POV: Taboo or Not Taboo – That Is the Question (Matthew Sutcliffe)

In our DAILY column POV – columnist Matthew Sutcliffe discusses racing’s betting taboo…

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In the early 1600s, Shakespeare wrote that “our doubts are our traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, By fearing to attempt.” While the play Measure for Measure certainly has little to do with the art of betting on a horse race, the juxtaposing cognitive process between risk versus reward certainly does, and within that period of history, modern betting became a prevalent medium in Horse Racing.

Horse Racing is an incredibly unique sport, you cannot merely take a horse down to the local park and partake in the imitation of being a jockey in the same accessible way as you can in kicking a football around with your mates and pretending to be Lionel Messi. Horse Racing is a sport that would cease to exist without betting, yet as whole, it is increasingly becoming not only a taboo topic in society, but its importance is quietly creeping into the shadows of the equine conversation.

I thought the coverage of ITV Racing throughout last week’s Royal Ascot was fantastic in terms of appealing to their audience, but the lack of coverage surrounding betting was something of a concern in a wider racing context. There was the odd titbit of Brian Gleeson in the betting ring and Oli Bell’s brief mention of the exchanges, but the overriding sensation was that they ‘had’ to make those remarks as oppose to actually wanting to discuss it for the benefit of the viewer. This isn’t a critique of the ITV racing team by any means, but Horse Racing is evidently lacking a channel that largely dedicates itself to the very act that keeps it ticking along.

Unless you’re from a racing background, generally the way one develops a rapport with the game is through placing a bet, and this is what isn’t emphasised enough. The actual act of placing a bet is simply more that just a transaction from customer to company. For most, it requires a pre-methodical set of factors such as form, ground, jockey, trainer form, will the course suit?, is the horse well handicapped? Will the headgear help? Is the drift alarming in the context of the yard?

Of course, there is a very small minority of the population who bet irresponsibly, but people also drink, smoke, and shop irresponsibly. Addiction is among every walk of life and while the powers that be should enforce measures to protect and rehabilitate those falling victim to such circumstance, they shouldn’t tarnish the reputation of those partaking responsibly.

The social aspect of betting, particularly within the context of Horse Racing, should be celebrated and recognised far more than what it is. Only yesterday, I was having a debate with a mate whether a horse deserves it’s official rating of 111. I argued that beating a horse known better for its all-weather exploits and another returning from a long layoff has falsified the subsequent rise, whereas he argued the race was full of 100+ and visually he’s outclassed them all. Neither of us were objectively right, and that therein lies the beauty of betting – the subjectivity that can strike up a conversation on an otherwise mundane Tuesday afternoon.

Betting inadvertently teaches you life skills no classroom ever can. Resilience, self-control, self- reflection, how to manage expectation, how not to let a bad day ruin a good tomorrow. It is a vital piece in the puzzle of a horse race that provides immense gratification when successfully warped together and it’s about time we shine a positive light on it by recognising its importance within the racing world.

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Views of authors do not necessarily represent views of Star Sports Bookmakers.

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