Why do you enjoy racing?

I love studying human behaviour and especially how it relates to a wagering involvement.

Would love to hear how clanners got involved in racing and what sealed the deal for you.

Why specifically racing and not something else?

This might seem like useless information but I am keen to hear as it has a direct bearing on how product design can be improved to include some of the drivers of involvement.

Let me get the ball rolling on this one.

A friend introduced me to racing when I was still at varsity and we had immediate success albeit a tiny first dividend on the place accumulator.

Was lucky enough to win my very first Pick6 with a rand in the good old days, probably some kind of record but only got R792 when expecting a lot more being naive to the horses odds at this early stage of involvement. Remember the one winner being a horse called Interlink, must have been about 1985.

In my case it was early success that sealed the deal as any easy money was really valuable to a student. Success secured the interest and kept it going and made studying something really enjoyable.

Would love to hear your stories.

1. Beginner's luck. 1st bet was a winning swinger - No Respite & State Visit, Ascot Bulawayo 1977
2. Like to believe I can beat the odds
3. The fastest one to two minutes in sport - I quickly get bored with 80/90 mins of other sport

1: Gambling
2: agree with Mac quick buzz
3: My Mom was a bookie and my auld man and granny a punter( i was sent up with the bets from a young age..
4: The Grand National is responsible for most UK folks interest in racing and gambling, you can`t fail to be excited and it was traditional to let kids have an interest bet.Therefore creating the next generation
5: Joining abc 9 years ago created my real passion for horse racing, getting involved in a few horses at no or little cost, meeting so many wonderful people and some pricks
6:Scotia,Shams,Zoro,John F and DTF have kept me interested as i could easily lose interest

Dislike

1: racing thinking they are more important then the punter
2: racing folk too scared to tell the truth
3: racing folk hiding important information from the punter

I love Racing because I am a closet Sherlock Holmes.
"In solving a problem of this sort, the grand thing is to be able to reason backward"
"Eliminate all other factors, and the one which remains must be the truth."
"There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact"

Form study tests the mind and I find the most valuable lesson I've learn't is to solve the Race after it has run. You learn so much looking back on why a specific horse did well and why another that you thought would did not. I seldom follow money but even that is part of the puzzle with First Timers.
I have never been any type of gambler other that a racing one(occasionally Rugby) and Casino's would be the last place of call for me as that form of wagering has little appeal.

About 3 years ago used to take bets for. My uncle eventually learned the game. My biggest win was on elusive gold winning the cape guineas I remember getting 40/1 antepost that sealed the deal for me.

My gramps would send me to the tote to take his bets so that's how I got started.

100% agree with Mac, within 2 minutes you know if you're a winner if not then on to the next one.

Like Mr H. I too am an analytical thinker, nothing beats the feeling of studying form and selecting an outsider.

Animal lover, so I like to observe horse temperament and behaviour.

Intrigued by the breeding aspect of the game.

My mum and dad never had a punt but my granny had a pub and used to send me with her line to the bucket shop mostly dogs then moved to horses have owned dogs and horses and the high of having a winner or leading in a horses to the number one takes away all the pain and losses over the years
good punting

I have been invloved with horses most of my life so the natural progression was inevitable. At school we formed a pa team of interested players and did ok from what I can remember. Strangely, there were 3 main members of our team of which two are still very much involved in racing today. I dont remember Mark v D being such a good tipster in those days ! Bliksem he probably cost me but we had great fun. First brake we would study the Cape Times and second brake Mark would ride (my bike) to Kenilworth to place our bet. The following day, first brake, would be the analysis of our previous days bet.
My earliest recollection of having a bet was my dad playing a 50 cent straight line jackpot for me. This amazing, life long bond we build up together, with our love for the horse, is probably the most endearing factor for me, for which I am very grateful.
Great fun, never serious, my how things have changed !

I took bets for my dad in the days of carbon copy bet marking.
Got hook when I picked a staight line PA for him. My dad only earned R64 a month as a Crane Driver at the local sugar mill back then. The PA paid around R 700 then.

Picked many July and Gold Cup Winners. We used to have our own July and Gold Cup Competitions at home and work. It was fun. I will study the card like you prepare for an exam for the July. As I grew older I liked watching racing at the race course. Liked attending racing at Clairwood too. Remember backing ouitsiders Tourismo and Grim Tours there.

Got lucky many times since and continued playing.
Some horses that brought joy includeH Politician (!Bertie Hayden) Teal(Johnny G)
Follwed Delpech with Igugu and the works: Bold Silvano, Greys Inn, Classic Flag

Was sad when Big City Life was put down and our lovey Horse Chestnut passing on.

Got lucky many times since and continued playing. 38 years of fun and entertainment

What I don't like:
Horses get scratched and the favourite also fails you on that race.
Sometimes you also feel that Jockey's are riding for the bookies.
What I like:
Honest contributions on this forum.

Finally this sport, like any other, brings joy and when you win it also puts you on the edge when you are waiting for your last one home.