As the weather improves in the northern hemisphere and we are entering the middle of spring, the age-old sport of horse racing is getting in season. With the best and most popular races taking place in the next months, it is the best time of year to get involved in it, analyze, and start predicting the results. The sport has always managed to draw a ton of attention. Rarely does an activity survive for so long, literal thousands of years, as racing on horses has been around in some way, shape, or form since the earliest examples of modern civilization.

In the modern day and age, it is a very eich and fabulous sport reserved mostly for the upper class, considering the amount of resources and time that breeding, raising, training, and keeping race horses requires. Jockeys are also difficult to train, and the best of the best are usually already taken and signed. As competitive as it is, the sport also garners a huge following of sports wagering enthusiasts who frequently bet on horse racing apart from their other favorite sports. A great thing about it is that you can do it regardless of how familiar you are, since there is a plethora of fun bets to try out. 

In this article, among other things, we focus on betting on sports but also dive into the online sportsbook Stake, appointing Frankie Dettori, the legendary jockey himself, as a global horse racing ambassador. Read on to learn more about what this partnership means for the sport and the betting side of things, and check out some of the latest odds and predictions on the upcoming races from around the world. 

Stake and Dettori Partnership

Stake is known for their amazing partnerships, sponsorships, and collaboration, and one of their latest deals is with the legend of yet another sport, horse racing, as they made none other than Frankie Dettori their global ambassador. His CV rivals anybody else in the sport, so signing him as the first-ever Global Racing Ambassador is truly an important move for the online casino and sportsbook. The fact that he is now a partner of Stake means that the sport and the platform will gain a lot more recognition around the world, thanks to an icon of a whole sport known everywhere being associated with them. Despite being in his later riding years, his hunger for prizes and wins remains, and the sportsbook is excited to have him as a part of their team on his way to increasing his legend ever further. 

Frankie Dettori is a natural-born showman, a charismatic, larger-than-life figure, who lights up every room he walks into. Therefore, he is perfect for what Stake’s horse racing audience needs, a fun guy as well as one of the most knowledgeable people who can give them sound advice and honest predictions that will come true more often than not. His insights into the races in the coming years will be valuable data for any fan of horse race betting, since nobody knows the sport better than him. He has been there, he has won them, he has lived the life. So, who else better to listen to for advice than the GOAT? 

If you are a fan of the sport who frequently bets, the fact that Frankie Dettori becomes Stake’s ambassador should be the biggest news in years, as the sport will only get better from now on. Commenting on this development, he revealed that he is “really excited to be working with Stake and to be part of such an exciting team.” He said that the platform is a “hugely recognisable name within sport and [that they] work with some of the biggest and most exciting athletes and teams,” adding he is “looking forward to coming onboard and seeing what is next.” We all are, as through him, the fans can gain a lot of insight and improve their betting decisions since there will now be frequent interviews and commentaries before most big races and events in the sport. 

Who is Frankie Dettori?

Frankie Dettori is one of the most famous and successful jockeys in the history of horse racing. Born Lanfranco Dettori on December 15, 1970, in Milan, Italy, he is a legend of the sport known far and wide for his exceptional riding skills, charismatic personality, and the iconic flying dismount celebration after victories. He has over 500 group race wins, including the Epsom Derby, Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, Breeders’ Cup, and Dubai World Cup. 

Ascot Racecourse is where he made his name, as he won all seven races on a single card in 1996, the iconic “Magnificent Seven” feat. This incredible performance earned him a statue, his achievements being honored with one at Ascot. The odds of doing that were 25000/1, and it instantly made him a household name almost 30 years ago. Dettori earned an MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) in 2000, still rides in his 50s, and frequents documentaries, talk shows, and reality TV. He is widely considered the greatest jockey of all time. 

Upcoming Horse Racing Odds

So, what races are on the calendar in the next days and weeks, and which of them are the best for some intriguing wagering? As always, Stake has you covered with the best odds. Today, May 13, and tomorrow, May 14, there are countless races across the continents, with Japan, South Africa, the  United Kingdom, and Australia leading the way with the number of races to focus on. These events have up to 12 different races to focus on, starting within 30 minutes of each other. Whatever you pick, there are favorites and underdogs to focus on, like with the Worcester event in the UK. From handicaps and hurdles to places and multi-races, there is so much to choose from, so make sure you tune in and try out your luck. 

How to Bet on Horse Racing: Bets to Know About

Horse racing bets can be split into three distinct groups: straight (basic), exotic, and multi-race bets. They range in difficulty, odds, and how and when they are typically played. For the newcomers to the sport, straight bets are the most straightforward and easiest to understand and play. They involve wagering on a single horse in a single race and therefore represent the perfect place to start for anyone learning the ropes. The most basic of these is the win bet, where you bet that your chosen horse will finish in first place. It is the highest payout among straight bets because it is hardest to win, since there are no exceptions, and the horse has to cross the line first.

There is also the place bet where you wager on your horse to finish in either the first or second place. Since it has two chances to come through, win or be second, the odds of winning are higher than with the win bet, so the payout is lower. Go one step further, and you get the show bet, an even safer option. This bet pays out if the horse you chose finished first, second, or third. Showing means ending up on the podium, so coming in any of the first three places. The chances are the highest out of the three mentioned bets, but the returns are rather modest. If you are not a risk-taking bettor and want to get acquainted with racing, this may be a good way to start.

Exotic bets are for those somewhat familiar with the sport and the betting surrounding it, and want to make the next logical step. They involve betting on multiple horses in a single race or across multiple races. Therefore, they are more challenging and offer the potential for larger payouts. The exacta bet is the most popular and involves picking the horses that will finish first and second in that order. It is very difficult to get right and pays a lot, simply because the order matters. If that sounds too tough for you at times, the quinella bet may be better as it is more forgiving. It is the same as the exacta, but the order does not matter, i.e., the horses can come in first and second, but regardless of which is which. 

Those dealt with the first two spots, whereas the trifecta bet encompasses the first three. In it, you bet on the exact order of three horses coming first, second, and third. The difficulty increases significantly, and the payoff is amazing if you manage to win it. The superfecta raises things through the roof and adds the fourth horse. Here, even a small wager can yield a substantial payout because of the long odds. Both for the trifecta and the superfecta, there are options to pick three and four horses, respectively, but not in the exact order, reducing the risk and the payout while getting better chances. 

Finally, there are multi-race bets, an exciting category which involves picking winners across several consecutive races. These are popular with seasoned bettors and often offer large payouts. The Daily Double is the simplest of the multi-race wagers. To win, you must select the winners of two consecutive races, typically the first two or the last two on a race card. While not as difficult as longer multi-race bets, it still requires skill and insight into multiple races.

More complex variations include the Pick 3, Pick 4, Pick 5, and Pick 6. As the names suggest, these bets involve selecting the winners of 3, 4, 5, or 6 consecutive races, respectively. They are very challenging and generally require a deep knowledge of the horses, jockeys, and race conditions, as well as historical data. However, they can offer life-changing payouts, especially when underdogs or long shots win some of the legs. It is not that uncommon for Pick 6 payouts to reach into the tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Horse Racing FAQ

1. What is the difference between a thoroughbred and other horse breeds in racing?
Due to their speed and agility, thoroughbreds are the most common breed used in flat racing. Other breeds, like standardbreds, are typically used in harness racing.

2. How long is a typical horse race?
Race lengths vary, but most flat races range from 5 furlongs, five eighths of a mile, to 2 miles. The Kentucky Derby, for example, is 1 and a quarter miles long.

3. What does it mean when a horse is a “favorite”?
The “favorite” is the horse with the lowest betting odds, meaning bettors and bookmakers expect it to win. It is exactly the same as the favorite in any other sport. 

4. How are racehorses named?
Owners submit name choices to a governing body, like The Jockey Club in the USA, with special rules that include an 18-character limit, no profanity, and no recent famous names.

5. What is the Triple Crown in horse racing?
It refers to a horse winning the Kentucky Derby, Preakness Stakes, and Belmont Stakes in the same year, a very rare and prestigious achievement.

6. Can female horses race against males?
Yes. Fillies (young females) and mares (older females) often race against colts and geldings, though many races are gender-specific to make it fairer. 

7. What does “breaking from the gate” mean?
It refers to the horse’s start from the starting gate. A good “break” means the horse started cleanly and quickly, which is crucial in sprint races as it gains a lot of ground quickly.

8. How do jockeys control such powerful animals?
Jockeys control horses through training, balance, reins, and voice cues. They also develop a rapport with horses, a deep bond that helps guide pace and positioning.

9. What is a “handicap race”?
In a handicap race, horses carry different weights based on past performance to level the playing field and increase competition.

10. Is horse racing dangerous for the horses and jockeys?
While safety has improved with modern veterinary care and track standards, injuries still occur. Protective gear and strict medication rules help reduce risks, but so do certain moves and techniques for overcoming tracks and their conditions.