By Rob Knight
It’s official – betting on a horse because of its name DOES work, according to UK punters.
Researchers polled 1,000 UK adults who enjoy a flutter and found the tactic of placing a wager on a horse due to its moniker is more successful than jersey colour and jockey name.
As a result of adopting this strategy those polled said the most they have won from a single bet was £32.17 on average.
This was ahead of wagers placed on jersey colour – £21.15, name of the jockey – £24.67 and selecting a horse at random – £28.82.
Commissioned by freebetting.co.uk, the research found 50 per cent usually select a horse based entirely on what it’s called.
Andy Bell, spokesman for freebetting.co.uk, said: “Part of the fun of having a flutter on the horses is studying the form guide and giving yourself the best possible chance of winning.
“But every now and then a horse takes our fancy for another reason, either by having a witty name or being named after something close to us.
“This could be either sharing our own name, or having a name that reminds us of a family member, loved one or even a pet.”
The research also identified other methods commonly used by punters when choosing a horse – including the name of the jockey and whether the number of the horse has personal significance.
One fifth have at one time or another selected a horse based on whether the jockey was good-looking and three in 10 have made a choice based on jersey colour.
It also emerged 22 per cent make a point of studying a horse’s form before having a flutter.
However 56 per cent said they have more fun betting on a race if they pick a horse based on attributes such as colour, name or number – rather than recent form.
Amid this, the most popular horse number selected is seven – with 25 per cent typically plumping for this digit.
When it comes to choosing a horse based on its name, 30 per cent are more likely to select a funny name.
And 16 per cent will pick a name which simply ‘sounds like a winner’.
Carried out through OnePoll.com, the research also found around one fifth have let their kids pick a horse to place a stake on – and an incredible 82 per cent have won money as a result.
Typically, those polled will place 10 bets over the course of a year – and will usually wager no more than £10.55.
Andy Bell added: “Many people have great success offering tips on which horses are likely to place where on any given race.
“But it seems for a large portion of gamblers, that takes the fun out of it – and it’s much more enjoyable to support a horse or jockey you feel a personal connection with.
“And while this may be more fun, it may not lead to more winnings – so we’d advise a mixture of both, and of course to be cautious when gambling at all not to take things too far.”
AVERAGE BIGGEST WIN USING THE FOLLOWING METHODS:
• Name of horse – £32.17
• Totally at random – £28.28
• Name of Jockey – £24.67
• Colour of the horse – £23.28
• Whether the jockey is good-looking – £22.20
• Number of horse having personal significance – £21.93
• You or someone you know having the same name as the trainer – £21.86
• You or someone you know having the same name as the jockey – £21.79
• You or someone you know having the same name as the horse – £21.69
• Jockey’s jersey colour – £21.15
To see the survey results in full, click here [https://freebetting.co.uk/horses-for-courses/] ENDS
