Is horse racing fixed then?

I certainly think some of it might be. Especially in some of the prestigious races in other countries. There are some very corrupt people out there including bookies. If it looked likely that a bookie for example could lose a large amount of money I wouldn't put it past them offering a bung to a jockey if they could get away with it.

Yeah no doubt about it - didn't see what happened with Fallon the other day as I don't pay much attention now that I don't work in a bookies. Some of the smaller races though especially at night meetings have some ridiculous betting patterns and results.

Just seen that Sean Fox has been accused of jumping from his ride now as well - rather him than me jumping of a horse at 30mph :)

It did look very suspect though didn't it? I mean, he has already passed the jump when he goes to the side of the horse and executes a perfect landing that any gymnast would be proud of. 10/10. :D

Having worked for a bookies, I can confirm that the sport is very corrupt, especially a lot of the smaller races. Tip lines work by bribing the jockeys, simple as that. Hence why if a bookie finds out you are part of a tip line, they will stop taking your bets.

Originally posted by Andy78
Having worked for a bookies, I can confirm that the sport is very corrupt, especially a lot of the smaller races. Tip lines work by bribing the jockeys, simple as that. Hence why if a bookie finds out you are part of a tip line, they will stop taking your bets.

Used to work for a bookies myself - in fact for some silly reason I've agreed to go and help them today for a few hours being Grand National Day and all (I left over 3 yrs ago so I must be daft) and I know a hell of a lot about tipsters due to people I know in various positions in the tipping industry. You're right it's as bent as they come - although the big races are usually left alone as it would attract far too much attention etc. The stories you hear are the sorts of ones that you could sit talking about in the pub all night while regularly falling off your chair laughing :)

Is the fact that racing is seen to be a little bit corrupt (or even a lot) what attracts a lot of people to gambling on it? sort of a little bit exciting, sort of being involved in something corrupt but its not really bad, or you're not going to get into trouble with the law for it.

Also, let's face it, watching horses run round a track isn't that interesting if you don't have any money on it

Originally posted by Yodameister
Is the fact that racing is seen to be a little bit corrupt (or even a lot) what attracts a lot of people to gambling on it? sort of a little bit exciting, sort of being involved in something corrupt but its not really bad, or you're not going to get into trouble with the law for it.

Also, let's face it, watching horses run round a track isn't that interesting if you don't have any money on it

I doubt it - from experience I can tell ya a lot of regular bookies punters would put money on two raindrops racing down a window. They enjoy the rush they get when there's a chance of winning - most of 'em aren't even that bothered about the money - win or lose they still get the rush and come back for more. For me personally it doesn't really do much and it's very, very rare I put money on anything including the lottery.

Originally posted by fnkysknky
I doubt it - from experience I can tell ya a lot of regular bookies punters would put money on two raindrops racing down a window. They enjoy the rush they get when there's a chance of winning - most of 'em aren't even that bothered about the money - win or lose they still get the rush and come back for more. For me personally it doesn't really do much and it's very, very rare I put money on anything including the lottery.

how true. gambling is a disease and knowing that the odds are stacked/fixed doesn't seem to deter them. everyone knows that fruit machines are rigged to payout very infrequently, but it doesn't stop everyone shoving loads of cash in them.

It always make me laugh when horse racing is referred to as a "sport".

It's no more a sport than a game of roulette when you think about it.

It's just a means for gambling. Nobody seems to care about times etc. It's solely about money and betting.

It's even less of a "sport" when the poor horses have to be destroyed after barbaric races like the Grand National.

Originally posted by mojoworking
It always make me laugh when horse racing is referred to as a "sport".

It's no more a sport than a game of roulette when you think about it.

It's just a means for gambling. Nobody seems to care about times etc. It's solely about money and betting.

It's even less of a "sport" when the poor horses have to be destroyed after barbaric races like the Grand National.

yes, i felt sorry for that poor old horse who fell at the last fence today and was too tired to even bother getting up. then the jockey of the second placed horse (one of the leaders up until the end who's horse was also tired out) had the cheek to say the horse enjoyed it.

I would assume it is!!

1 time i went betting and on 1 race someone bet ALOT OF $$$ on a certain horse to win (The wife of the jock) and i played that hunch and won big!!

I reckon they do this all the time.........