Although Kent isn’t known for its racecourses, the closure of Folkestone just over a decade ago ushered in a barren spell for horse breeders, trainers, and owners based in the county. Luckily, the whole dynamic of how horse racing fans can watch or get involved in the sport has changed dramatically since the dawn of the Internet. 

Unlike other nations, like the US and Australia, where the idea of a state losing all its racecourses would mean you’d have to travel hundreds of miles before you found another—there is a cluster of racecourses dotted about southeast England, all within an hour or two drive of central Kent. That said, the Internet has allowed horse racing communities throughout the UK and beyond to stay connected, and if you’re interested in getting involved, here are some of our top tips.

Explore Underlying Betting Markets

Horse racing is one of the main driving forces behind the growth of sports betting in the UK. Before the Internet brought together horse racing betting communities, bookmakers would set up stalls at local tracks and offer odds on races. However, these markets have taken on a new look over the last 20 years, with an array of live betting and in-play options allowing horse racing bettors to combine their wagers across multiple races and days. 

Few sports have such an intertwined connection with betting in the way horse racing does, which explains why the terminology for specific bets is ingrained in the betting dictionary, including terms like Lucky 15, which involves

• Four Singles
• Four Trebles
• Six Doubles 
• One four-fold

Obviously, with so many different variables and calculations in play, horse racing bettors will use a Lucky 15 calculator to work out their winnings. 

That’s just one of many different horse racing accumulators, though. They all come with their own definitions. Bettors can combine multiple selections across the same race meet; it’s a sports betting market tailor-made for multiple selections, especially for the purist. Another popular multi-selection market is the Yankee, which involves 11 selections, slightly less than a Lucky 15. It comprises

• Six doubles
• Four trebles
• One four-fold accumulator 

Instead of doing the maths themselves, bettors will seek out a Yankee calculator, which can provide them with a systemic breakdown of the odds and potential winnings. 

Communities on Social Media

Discussing sports in detail, especially online, has been a blessing and a curse in the modern era. You can find examples of solid, informed opinions, but this can be in a sea of trolls and people who do not know what they’re talking about. 

However, niche sports like horse racing do not have the same popularity or appeal as football. Therefore, online communities are often made up of hardcore horse racing fans. In my opinion, this is the best way to get involved, whether it’s through forums, YouTube comments, or horse racing podcasts. 

Once you get wind of the podcasts you like the most or the horse racing forums that have the best insight, you’ll be able to connect with people who share a similar passion for horse racing and take further steps if you’re looking to get involved in the day-to-day elements of the sport. 

Travelling to UK Race Meets 

The Royal Ascot is one of many Great British events that take place over the summer, and given that it’s only a couple of hours’ drive from Kent (traffic permitting), this is another way to get to know people who share similar interests in horse racing. 

Prominent race meets like Ascot, Cheltenham, or Aintree bring together enthusiasts, horse racing trainers, stables, and owners. The latter is the most watched horse race in the UK calendar, with a global audience of hundreds of millions, and this year’s Grand National has been heralded as one of the best in years. 

Horse racing fans who attend these meets have a real penchant for the sport and a passion for discussing it with like-minded people. While it might take a bit more planning and time out of your day if you want to know the intricacies of horse racing—such as how the big races are organised and how horse race investors and trainers prepare and enter the big meetings—attending and asking these questions in person will help you get more involved.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, there are still plenty of ways to get involved in horse racing, so we recommend getting involved in social media communities and attending as many race meets as possible, even if they’re just small ones. 

Check out where local stables are and see if there are any trainers nearby, too; they can provide a fascinating insight into the mechanics of the horse racing business and illuminate some of the finer parts of the sport that don’t usually get coverage in the mainstream press.

The Internet is the best resource for this, hands down. Although it can be easy to get lost in the plethora of information, once you have established yourself in the horse racing digital community and have got to know people who are in the know, you’ll be in a great position to become more involved in horse racing.