Guide to Choosing a Winning Horse

Horse racing is an exhilarating event that’s unique and special in many ways. For one, it’s a demonstration of how mankind can team up with an animal to make a winning team. When watching a horse race, spectators normally hold their breath from the time the gates open to the time all the horses cross the finish line. It is important to note that picking a winning horse is more of an art than a science, which means that statistics are meant to only point you in the right direction as opposed to giving you a 100% guarantee on the winner. Horse racing betting is a multimillion dollar industry that attracts people from all demographics. From the super rich and middle class to the average person, horse racing betting provides a level-playing field where anyone can win. The key to success, however, lies in the ability of a player to pick a horse with the best chances of winning.

Choosing a Winning Horse

It is important to note that every horse that gets the chance to race in a professional horse racing event is a great horse that has a good chance of winning the race. However, careful analysis of the statistics can reveal that some horses in the lineup have a better chance of winning than others. The following are some of the factors to consider when looking for a winning horse:

i) Track Record

The number of 1st, 2nd and 3rd position finishes a horse has had in the recent times is a key factor to consider. Horses that have consistently won or finished in the top three positions always have a good chance of winning. You can get this information online or from the race cards provided. Obviously, horses that have never finished among the top three are a long shot.

ii) Type of Race & Post Position

Some horses normally perform superbly in sprint races while others perform great in 2 turn races. If the horse racing event you want to bet on is a sprint, be sure to shortlist horses that have performed well in sprints as opposed to 2 turn races. Furthermore, you should check the post position of a horse before placing a bet. In many cases, horses on the inside post in long distance races have a better chance of winning. In sprint races, horses on the outside post often have the best chance of winning.

iii) Type of Track

There are many types of horse racing track surfaces, the most popular being dirt and turf. Some horses do not like dirt while others are not used to turf. Racing a horse that likes dirt on a turf racing track will have disastrous results. Therefore, you should pick a horse that is used to racing on the track provided by the race organizers.

iv) Reputation of Trainer

The reputation of the horse trainer is a key factor of consideration. If a horse has been trained by a trainer who has previously produced several winners, then its chances of winning will be higher than others.

v) Jockey

Horses do not win races on their own. The skills and experience of the jockey play an important role. Before placing a bet, therefore, be sure to check the reputation of the jockey as well as their track record.