The 7 Critical Factors for Consistent Profits from a Horse Racing System

We’d all like the ultimate ‘effortless’ method of evaluating a horse race and choosing our winning bet, but making a system work requires a degree of knowledge, skill and effort. The good news is that this is a learnable skill if you follow my basic guidelines, and with a little effort, it really is possible to develop a consistent winning horse racing system.

There are literally hundreds of factors that we can take into account when reviewing a horse race to decide the potential winner. Of course, we may just be looking for a horse to make a place for, not necessarily in the first place. Thanks to bookmakers like Betfair, we can also decide to look for horses that are likely to lose the race, i.e. leave them instead of backing them. Ultimately, a lay betting system can be very profitable if we apply discipline and a methodical approach.

After years of experience and study, I believe the seven key factors for a consistently profitable racing system are:

1) The horses line up. Quite simply, is he fit and well and how has he performed in his most recent races? One second of a horse’s best times is about 5 lengths in a decent run!

2) The going. If a horse has performed well recently, make sure the breed in question is similar. Heavy racing makes racing very unpredictable.

3) The race. Don’t forget the saying ‘horses for racing’! Courses vary wildly, some having hairpin turns, uphill approaches, and other features that can make or break a horse’s career. The track surface is also a key factor: all weather surfaces, like sand, favor certain horses.

4) The transported weight. A single goal overlooked factor. As the handicap weight increases, some horses may challenge the penalty, but eventually a point is reached where the horse will slow down.

5) The distance. Most horses have an ideal distance although all will have a range. Some are natural sprinters, others have the stamina for longer distances. The form study will tell you how far the trainer has run the horse and how it has behaved.

6) The class. You wouldn’t race your family sedan against a Formula One car and expect to win! This is an element that is often overlooked in a consistently winning horse racing system. Beginners will see that a horse has finished first or second in his last three races and will overlook the fact that the race in question is a stepping stone to higher quality competition.

7) Coach and jockey. Like the horse, the trainer and the jockey have a way of being considered another key element of a horse racing system. Never underestimate the ability of a highly skilled jockey to bring an average horse to the front at the crucial moment.

I know some people may be overwhelmed by the above factors, but trust me if you want to win horse races and win consistently, you will need to consider these. There really is profit to be made in horse racing, whether you are backing, betting or considering more advanced betting strategies like ‘dutching’, but without study and effort any success will be short term.