If you’re a fan of the races, you’ll no doubt be familiar with the term ‘show in horse racing’. Essentially, it refers to wagering on the results of horse races where the bettors show up to watch the event. Typically, the betting action is pretty high, with bookmakers favoring the odds on the favorite, as well as offering large wagers on the early running horses in the hope of getting a payout if one of their selected horses triumphs. While there’s nothing technically illegal about showing in a horse race, the practice is certainly not encouraged by the governing bodies of equestrian sports.
Why do people show up to these races? Is it for the sport? The competition? The atmosphere? Let’s take a quick look at each of these reasons.
For The Sport
Horse racing is a truly international sport, with large numbers of participants from all over the world. Thanks to the unique ability of the sport to be broadcast live around the globe, sports fans have the opportunity to get in on the action from anywhere. Perhaps one of the biggest draws of showing in a horse race is that fans can place bets while following the event (known as parlaying). This provides a level of excitement not seen before in other sporting events, with the possibility of ending up on the winning team creating a truly unique atmosphere. However, this also depends on the country you’re in. In some countries, fans cannot place bets on horse races. For these fans, following the event and trying to pick up on any betting odds might be the only option available.
For The Competition
For those who participate in horse racing, it’s essential to recognize that achieving a certain position is all about the competition. Just because your horse is performing well does not mean that they’re gonna win this year’s edition of the Kentucky Derby. That’s a completely different matter. For instance, if you’ve been following the sport for years and your favorite horse has always finished in last place, you might be inclined to believe that this year will be no different.
Horse racing is often described as a ‘friendly competition’, with competitors actually trying to beat each other rather than trying to beat the odds. This is why many bookmakers actually post favorable odds for underdogs, hoping to generate some interest from the community. Even if your horse ends up losing, the competition certainly helps keep things interesting and can even produce some exciting finishes.
For The Atmosphere
For those who participate in horse races, the atmosphere is undoubtedly one of the biggest draws. Just like any other sport, there are certain times of the year when the races are more exciting to watch than others. For those who participate in this sport on a regular basis, this excitement is transmitted through the betting sheets and the vibe in the stands. Even for those who’ve never participated in the sport before, the atmosphere is often enough to make them want to try it out.
Aside from the oddities and quirks associated with any given sport, there’s also the factor of the sociability. It’s often said that people who participate in sporting events are more likely to meet new people and make new connections. So even if you have no intention of placing a wager, it’s likely that you’ll still leave the venue having made new friends.
What Is It?
As mentioned, showing in a horse race is not technically illegal, but it certainly is not promoted by the industry. In most cases, the organizers of the event will ask participants not to show up in order to keep things clean. However, on rare occasions, people have gotten away with it (mostly at the legal stateside). Essentially, showing in a horse race is simply wagering on the outcome of a horse race where participants show up to bet on the horses. In most places, this is considered a form of illegal collusion; however, it is still not considered cheating because the participants are trying to beat the odds rather than taking advantage of someone else.
Participating in horse races is a truly international pastime, with fans able to follow the action from anywhere. While there are many wonderful aspects to this sport, it’s important to remember that this is still a form of competition and oftentimes the favorite will come in first place. This is why fans might want to keep their eyes open for any betting odds as they come in, just in case they can make a profit by placing a bet on a favored horse.