Do you like horseracing because you're a gambler, or because its a great sport?

fits

My dad brought me to the Tralee festival for a day when I was twelve, and ended up bringing me back the whole week.. Ever since, I've been interested in the sport. I dont gamble at all really. I just love the animals, the training behind it, the riding and the stories. It really is a sport of great and terrible fortunes. In fact, if I won the lottery, I'd buy a string of horses and train them myself. I help out in a small yard for free, but I have my own ideas about how things should be done.
I'm just wondering if you guys actually love these horses, or do you not care about them beyond whether they win or lose? I often am moved to tears when I watch the races. The courage and honesty of these animals is sometimes remarkable to watch is they dig for that last bit of energy.

Its just the emphasis on the odds in this forum seems a little soulless.

frodi

I'm in it for the gamble. Don't really give two hoots if the horse is brave or not ( unless it affects its' ablity to win)

fits

I suspect you arent the only one. Would you really have no interest in what these horse do at home, or how they're trained?

wb

I'd say both.

I love the sport, and enjoy watching/debating/reading about racing even when I don't have a bet on. But I must admit I do like winning money. The greatest feeling in the world is watching your horse romp home, after you read the race correctly. I follow a couple of systems and do a bit of laying, which takes away from the enjoyment of the sport somewhat, as the focus is on the money.
I started backing horses for the money, but ended up interested in the sport, so yeah, both.

frodi

fits wrote:

I suspect you arent the only one. Would you really have no interest in what these horse do at home, or how they're trained?

In general the only interest in how they are at home or trained would only be in relation to their chances of winning.
In the same way as I don't follow the tabloid lives of sports stars just what they do on the pitch.

Robin1982

I used to gamble but not now, and although I haven't bet on horseracing for over a year, I still retain a strong interest in the betting - my training in financial trading and poker playing changed my ideas about how to bet, or more correctly, invest.

I absolutely love the sport though, and share your dream about buying and training my own stock Fits. The aspect that I get most enjoyment out of is witnessing the development of a true champion, whose record and achievements demonstrate all the factors that we ourselves strive to achieve; brilliance, bravery, courage and honesty.

I have seen hundreds of races, and thousands upon thousands of horses, but every so often, a thoroughbred, allied with the skill of his jockey and trainer, produces a performance that, just for second, gives you the briefest feeling of exhiliration, knowing that you were witness to something extra-ordinary, something special; it doesn't involve money, odds or profit; it doesn't involve hype; its just a recognition of a glimpse at perfect supremacy.

Secretariat in the Belmont, Montjeu in the King George, Arazi in the Juvenile, Istabraq at Cheltenham, Arkle everywhere, and many other cherished moments...

fits

Robin1982 wrote:

I
I have seen hundreds of races, and thousands upon thousands of horses, but every so often, a thoroughbred, allied with the skill of his jockey and trainer, produces a performance that, just for second, gives you the briefest feeling of exhiliration, knowing that you were witness to something extra-ordinary, something special; it doesn't involve money, odds or profit; it doesn't involve hype; its just a recognition of a glimpse at perfect supremacy.

...

Yeah, thats what I'm talkin about:D The hair standing up on the back of your neck moments!

I do bet the odd time, was tempted to put one on that Mississippi star, but couldnt remember the login to paddy power:(

I started with 5 euro for cheltenham last year, and ended with 50, didnt bet this year which was just as well as I picked all the wrong horses with the exception of War of Attrition.

I just think producing a horse to that level must feel wonderful to a trainer. Maybe I'll buy myself a point to pointer when I've a bit of money...

aw

There is nothing to beat the rush of watching a thrilling end to a top class race, the horses neck and neck, straining every muscle to get that extra little bit of speed, that extra little inch, the jockeys using all of their skill to drive the horse on and on over the line in front of the rest.
I try and get to as many meetings as possible. Sure I gamble a little bit because it makes the race all the better if it's your horse you're watching gallop over the line.
The gambling is just an addition though. Many's the race I've watched and had my pulse quicken and the hairs stand on the back of my neck without having had any money on anything at all.

I look forward to the day I can watch my own horse cross the line ahead of the rest of the field.

finnpark

Gambling

masterK

I would say I like both. I like a bet as much as the next person but would also quite often sit through a days racing without having a bet. I'm quite interested in the whole breeding side of the sport and love to watch 2 year old races in which I almost never bet to see can I spot a future star.

On of the great things about horse racing is the debates to be had, like who was the better horse Istabraaq or Brave Inca and such like.

It's also brilliant now that both the RP and AtTheRaces websites have a full video archive, nothing better to pass a spare hour in work than looking back over some of your favourite races.

There's also the buzz of the sport, there's nothing quite like been in a packed grandstand when the runners hit the final bend in a big race when the roar from the crowd goes up.

I think it's impossible to be a successful gambler on Horse Racing without having a very keen interest in sport.

scojones

Both definately. Don't get me wrong, it's great when you win money and it is an unbelieveable thrill when a good winning streak happens. That's one aspect of the game that I like. The other is the sport itself, and going to the track. I wouldn't mind going to track and losing 50 or 100 quid as long as I enjoyed myself. It beats drinking that much in the local, and it's great entertainment. You could easily spend that on a round of golf with lunch and a few pints afterwards, but wouldn't have as much fun. Going to the track and winning is the best of both worlds. I love both aspects.

fits

Another aspect of the sport, and this is particular to National Hunt, is the possibility that the smallest trainer, with the least salubrious facilities can still make it to the top. Horses like this in recent years include Danoli and Limestone Lad/Solerina. The yard I'm in now isnt big, but theres that possibility of brilliance with all the horses. Theres always the dream.. sometimes the small guy can hit the big time..

I just find the whole sport so entertaining, and of course I get an odd glimpse of the crookedness... which is another aspect of the whole thing.

finnpark

fits wrote:

and of course I get an odd glimpse of the crookedness... which is another aspect of the whole thing.

How bad is it? I know its pretty bad , even in England but without libeling yourself how many races per meeting are fixed, in your own opinion?

By the way are you allowed to lay off yourself or is that illegal since you work for a trainer and could you make a 2nd living from laying if you wanted?

The corruption in racing is as fascinating as the actual racing.

fits

Finnpark, I'm not really in deep enough to give you a good answer... My take on it would be, that for the big meetings such as Cheltenham, Punchestown, etc., everyone wants to win, so it would be less common, but I do know of horses being 'stopped' in poor races so they'll get a low rating for the bigger ones. I know a turf club steward as well and get the odd story from him, which I really couldnt pass on. Its one thing that would kind of put me off training, cos I'm the type who'd easily be outsmarted with this kind of carry on.
I dont know how common it is really, but it certainly aint a straightforward game a lot of the time.

eta: no idea about the laying, I dont work for a trainer, I help out for nuthin!

trojaneater1

Gambling

ChuckProphet

I watch it for both. Sometimes i won't have a bet if I don't fancy anything but will still watch the race if it's of decent quality. If gambling was outlawed in the morning, I'd still follow the racing. Wouldn't be as exciting without the gambling element tho!

Hawk Wing

a bit of both, love top quality flat racing though, would always watch it anyway

Morgans

horses being stopped doesnt equate to races being fixed.

fits

Morgans noone said it was the same as a race being fixed, but I'm sure the stewards would still like to know about it.. its cheating

Morgans

It is cheating. I know of a horse that was favourite for a Cheltenham championship race and was pulled. It happens. What I am saying is that the race-fixing phrase is a mis nomer. It suggests that all jockeys/trainers/ and connections of all horses in any one race are in collusion. They arent. Of course, if there is a two runner race when one isnt trying, its not difficult to figure out the result.

fits

Morgans wrote:

It is cheating. I know of a horse that was favourite for a Cheltenham championship race and was pulled. It happens. What I am saying is that the race-fixing phrase is a mis nomer. It suggests that all jockeys/trainers/ and connections of all horses in any one race are in collusion. They arent. Of course, if there is a two runner race when one isnt trying, its not difficult to figure out the result.

I'm surprised a horse was pulled at Cheltenham to be honest. It must have been one of the big guns involved... I can imagine who.
I agree with what you say about the race fixing thing, I hadnt read Finnparks thread properly. Although I wouldnt say its never happened...

jimmyboy

Since we are about this kinda stuff I would like to know which people prefer? National Hunt or Flat? For me it has to be National Hunt:)

Hawk Wing

I prefer Flat, but I love the jumps aswell