basics, you can go ahead and enjoy flat races yourself.