Sports betting derby basics for beginners at Sportsbet.io

Thoroughbred horse racing offers a dynamic array of formats, among the best is known as ‘derby’. Derbies, held worldwide, boast high stakes and extensive media coverage, making them a thrilling spectacle for enthusiasts.

Sportsbet.io offers you the chance to join in thе еxcitеmеnt with wagers on derby races and stand a chance to win lucrative prizes in your preferred cryptocurrency, such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Tether (USDT), and more. Whether you’re a seasoned bettor or a newcomer, here’s your guide to betting on derbies:

A quick and easy answer to ‘What Is derby?’

To grasp the concept of a derby, you must first understand the answer to ‘what is derby?’. Simply put, it is a race with restricted entry. Metrics can be about age, handicap, gender, and invitation but that depends on the association. Therefore, it’s a broad term that is used to describe specific races with such limitations, rather than open events.

I always thought derbies were only for 3-year-old horses like the Japanese Derby.

That’s just one example. Some derbies can allow 4yo and older to compete as well.

So, does that mean any horse race could be a derby?

No. Derby races are typically high-level competitions with unique conditions.

The main definitive trait of derbies is their restricted entry criteria. Therefore, most high-level competitions where certain horses are expected to participate often fall under derbies. You can find these types of events at high-level stakes like Grade 2 and Grade 1 with a large prize pool.

Brief history of derby and why it is significant today

The term ‘derby’ has a simple origin, dating back to 1780 in England. It started with the Epsom Derby which was inaugurated that year and it was named after Edward Smith Stanley, the 12th Earl of Derby. The race initially bore the title ‘Derby Stakes’ and was later known simply as ‘The Derby’.

Many credit the Epsom Derby for revolutionising horse breeding. Bidders favour its champions because of its unique conditions serving as a great way to test a Thoroughbred’s endurance, stamina, and adaptability. These are great traits to have in a racehorse and that’s why breeders watch its events with great interest.

Over time, the Epsom Derby gained widespread popularity and it soon became a classic annual event in British horse racing. Its success inspired other horse racing organisations to emulate its model, leading to the inception of numerous derbies around the world, with the same quality of production and marketing.

Three major derby races to follow for sports betting

Even in the contemporary era, breeders seek horse racing derby champions when looking for ideal traits for Thoroughbred breeding. While each race holds its unique significance, some stand out as impactful within the sport. If you are interested in finding potential sires and dames, here are three races that you wouldn’t want to miss for a sports betting derby:

Kentucky Derby

Venue: Churchill Downs, Louisville, Kentucky, United States

Date: Annual, approximately the first week of May

Race details:

Restricted to 3-year-old colts only
Dirt track
2,011 metres
Up to 20 starters

Wasn’t Deep Impact sired from a Kentucky Derby champion?

Yes! Deep Impact’s lineage traces back to Sunday Silence, the 1989 Kentucky Derby champion. His bloodline is still strong in the Japanese horse racing industry today!

The Kentucky Derby is currently the most famous and prestigious horse race in the world. It is the first leg of the American Triple Crown followed by Preakness Stakes and Belmont Stakes. Most winners of this event became the most sought-after studs and mares among modern breeders.

Tokyo Yushun (Japan Derby)

Venue: Tokyo Racecourse, Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan

Date: Annual, approximately last week of May

Race details:

Restricted to 3-year-old colts, fillies, and geldings
Turf track
2,400 metres
Up to 18 starters

The Tokyo Yushun is the second leg of the Japanese Triple Crown. It comes after Satsuki Sho and before Kikuka Sho. The Japan Derby is one of the premier G1 races in the country and winning the event is a sign of a horse’s likelihood of excelling in the Japan Cup for that season.

Epsom Derby (The Derby)

Venue: Epsom Downs Racecourse, Surrey, England

Date: Annual, approximately the first week of June

Race details:

Restricted to 3-years-old colts and fillies excluding geldings
Turf track
2,420 metres
Up to 20 starters

The Epsom Derby is famous for its challenging track layout and undulating terrain in tight turns. Its long track also makes it a test of endurance for Thoroughbreds, making its champion ideal for breeding. The Epsom Derby is credited as the first derby in the world and the inspiration for numerous competitive races, many of which bear its name. Victors of the Epsom Derby often emerge as prime candidates for breeding, given the race’s demanding nature and historical prestige.

Sports betting and derby basics for newbie bettors

Derbies follow the same rules as any horse race, making it easy for newbie bettors to grasp the basics of betting. Understanding the available options and how they work is key to getting acquainted with horse race betting at Sportsbet.io.

Types of bets in derby

The bet type for a derby features a list of the participating horses’ names in one column with three possible outcomes next to it, namely winner, top 2, and place. If you wish to predict the outcome of a horse in that horse race, then simply pick one of those three options. Here are the bet types you can make in a derby:

Winner: The bet wins if the horse reaches the top spot of the race.
Top 2: This bet wins if the horse finishes in 2nd place, no more or less.
Place: You win this bet if the horse finishes in the top 3.

That’s a really easy set of markets to remember.

That’s all the outcome we can have for such a short sport. Most horse races end in two minutes or less.

Works for me, as exotic bets tend to confuse me.

You can still do that with these options. Just arrange the bets manually using Multibet to combine various predictions.

At Sportsbet.io, you can place multiple bets simultaneously. Your options include placing a separate stake for each prediction or combining them into one ticket using the Multibet feature. However, note that Multibet only applies to predictions across different races. If you opt in, then the payout is significantly larger than the sum of individual bets on the same options.

A Multibet betting ticket needs all of your predictions to win for a payout. Thus, it’s a high-risk, high-reward wager that makes derby betting more fun and engaging. Consider trying it out on the next horse race for a chance to win big crypto prizes.

Derby odds and payouts

Derby odds are expressed as numerical values that scale with their likelihood of winning as well as their popularity among other bettors. The more likely to win or popular an outcome is, the lower its numbers become while the less favoured outcomes carry higher values. This happens because betting odds represent the potential payout that you are getting. Therefore, higher numbers mean greater risks and prizes simultaneously.

Sportsbet.io supports three odds formats. These are:

Decimal → This represents how much you’re getting including the stake return and the prize. The payout is equal to your stake size times the odds.
- Decimal odds payout = your stake return + (stake size x odds)
Hong Kong → In this format, your stake is returned on a winning bet but the odds don’t calculate it so it’s a profit-centric format. Calculation is also simply your stake size times the odds.
- Hong Kong odds payout = stake size x odds
American → Odds in this format are written in either positive or negative values representing underdogs and favourites, respectively. The positive odds tell you how much you’re winning if you bet 100 USDT while the negative one shows how much you should stake to win 100 USDT.
- Positive American odds payout = stake size x (odds/100)
- Negative American odds payout = stake size x (100/odds)

Are these definitions per odds applicable to all sports in Sportsbet.io?

Yes, they do. It only affects how we read the odds so it’s independent from the sport or tournament format.

How to bet on derby events at Sportsbet.io?

Are you excited to start betting on a derby prediction? Kickstart your journey at Sportsbet.io using its robust bookmaker features to stake and win crypto prizes. Betting is easy at the world’s best sports betting website.

Basics of betting at online bookmakers

Follow this simple process so you can begin betting on this year’s derbies:

Make a Sportsbet.io account
- Simply provide a few details for your account including a username, email address, and date of birth. For a simplified process, Sportsbet.io allows registration with accounts from other services namely:
  - Google
  - Facebook
  - Telegram
  - X (Formerly Twitter)
  - Line
Build your bankroll
- After registration, Sportsbet.io provides you with an account wallet where you can store crypto betting funds. Transfer funds from a supported wallet or buy crypto using one of the provided payment methods. The money in your account serves as your betting funds at Sportsbet.io.
Stake on horse racing events at the bookmaker page
- If there’s a derby scheduled for the week, navigate to the Sportsbet.io bookmaker page. Find the Thoroughbred/horse racing category then browse for the race you like based on the host country, venue, date, and starting time.
Claim your prizes
- If you have an active bet, then you just wait until that race is over. The bet will be resolved by then and your payout will be sent directly to your account wallet. This is paid instantly after the race ends so expect a quick balance update.

I’m all set to place my bets!

Enjoy the excitement! Just remember to double-check if you’re betting on the right race.

No worries there. With Sportsbet.io’s an organised bookmaker, finding my way is easy.

Safe betting strategies to minimise losses and maximise wins

You can build a derby betting strategy to personalise your staking experience. However, this requires fundamental knowledge of statistics and horse matchups. It’s better to learn from others first if you’re new to horse race betting. Here are five popular strategies you can use even as a newbie with minimal knowledge of derbies:

Assess the horses’ career details

Every horse race in Sportsbet.io gives you a complete roster of all participating Thoroughbreds. Click on the dropdown button under a horse’s name and you can view complete data of that racer’s career details. This includes the jockey’s name, trainer’s name, age, and career standings. Cross-examine these between horses to find which one is the best performer.

Set a strict budget to indicate when to stop

Your budget needs to be an amount you are willing to lose or spend. This ensures you’re prepared for the worst-case scenario which is an important discipline in betting. Many bettors allocate this budget across various predictions. Consider this thought if you plan to hedge your bets on horse racing derby odds with high potential payouts.

Would it be better to just use what’s left of my income after paying my bills?

Remember to set aside money for savings as well. If you’re not sure how much you want to spend, consider how much you’re willing to lose.

Bet on more than one race on the same day

The best part about horse races is that they are rarely scheduled in isolation. There are always 8 to 10 races hosted on the same day and venue. For example, the Japan Derby is certainly the main event on 26th May 2024 but there is a mix of G2, G3, and listed events being held there, too. You can bet on those events for more chances of winning crypto prizes. Sportsbet.io covers them, too, and you can Multibet to make the payout more exciting.

But what if I lose all my bets on an unlucky day?

That’s why it’s crucial to heed the advice to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Imagine the outcome if you lose all bets, and plan accordingly.

Stake on the best jockey on the roster

The jockey is the biggest influence on a horse’s performance in their career. These skilled athletes can maximise their Thoroughbred’s strengths and cover for their weaknesses, eventually bringing them to victory. This is especially true if the jockey is a regular partner for two horses in the same race. They can only ride with one so if this happens, then place your bet on whoever the top jockey is riding with.

Bet on the top 3rd to 5th best and not on the favourite

It’s easy to choose who among the 12 to 20 participants is likely to win a race, especially when you have references like Sportsbet.io’s participant information. There will be dark horses or underdogs getting lucky but it’s always better to put your money on reliable performers. However, their bets pay too low at times so it’s more fun and rewarding to bet on the underdog.

Just remember to place your bet on horses that are still in the top 3 to 5 of the full roster. They are skilled enough to win a race but not completely dominate so the payout is often high. These are the horses you want to put your money on compared to the top favourite.

How about I bet on the lowest-ranked horse in the roster so I win more money?

It’s possible but highly improbable. Sports betting is not just about releasing the challenges of risks. Sometimes, some bets are so impractical, that it’s best to avoid them.

The bottom-most ranked horse by bookmaker odds is an example of an impractical bet. It’s better to put your money on more plausible winners.

Win crypto prizes in sports betting at Sportsbet.io

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Frequently asked questions

Here are some frequently asked questions about derby betting:

What is a derby?

Derby is a broad term encompassing many horse races. There is no strict definition for it but some popular traits they share are having age restrictions, handicap adjustments, and high-stakes competitive levels. Many derby races have the word in its name like the Japan Derby but others don’t, like the Melbourne Cup.

What are the different types of derby races?

Differences in derbies are just as varied as there are horse races. Those types include flat-foot racing, steeplechase, and harness racing.

What types of bets can be placed on derby races?

There are three types of bets you can make in derby races at Sportsbet.io. The first is a win bet where you stake on which horse will end the race as the champion. Top 2 is a type of bet where you back the horse you think will end in exactly 2nd place. The last type of bet is called ‘place’, which involves guessing which horse will be in the top 3.