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Betting on the horses for the very first time can be a daunting task, as there are plenty of risks involved, as it's your hard-earned money. However, if done right, there can be plenty of rewards, provided it is only done as a hobby. Here is our beginner's guide on how to make the most of having a flutter.

Where To Bet  

First and foremost, you will need to find a bookmaker, either down your local high street, online via the bookie's apps or on-course when attending a race meeting in person. The on-course bookmakers can usually be found at the front of the stands near the home straight so they can see who passes the post first. When it comes to the local street bookies or the online apps, be sure to use reputable companies like William Hill and Ladbrokes for the in-person bookies or the online ones such as Bet365, SkyBet and various others.

How The Betting Odds Work  

In the UK, the odds are typically shown in fraction form. However, in Europe, at betting exchanges and potentially other international countries they are usually done in a decimal format.  

An example of what happens when you put a bet on. If you put £1 on a horse at the odds of 3/1 in the market, you make £3 profit, BUT you also get your £1 stake back, therefore altogether you will get £4 back as a complete winning stake.

Now going back to how other countries may use a decimal format for their odds, in the fraction format of 3/1 that would look like 4.00 as a decimal. There is no difference whatsoever in terms of what you get back, as the decimal odds specify how much you will get back from the bookmaker based on a £1 bet including your stake, while the fractional odds say what profit you will make, so the number will be minus the stake. 

It can get a little confusing at first, as there are various different looking odds, for example we have 7/2 or 10/3, which does make it a little trickier to work out yourself. However, if you were to put £1 on a horse at 7/2, you get £3.50 back in profit (£4.50 altogether, including the stake), meaning the 7/2 odds are actually 3.5/1 in a simplified manner. Anything with a 2 in it means you half the first number, therefore 15/2 would be 7.5/1, or 13/2 would be 6.5/1 and so on.   

If a horse was to be described as an “odds-on shot” or “very short in the market” etc, that would usually mean the odds could look like 1/10 as opposed to 10/1, which means if you were to bet £10 on a horse at 1/10 you would have got £11 back, a profit of just £1. So for every £10 you were to put on at that price, would mean you get £11 back (Just £1 more). 

Different Types Of Bets

Win - This is simply a bet that you place for the horse to win. Therefore, if the horse comes 2nd or 3rd, you get nothing back. It has to solely win the race. 

Each Way - A bet for the horse to either win or to place (either 2nd and 3rd, and sometimes 4th onwards, depending on the number of runners in the race). The place portion of your bet pays out at a fraction of the main odds and again this varies but is usually 1/5. Each-way bets are usually best placed on horses at longer odds - for example, if you put a £1 each-way bet on a horse (which means you put £2 on, every each-way bet is double) each way at 2/1 and it places, you get £1.50 back, therefore a 50p loss - however if you back a horse with £1 (£2 stake) each way at 12/1 and it places you get £4 back, meaning you get a £2 profit.  

Doubles - A bet consisting of two selections, with both needing to win in order to guarantee a return.  

Trebles - A bet that includes three selections, and requires all three selections to win in order to guarantee a return.  

Accumulators - A bet that includes four or more selections, and requires all the selections to win to guarantee a return.  

Trixie - A bet consisting of four bets involving three selections. A trixie is made up of three doubles and a treble, so a minimum of two selections must win to guarantee a return. 

Patent - A bet consisting of seven bets involving three selections. A patent is made up of three single bets, three doubles and one treble. It is essentially a trixie bet but adds in the three single bets too, so if one selection wins you will get a return. 

Yankee - A bet consisting of 11 bets involving four selections - six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold. This means a minimum of two selections must win in order to guarantee a return. 

Lucky15 - One of the more popular betting options. A lucky 15 consists of 15 bets over four selections - four singles, six doubles, four trebles and a fourfold. It is essentially a yankee but with the addition of four singles, so only one selection needs to win in order to guarantee a return. 

Lucky31 - A bet consisting of 31 bets across five selections - five singles, ten doubles, ten trebles, five four-folds and a five-fold accumulator. You only need one selection to win to guarantee a return. 

Lucky63 - A bet consisting of 63 bets across six selections - six singles, 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, six five-folds and a six-fold accumulator. You only need one selection to win to guarantee a return. 

Canadian - A bet consisting of 26 bets that involves five selections - 10 doubles, 10 trebles, five four-folds and a five-fold accumulator. It is also known as a super yankee bet. 

Heinz - A bet consisting of 57 bets across six selections - 15 doubles, 20 trebles, 15 four-folds, six five-folds and a six-fold accumulator. 

SuperHeinz - A bet consisting of 120 bets across seven selections - 21 doubles, 35 trebles, 35 four-folds, 21 five-folds, seven six-folds and a seven-fold accumulator. 

Goliath - A bet consisting of 247 bets across eight selections - 28 doubles, 56 trebles, 70 four-folds, 56 five-folds, 28 six-folds, eight seven-folds and an eight-fold accumulator. 

Straight forecast - This is a type of bet that requires you to pick the first two finishers in the race, in the exact 1st and 2nd order.

Reverse forecast - Similar to a straight forecast, except the two horses selected can finish either 1st or 2nd in any order. 

Tricast - This bet is where you pick the first three finishers in the exact order of 1st, 2nd and 3rd

Placepot - One of the most popular bets for racegoers. You choose a minimum of one horse in each of the first six races on the card to finish in the places. If they all place, you win a share of the total prize money in pool. If one selection fails to finish in the places, your bet loses. 

Jackpot - Similar to a placepot, but instead of backing the horses to finish in the places, they all need to win. If one fails to win, the bet will lose. 

Every active racehorse has to have a trainer to keep them fit and look after them whilst at home. The trainers are one of the most important people within the sport, as they dedicate all their time to making sure the horses are perfectly looked after at home and are ready to race whenever the time comes. By doing so, they follow strict plans to ensure their horses are fit and schooled perfectly, giving them the best chance of winning when they race. 

What Does A Racehorse Trainer Actually Do

The trainer's job is an important one, as they are there to make sure the horse is fit and healthy, ready to race as well as managing each horse they have to be at that level all the way through a season. Each trainer’s number of horses will differ - some only have 20 and others may have anything up to 100+, so it takes a certain level of dedication, knowledge and skill to look after each individual horse, making sure all is ok whilst they are in training and at home. But arguably a trainer’s main role is to make up exercise schedules for horses, keeping an eye on the horses diets and schooling which is key to teaching the horse, especially the younger horses with less experience. 

Another key aspect of being a trainer is to deal with their horses owners - this is a very important task as ultimately it's the owners that pay the bills. A trainer’s duties towards an owner are to make sure their horses are safe whilst in their care, they are fit and schooled well when ready to run and finally provide detailed updates on their horses on a regular basis. A trainer will usually also determine what race a horse will run in/be aimed for, which is another key factor that needs to be relayed and discussed back to the owners.

A Typical Trainers' Day At The Races

Some trainers travel with their horses, but ultimately the least the trainers will do is make sure the horses are ready to travel to the racecourse, ensuring everything is safe before doing so.

When at the racecourse, trainers will most of the time walk the course themselves before racing, to make their own assessments of the track. This will help them gauge what sort of tactics might benefit their horses, as certain horses will prefer going around a certain direction, or like certain ground types etc. Walking the track beforehand can be key for a trainer in making up their minds on what tactics to relay back to the jockey riding the horse. Trainers will sometimes also walk the track with their jockeys if they are available, as this can help with tactics for the race or races.

Once the track has been walked, the final preparations will be made for their horses. They will get saddled up, usually by the trainer before they do their final checks before the horse heads into the parade ring. Once the horse is in the parade ring, the trainers will usually meet up with any owners or representatives who are in attendance to discuss the tactics and how the horse is. Once the race has concluded, they will speak to the jockeys about how their horse got on, before relaying that back to the owners or representatives. What we are seeing quite a bit more of these days is trainers or jockeys recording small videos talking about how the horse got on - this can be valuable for both the trainer and the owners.

The horses will then get all the equipment removed, before heading back home to be fed and earn a well-earned rest. Over the next few days after the horse has run, the trainer will keep an eye on their horses to make sure all is ok, they have eaten up, are not sore or stiff, before giving them a little break to freshen them up, and then essentially the process will be repeated until the horse runs again.     

Trainers And Jockeys   

Most of the time Jockeys will be decided by the owners, before being booked via the trainer with the Jockeys agents involved. However, some trainers will have their own retained yard jockey,  which means the trainer’s horses will most likely be ridden by the same retained jockey when they are running, or at least if the yard has runners all around the country. The retained rider will ride the main chances, giving them a better chance of riding winners for their boss. The right jockey can prove invaluable as the trainer and jockey have a respected working relationship, meaning more chance of success, better feedback and more of an understanding how the horses are expected to be ridden etc.

Examples Of Trainers Who Currently Have Retained Jockeys

• Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore
• Willie Mullins and Paul Townend
• Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden
• Dan Skelton and Harry Skelton   
• Charlie Appleby and William Buick
• Nicky Henderson and Nico De Boinville
• Jonjo O’Neill and Jonjo O’Neill Jr
• Donald McCain and Brian Hughes
• Joe Tizzard and Brendan Powell
• Lucinda Russell and Derek Fox
• Venetia Williams and Charlie Deutsch
• Alan King and Tom Cannon

Behind the horses, Jockeys are the stars of the show in the sport of horse racing. They are true athletes who dedicate their lives to riding horses on a daily basis, at home/racing yards, and on track when the horses are running. They have to maintain an incredible level of fitness, which puts them on par with other athletes from various sports. This article will highlight everything you need to know about jockeys, from the differences in size, to the clothing they will wear for a race. 

Jump Jockeys vs Flat Jockeys - The Difference

Although all jockeys train and seemingly ride the same during races, there is a difference in stature with jockeys who ride flat or jumps horses, as described below… 

Flat Jockey - Jockeys who ride flat horses tend to be shorter and weigh less, due to the flat horses running with less weight on their backs during races. The horses are usually quicker and younger. 

Jumps Jockey - Jockeys who ride jumps horses tend to be taller and weigh a little more, as the horses who jump over obstacles carry more weight around when racing, due to being bigger and more pronounced than flat horses. We have seen instances of jumps jockeys being 6 feet tall and even taller.

Jockey Procedure - Before The Race

One of the most important things a jockey can do before a race when at the racecourse is “weigh out” - this ensures that the horse they are riding during the race carries the correct weight stated. If the Jockey is ever so slightly under the weight needed, which includes their saddle, small weights are added to the saddle cloth to get them to the correct weight declared. Once the weight has been recorded, the saddle will then go to the trainer for them to saddle up the horse in the pre parade ring. 

Jockey Procedure - After The Race  

Once the race has reached its conclusion, the winning and placed jockeys will unsaddle in the winners' enclosure, giving the punters, racegoers and owners a chance to clap and celebrate their victorious horses. The jockeys tend to unsaddle swiftly in the winners' enclosure, and have a picture with winning connections before heading into the weighing room to “weigh in”. This process is important as it makes sure the correct weight was carried around on the horse when they won, placed or ran in the race. Jockeys have to weigh in by a certain time to ensure they don’t lose the race or get bans/fines etc. This would be the reason why you might see a jockey in a rush when leaving the winners' enclosure/parade ring. 

What Jockey’s Wear During A Race

Helmet - Arguably the most important piece of equipment a jockey has to wear, it is mandatory and is there to protect them if they should unfortunately fall off their horse during a race. Jockeys tend to wear a cover over their helmet which is a part of the racing silks/colours.  

Goggles - Jockeys wear goggles to protect their eyes from dirt, bugs or gravel that might flick up during the race. If they didn’t wear goggles, the slightest bit of dirt could ruin the race for them or cause injury. 

Silks - One of the most important parts of a jockey's attire, not for safety reasons but for visual reasons - they are there so the punter, racegoer, trainer and commentator can recognise the horse during a race. The colours of the silks are usually determined by the owner of the horse. 

Skivvies - Underneath the silks jockeys will wear skivvies. A skivvy is a mesh or microfiber piece of clothing that is very light and stretchable.

Vests - Another mandatory item, a vest protects the jockeys in case they fall off the horse during a race, thanks to the padding around the vest. This protects the ribs and chest area of the jockeys, as well as all the vital organs. 

Gloves - A lot of jockeys say that wearing gloves gives them an edge in their races as they give them extra grip when trying to control the horse. Controlling and manoeuvring a horse at 40mph is already difficult enough as it is, so the extra grip and a little extra protection are a huge help for the jockeys.

Breeches - Riding breeches are athletically inspired “trousers” or “leggings” that are designed to fit snugly and reduce chafing. They can also help improve the rider's seat and stability in the saddle when riding a horse during a race. 

Boots - One of the most important things for the jockey during a race is the position of the feet and legs. The boots (specifically made for jockeys) ensure the jockey’s feet are locked into place. Riding boots go higher up on the leg of the jockey to avoid the saddle pinching the rider’s leg. 

Apprentice & Conditional Jockeys

Before a Jockey becomes a professional, they have to start as either an Apprentice or Conditional Jockeys.

They can both claim a weight allowance, which is 7 lbs when they first start to give the horse a slight advantage when having an inexperienced rider onboard. This helps to even it out and make it more competitive.

In Jumps racing, they are described as Conditional Jockeys. Their weight allowances can be reduced to 5 lbs after they’ve ridden 20 winners and then to 3 lbs after 40 winners. Once they have ridden 75 winners with the 3 lbs weight allowance, they lose their claim and become a fully-fledged professional jockey with no weight allowances.  

In flat racing, they are described as Apprentice Jockeys. They have the same weight allowances of 7, 5 and 3 lbs - but the winning milestones lie at 20 (they go down to 5 lbs), 50 (they go down to 3 lbs) and 95 winners respectively. Once they hit the 95-winner mark, they are a fully-fledged professional with no weight allowances.

There are certain Conditional or Apprentice races during a season, which only they can contest in. However, they tend to ride against the professionals in races most of the time.

There are also Amateur Jockeys, who juggle riding horses in races with other career paths, usually within racing. Once again there are certain races where the amateurs take on each other, but like Conditionals and Apprentices, they will compete against the professionals.

Jockeys Being Athletes    

It is a common misconception with how fit jockeys actually are, as jockeys are amongst the fittest of athletes in the world. When you look at their diets and exercise routines, it is very clear to see how dedicated they are to their profession and doing well within it.

Successful jockeys like Sir Anthony McCoy have been known to have only four main meals a week, with a number of sugar boosts on race days for energy. This is because they ride to a very strict weight day in, day out when going to the races and riding the horses.  

When they are not riding out at the yards or riding in races they are usually in the gym, keeping fit with various exercise routines. Their exercise routines include gym sessions and running to maintain cardiovascular health for the challenge of riding the world's best racehorses.   

Going to the races for the very first time can be a daunting task, as there is the question of what to wear, the best places to view the horses when on course and what horses I put your hard-earned cash on to get even more back. This article's aim to help put your mind at ease, and give you an understanding of what to expect when you head to the races. 

What To Wear

Depending on the code of racing will essentially depends on weather and what's best to wear. If it is a summer flat meeting there is no real compulsory measure to go fully suited and booted, but it is common procedure for men to wear a shirt, tie, smart trousers and shoes - usually trainers and shorts are not allowed, or at least in certain enclosures, but be sure to check out the dress code which will be on every racecourse website. 

For ladies attending a Flat race meeting in the summer, it tends to be the perfect day to dress up in all their glitz and glamour. Although this is not compulsory in many areas, it is becoming increasingly popular that racecourses put on best-dressed competitions. But again, be sure to check out the dress code, which will be on every racecourse website. 

Jump meetings tend to adopt a dress-for-the-weather approach rather than a strict dress code like some flat meetings. Although it’s still nice to dress up for the jumps racing, remember we are in the UK, so the weather can be very temperamental. Dig out your best coat and hat, and you will be perfectly fine, as long as you keep warm and dry.

Arriving At The Racecourse And Before The Racing Starts 

This is usually the perfect time to check out the surroundings, which is especially important if it’s a first-time visit to the racecourse. Have a look around, grab yourself a drink or food and most importantly, get a racecard and the perfect spot to watch the racing unfold for the afternoon/evening. This will also be the perfect time to check out the runners in each race if you haven't already, study the form shown in the racecard and get your bets ready. Having a good look at the runners in advance is very important and can certainly help you win a little bit of money whilst there.

Watching And Betting On The Races  

Now, the horses are starting to get ready and head to the parade ring for the first race on the card; this could be one of the most important times to get the perfect place at the parade ring. Even if you don’t know too much about the horses themselves, you can get plenty of useful information just by watching them walk around the ring:

•  Are the horses moving nicely? 
• Are they behaving with their handlers? 
• How do they look whilst going around? 

Going to watch the horses in the parade ring before each race can be very important and will help you with all your betting needs throughout the afternoon/evening. Even if they are all behaving and there are no bad signs, you might just see a horse that catches your eye and you might want to back solely on that; many people, even avid racing fans, do that regularly.

Once the races are off, be sure to find out the best viewing area possible, there are plenty around the racecourses as they are specifically made for the punter to watch the jockeys and horses battle it out to try and win. Between each of the races, be sure to check out the course amenities with various different food and drink stations available. The on course bookies will usually be in view of the racing, so be sure to pick up and put on any bets you want in between each race. And remember do not lose your betting slip, especially if it’s a winning one!  

Once Racing Finishes

When the racing has concluded, be sure to pick up any winnings with the on-course bookmakers if needed, as they don’t mess around when it comes to packing up after racing. Be sure to check out any local bars, pubs or restaurants, especially if you are leaving with plenty of winnings, as that is most definitely the perfect excuse to spend the profit you made. There are usually plenty of amenities around the racecourses themselves, if not there is almost certainly a local town or city that you could venture into. 

Conclusion   

A good day out at the races is the perfect excuse to get together with family and friends, and although it could be more expensive than a football match or other sporting event, you make a whole day out of it. You don’t have to be an avid fan of horse racing, it is still a very nice day and can be made better with the company that you go with. 

A common misconception in the sport of horse racing is that it will cost you thousands of pounds a year to own a racehorse. However, in this day and age you can be involved in a horse for as little as £25 for a one-off payment for the duration of the syndicate term (typically 12 months from when the syndicate term begins). It is a common theme that the lower the price, the more shares are available in the horse. However, a lot of the time you will still receive the same benefits as an owner still.  

What Are Syndicates?

Syndicates are an affordable option of racehorse ownership, where you own a percentage in the horse, for example most syndicates tend to offer 1%, 2.5%, 5% and even anything up to 25% shares in their horses. Obviously, the higher the share percentage, the more you will have to pay to get involved. 

There are two different payment options for syndicates:

• One-off payment - These require a simple one-off payment at the beginning, which is the only fee you will pay for the duration of the syndicate term, which is typically 12 months. These are extremely popular as they come with no hidden payments or further costs for the duration of the syndicate term. The only time you will need to pay more is if you wish to renew your share for the next syndicate term. A good example of a syndicate that adopts this payment method is Racing Club, who offer shares from just £25, making it one of the best value syndicates around currently. 
• Monthly payments - The other option with syndicates that tends to be for those who are looking to have a larger investment in the horse. Typically, you would pay an initial upfront payment, which is then followed by monthly payments spread across the duration of the syndicate term. These monthly payments contribute to training fee's, vet bills, entry fees etc. 

Another thing to note is that some syndicates may require an up-front payment, which is usually a percentage of the syndicate costs, to cover their backs if mishaps happen. From there, monthly payments for the training fees will be substantially cheaper than the up-front payment. 

Do not fear if you are unable to pay the up-front payments, be sure to get in touch with the Syndicate first and they might be able to offer packages to incorporate some of the payments into the monthly training fees - never be too scared to ask the question! 

Benefits Of Joining A Syndicate

• Owners badges when your horse runs (sometimes Syndicates can offer more than one if you have family or friends who also want to attend, but that is down to which course the horse will run at)

• Regular updates via videos and/or photos of your horse, usually when they are working or just after their exercises have been completed

• Updates directly from the trainer, usually about how the horse is getting on with its training or the plans for the future

• One or two stable visits during the year to visit your horse and any other stable stars the yards might have

• Sometimes Syndicates offer you to join WhatsApp Groups with the rest of the owners, which can be great fun and even an opportunity to make new friends with common interests

• And finally, your share in the prize money won if your horse has managed to pick some up by winning/placing in races 

In conclusion, Syndicates are an affordable way of getting into racehorse ownership that offers the perfect blend of fun, thrills and chances to make new acquaintances through the ownership game.

Why Should I Get Involved In A Syndicate

• Affordable - Outright racehorse ownership is a very expensive game to get into these days, and with the ever growing prices and bills that you would have to pay, joining a syndicate and paying a fraction of the price is just simply an incredible idea. You get to be fully involved in the horse, along with like minded owners watching your horse grow, mature and improve with racing, and all of this is done with just the same monthly payment. This is much more affordable than trying to buy your own horse, register it with the BHA and finally pay the monthly training fees outright, which tends to be around the £2000 per month mark.

• Experience the thrill of ownership - There is nothing quite like the thrill of seeing your horse compete on the track. By joining a racehorse syndicate, you can experience the excitement of ownership without having to bear the full cost or responsibility, as the monthly payment costs will cover all of this.

• Join A Community - You will get to meet the other syndicate members involved in the horse at the races and other various social events that the syndicates put on. Getting the opportunity to share your passion with like-minded individuals who are in the same shoes as you and taking in the experiences of syndicate racehorse ownership.

In summary, Racing Syndicates are an affordable and fun way to get you closer to the sport you love and will render some incredible moments on and off the track. So, if racehorse ownership is something you would want to get involved in but you don’t want to pay the extortionate fees of owning a horse outright, then look no further than syndicates.    

If you're looking for a syndicate to join, we can recommend Racing Club, who offer some fantastic perks to their members and they have various horses to choose from, with shares starting at just £25. You can view their available horses by clicking HERE. 

Horse racing Syndicates are a huge part of Horse Racing in this day and age, and they are becoming even more popular within the sport still. It offers people the chance to experience racehorse ownership at a fraction of the cost compared to owning a horse outright. Although at first, they weren't exactly that loved within the sport due to the big owners around, now they are a huge part of it and can prove valuable for trainers as we are seeing syndicates start to purchase better horses and win those major races. The ever-growing costs to outright own your own horses are increasing year by year. Therefore, Syndicates appear to be the thing of the future that can play a crucial role in keeping the sport flowing. 

When Did Horse Racing Syndicates Originate

The tradition of British horse racing dates back to the days of the Roman Empire, when Roman Soldiers invading the isle organised the first tournaments on horseback around 200 AD. Now, obviously, the sport has had to grow into the phenomenon it is now, as horse racing is firmly one of the most popular sports around. In fact, it is the second most popular spectator sport in the UK, only behind football, and with the ever-growing presence of syndicates, it will only increase year by year as more and more people will be able to get involved. 

Syndicates within horse racing have been around since the late 20th century but have really taken off over the last 10 to 15 years or so due to the ever-growing popularity amongst the younger generations. Horse racing ownership was always seen as a rich man's game, the sport is often referred to as the sport of kings, and that might still be the case amongst people who don’t know too much about the sport. However, the invention of Syndicates into the sport has opened new opportunities for the average working person to get involved with a racehorse in an ownership capacity, something they might never have dreamed could be a reality. 

The Impact Of Syndicates Within Horse Racing

You get to be fully involved in everything the horse does, for just a fraction of the cost, whether that being up-front payments (which is a bulk payment of the share) or the monthly training fees, which are substantially cheaper than if you were to pay the fees for a racehorse outright by yourself. Syndicate horses winning big races is getting more and more popular, with some owners having to pay £80 all in to watch their horse go and win at the Cheltenham Festival, or to watch them win a Group/Grade 1 race (the highest level of race that can be won). To just have a runner at these big meetings is an incentive in itself, but to have winners would be incredible. With the growing popularity of Syndicates, we are starting to see this happen much more frequently within the sport.

The most recent Syndicate successes have been Pentland Hills winning the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in 2019 and another Grade 1 race at the Grand National meeting a month later. 

Another superb Syndicate story to come in recent years is the owners of Corach Rambler, who paid around £3000 each (this is around the higher mark of what you would pay, there are many cheaper options to join a syndicate) and have since gone onto Cheltenham Festival glory twice, as well as being Grand National winning owners. A race that even some of the very best and most recognisable figures in racing have not won before, whether that being owners or trainers. 

The most recent success of syndicates involves Racing Club's Farceur Du Large, who won both the Grand Military Gold Cup and Royal Artillery Gold Cup at Sandown in 2024 for trainer Jamie Snowden. 

The recent success of Syndicates within the sport is incredible to see, and as mentioned we are seeing syndicates with some of the very best races that the sport has to offer, meaning they get to celebrate with the rest of the syndicate crew. It inspires the younger generation to get into the sport, as it is made more affordable for them and their friends. Inspiring the new generation into the sport is key to keeping horse racing afloat and ensuring it continues to be successful as the years go by. And with the emergence of syndicates, they are a huge step in helping with that.   

Advantages Of Joining A Racehorse Syndicate

Ownership benefits

• Regular updates via photos and videos on your horse/horses

• Most Syndicates offer framed pictures and other merchandise when you take shares in their horses. For example, scarves, key rings or cuff links with the syndicate's colours on

• A hands-on experience watching your horse grow and mature as they embark on their racing careers.

• Chances to speak with personnel within racing, for example, the trainer who will look after your horse and the jockeys who will ride them at the races

Social and camaraderie 

• Arguably the most important advantage of joining a Syndicate is the fact that they are a much more affordable way to live your dream and become an owner of a racehorse.
  

Our Syndicate Recommendation

If you are looking to join a Racing Syndicate, we recommend joining Racing Club, who have shares available from just £25 and includes plenty of benefits to joining, including:

• Regular stable visits to see the horse, and the yards' other stable stars (most yards have an open policy, therefore if you get a yard visit pencilled in then you can also check out the rest of the horses whilst you are there)

• Regular Updates on your horse

• Join a community WhatsApp group

• Regular opportunities to attend stable visits

• The chance to see your horse race as an owner

• The opportunity to enter ballots to win hospitality tickets at O2 Arena London, Wembley Stadium, various racecourses and football stadiums. 
   

You can view more about Racing Club by clicking HERE. 

Horse racing syndicates are seen to be the future ownership module of the sport, and due to their ever-growing presence, they are getting even more popular among prospective owners. Being a part of a syndicate gives you the opportunity to visit your horse at the stables, visit various other social events with like-minded owners, receive owners’ badges to the horse race, as well as receive a percentage of any prize money won should you be lucky enough to be a part of a winning horse.

Why Is A Syndicate Better Than Outright Ownership  

• Apart from the purchase price to get involved with the horse, there will be no added costs or financial requirements throughout the syndicate term

• Shares can start as little as £25 all the way to £5000 plus, and dependant of the share percentage will depend on the costs and how much of the winning prize money you get at the end of the syndicate term

• The share price that you pay will cover the training fees, vet fees, entries for your horse, the travel to and from the races for your horse during the syndicate term

• The syndicate terms tend to be a year-long, so once the year is up, you get the chance to renew your shares or maybe move into another horse. You can even renew your shares and get involved in other horses within the syndicate.

How Racing Syndicates Work 

Getting involved in a Syndicate is extremely simple - you pay an upfront fee (different syndicates offer different prices) with no other expenses spared, and you are involved. A syndicate like Racing Club offers shares from as little as £25, offering extremely good value for horse racing ownership. All the usual monthly fees, such as training, vets bills, travel and horse food, are all covered within that set fee.

Other Syndicates might require a more expensive up-front fee depending on what sort of percentage you are looking for. For example a 5% share might cost you £1000 up-front, with then a monthly payment for training fees of around £100. The up-front fee is for the cost of the horse, and the reason they may differ is because of the initial fee paid by the syndicate for the horse. Therefore, the more expensive the horse might be, the higher the up-front cost, and sometimes monthly fees; however, these are usually similar in terms of costs.

Even if that option does seem a little costly, you have to take into consideration that if you were to try racehorse ownership outright by yourself, you would have to pay for the horse itself, training fees, vet bills, food bills and even travel bills. You only ever tend to really make two differing payments (up-front and monthly fees), whereas you might get 5 to 6 bills if the horse was yours outright. 

As well as offering micro-share syndicates, Racing Club also offer VIP Syndicates, starting from £5,000. Perks in the VIP Syndicates include guaranteed owner badges, plus unlimited stable visits to see your horse. 

Structure & Operations

As we all know, racehorse ownership can be costly, but it can also be a touch stressful trying to organise bills and the horse's plans. However, when you join a syndicate, that will all be done for you via the Syndicate manager. Although you will be a part of the ownership with the horse, the plans and races tend to be thought out by the syndicate manager and trainer themselves. This is purely because the trainers are the people who get to see the horses daily, therefore they know what conditions or races will suit the horse best. Also, this way it takes that added stress off you, as you can look forward to enjoying a nice day out or two during the syndicate period.

Most of the time, the regular stable and horse updates will be done via group chats or emails. However, the most popular form of communication these days does tend to be WhatsApp. It makes it much easier to send pictures and videos directly from the trainer to yourselves, the owners, in the specified group chat, so they are always there for you to go back on should you need to do so.

The Syndicate members (anyone who takes out the shares) will receive a share of the prize money at the end of the syndicate term should the horse have earned any. The amount of prize money you receive will all depend on the share size you take out. However, this will once again be done in-house via the syndicate manager. 

Advantages + Disadvantages Of Joining A Syndicate

Advantages

• The main advantage is cost, as you can become a racehorse owner at just a fraction of the cost of outright racehorse ownership

• Plenty of perks and incentives to join, such as free merchandise or gifts if you take out a share, social events and yard visits where you get to meet like-minded owners, and to see the yards other horses

• Prize money at the end of the syndicate term 

• New acquaintances can be made with the other respective owners via group chats 

• Many days out with other owners, who are like-minded racing fans       

• Certain syndicates, such as Racing Club, offer exclusive perks, such as the chance to attend events at various venues in their hospitality boxes. 

Disadvantages

• Horses aren't machines, so they won't win every run (unless you are very lucky) sometimes they won’t run up to their best so you have to be patient with them

• Although an advantage could be getting a share of prize money at the end of the syndicate term, it might not be much at all, if anything, it all depends on how your horse runs in its races

• Not every horse is going to be a real superstar, they might only be running in the poorer class of race. However, the days out are still the same

• Injuries can happen with horses, so that might mean retirement or time off the track. It is worth noting that they will be cared for immensely by the trainer and the team. 

Conclusion

Syndicates are a vital part of racing at the moment, and although not all of them go well in terms of with their horses, they still render incredible days out with like minded individuals. It is just a fraction of the costs then if you were to outright own a racehorse, meaning it is more cost effective for anyone looking to dip their toe into the sport. Syndicates are forever growing and will play a massive part in getting the next generation into the sport.   

If you are looking for a syndicate, we can highly recommend Racing Club, who offer shares in horses from just £25 and offering some fantastic perks for shareholders, including the opportunity to attend events in their various hospitality boxes across the country. 

Terms For Horses Ages

Foal - A newborn horse who is no older than one year.

Yearling - A horse who is now over the age of one, but not older than two.

Colt - A young male horse that is usually two years old, but no older than four.

Gelding - A male horse that has been castrated, usually to make their temperament a little more calm.

Filly - A young female horse that is usually two years old, but no older than four.

Mare - A female horse that is usually older than four years old.

Sire - Father of a horse.

Dam - Mother of a horse.

Stallion - A male horse used for breeding purposes.

Broodmare - A female horse used for breeding purposes.

Broodmare Dam - A female horse who has offspring who are also now Broodmares.

Broodmare Sire - A male horse who has female offspring that have now gone on to become successful Broodmares.

Types Of Racehorses Depending On The Distance They Run At

Sprinter - A horse that is usually better over the shortest trips available, and tends to be speedier over a shorter distance than the others.

Miler’s - A horse that usually runs at or just below the mile trip, can also run at 7 furlongs or 1 mile 2 furlongs.

Middledistancer - A horse who tends to operate between the mile and 2-mile trip, so they usually run in races around the 1-mile 4-furlong mark.

Stayer (Flat) - A horse who usually runs around the furthest flat trip of 2 miles plus, but can also be seen at 1 mile 6 furlongs.

Hurdler - A horse that runs over the smaller jumps obstacles at any distance.

Steeplechaser - A horse that runs over the largest obstacles at any distance.

Stayer (Jumps) - A horse that runs in Hurdle or Steeplechase races from 3 miles up to 4 miles.

Types Of Races A Horse Can Run In

Flat - When a horse runs on the turf or all-weather with no obstacles to jump, usually in the summer months.

Hurdle - When a horse runs in a race and jumps over smaller obstacles called Hurdles. They are typically made of a series of panels made of brush and are flexible. They must be a minimum of three and a half feet high.

Novice Hurdle - Horses who begin the season having not won a hurdles race can compete in novice hurdles, usually a younger National Hunt horse.

Steeplechase - When a horse runs in a race and jumps over larger obstacles called Fences, They are made from a mix of birch and spruce or 'other material' and are designed to test a horses timing ability. They must be a minimum of 4ft 6in. 

Novice Steeplechase - Similar to novice hurdlers, these are horses who begin the season having not won a Chase race can compete in novice chases.

National Hunt Flat Races - A flat race commonly referred to as a Bumper, usually over the 2-mile trip on a National Hunt card for prospect jump horses.

Colours Of Racehorses

Grey (Gr) - Ranging from a bright white colour to a grey-coloured coat

Bay (B) -  A range of brown and black coated horses, essentially horses who are neither brown or black but very much in between the two. They usually have black manes and tails, not brown

Chestnut (CH) - A ginger/reddish coloured coat, with the mane and tail to match

Roan (Ro) - A horse with an even match of white hairs and another coloured coat (usually black or brown)

Brown (Br) - A horse that is purely brown coated, with a main and tail to match

Black (Bl) - A horse that is purely black coated, with a main and tail to match - These are pretty rare

White (Wh) - Another rare coat, most horses that appear to be white will be classed as Grey, with black skin. Grey horses tend to get lighter in colour as they get older.

From the historic elegance of the Kentucky Derby to the high-stakes excitement of the Melbourne Cup, certain races stand out as pinnacles of achievement in the sport. In this article, we highlight the top 10 horse races in the world, exploring the unique traditions, massive prize pots, and legendary horses that make these events truly unforgettable. 

Epsom Derby

Widely considered the most famous flat race in the world of horse racing, the Derby at Epsom has been won by some of the very best the sport has ever seen in terms of flat horses, including the likes of Nijinksy, Galileo and Sea The Stars to name a few. The Derby has inspired versions all over the world with most countries who have horse racing starting their own versions of the race, but there is only one original that has been run since 1870. It is without a doubt one of the top 10 horse races in the world, and is well worth attending if you ever get the opportunity to. 

Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe

One of the richest races in Europe, where the best middle-distance horses from around the world battle it out for the winning prize money of over £2 million. Some of the racing greats have landed this contest previously, including the likes of Sea The Stars, Treve, Golden Horn and Enable. Two days of racing accompanies the Arc itself, with a total of 8 Group 1 races across the weekend; we get to see the best two-year-olds, sprinters and middle-distance horses, as well as the best of the Arabian horses. It really is one of the grandest races in Europe and one that many look forward to watching.

The Everest

Run in Australia, the Everest was classified as a Special Conditions race between 2017 and 2023, but in 2024 the race was elevated to Group 1 status. The prize money for the contest was increased in 2018 to 15 million Australian Dollars, and then once again in 2023 to 20 million Australian Dollars, making it the richest race in Australia and the richest turf race in the world of horse racing. It is held annually in October as the feature race of the Sydney Spring Carnival, which is one of Australia’s biggest carnivals. 

Melbourne Cup

Keeping on with the theme of top Australian races, this is the race described as “the race that stops a nation”, and although one of the richest races in the world, it has a slightly different format of being a Handicap contest. It is the richest two-mile Handicap in the world of horse racing and one of the richest turf races in Horse Racing. The Handicap means the ratings of the horse will decide how much weight the horse has to carry around when running. It’s a race that attracts plenty of support from Europe, and although European horses' winning record in the race is not the best, it makes for a very attractive task for anyone who wishes to tackle it. The day of the race has been a public holiday for much of Victoria since 1876, so that just goes to show the magnitude of how it is represented in Australia. It's safe to say that any race that is described as "the race that stops a nation" deserves a place in the top 10 races in the world! 

The Grand National   

There is no denying that the Grand National is one of the most well known races within the sport of horse racing and is one the most unique at that. Over 70,000 people attend the feature steeplechase at Aintree in April, with millions more watching the race on TV, bringing in viewers from all over the world. The highest profile winner of the race would be Red Rum, who won the race in 1973, 1974 and 1977, and was even a special guest on the 1977 BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Award. More money is bet on the National than any other British race, with around 13 million punters in the UK enjoying a flutter or two on the race, so it certainly deserves its place as one of the top horse races in the world. 

Dubai World Cup

The Dubai World Cup was created in 1996 by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum (the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai who owns Darley Stud & Godolphin Racing. Godolphin are one of the world's leading Thoroughbred breeding and racing operations, with their horses running in the famous all-blue coloured silks. The Dubai World Cup is held on the last Saturday in March as the final race of the Dubai World Cup Night. The Group 1 flat race on dirt is run over a distance of 10 furlongs (2,000 metres), and is officially the world's richest horse race, with a purse of $12 million. The race has been dominated by Saeed Bin Suroor, who has trained some of Godolphin's biggest talents, and with a total of 9 winners to his name, his record for most winners isn't likely to be broken any time soon!

Kentucky Derby

The Kentucky Derby is one of the most anticipated races in the United States, and is one race that all US trainers, owners and jockeys dream of winning at least once in their careers. Held annually on the first Saturday in May, the Derby is the first leg of the US Triple Crown. The race is known as "The Run for the Roses", as the winning horse is draped in a blanket of roses when enjoying the winning parade after the race has finished. Lasting approximately two minutes, the Derby has been alternately called "The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports", "The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports", or "The Greatest Two Minutes in Sports". The Kentucky Derby is the most-watched and most-attended horse race in the United States. The 2024 Kentucky Derby, won by Mystik Dan, marked the 150th running of the race. Out of the 150 running of the race, only 13 horses have managed to win the US Triple Crown (A horse that has won the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in one season), highlighting how tough it is to land all three prizes.

Japan Cup

The Japan Cup is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world and is the biggest race held in Japan. Contested on the last Sunday of November at Tokyo Racecourse over a distance of 1 mile 4 furlongs (around 2400 metres) in total, it is one of the richest races in the world, with a total prize pot of around $8.3 million (¥1,085 million). Despite a relatively short history, the race has established itself as an international contest with winners from Japan, North America, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, France, Germany and Italy. Along with the Prix de L'Arc de Triomphe, Melbourne Cup and the Breeders Cup, the race ranks as one of the great end-of-year events. 

Breeders Cup Classic

The late autumn months brings one of the biggest international festivals in the sport, and arguably the biggest to take place in the United States, with the annual edition of the Breeders’ Cup World Championship. Headlining the racing action is the Grade 1 Breeders Cup Classic, a dirt contest held over 1 mile 2 furlongs. Although not as famous as the Kentucky Derby, this is the classiest US contest of all, in terms of the quality of horses on show. The Classic is considered by many to be the premier thoroughbred horse race of the year in the United States, with the 2024 rewewal seeing the winner Sierra Leone taking home over $4.4 million. As it is raced on the dirt, we don’t tend to see many European runners due to the nature of the surface, with the US horses dominating in the race, due to their familiarity with the underfoot conditions. 

Saudi Cup

The Saudi Cup is an international horse race held annually at the end of February at King Abdulaziz Racetrack in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. It is the richest horse race ever held, with an incredible $20 million purse, making it the most lucrative event in horse racing. The race is held four weeks after the $3 million Pegasus World Cup at Gulfstream Park, Florida, and four weeks before the $12 million Dubai World Cup at Meydan Racecourse, Dubai, making it possible for horses in those races to compete. With so much money up for grabs to the winner, it's easy to see why it's considered one of the top races in horse racing. 

Horse racing is one of the UK's oldest and most beloved sports, with a deep history spanning centuries. Among the many prestigious races held throughout the year, there are plenty that stand out for their tradition, prestige, and ability to capture the imagination of both fans and bettors alike. From the grandeur of the Royal Ascot to the excitement of the Grand National, these races represent the pinnacle of British racing. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the top five races in the UK, exploring their unique characteristics, history, and what makes them unmissable events on the racing calendar.

The Grand National (Aintree)

The Grand National does split opinions in the modern day, but there is no denying it is one of the most well-known races within the sport of horse racing and is probably the most unique at that. It’s a race that even the non-avid racing fan knows and plays host to plenty of sweepstakes within the workplace or families. 

Over 70,000 people attend the feature steeplechase at Aintree in April, and it gains millions of views on TV, with viewers from all over the world, let alone just in the UK. It is a huge spectacle within the sport, and is one that we need to protect at all costs. The most well-known winner of the race would be Red Rum, who won the race an incredible three times (1973, 1974 and 1977) - he was so famous, he was even a special guest on the 1977 BBC Sports Personality Of The Year Award!

The Grand National is a unique test that only the most hardy horses can complete, as they run over a marathon distance of four and a quarter miles, jumping 30 spruce fences in the process. It obviously takes quite a bit of skill to navigate the fences, but runners will also need an element of luck as other runners can cause chaos throughout. There is no other race like it, and it is a real spectacle to watch. More money is bet on the National than any other British race, with around 13 million punters in the UK enjoying a flutter or two on the race, and for quite a few it will be their only bets of the year.  

Derby (Epsom Downs)

You could argue this race has ever so slightly lost it’s sparkle in recent years, but for many within the sport it is still the pinnacle of the flat season, and is the main British classic contest of the year (Classic races are races throughout the year for three-year-old horses, other races are the 2000 & 1000 Guineas, Oaks at Epsom and St Leger). It is also widely considered the most famous flat race in the world of horse racing, and has been won by some of the very best the sport has ever seen in terms of flat horses, including the likes of Nijinksy, Galileo and Sea The Stars to just name a few of the many top class horses to have landed the contest.

Epsom is well known for being a unique, undulating style of track and is considered to be a huge test for the horse and jockey, due to the famous camber. The back straight features a significant climb, where the runners have to negotiate the sharp turn of Tattenham Corner, before coming back downhill in the home straight. The Derby has inspired versions all over the world, with most countries that have horse racing starting their own versions of the race, but this is the original that has been run since 1870 and is without a doubt in the top five races in the UK.   

Cheltenham Gold Cup (Cheltenham)

The blue riband contest for National Hunt racing, the Cheltenham Gold Cup can’t be touched in terms of stature of the race and is one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the whole Jumps season. Like all of these races in the list, the Cheltenham Gold Cup has seen its fair share of incredible horses to have won the race, as well as enthralling battles throughout the years. 

A 3 mile 2 furlong trip around Cheltenham for the steeplechasers, it is the most valuable Jumps race other than the Grand National, with more than half a million pounds up for grabs for the eventual winners, on top of earning the coveted prize of being a Gold Cup winner. The race has always been a glittering contest, but in recent years, we have seen a real growth from the race to become arguably the most eagerly anticipated contest of the whole jumps season, and one that all jumps racing fans can’t wait to see unfold as the season progresses. 

Horses that win the Gold Cup become household names within the sport, and the list of past winners features many of the great names of the jumping scene. Top of the list is Golden Miller, who won the race on 5 different occasions (to put into perspective how good that feat is, no other horse has won more than 3 Gold Cups in their lifetime), while Arkle, who is considered the best jumps horse ever in terms of ratings. Best Mate is another household name who captured many hearts for his toughness, along with Kauto Star, who was a real fan favourite for his classy performances on many different occasions. It’s the race that every Jumps trainer, jockey and owner wants to win in their careers, and if you can win it more than once, that is a real blessing. This is without a doubt a race that is firmly in the top fives races held in the UK.   

Ascot Gold Cup (Ascot)

Behind the Derby at Epsom, the Ascot Gold Cup is certainly the most prestigious contest of the turf season. A two-and-a-half mile contest for the flat, staying horses, it is a real war of attrition for the “speedier” flat horses, that has been won by some fan favourites of horse racing in years gone by. The Ascot Gold Cup is the longest flat Group race in the world and is most certainly the highlight of Royal Ascot, which takes part every year in June. 2013 was an incredible year for the race, as Queen Elizabeth II's horse Estimate battled on incredibly hard to land the feature prize. It was an incredible moment for the sport, and it was fantastic to see the joy on her majesty's face when Estimate crossed the line in front.

One of the most famous winners of the Ascot Gold Cup is Yeats, who won the prize four times in a row between 2006 and 2009. More recently, we have seen the likes of Stradivarius, who won the race on three different occasions but unfortunately came up short in his bid to equal Yeats’ record in 2022. More recently, Kyprios has won the race on two occasions and will no doubt be back next year to try and make it three. 

King George VI Chase (Kempton Park)

Aside from the Cheltenham Festival and the Grand National, we have the King George VI Chase at Kempton which is probably the most prestigious race before the turn of the year. The feature Grade 1 contest of the day on Boxing Day, many, if not all, racing fans can’t wait year in and year out to watch the race unfold, as it is the perfect excuse to fill yourself up on Christmas leftovers and watch some top-class racing. The King George is accompanied by other brilliant races, but ultimately all eyes will firmly be on the King George. 

Run over three miles, with the runners jumping 18 fences on the way round, it has taken place at Kempton Park on Boxing Day since 1937. Some of the biggest names in the sport have their name on the trophy, notably Desert Orchid, who won it four times in 1986, 1988, 1989 and 1990. 

His record was topped by the Paul Nicholls-trained Kauto Star who managed an incredible five successes in 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009 and 2011. Paul Nicholls is the leading trainer in the history of the King George, winning the race an astonishing 12 times, with the closest number in behind being just 5, so it is clear to see this is a race Paul Nicholls very much targets with his best horses.