The Best Ways to Keep Up to Date With Horse Races

Horse racing remains one of the most popular sports in the world, and recent improvements in technology mean that we can now tune in to more events than ever before. Races that were important in one country, such as the Melbourne Cup and Kentucky Derby are more accessible thanks to extended coverage via the main TV broadcasters.

Both of those events are well-established on the calendar, and they join other top races including the Epsom Derby, the Grand National and the Prix de L’arc de Triomphe. Greater interest in the sport means that racegoers need to stay informed about news, betting odds and other developments in the horse racing world, and there are many ways in which they can do that.

The Need for Information

We need information for several reasons. Many enjoy the thrill of horse racing and the action around the course, but this is also one of the most popular sports among the betting community. Whether you want to know how to bet on horse racing, or if you’re already experienced in this area, information is vital.

We need to know about the horse’s form in previous events, so accessing results is essential. In the days leading up to the event, any news relating to injury or illness regarding the horse or jockey must also be addressed.

These details are important, whether placing a bet or not, but where do we find this information?

The Major Broadcasters

More horse races are televised now than ever before, but the major TV broadcasters look to bring more than just the races themselves. As part of the package that they provide to their customers, the TV companies also offer news and opinion from experts in the sport.

Whether it’s news or betting advice, the broadcasters will add this essential information to their platforms, and they are an obvious starting point for anyone looking to keep up to date.

Online Updates

Many of those broadcasters have set up an online presence, and they are joined by traditional media sources. Prior to the development of the internet, horse racing followers had newspapers dedicated to the sport, and each of these has now set up a comprehensive online platform, offering news, views and opinion.

Readers can set up alerts which will keep them informed about updates moving forward. It’s also possible to subscribe to daily or weekly newsletters to help site visitors stay in the loop. Online websites offer fast response times to developing stories, but there is one way to get the news even more quickly.

The Social Scene

Horse racing followers want immediate news updates, and that’s why many turn to social media for their information. The need to issue brief posts means that publishers can react instantly to any breaking news and alert their followers accordingly.

Anyone serious about horse racing should follow the top channels across all social media platforms. It’s also possible to set up alerts, so that you can receive notifications on your computer or mobile device whenever they add a new post.

Traditional Mediums

Newspapers still have their place in society, but they are at a disadvantage. Any news contained in their pages, will be out of date by the time it arrives in your hands. Online portals and social media can provide instant updates, as we’ve already seen.

Printed newspapers can, however, still offer better opinion pieces from horse racing experts, so they shouldn’t be ignored. The publishers know that it’s impossible to compete with online sources for news, so they concentrate on other areas of the newspaper.

The result is an exceptional set of tips and opinion on ante post races, and it’s a package that digital media finds tough to match. When considering where to source your horse racing information, don’t overlook the traditional outlets.

Being There

Watching news updates from afar is important for horse racing enthusiasts, but there’s no substitute for attending a meeting in person. If you are serious about following horse racing on a regular basis, it helps to watch the big meetings, and study the top jockeys and trainers in action.

Racegoers can begin the year by downloading a calendar of their national events. From there, they can plan trips and write meetings into their diaries. Even if you’re a casual horse racing fan, attending an event is a great experience.

It won’t be possible to attend every meeting, but that calendar will also help horse racing enthusiasts to tune into the top events via the main TV broadcasters.

As interest in horse racing has grown, media outlets have worked hard to keep their customers better informed. Instant news reporting is a new, digital phenomenon, but there is still room for traditional mediums to provide all the information you need to follow this historic and entertaining sport.