Horses and Courses - Where do I start

[Silver Lining]

I have been trading football for a couple of seasons with a limited amount of success focusing mainly on over 2.5 goals. However, I would like to get more involved with horse racing given the amount of races taking place (normally), there is obviously much more opportunity for trading.

I know absolutely nothing about this sport and have been advised by others in the past to stick to what I know and understand. Although I understand the logic in this, we all have to start somewhere with any sport even it it takes years to get into it. On this basis, can anyone suggest one area to to start with such as Flat/jumps, sprints/distance etc and maybe tracks to focus on? Also is there any suggested reading to help learn this sport?

I am only concerned with learning the sport at this stage, not so much the trading strategies. This will come later once I get to grips with some runners, riders, stables, jockies, trainers and tracks etc, etc.

Any advice appreciated

Regards,
MickyC

[Derek27]

If you're only interested in horse racing from a trading perspective it's not necessary to get deeply involved in the nuts and bolts of it. If you want to learn from a punting perspective (which will take years) or just learn about the sport, the best way, in my opinion, is to watch plenty of it on Racing TV. Forget ITV, you won't learn anything except the blindingly obvious, and see some of the sexiest ladies on the racecourse in the name of fashion.

After you've got a basic understanding of the game there are plenty of resources for learning more. Personally, I would recommend Timeform. I stopped betting several years ago but they used to have a massive amount of free articles explaining how to read form, understand pace, sectionals, pedigrees, physical appearance, how form and speed ratings are compiled, etc.

Good luck, but it's a long, long road.

[Silver Lining]

Thanks for your reply Derek27,

Yes, my primary long term objective is all about trading on horse racing. However, assume that it must be advantageous to have some back ground knowledge about the feild that your're trading in in order to understand the factors that might influence the result or even a change in the odds. For instance, in football I only trade top English teams along with a few top level European teams. This way I am trading on teams I am familiar with and have a feel for the teams and players forms, and who is likely to make a difference to the game if they were out through injury etc. It also helps keeps research down to a limited amount.

Unlike football as you have suggested horse racing is another thing all together and a long long road to tread to fully grasp. That is why I wondered that if I do try to get a feel for the sport it may be better to initially focus on a specific area rather than all the different diciplines which is going to be a huge mine-field?

best regards,
MickyC

[Dallas]

However, assume that it must be advantageous to have some back ground knowledge about the feild that your're trading in in order to understand the factors that might influence the result or even a change in the odds.

Quite the opposite, most of the best horse traders knew and still know next to sod all about form, trainer, connections etc and don't really care.

Those who struggle most tend to come from a gambling background and/or have a keen interest in racing, the problem for the later is they all to often fall in love with their own opinion and can't/won't react to all the clear signals the markets telling them.

Those without the knowledge or opinon are known as 'cold traders' and purlely react to the activity and numbers they see on screen.
Its why in football many who support a particular team avoid trading them due to the emotional attachment they get.

There are things you need to learn about are the general ways markets behave, ie, Maidens and novices are far more volitle than H'caps and listed/graded races etc
How markets with short price fav's differ from more competative markets etc

There are plenty of free horse racing trading courses on the Bet Angel academy site that will get you started on the right foot
https://online.betangelacademy.com/

https://www.betfairtradingblog.com/betf ... rder-flow/

[wearthefoxhat]

Thanks for your reply Derek27,

Yes, my primary long term objective is all about trading on horse racing. However, assume that it must be advantageous to have some back ground knowledge about the feild that your're trading in in order to understand the factors that might influence the result or even a change in the odds. For instance, in football I only trade top English teams along with a few top level European teams. This way I am trading on teams I am familiar with and have a feel for the teams and players forms, and who is likely to make a difference to the game if they were out through injury etc. It also helps keeps research down to a limited amount.

Unlike football as you have suggested horse racing is another thing all together and a long long road to tread to fully grasp. That is why I wondered that if I do try to get a feel for the sport it may be better to initially focus on a specific area rather than all the different diciplines which is going to be a huge mine-field?

best regards,
MickyC

One initial approach, akin to following the top football teams, could be to just research top horse race trainers on the Flat and Jumps.

Example:

Flat Racing

John Gosden
Aiden O'Brien
Charlie Appleby

Jump Racing

Nicky Henderson
Willie Mullins
Paul Nicholls

It cuts out most of the lower class racing and helps focus on the trainers that seem to get first dibs on future talent. They also employ some of the better jockeys too and attract some of the owners that will pay a few million for the right horse.

If just betting, a lot of the prices may not be value, but with trading, the market will overbet these stables offering a back to lay pre-race trade opportunity.

[Silver Lining]

However, assume that it must be advantageous to have some back ground knowledge about the feild that your're trading in in order to understand the factors that might influence the result or even a change in the odds.

Quite the opposite, most of the best horse traders knew and still know next to sod all about form, trainer, connections etc and don't really care.

Those who struggle most tend to come from a gambling background and/or have a keen interest in racing, the problem for the later is they all to often fall in love with their own opinion and can't/won't react to all the clear signals the markets telling them.

Those without the knowledge or opinon are known as 'cold traders' and purlely react to the activity and numbers they see on screen.
Its why in football many who support a particular team avoid trading them due to the emotional attachment they get.

There are things you need to learn about are the general ways markets behave, ie, Maidens and novices are far more volitle than H'caps and listed/graded races etc
How markets with short price fav's differ from more competative markets etc

There are plenty of free horse racing trading courses on the Bet Angel academy site that will get you started on the right foot
https://online.betangelacademy.com/

Thank you Dallas,

that makes a lot of sense. That's saved me a whole load of time researching unessary form and past results etc. Guess I'll spend a bit (or a lot) of time in the Bet Angel Acedemy and take things from there.

Thanks again Dallas and Derek27

MickyC