Sometimes it’s good to be a beginner. The beginner’smind has no fixed ideas to get in the way of understanding a subject…
In Horse Racing there are many tales of the rank beginner who trumps the expert and this should give you confidence as you start out to take part in this wonderful sport. Sport is too small a word for it actually. Racing is a sport, surely, and one at which Ireland excels; it is also a social occasion without equal and a very special ‘slice of Irish life’.
You will find, however, that a little knowledge is a useful thing. This guide will take you through the first steps towards understanding what is happening out there on the course. What does a good horse look like? What is the ‘going’? What is all this about weights and distance? What is a bumper? Do I wear a hat? Your enjoyment of racing will grow as you begin to know how it all works, as will your appreciation of the great traditions and skills which are part of Irish Racing.
Above all, relax and enjoy… Let yourself go!
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term no.1 beginners’ guide
Whooohoo/Yeaaaahey-/wu’huu / jea’hay/ n &v
Exultant sound made when the horse you backed has won. You won’t notice yourself doing it, but you will. Tune the frequency and decibel level to suit your vocal chords. |
Basic Tips
Tired of the same old social scene, same old stale faces and places? Then go along and have a fun day out in the open air, because no matter where you are in the country there is probably a race meeting within reach. Come with friends and family on a warm Summer’s day and wander about with a cold drink. Come in Winter, snugly wrapped up and warmed up by a couple of hot drinks and lively banter in the bars.
There is no dress code in Irish racing so you can dress up or dress down, shirt and tie, slacks, old dress, new dress, hat or not, jeans and t-shirt, it doesn't matter, just go. But if you are looking for a chance to show off that new outfit there are prizes for the best-dressed lady (and sometimes man) at most major meetings and, at the festival meetings, a designated ladies day.
However, before leaving home, (well it is Ireland!) it's a good idea to check the weather forecast for the day because sometimes you will need to bring a coat or an umbrella.
Pick up your daily paper which will have all the racing news and information you will need and remember, the internet is packed with racing sites. This site, www.goracing.ie will give you an intro to every Irish racecourse, with all the races, breaking news and special offers.
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In fact why not make a mini-holiday out of racing by going to a racing festival? Festivals take place at all times of the year and there is one to suit your lifestyle. They are a celebration not just of racing but of Irish culture and offer a wide range of experiences, depending on where you go and what time of year it is.
So, which one do you fancy?
Fairyhouse. One of the biggies. The Grand National on Easter Monday is the highlight of this Festival held just 10 miles from Dublin. Easter Sun/Mon/Tues.
Cork. Down south they have their own Easter party in Mallow town. Easter Sat/Sun/Mon.
Punchestown. The best jump racing of the year with Champions from Britain and Ireland fighting it out at the spacious Co. Kildare track. 5 days at end of April.
The Curragh. Top quality racing. With the best flat horses in Europe competing at the Guineas Festival in May, the Derby at the end of June, the Oaks in July and the Irish St Leger & National Stakes in September.
Bellewstown. The annual 3 day evening racing festival on the hill of Crockafotha, Co Meath, after the Irish Derby.
Killarney. Escape from your hectic day-to-day routine and enjoy the most laidback racing in the country amid breathtaking scenery. 4 days in mid-July.
Galway. 7 fantastic mid-Summer racing days and nights in the most vibrant city in Ireland in July. Guaranteed to be an electric atmosphere every day. One visit and you'll be hooked.
Tramore. Fun-filled days in popular seaside resort. Something for everyone: sun, sand, sea and...spectacular racing. 4 days mid-August.
Tralee. Racing among the Roses! What more could you ask for? Carnival atmosphere Kerry-style. 4 days near end August.
Listowel. Enjoy the last of the Summer wine and weather. Great racing in the Kingdom at the “Harvest Festival”. 7 days mid-September.
Leopardstown / Limerick. After the feast on Christmas Day indulge yourself in a feast of racing that won't give you indigestion. A great way to spend the festive days with friends and relations. 26th-29th December.
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term no.2 beginners’ guide On the bridle / On the bit - (Expression)
A horse going the pace seemingly without much effort or need for its jockey to push it. Can be deceptive as sometimes these horses will not find extra speed when their jockeys do push them.
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The horses that compete in racing are members of the thoroughbred breed. Their origins can be traced back to 3 Arabian stallions that were imported into England in the early eighteenth century and were bred with native stock to produce a faster, stronger breed. So, all racehorses are in fact distantly related. Thoroughbreds are now to be found in all parts of the world and many of the best are bred in Ireland.
They compete in 2 different types of races:
Flat Racing
These races are run over distances ranging from 5 furlongs (5/8 mile
or 1000 metres) to 20 furlongs (2 1/2 miles or 4000 metres) and are started from stalls. As the name suggests, there are no obsticales in flat racing. The flat racing season runs from mid-March to mid-November.
Flat horses mature quickly and start running as 2 or 3-year-olds. The Curragh in Co. Kildare has been the headquarters of flat racing in Ireland since the early 18th century and according to history the ancient Celtic Kings held racing there.
National Hunt or ‘Jump’ Racing
All jump races are contested over at least 2 miles and the horses have to jump a number of obstacles. This makes for spectacular viewing. These races are started from a tape barrier. Jump horses mature more slowly and don’t run until they are 4 or 5-year-olds. Jump racing goes on all year round but its main season runs from November until the end of April. Some flat horses also run in jump races when they get older.
Steeplechase
Run over “fences” which vary in size. The word steeplechase was coined in County Cork in 1752. Two gambling men, Edmund Blake and Cornelius O’Callaghan wanted to settle a bet as to whose horse was faster. So they organised a race across country from the steeple of the church in Buttevant to that of St Mary’s in Doneraile. Hence the name, which is often shortened to “chase”.
Hurdle
Run over obstacles measuring about 3 feet 1 inch in height.
Point to Point
Run over fences on designated farmland throughout the country in the Spring and Autumn. This is basically the nursery for young jump horses and many champions have emerged from this circuit. Racing at its most rustic.
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term no.3 beginners’ guide Handicap - /’hændi,kæp/ n&v(r)
All horses carry weights based on their ability which is assessed by the official handicapper. The highest rated horse carries the most weight and the one on the bottom carries the least. Theoretically they all have an equal chance of winning. A Nursery is a handicap for 2-year-olds only.
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Maiden
For horses that haven’t won a race before.
Handicap
All horses carry weights based on their ability which is assessed by the official handicapper. The highest rated horse carries the most weight and the one on the bottom carries the least. Theoretically they all have an equal chance of winning. A Nursery is a handicap for 2-year-olds only.
Novice
Hurdles and steeplechases for horses that haven’t won such a race prior to that season. However, a horse that has won over hurdles the season before can still run in a novice chase and vice versa.
Bumper
A special flat race for young jump horses (also called National Hunt Flat Races). Between 2 and 2 1/2 miles. Usually confined to amateur jockeys.
Group 1, 2, 3
Valuable races (Group 1 being the most valuable) in which the weights carried are the same
for all horses.
Classics
The 5 highest quality Group 1 flat races: Irish 2000 and 1000 Guineas, Derby, Oaks (confined to fillies), St Leger, all run at the Curragh. The winners of these are the crème de la crème of thoroughbreds. Frequently the winner of the Irish Derby is the best horse in Europe.
Listed
Just below Group standard but still quite prestigious, it is a ‘weight for age’ race.
Conditions Race
A notch below listed standard; there are certain conditions for qualification, eg winner of one race or more, winner of races of a certain value etc,.
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term no.4 beginners’ guide Length - / lenkt/ n.
The approximate length of a horse: about 8 feet. Winning margins are measured in lengths, ranging from 1/2 a length to a distance (more than 20 lengths). Smaller winning margins are a short-head, head or a neck.
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That’s the €64,000 question. Unfortunately there is no short answer to this but if you follow the advice below you can tip the odds in your favour.
The famous American sports writer Damon Runyon wrote that it was difference of opinion that made horse racing. He was right. Everybody at the races has an opinion and that’s part of the attraction of the sport; the fun involved in finding out whose opinion is most accurate, who can pick the winner.
On any given day a first time racegoer could easily pick loads of winners and experienced people pick none. Everybody’s opinion is equal until after the race is run...
How To Read a Racecard
Buying a racecard is one of the first things you should do when you arrive at the racecourse. In it you will find all the information you will require for your day at the races. Including all the runners for each race, below is a sample of how to read a horse's form.
The Form Guide
Form is basically the information you need to know in order to make the right decision on what horse to back and consists of the following:
Form of the Horse
Basically, has the horse been running well recently? It is usually best policy to bet on a horse that has good form figures: i.e. has finished in the first 4 in at least some of its previous runs. Your racecard provides details of its last 3 races as well as helpful comments concluding with a summing-up of its chance in the race.
Going
What the ground conditions are like on the course. The descriptions are as follows: heavy, soft, yielding, good, good to firm and firm. Some horses run equally well on any type of ground but many have a preference.
Distance
It’s important that the horse has run well over a similar distance to the one it’s running on the day. Though some horses are quite adaptable as regards distance beware of radical changes, more than half a mile (4 furlongs) up or down, from its previous run.
Weight
An old racing adage is that weight brings horses together. The issue of weight is not the amount the horse is set to carry but the amount it’s set to give to or receive from other horses it has run against before. A few pounds difference from a previous race can have a huge bearing on the result.
Course
We have all heard of the horses for courses theory. Well, it has an element of truth and certainly some horses do run better at particular courses because the configuration of that course suits them. Often a big, long striding horse that needs to build momentum will prefer a wide, open course whereas a smaller, speedier horse will run better on a tight, turning course.
Trainer and Jockey
Some trainers and jockeys are specialists at certain courses, particularly their local one, so bear this in mind. Check up if the trainer has been getting winners of late, if not it’s probably better to avoid his horses until they hit form again.
Jockeys are like any sporting performer, when their confidence is high they perform best so it’s good policy to follow one who has ridden winners recently.
If you want some extra information read the racing section in the daily papers. For serious punters there are also dedicated racing publications such as the “Racing Post” and “Irish Field”. Put all the above information into the pot, give it a stir, and then have a look at the horses.
The Parade Ring
In your quest to pick the winner it is important to look at each horse before the race and assess how they look and behave and what vibes you pick up from them. Here are some pointers:
‘Good Vibe’
The horse is striding around purposefully, calmly taking in what is happening.
It looks alert and focused. The horse’s coat is well groomed and it looks strong and muscular. In fact, think of how rugby star Brian O’Driscoll appears before an international match and you’re not too far off.
If it gives what is called a “bunny hop”: a small buck when the jockey jumps up, it signifies that it is feeling really well and in good form. If you see a horse do that, back it (at your own risk!)
‘Bad Vibe’
The horse is charging around pulling the arms out of its groom and generally misbehaving.
It’s loping around lazily like a labrador looking for somewhere to lie down.
The horse’s coat looks dull or its sweating-up a lot. A little bit of sweat is often a good sign but profuse sweating, especially between the legs (never a good thing in man or beast) signals an agitated, nervous horse unlikely to run well.
Going to the start.
It’s also a good idea to see the horses cantering to the start to check if it looks comfortable on the going. Horses that like soft going generally have a different way of moving to those that like good to firm going. The horse that just glides effortlessly along, flicking its legs in a fluent way will prefer good or firmer going. The horse that moves more deliberately, seeming to lift its front legs high in the air will prefer yielding or softer going.
After watching the canter to the start you now have about five minutes to place your bet.
Alternative Methods
Of course there are several other, less conventional, but often surprisingly accurate ways to pick a winner and you don’t have to tax your brain at all. These include:
Picking the jockey’s colours that match your dress.
You think the jockey is quite cute (there are many of either sex which could be labelled as such), beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
The horse’s name is an anagram of your own.
And the old reliable one of closing your eyes and picking one off the page at random. Watch the look on your friends’ faces when these methods pick out a 20/1 winner.
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Term no.5 / beginners’s guide
Draw -/ dra/n.& v.
Flat races are started from stalls and the draw number designates which stall each horse starts form. At some tracks certain positions are advantageous so check what draw your horse has.
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Having a bet is part of the enjoyment of the day and it adds to the excitement of watching the races. The beauty of betting is that you don't have to invest much money to have a great day out. You can spend as little as 50 cent on the Jackpot or Placepot, which, if you get lucky could net you thousands of Euro. Of course, you don't have to win to enjoy the day but it is a good feeling all the same, especially if you have won more than your friends, making you feel so superior; at least until the next race...
However, the rule is that the person who has won the most money must buy a round of drinks!
Betting Options
There Are Two Betting Options At The Racecourse:
TOTE
This involves betting into a pool system in which the money put in is divided by the number of winning units to get a dividend, less a percentage which goes back to the Tote and directly back into Irish racing. There are screens located at the Tote windows to give a guide as to what the dividend will be on a specific bet but this changes up to the ‘off’ of the race. On average it is greater than the bookmaker starting price and it includes your stake.
Bookmakers
This type of betting is also very straightforward. Having decided which horse you fancy, go into the betting ring and scrutinise the various bookmakers' boards. There will be differences in their prices so look for the one who's giving the best price on your horse. When you find one giving good odds declare your stake, the horse's name and the price on the board. You will then be issued with a ticket which you must present to collect the winnings. Your stake is also returned with your winnings.
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term no.6 beginners’ guide Odds On-/audz /- n. pl - . /aun/ - prep., adv,. adj)
Sometimes confusing - a bookmaker price. Eg. at “6 to 4 on” you have to stake 6 to win 4. This will appear as 4 /6 on bookmakers boards but is referred to as 6 to 4 on.
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How To Bet On The TOTE
You can go to a manned Tote window each time or purchase a cash voucher from a Tote Service Outlet and use the Touch-Tote machines. Leaflets are available at the counters which describe the many types of Tote bets but the best ones to start off with are.
Win. Pick a horse to finish 1st.
Place. Pick a horse you think will be placed. If there are 5-7 runners your horse can finish 1st or 2nd; 8+ runners your horse can finish 1st, 2nd or 3rd. In handicap races with 16 or more runners, the Tote also pay 4th place.
Each way. This popular bet gives you both a win and place on a horse. eg,.€2 each way on a horse totals €4. If the horse wins you collect win and place dividends.
Exacta. Pick 2 horses to finish 1st and 2nd in specific order.
Reverse exacta. Select 2 horses to finish 1st and 2nd in any order.
Trifecta. Pick three horses to finish 1st, 2nd, 3rd in the correct order. This bet is available on all races with 8 or more declared runners.
Jackpot. Your aim is to select the winners of the 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th races. You can pick more than 1 horse in each race. Mark your selections on the special Jackpot playslip and hand it to the operator before the 3rd race.
Placepot. Only available at racemeetings with 6 or more races.
Your aim is to select a horse to be placed in the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 6th races. You can pick more than 1 horse in each race. Mark your section on the Placepot payslip and hand it to the operator before the 1st race.
€2 is the minimum stake on win and place bets. €1 is the minimum stake on the Exacta and Trio. 50c is the minimum stake on the Jackpot and Placepot.
Betting on the Tote couldn't be easier. If you go to the Tote window have the following information ready for the operator:
• The race meeting,
• The race number,
• Amount of money,
• Type of bet,
• Number of the horse.
After placing the bet you will receive a ticket with all the details on it. Make sure they are correct. When your horse wins present the ticket to collect your winnings. Remember, if you have been too busy socialising in the bars and restaurants and didn't have time to scrutinise the form or the horses then ask the operator for a Quickpick or press Qpk on the Touch Tote facility and the machine picks a bet for you. Your more studious friends will be flabbergasted when this bet wins. For more information about the Tote log onto www.thetote.com
How To Bet On The Bookmakers
Win. Pick a horse to finish 1st.
Each way. Win and Place bet. The place price is 1/4 or 1/5 of the win price.
Without the favourite. With this bet you get reduced odds but two chances to win.
1. If your horse wins the race.
2. If your horse finishes 2nd to the favourite.
Whichever way you choose to have a bet have fun doing it!
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Amateur: These jockeys mostly ride in bumper races. Their name is always prefixed by Mr, Ms or Mrs. They can claim a weight allowance of up to 7lbs depending on the number of winners they have ridden.
Apprentice: Young professional jockeys who can also claim a weight allowance of up to 10lbs, dependent on the same parameters as above.
Banker: Slang word for a horse that is guaranteed to win: i.e. money in the bank. A mythological concept, preached by dedicated but misguided believers because there is no such thing. Anything can happen in horse racing. That’s what makes it so exciting.
Best Dressed Lady: This competition is held on most major race days. Is sometimes as competitive as the action on the course. So ladies, if you want to show off that new outfit. Go racing. There is often a separate competition for men.
Best Turned Out: Not to be confused with the above. This is a prize given to the groom of the horse that is judged to look the best in the parade ring. Often a good pointer to a horse’s chance.
Blinkers: A piece of equipment that goes over the horse’s head to restrict it’s vision and help it concentrate in a race.
Cheek Pieces: Sheepskin bands on each side of the bridle which help keep the horse focused.
Colours (of horses): There are 5 colours. B = Bay. Bl = Black. Br = Brown. Ch = Chestnut. Gr = Grey.
Colt: Male horse aged up to 4 years old.
Draw: Flat races are started from stalls and the draw number designates which stall each horse starts from. At some tracks certain positions are advantageous so check what draw your horse has.
Filly: Female horse aged up to 4 years old.
Furlong: 1/8 of a mile. Equal to 220 yards or 200 metres.
Gelding: A male horse that has been neutered because it is not required for breeding purposes. Most jump horses are geldings because they’re seldom used as stallions. (There are plans to introduce it for some tipsters in the near future!)
Go on you good thing/you beauty/horse’s name: An impulsive exclamation emitted by racegoers when the horse they bet on is close to winning. Use whichever one suits your personality or invent new ones. Can also be directed at the jockey in a close finish.
Green: The colour of grass! But also used to describe a horse that is very inexperienced.
Hector: Or “The Hector” as he likes to be known. Wacky TV presenter and racing fanatic. You’ll know it if he’s at the races.
Horse Racing Ireland (HRI): The national authority for racing – funds, administers and promotes racing in Ireland. Owns the Tote, ITM and Leopardstown & Navan racecourses.
Judge: The official who declares the winner and placed horses in a race and the winning distance.
Lead: Weights carried in the saddle which make up the difference between the jockey’s weight and what the horse is assigned to carry.
Length: The approximate length of a horse: about 8 feet. Winning margins are measured in lengths, ranging from 1/2 a length to a distance (more than 20 lengths). Smaller winning margins are a short-head, head or a neck.
Mare: Female horse aged 5 years or over.
Mares’ allowance: In non-handicap races fillies and mares get a weight allowance. 3lbs on the flat, 5lbs over jumps. (So much for equality of the sexes!)
Noseband: A sheepskin band around the horse’s nose to help it concentrate.
Odds on: Sometimes confusing - a bookmaker price. Eg. at “6 to 4 on” you have to stake 6 to win 4. This will appear as 4 /6 on bookmakers boards but is referred to as 6 to 4 on.
On the bridle / On the bit: A horse going the pace seemingly without much effort or need for its jockey to push it. Can be deceptive as sometimes these horses will not find extra speed when their jockeys do push them.
Off the bridle: A horse being pushed along by its jockey to keep up with the pace. Doesn’t necessarily mean it is beaten as some horses are a bit lazy and need to be roused to get into top gear.
Photo finish: In a close race, a photo finish is required to decide which horse has won
Pulling: A horse pulling on the bit: i.e. wanting to go too fast too soon so the jockey tries to restrain it by pulling back on the reins leading to a tug of war effect. This is necessary because horses that go too fast early in a race are usually burnt out before the finish.
Starting stalls: Only used in flat racing to ensure every horse gets a level break.
Stewards: Representatives of the Turf Club who regulate every race-meeting, maintaining fairness and integrity for everyone involved. There are also several stewards’ secretaries to assist them, who are paid professionals.
Stewards Enquiry: An investigation by the stewards into any incidents during the race, eg. if a jockey has broken the rules or one horse has caused interference to another.
Tips: Information about a horse you sometimes get from people at the races. Usually comes from somebody who knows somebody else whose uncle’s best friend knows the owner of a horse that should win. Of course, sometimes they win but bear in mind the “Banker” theory above if you do get a tip.
Tongue Strap: A piece of cloth or elastic tied on the horse’s tongue to keep it in place during a race. Needed because sometimes the tongue can obstruct the horse’s airways.
Turf Club: The regulatory body in charge of the rules and regulations, maintaining the integrity of Irish racing.
Valet: People employed by jockeys to assist them in their preparations for each race, checking and cleaning equipment etc.
Visor: A similar device to blinkers but less restrictive.
Weight: The amount the horse has to carry in the race. Shown in stones and pounds (lbs) on the racecard. There are 14 pounds in a stone.
Weight for age: A weight allowance younger horses get from older ones.
Weigh Out/Weigh In: Weighing a jockey and saddle before and after a race to make sure the correct weight is carried.
Winner All Right: An announcement that confirms the result is official. You can now collect your winnings.
Whooohoo/Yeaaaahey: Exultant sound made when the horse you backed has won. You won’t notice yourself doing it, but you will. Tune the frequency and decibel level to suit your vocal chords.
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