I consider myself fortunate. I was six years old when racehorses became a part of my life.
My earliest memories include running around the tarmac at Northlands Park in Edmonton, picking up tickets that bettors had thrown away. My brother and I used to run all over the place, never being told not to and enjoying the freedom to do whatever we wanted.
The backstretch where the horses were stalled was always a source of fascination for me. I loved seeing the horses there, relaxing or eating or flat-out sleeping. It was always comforting to hear them munching away on hay, with the sunlight streaming in through the open doors and the whole place smelling like heaven.
At least to me it smelled like heaven.
There were lots of interesting characters too. The racetrack attracts different kind of people, some of them a little more on the unsavoury side but for the most part hard-working, caring individuals who love their horses and work tirelessly at a job that has more downs than ups.
The bettors in the grandstand were some of the most interesting people of all. I would watch them scream at the horses as they turned down the stretch, imploring them to race faster, not usually calling them by name but by number instead. “Come on with the 2! Go 2! Get out 4, hurry up 2, get there 2, get there GET THERE!!!”
Sometimes the 2 would win and some people would cheer, others would swear. Or the 4 would be first, and there was still cheering and swearing.
I loved every minute of it.
Looking back now, I see that there is no way that betting wasn’t going to be a big part of my life. I wasn’t interested in the stock market and having to wait years to build a profit; I craved the instant results of knowing whether I had made a good investment or not.
There is a way to make money betting. First, it’s necessary to lose some money while you learn. I consider the early years as an investment in building up the talent and skills that are required to do this for a living. It’s like going to university, and the tuition is the amount that it costs you until you find out what your strengths are.
Even then, it’s very likely to have losing seasons. There are no guarantees that you will make more this year than you did last year. You are really only as good as your record shows you are. Being delusional about your perceived rate of success isn’t possible when you are betting real money, because the records will show you exactly how good you are – or are not.
As difficult as it is, there is something very compelling about this lifestyle. It can be so challenging and rewarding, and it can be cruel and heartless too.
And people can lose everything doing it. Don’t be that person.
If you struggle with an addictive personality, this isn’t the career for you. Patience and being able to sit for long periods without making a bet are important factors of success. The odds need to be in your favour before you make a move, and that doesn’t happen all of the time.
Right now I am going to go and study the fifth at Gulfstream. I think the 2 might have a good chance to beat the 4, and if the odds are right then my day will be a profitable one.
And if the 4 wins, I might swear a couple of times. Then I will turn the page and get ready for the next opportunity.
I love this life.