Cheltenham Festival Top Jockeys: Barry Geraghty
To be the Cheltenham Festival Top Jockey is a highly coveted achievement for any rider. Currently the champion is Ruby Walsh who has achieved this on a total of four occasions and although he is again the favourite to claim it this year, another jockey who might pull it off is Barry Geraghty.
Like Ruby Walsh, Barry Geraghty is also an Irish jockey. He was born in 1979, the same year as Ruby Walsh, in County Meath in Ireland. He too was born into a horse racing family. His grandfather was the owner of Golden Miller, a horse that won the Cheltenham Gold Cup for five years in succession between 1932 and 1936. His father was also an amateur jockey.
He rode his first winner when he was eighteen years old and when he was twenty one he became the Irish Champion Jump Jockey.
Riding Monty’s Pass, he won the 2003 Grand National. In the same year he enjoyed considerable success in the Cheltenham Festival where he won five races to become the 2003 Festival Top Jockey. He was the first jockey to win all the Festival feature races: Champion Hurdle, the Queen Mother Champion Chase, the World Hurdle and the Cheltenham Gold Cup.
He has not always avoided criticism however and on one notorious occasion he had to endure the wrath of the public and the media. That was in 2009 at Wetherby. He had previously achieved 999 wins, and he should have taken his thousandth but it was not to be.
There was a lot of money on him doing this in the Mares Hurdle in which he was riding the favourite My Petra. In the lead after the final hurdle he had only the finishing straight in front of him but instead of taking it he went the wrong way. He claimed that the sun had blinded him.
The crowd hissed and booed him; he received a twelve day ban from the stewards and some very unkind words were written by the press.
A Sensible Approach to Betting on Horse Racing
Horse racing is without doubt an enjoyable sports’ to watch, especially if you have money riding on one of the horses. There is nothing more satisfying that backing a winner and reaping in a sizeable reward. However, most of the time this is not the case and knowing how to handle loss is incredibly important if you want to stay on top.
The first thing you need to do when indulging in horse race betting is to devise yourself a budget and stick to it. This is extremely important and you need to drill it into yourself in order to stay disciplined. It is all too easy to dig deeper into your pockets for the sake of chasing the hope of a win following an unlucky streak. This is not the answer and certainly not an option as it will only lead to more problems including the stress of being out of pocket or even worse in debt.
Knowing when to stop is fundamental and even when you win you should try to learn how to keep hold on your winnings and use it for the next time you bet. Of course the betting sites would want you to do otherwise as for them it is all about making a profit at your expense.
Although there are many winning strategies out there, there is not a single one which comes with any concrete guarantees. Obviously the more you bet the more likely you are to win but this should be done over a period of time and not all in one go. Being a winner at the races does not always mean taking home a tidy sum. Sometimes you have to cut your losses in order to stay on top and by sticking to you budget you will have done just that.
Online Horse race Betting Attracts a Wider Range of Punter
Traditionally betting on the horses was a sport best left to the men and for years race courses as well as land based book makers were reserved for men only. Nowadays things have changed and with online betting readily available the range in punters has become much more varied. Today you will find that placing a bet on the races is increasingly popular amongst women particularly the larger racing venues such as the Grand National.
What is more the typical horse racing jargon has been made much simpler and with so many online betting sites now providing user friendly software it is practically fool proof when it comes to placing a wager. Accessibility has also been a contributing factor in the growth of horse race popularity, along with convenience and an element of fun. Unlike land based bookies you can place a bet online any time you fancy and without the need to leave or stand in a queue.
The main factor which continues to entice people into the world of horse racing is that of winning. The more you bet the more you will learn and the more likely you will have a chance of winning. Understanding how the system works and following the progress of the horses, jockeys and trainers are great ways to broaden your knowledge and help you pick out a winner.
However, if you prefer to keep to the fun side of horse racing you might prefer to back your winning prediction based on the horses name or the odds that it has stacked by the side of it. Either way you choose to play the main thing is to enjoy yourself and hope that luck is on your side.
Understanding Horse Racing Bets
Understanding horse racing bets can be something of a dilemma, particularly if you are something of a novice. There are many different types of bets you can do ranging from a first place winner only to an each-way bet which pays out if your horse comes finishes amongst the top four. Some bookies even pay out for a fifth place but this is something you need to check before going ahead with your bet.
There is always a minimum amount you are permitted to bet and this is usually set at one pound. Naturally the more you stake the higher the rewards should you back a winner but when starting out it is always advisable to keep your investments at a minimum. A good idea is to take advantage of any online betting sites that offer free bets. This way you can try out your luck without being out of pocket whilst at the same time possibly earning a small return. Free bets are usually subject to a specific race or time limit so if you are entitled to any freebies it is a wise option to use them straight away.
All reputable racing sites will provide information regarding the betting structure and how the odds are established. Information about the race courses, the horses running, their trainers and jockeys is also made available. But even if you have no idea what it is all about the betting sites are designed to be user friendly. There is a step by step guide to placing a bet and the terms and condition pages explain what you need to do when it comes to collecting a win.
Online Horse Racing Guides
The world of horse racing has taken on a new look not to mention gained an increase in interest. This is all due to the ability to bet online along with the simplicity and convenience of performing an online betting transaction. Betting on horse races, just like any other form of betting, brings with it an element of amusement and profitability. All you need is access to the Internet and a basic understanding of how the system works.
Just about all betting sites that offer horse racing bets provide guides explaining all you need to know about placing a wager. Even those who are totally inexperienced can find their way around an online betting site and successfully place a bet on a horse they pick out based on the given information.
Lists of race courses and dates and times of races are provided and the odds are updated and submitted on a regular basis. All explanations are given pertaining to the types of bets you can place along with the payout structure. Some sites even have a calculator will allows you to work out what you have won based on the amount you invested and the odds stacked on the horse you chose.
Sign up to a betting site is generally free and many horse racing sites will entice you in with a free bet for your first visit. Competition is string amongst online betting sites so it is always a good idea to scout through the sites and find the ones which offer the better deals.
Backing a Winner at the Grand National Online
Each year there are 40 runners in the Grand National and despite the odds there is always a chance that the winner might be a long shot. The Grand National, held at Aintree’s National Course is the most famous horse race of all and pulls in not only a huge audience but also an astonishing amount of money at the bookies.
One of the easiest ways to back a winner at the Grand National is to do it online. With so many betting sites to choose from you have the added comfort of being able to study the horses from your own home. Information is provided about each horse regarding its pedigree, origin, previous races and results, trainer and jockeys. Although the majority of us tend to pick out a horse from the sound of its name alone, there are of course other factors which can influence our choice.
Because of the nature of the Grand National even the horses stacked as favourites to win could fall at the first hurdle or the very last one before the straight run home. It is not impossible for an outsider to win the race and this years’ Grand National proved this to be the case with Mon Mome coming in to win with odds at 100-1.
Naturally the higher the odds the less likely the horse is predicted to win but this strategy is not exactly foolproof. Odds are established based on the previous success of the horse, its age and of course its overall condition and running performance. How you choose to pick out your winner is entirely up to you and it really is an open race. The main thing is to enjoy the experience and if you do have lady luck on your side benefit from a nice little earner.
Online Horse Racing Bets
Horse racing bets dominate the bookies on a daily basis and there are races taking place each and every day. When it comes to online betting there are literally hundreds of betting sites to choose from, particularly when it comes to back a horse. Most online bookies have a free sign up facility but you may be required to pay deposit if you wish to receive weekly updated information regarding fixtures via email.
The majority of betting sites offer wagers for horse races be they flat races or steeple chases, such as the famous Grand National. They also provide betting tips and explain what each type of bet means and how it functions. You can also read up on how the odds are formed along with any other relevant information the website may provide.
Backing your favourite horse inline couldn’t be easier and it far more convenient than the land based betting offices which have limited opening hours and dreaded queues. By opting to place your bets online you can take your time when it comes to selecting your winner and when it comes to placing your bet you can literally log in and do it at a time that suits you best.
Horse racing is of course all about picking out the winner and making a nice little return on your investment; however it doesn’t always go in your favour. Knowing how to limit yourself to a monthly or even weekly budget can save you a lot of unnecessary stress in the long term and stop you from digging yourself into possible financial dire straits. Placing a bet is meant to be enjoyed and the only way to have fun is to discipline yourself and learn the basics.
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