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Beginner guide to the internet
Introduction
A day at the races in Ireland is filled with excitement
and "craic". Whether it's a Flat or a National
Hunt fixture, or a combination of the two, Horseracing
in Ireland has everything that will provide you, your
friends and your family with a wonderful day.
Times of Races
Mid-February to end-October:
First Race: 2.00-2.30pm
Last Race: 5.00-5.30pm
End-October to mid-February:
First Race:12.45-1.30pm
Last Race: 3.45-4.30pm
Evening Meetings (May to early Sept):
First Race:5.00-6.00pm
Last Race: 8.00-8.45pm
Transport
A special bus service from Dublin (Busaras) is operated
on racedays to Leopardstown Racecourse (Dublin Bus - Tel:
(01) 873 4222)and to Bellewstown, Curragh, Fairyhouse,
Naas, and Punchestown Racecourses (Bus Eireann - Tel:
(01) 836 6111).
Irish Rail operates a train service on racedays to the
Curragh with a combined admission ticket Irish Rail -
Tel (01) 8366222-
Flat
Ireland's association with the thoroughbred horse is as
old as the thoroughbred itself. When it comes to breeding
the thoroughbred racehorse, Ireland is a world leader.
The same may be said of Irish Flat racing. The Curragh
in County Kildare is the home of flat racing in Ireland
and is the venue for all five Irish Classics.
Highlight of the Flat season that spans from March to
November is the Irish Budweiser Irish Derby, a race that
attracts the cream of European equine talent. This fabulous
day in late June is also firmly established as one of
the leading social occasions in Ireland.
National Hunt
National Hunt (NH) racing or simply "jump racing"
as it is referred to by many, takes place over hurdles
and fences virtually all year round. It is dominant from
November to the end of April, culminating with the 4 day
Punchestown Festival.
A vast number of horses bred for National Hunt are introduced
to racing for the first time at Point-to-Point meetings,
which take place throughout Ireland from January to the
end of May. Jump racing is littered with stars that emerged
from the Point-to-Point circuit.
The Parade Ring
Visit the parade Ring, or the paddock as it is sometimes
referred to, for a closer examination of each runner.
It's fun and is all part of a day at the races. Beauty
is in the eye of the beholder and race fitness in a horse
is easy to spot.
Generally the encouraging signs in a horse before the
race are a coat with a good sheen to it, an intelligent
and alert countenance, high head carriage with big ears
pointing slightly inwards, a well-muscled body and a springy
step.
A horse sweating up should not necessarily be dismissed
from calculations, as some racehorses run better when
they are on edge. Take the legendary Irish superstar Istabraq
for example, he sweated up on more than one occasion before
scooping a major prize.
A tidy, loose stride is ideal in a horse. A little jig-jogging
suggests that he is on good terms with himself but a horse
that will not be led round calmly is getting agitated
and wasting valuable nervous energy.
You should also take account of the equipment the horse
is wearing. It is commonly thought that the fitting of
blinkers suggests an ungenuine horse, but that is not
necessarily the case, so do not be put off if all the
other factors appear to be in his favour.
For those of you who want to take a few more variables
into the equation, try to watch each horse cantering down
to the start and have a good look at his action.
If the horse strides out well and in an easy flowing motion,
he is comfortable on the ground, whereas if he moves to
post scratchily he's not and is more than likely to be
even more unhappy at galloping speed.
Remember the most beautiful and sweetly moving horse in
the world doesn't pay the bills if it cannot run fast
enough. Horses make fools of the most ardent form student,
so the moral of the story is have fun and enjoy your day
at the races - come racing soon!
The Form
Form is simply information about a horse's past performances.
Facts such as the course, the going, weight carried, jockey,
distance of the race, distance between the horses at the
finish, and so on, are included in the racecard for each
runner.
Relating such information to each race, the form student
can work out which horse is most likely to win. Well,
that's the theory behind form!
Going
The "going" is the state of the ground. In Ireland
the going ranges from firm to heavy with many horses having
a stronger preference for a particular surface. It is
not necessarily the case that the soft ground specialist
will never win on firm, but the soft will obviously suit
him or her better.
Trainer & Jockey
Ask yourself have they been among the winners recently
- are they in form? A trainer out of form may indicate
something is amiss in the yard, but a jockey on the crest
of a wave will carry that vital extra ring of confidence
that could make the difference between victory and defeat.
Distance of the Race
Most horses have a suitable range of distances over which
they run. A horse running significantly out of that range
may not do himself justice because of lack of stamina
or lack of speed. Always check your selection has performed
well over the race distance.
Time
Although horses do not race against the clock, the time
of a race on similar ground can sometimes be significant
when measured against other rivals on a similar course
and with comparable conditions underfoot.
Course
The "horses for courses" theory must always
warrant respect when you go racing. Some horses perform
particularly well at certain courses and run up a sequence
of wins. So, if the racecard tells you the course suits
your selection, this can be a profitable indicator.
Weight
Has the horse a chance at the weights? Especially in handicaps,
you may compare previous runs when he clashed with some
of his rivals in the past.
Don't worry, if all this study of form is too strenuous
on the mind, you may always rely on the age-old system
of choosing your fancy by its name.
Backing Your Fancy
There are 2 ways of having a bet - on the Tote or with
a Bookmaker
With the Toe you select your horse by its number. Then
simply locate a Touch Tote Outlet or a Tote Window and
tell the operator the details of your bet starting with
the race number, amount of stake, type of bet and number
of the selected horse(s)
That's it! You are now ready to cheer your horse(s) home.
Detailed leaflets on the different type of bets on offer
are always available at Tote counters. If you have any
queries the Tote Customer Service Outlet located at every
racecourse will be happy to help you.
One of the big differences of having a bet on the Tote
is that at the moment of striking the bet you don't know
for sure what your return will be should you win, since
the final amount in the Tote pool will not be known until
the race has started. However, the Tote often pays a far
greater dividend.
The Bookmakers
Betting with the bookmakers is also very simple. They
are to be found in the "Betting ring" which
is another major attraction in itself at all Irish meetings.
Go into the betting ring and always "shop around"
by looking at the boards on which the different bookmakers
will be displaying their prices. Each bookmaker will advertise
the minimum stake he or she will accept and you will soon
find one happy to take even a very small bet.
Have your stake ready (having the right money helps),
find the bookmaker who is giving the biggest price on
your selection and strike the bet. State your stake followed
by the horse's name and price on offer.
If you win, return to the same bookmaker, present your
winning ticket and receive your winnings. It's that easy!
There is no tax on betting with the on-course bookmakers.
Glossary of Racing Terms
Allowance
Weight concession the horse is given to compensate for
its rider's inexperience. Starts at 7lbs, decreases to
5lbs and then 3lbs.
Amateur (rider)
On racecards their names are prefixed by Mr. Ms. Mrs.
etc, to indicate their amateur status.
Birthday
All horses, regardless of the month in which they were
born, become officially one year older on the 1st January
each year.
Bleeder
Horse which bleeds during or after a race due to a ruptured
blood vessel - "burst blood vessel".
Blinkers
A cup-shaped device which limits a horse's vision so as
to help focus it more on the job and to prevent it from
swerving from objects and other horses.
Bumper
A flat race for National Hunt horses between 2 miles -
2 miles 4 furlongs, primarily confined to amateur riders
on horses aged 4 years and upwards.
Classics
Group 1 races namely 1,000 Guineas, Derby, Oaks and St.
Leger.
Colours (of horses)
Most common in Ireland are: B = Bay, Br = Brown, Bl =
Black, Gr = Grey, Ch = Chestnut.
Colt
Male, ungelded horse aged up to 4 years old.
Draw
For Flat racing only, it describes a horse's position
in the starting stalls. At certain courses a good draw
can be a big advantage
Field
All the runners in a race - a large field/small field.
Filly
Female horse aged up to four years old
Furlong
220 yards (one eighth of a mile).
Handicap
Race in which the weights carried are framed by the handicapper
to give each horse an equal chance of winning.
Hurdle
A race in which horses aged 3 and upwards jump small obstacles
not less than 3 feet and 1 inch in height.
Lead
Lead weights carried in saddle pockets which make up the
difference between the jockey's weight and the allotted
weight the horse has to carry.
Length
Distance used by the judge when placing horses - usually
about 8 feet, the approximate length of a horse.
Maiden
A horse that has not won a race - a race for non-winners
Mare
Female horse aged 5 years and over.
Off the bridle
Describes a horse going well within himself.
Run Free
Describes a horse going too fast, usually early in the
race, to allow it to settle.
Silks / Colours
Jacket and cap worn by the jockey to designate the owner
of the horse.
Steeplechase
A race in which horses jump over a series of fences on
the course - also known as a "chase".
Stewards Enquiry
Enquiry by the stewards into the running of a race.
Tongue-strap
Strip of cloth-type material used to stabilise a horse's
tongue to prevent it from "choking down" during
a race.
Weigh Out / Weigh In
Weighing of jockey and saddle before and after a race
to ensure that the correct weight has been carried.
Winner All Right / Weighed-in
The announcement "Winner all Right" / "Weighed-in"
signals that the result is official. Hopefully you will
be off to collect your winnings after you hear this.
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