Category Archives: Horses

I guess we all have a story to tell when it comes to betting.

Over the years, I’ve had personal experiences of winning and losing big bets. Many of these stories come from betting online, at the track in bookmaker’s shops. However, the following bets were placed online. Moments of great joy and conflicting disappointment.

My Learned Friend

Considering most of my betting is done online I could pick umpteen moments featuring both highs and lows. I’ve had a few decent wins. One that sticks in the mind is a while back, a horse called My Learned Friend, trained by Andrew Balding. The horse won in a photo-finish beating a previous winner who had to carry a win penalty. John Gosden mentioned that his, second, was unlucky and thought the win penalties were unfair. Speaking from my pocket I was very happy the burden of the penalty hindered the runner-up as it won me £1,600. I bought an Omega watch (1970s style) as a memento.

One Lay Bet Too Many

The worst lay bet of my life could have won me £20. The loss much greater. To be fair, I had been flying along and laid so many horses to lose I £4,000 in profit from an initial betting bank of £20. It was truly incredible. I laid well over 100 losers on the trot. However, most of the horses were priced 10/1+. Some were priced 200/1 on the betting exchanges. I generally laid horses at odds of 100/1 and less.

There is something very unnerving about laying a horse to lose £2,000. Obviously, there is good reason to lay the horse.

However, anything can happen when betting.

Horses can defy the odds. If the favourite disappoints, then I’m one step closer to losing. If the second and third favourite under perform I’m looking at the horse I laid to lose like a hawk. I’m hoping and preying the horse is struggling. When it is not, I start to worry. I’ve had horses at giant odds run well and finish fourth or fifth. I’ve had others finish second, pressing hard. When two horses are astride you fear the lay bet will take advantage. If it does you desperately hope the chasing horse responds.

It’s not all bad.

When you’re four grand in front you can suffer a loss. You don’t want it but you can afford. You definitely don’t need it. But it happens. If you bet long enough you realise anything can happen.

And one day it did happen.

I’d been to my aunts funeral. I should have taken that as a bad sign. However, I thought I could win an easy £20 laying a horse at 36/1 for a potential loss of £720. I was confident I had the odds in my favour. However, this debutante travelled ominously well. When I see the favourite struggling I had a bad feeling. The horse I’d laid cruised up and shot clear of the field. I never felt I had a hope of fighting back. It was over. I watched the horse win easily costing £720. To be fair, losing that amount of money wasn’t good news. But you win some you lose some. You should always expect a bad day even though you don’t want it because you have to brace yourself for disappointment. I was still winning £4,000 so the profits were astounding. But I didn’t enjoy the feeling and stress levels of laying a horse to lose hundreds if not thousands. It felt more natural to bet on horses to win. I’ve often wondered where I would be if I had continued laying big priced horses. When I see one or two win I am pretty sure that would have cost me. But what about all the wins too. We will simply never know. Although I can guarantee I’d have never laid more than my betting bank so it wouldn’t have cost me a penny.

A Terrible Day

One of the best and worst days of my betting life. It should have been so different. How many times have you heard that before? However, I do feel aggrieved. I’m not sure what is the opposite of Lady Luck but she must be some vicious old witch who spits in your tea when you’re not looking. Cinderella and the two ugly S@*gs. This evil beast pulled my pants down and stole my money. Yes, you can tell I’m still suffering from that day as it really was a life-changing moment. I had a bet to win £10,000. Worse still, my bet looked like a certainty. I know you are saying: ‘Yes, of course it did. Keep telling yourself that!’ However, if you watched the race you would feel pretty much the same. I had little to nothing to lose. My bet to win £10,000 cost £45. The price on Betfair – 300/1.

Entering the final furlong my horse ran on well and got to the lead. I was ready to see it go clear but noticed the jockey sitting very still. For the life of me I couldn’t understand what he was doing. It was like he daren’t move. It made no sense. But then it did make sense. I see him lean slightly to one side and the next thing he was on the floor. The saddle had slipped with less than 100 metres to go. Honestly, I felt sick. I couldn’t believe how such a thing had happened. Not on the Flat. It can happen but usually on the National Hunt. It happened. That was the final result. What a kick in the stomach. What could have been. I had laid £400 in running at even money. A small consolation prize but something. That’s how close I come to winning a five-figure sum for pennies. A stride or two more I would have won £10,000.

My brother had a fiver to win a couple of grand.

What can you say?

That’s racing.

Professional gamblers are often categorised under one heading. In truth, there are sub categories for each and every sport or game. I once remember hearing about a professional gambler who bet on the weather. I’m not sure if he specialised in betting on White Christmas’, Hurricanes or Tornados but he said he made a profit from his expertise. Personally, I can’t imagine he placed many bets.

To be a good gambler within skill-based sport (you can’t beat fixed odds) you need to be something of a chameleon.

What I mean by chameleon is someone who is in tune with their subject matter. A true reflection of the answer to the question. If the answer is fluorescent tangerine with green spots, guess what, the chameleon changes to match.

In fact, the chameleon can change to any colour.

The Chameleon Professional Gambler is successful because they don’t impose their thoughts, ideas or wishes on a given subject. They don’t bet because they like to bet. They bet because not only is it the right decision but they do so for all the right reasons. They also take advantage of opportunities that tip things in their favour such as a Betfred £50 free bet offer here, or a bet boost there.

A successful gambler watches, listens and learns from the results. The results of any given race are the truth of the matter. And it is your job as a professional gambler to appreciate this fact and understand how this should, and must, direct your efforts, assessment for today and future. The past also helps detail the truth and foretell the future.

The Chameleon changes.

It just turned bright blue.

Indigo.

For example, horse racing. Your opinions should be based on answers to questions. It has nothing to do with your personal preference. You answer to the question (finding winners) is based on previous results. If you try to impose your thoughts without any basis you will lose. It is a blatantly easy approach but at the same time inextricably difficult.

Why?

Because so often gamblers lose track of what is important. They fall into old habits which are destructive, their views without objectivity or sense. Ego gets in the way of seeing the truth which stands solemnly before them.

Each and every winner and loser is trying hard to teach you a valuable lesson, if only you listen.

So often gamblers fail to learn. They are steadfast in their life of hard knocks. But they are the creator of their own destiny and often demise.

Have you ever stopped for a moment and asked: ‘What is the answer to the question?’

The Chameleon Professional Gambler knows they are a reflection of the results.

It is the answer to finding winners.

In the thrilling spectacle of the Grand National steeplechase, the maximum number of horses permitted to participate stood until recently at 40. This threshold was established in 1993, following a momentous race where a record-breaking 66 runners took their place on the starting line, etching their names into the race’s history books. The decision to impose this limit was motivated by a sincere commitment to prioritise safety, as the Grand National has been marred by unfortunate fatalities throughout its legacy. To further improve safety, in October 2023 the number was again cut to 36. It’s still a significantly sized field though, allowing for those taking advantage of free bets and the like to win big.

Undoubtedly, the Grand National demands a supreme level of readiness and athleticism from its equine contenders. Spanning an arduous distance of 4 miles and 2½ furlongs (equivalent to a staggering 6.907 kilometres), the race presents a formidable challenge for both horse and rider alike and is a nationwide betting opportunity for punters to get one over on bookmakers. Over the course of two captivating laps, the courageous horses must navigate a formidable array of 30 fences, renowned as some of the most formidable obstacles in the world of steeplechase. For those equine athletes not adequately prepared for this formidable test, the risks lurking within the racecourse can prove treacherous.

The introduction of the cap on the number of participants has sparked spirited debates, with proponents of an open field arguing that it curtails opportunities for horses to partake in this momentous event. However, the paramount concern remains the safety and welfare of these majestic creatures. By implementing this limitation, the race organisers have successfully curbed the incidence of fatalities, reinforcing their unwavering commitment to preserving the physical well-being of the equine competitors.

The Grand National, a captivating blend of spectacle and athleticism, continues to enthral audiences around the world. Through conscientious measures aimed at enhancing safety, this renowned steeplechase strives to ensure that the majesty of the race endures while minimising the inherent risks associated with its unforgiving nature. If there’s one race the nations eyes and money are on it’s the Grand National and so these efforts make sense. For those who can’t wait for the next National for a flutter, there are many sites offering Free Horse Racing Tips For Today, as way of guiding punters to winning selections.