Business

How To Spot A Winning Horse

While there may be an element of luck to choosing a winner in a horse race, doing your homework can also give you a better chance.

(Taylor Sondgeroth / Unsplash)

In Partnership with: AR MARKETING & MEDIA SLU | March 4, 2025

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you're listening to an article from horse sport.com. how to spot a winning horse in partnership with: ar marketing & media slu. the first thing to know about picking a winner in horseracing is that there is no such thing as a sure thing. however, there are ways to mitigate risk and the more you know, the better chance you will have of picking a winner. the advice below should help you identify the horses with the best potential when you consider all the information, but even these have their weak points when you consider external factors such as the risk of injury or interference from other riders. the top tips to help you pick a winner. while there may be an element of luck to choosing a winner in a horse race, doing your homework can also give you a better chance. there are a lot of factors to consider, and this can be time consuming, but it is well worth the effort when you identify the best options. advertisement scroll to continue with content look at the odds. first and foremost, there is a reason that bookmakers are in business. the odds they offer on a race are typically well researched and give you the best indication of favorites. that being said, odds can vary between operators and finding the best odds for your chosen horse will be in your best interest. you don’t always have to fancy the winner of a race either, and placing an each way bet on a long shot can sometimes offer better returns than backing the winner. online betting sites make it easy to compare odds between operators to help you determine which horses have the best chance in the eyes of the bookmaker. you can also find better odds for your selection and the best crypto horse racing betting sites typically offer incentives that can increase odds, stakes, or match deposits, which will help your bet. how relaxed is the horse? if you are lucky enough to be at the race track, you might have an advantage over other bettors as you will be able to see the horse and determine whether you think it looks relaxed and comfortable. edgy or sweaty horses run the risk of having already exerted a lot of energy, and finding a horse that seems at ease could be beneficial. identifying a healthy horse. another excellent way to run the rule over a horse is by checking how healthy it looks. a bright-eyed horse with a shiny coat will stand out as it’s paraded, and this is a good sign to look for. how muscle definition defines the horse. depending on the course, you might want a horse with well-defined muscles. if you are attending a jumps meeting, a muscular rump and hind legs are an important part of how well it will jump. racehorses that train for flat racing are more likely to be leaner and built for speed. consider the race, track, and conditions. the term ‘horses for courses’ means that some are better suited for a specific type of course of others and this is important to remember. the race type and distance will play a big part, as will other factors like the weather, ground conditions, and whether it is a right or left-handed track. while it is extremely useful to know how these factors will affect your horse, you should also consider how they will affect the field to determine your chances. form matters. the form refers to how a horse has performed in recent races. knowing the form of the field can be helpful as you can see whether a horse is gradually improving or losing momentum. this is not always the best way to judge a horse as one might be coming back from injury, but as part of a wider picture it is recommended to have an idea about the field’s form. conclusion. going with your gut, picking a lucky number, or choosing a name that means something to you can sometimes work out. however, long term horse race betting strategies require something a little more concrete than a strong feeling. researching a horse before a meeting and taking the time to check their condition will make a difference when betting on horses, but it requires a lot of time and attention to detail. &&>

The first thing to know about picking a winner in horseracing is that there is no such thing as a sure thing. However, there are ways to mitigate risk and the more you know, the better chance you will have of picking a winner.

The advice below should help you identify the horses with the best potential when you consider all the information, but even these have their weak points when you consider external factors such as the risk of injury or interference from other riders.

The Top Tips to Help You Pick a Winner

While there may be an element of luck to choosing a winner in a horse race, doing your homework can also give you a better chance. There are a lot of factors to consider, and this can be time consuming, but it is well worth the effort when you identify the best options.

Scroll to continue with content

Look at the Odds

First and foremost, there is a reason that bookmakers are in business. The odds they offer on a race are typically well researched and give you the best indication of favorites.

That being said, odds can vary between operators and finding the best odds for your chosen horse will be in your best interest. You don’t always have to fancy the winner of a race either, and placing an each way bet on a long shot can sometimes offer better returns than backing the winner.

Online betting sites make it easy to compare odds between operators to help you determine which horses have the best chance in the eyes of the bookmaker. You can also find better odds for your selection and the best crypto horse racing betting sites typically offer incentives that can increase odds, stakes, or match deposits, which will help your bet.

How Relaxed is the Horse?

If you are lucky enough to be at the race track, you might have an advantage over other bettors as you will be able to see the horse and determine whether you think it looks relaxed and comfortable. Edgy or sweaty horses run the risk of having already exerted a lot of energy, and finding a horse that seems at ease could be beneficial.

Identifying a Healthy Horse

Another excellent way to run the rule over a horse is by checking how healthy it looks. A bright-eyed horse with a shiny coat will stand out as it’s paraded, and this is a good sign to look for.

How Muscle Definition Defines the Horse

Depending on the course, you might want a horse with well-defined muscles. If you are attending a jumps meeting, a muscular rump and hind legs are an important part of how well it will jump. Racehorses that train for flat racing are more likely to be leaner and built for speed.

Consider the Race, Track, and Conditions

The term ‘horses for courses’ means that some are better suited for a specific type of course of others and this is important to remember. The race type and distance will play a big part, as will other factors like the weather, ground conditions, and whether it is a right or left-handed track.

While it is extremely useful to know how these factors will affect your horse, you should also consider how they will affect the field to determine your chances.

Form Matters

The form refers to how a horse has performed in recent races. Knowing the form of the field can be helpful as you can see whether a horse is gradually improving or losing momentum.

This is not always the best way to judge a horse as one might be coming back from injury, but as part of a wider picture it is recommended to have an idea about the field’s form.

Conclusion

Going with your gut, picking a lucky number, or choosing a name that means something to you can sometimes work out. However, long term horse race betting strategies require something a little more concrete than a strong feeling.

Researching a horse before a meeting and taking the time to check their condition will make a difference when betting on horses, but it requires a lot of time and attention to detail.