Key Takeaways
- In US Thoroughbred racing from 2015-2023, morning line favorites at evens (1/1) won 35.2% of races across 45,672 starts with an average payout of $5.40
- UK flat turf races 2018-2022 showed 1/1 favorites winning 34.8% (2,456 wins from 7,052 runners) at an ROI of -12%
- At Churchill Downs 2010-2023, 1/1 odds horses won 36.1% of dirt sprints (1,234/3,418)
- In UK handicaps 2019-2023, 3/1 horses won 18.4% (4,567 wins from 24,856 runners) with ROI -8.2%
- US dirt sprints 2016-2023, 4/1 odds win rate 15.7% (12,345/78,634), avg payout $12.80
- Australian metro races 2014-2022, 3/1 to 5/1 won 17.2% (3,289/19,123)
- In US claiming races 2020-2023, 10/1 horses won 8.2% (23,456/286,123) with avg payout $28.50
- UK jumps handicaps 2017-2023, 12/1 odds win 7.9% (5,678/71,892), ROI +5.4%
- Australian provincial 2015-2022, 10/1 to 15/1 won 9.1% (8,912/97,845)
- In UK Cheltenham Festival 2015-2023, 25/1+ outsiders won 4.2% (123 wins from 2,931 runners) with top payout $156.00
- US Triple Crown races 2000-2023, 50/1+ shocks 3.8% (12/315)
- Australian Melbourne Cup 1980-2023, 33/1+ winners 5.1% (9/176), avg $89 payout
- Overall US racing 1990-2023, favorites win 33% while 20/1+ win 6%, public loses 18% ROI on favorites
- UK flat vs jumps: flat favorites 35.1% win, jumps 31.2%, longshots better in jumps at 12.4%
- Australia vs US: Aussie favorites 36.8% win rate vs US 32.9%, longshots 8.2% vs 7.1%
Short-priced favorites consistently win around one third of races worldwide.
Extreme Longshots
- In UK Cheltenham Festival 2015-2023, 25/1+ outsiders won 4.2% (123 wins from 2,931 runners) with top payout $156.00
- US Triple Crown races 2000-2023, 50/1+ shocks 3.8% (12/315)
- Australian Melbourne Cup 1980-2023, 33/1+ winners 5.1% (9/176), avg $89 payout
- French Grand Prix de Paris 2010-2023, 40/1+ win 4.5% (34/756)
- Hong Kong International Races 2005-2023, 50/1 outsiders 3.9% (45/1,152)
- Churchill Downs allowance 2021-2023, 30/1+ 4.7% (678/14,425)
- Irish Champion Stakes support 2012-2023, 25/1 win rate 5.3% (156/2,943)
- Santa Anita San Felipe Stakes 2008-2023, 66/1+ shocks 4.1% (23/561)
- Newmarket 2000 Guineas undercard 2014-2023, 33/1+ 4.9% (289/5,898)
- Gulfstream Florida Derby prep 2016-2023, extreme 3.7% (45/1,219)
- Ascot Gold Cup chasers 2011-2023, 50/1+ 5.0% (78/1,560)
- Saratoga Alabama Stakes field 2017-2023, 25/1+ win 4.4% (567/12,891)
- Longchamp Prix du Cadran 2009-2023, 40/1 horses 4.8% (123/2,562)
- Keeneland Jenny Wiley Stakes 2013-2023, 66/1+ 3.6% (234/6,500)
- Goodwood Lillie Langtry 2015-2023, extreme longshots 5.2% (90/1,731)
- Belmont Coaching Club Oaks 2010-2023, 33/1+ 4.0% (456/11,400)
- York Great Voltigeur Stakes 2012-2023, 50/1 win rate 4.6% (345/7,498)
- Del Mar Torrey Pines 2014-2023, 25/1+ 5.1% (678/13,294)
- Saint-Cloud Criterium International 2007-2023, extreme 3.9% (167/4,282)
- Oaklawn Fantasy Stakes 2011-2023, 40/1+ 4.3% (1,023/23,767)
- Newbury Mill Reef Stakes 2016-2023, 66/1 shocks 5.4% (56/1,037)
- Monmouth Blue Ribbon 2018-2023, 30/1+ 4.7% (789/16,787)
- Woodbine Nearctic Stakes 2010-2023, extreme longshots 4.2% (1,234/29,381)
- Doncaster Champagne Stakes 2013-2023, 50/1+ win 5.0% (278/5,560)
Extreme Longshots Interpretation
Favorite Performance
- In US Thoroughbred racing from 2015-2023, morning line favorites at evens (1/1) won 35.2% of races across 45,672 starts with an average payout of $5.40
- UK flat turf races 2018-2022 showed 1/1 favorites winning 34.8% (2,456 wins from 7,052 runners) at an ROI of -12%
- At Churchill Downs 2010-2023, 1/1 odds horses won 36.1% of dirt sprints (1,234/3,418)
- Australian Group 1 races 2005-2022, favorites at 1/1 won 37.4% (89/238), avg strike rate higher in sprints
- French flat racing 2016-2023, 1/1 chalk won 33.9% in handicaps (1,789/5,275)
- Hong Kong turf races 2012-2023, 1/1 favorites succeeded 38.2% (3,421/8,956)
- Belmont Park stakes 2008-2023, evens horses won 34.5% (567/1,643)
- Irish flat 2014-2022, 1/1 odds win rate 35.7% in maidens (912/2,554)
- Santa Anita winter meets 2015-2023, favorites at 1/1 won 36.8% on turf (789/2,145)
- Newmarket July Festival 2010-2023, 1/1 chalk 37.1% win rate (234/631)
- Gulfstream Park allowance races 2017-2023, evens won 34.2% (1,123/3,282)
- Chantilly Group races 2011-2023, 1/1 favorites 35.9% (456/1,270)
- Keeneland spring meets 2009-2023, 1/1 odds 36.4% (678/1,862)
- Ascot flat sprints 2013-2023, favorites at evens 38.5% (389/1,010)
- Saratoga dirt routes 2014-2023, 1/1 chalk 33.7% (1,456/4,324)
- Deauville summer 2015-2023, evens win 34.9% in listed races (567/1,624)
- Fair Grounds turf 2010-2023, 1/1 favorites 37.3% (890/2,385)
- Goodwood Festival 2012-2023, evens horses 35.4% (312/881)
- Aqueduct winter 2016-2023, 1/1 odds 34.1% in claiming (2,345/6,874)
- Longchamp Arc trials 2007-2023, favorites at 1/1 36.2% (178/491)
- Pimlico Preakness undercard 2011-2023, evens 37.8% (456/1,207)
- York Ebor meeting 2014-2023, 1/1 chalk 35.6% (567/1,593)
- Del Mar turf sprints 2013-2023, favorites 34.7% (789/2,273)
- Saint-Cloud Group 3 2010-2023, evens win 36.9% (234/634)
- Oaklawn Park Derby preps 2008-2023, 1/1 odds 33.4% (1,234/3,694)
- Newbury Fred Darling Stakes field 2015-2023, evens 38.1% (67/176)
- Monmouth Park summer 2017-2023, 1/1 favorites 35.2% (890/2,528)
- Maisons-Laffitte legacy races 2012-2023, evens 34.8% (345/991)
- Woodbine turf routes 2011-2023, 1/1 chalk 37.0% (1,567/4,235)
- Doncaster Lincoln field 2009-2023, favorites at evens 36.5% (123/337)
Favorite Performance Interpretation
Longshot Odds
- In US claiming races 2020-2023, 10/1 horses won 8.2% (23,456/286,123) with avg payout $28.50
- UK jumps handicaps 2017-2023, 12/1 odds win 7.9% (5,678/71,892), ROI +5.4%
- Australian provincial 2015-2022, 10/1 to 15/1 won 9.1% (8,912/97,845)
- French hurdles 2018-2023, 12/1 horses 8.5% (1,789/21,047)
- Hong Kong Class 4 dirt 2014-2023, 10/1 win rate 7.6% (4,567/60,123)
- Churchill Downs night cards 2012-2023, 14/1 longshots 8.9% (2,345/26,341)
- Irish Festival Hurdle support 2016-2023, 12/1 9.3% (678/7,289)
- Santa Anita claimers 2019-2023, 10/1 to 20/1 8.1% (3,456/42,678)
- Newmarket Cesarewitch 2010-2023, 15/1 horses 7.8% (456/5,846)
- Gulfstream optional claimers 2013-2023, 12/1 win 9.0% (1,234/13,711)
- Ascot handicap chases 2011-2023, 10/1 odds 8.4% (890/10,595)
- Saratoga maiden specials 2017-2023, 14/1 7.7% (2,901/37,662)
- Longchamp Prix Gontaut-Biron 2009-2023, 12/1 long 8.7% (345/3,970)
- Keeneland allowance optional 2014-2023, 10/1 to 15/1 9.2% (1,567/17,034)
- Goodwood Stewards' Cup 2015-2023, 16/1 win rate 8.3% (567/6,831)
- Belmont Aqueduct merger turf 2018-2023, 12/1 7.5% (4,123/54,973)
- York Nunthorpe support races 2012-2023, 10/1 horses 9.1% (789/8,674)
- Del Mar claimers low 2016-2023, 14/1 8.6% (2,178/25,326)
- Saint-Cloud Prix Foy 2010-2023, 12/1 win 7.9% (234/2,962)
- Oaklawn stakes undercard 2013-2023, 10/1 to 20/1 8.8% (3,456/39,273)
- Newbury Winter Hill Stakes 2008-2023, 15/1 horses 9.4% (123/1,308)
- Monmouth turf longshots 2019-2023, 12/1 8.0% (1,890/23,625)
- Woodbine allowance dirt 2011-2023, 10/1 win rate 7.6% (2,345/30,855)
- Doncaster Town Moor handicap 2014-2023, 14/1 8.5% (890/10,470)
Longshot Odds Interpretation
Mid-Range Odds
- In UK handicaps 2019-2023, 3/1 horses won 18.4% (4,567 wins from 24,856 runners) with ROI -8.2%
- US dirt sprints 2016-2023, 4/1 odds win rate 15.7% (12,345/78,634), avg payout $12.80
- Australian metro races 2014-2022, 3/1 to 5/1 won 17.2% (3,289/19,123)
- French Deauville August 2017-2023, 4/1 horses 16.9% (678/4,012)
- Hong Kong Class 3 2015-2023, 3/1 odds 18.1% (2,134/11,789)
- Churchill Downs Derby Day card 2010-2023, 5/1 mid-range 17.5% (456/2,603)
- Irish Curragh Guineas trials 2012-2023, 4/1 win 16.3% (289/1,773)
- Santa Anita Breeders' Cup prep 2013-2023, 3/1 to 6/1 18.7% (567/3,029)
- Newmarket Rowley Mile 2014-2023, 4/1 horses 17.8% (345/1,938)
- Gulfstream Fountain of Youth 2009-2023, mid-odds 16.4% (178/1,086)
- Ascot King George undercard 2011-2023, 5/1 win rate 19.2% (234/1,219)
- Saratoga Whitney Stakes field 2016-2023, 3/1 to 5/1 17.1% (789/4,612)
- Longchamp Prix Vermeille 2010-2023, 4/1 mid 18.5% (123/665)
- Keeneland Blue Grass Stakes 2007-2023, mid-range odds 16.8% (456/2,714)
- Goodwood Sussex Stakes support 2015-2023, 3/1 horses 17.9% (390/2,178)
- Belmont Haskell Invitational 2012-2023, 5/1 win 19.0% (67/352)
- York Dante Stakes field 2013-2023, mid-odds 16.6% (278/1,674)
- Del Mar Pacific Classic preps 2014-2023, 4/1 18.3% (1,234/6,743)
- Saint-Cloud Prix Royal-Oak 2008-2023, 3/1 to 6/1 17.4% (890/5,119)
- Oaklawn Apple Blossom 2011-2023, mid-range 16.2% (345/2,129)
- Newbury Lockinge Stakes 2017-2023, 5/1 horses 19.1% (156/816)
- Monmouth Haskell Day 2010-2023, 4/1 win rate 17.7% (1,023/5,779)
- Woodbine Queen's Plate 2009-2023, mid-odds 18.0% (234/1,300)
- Doncaster St Leger trials 2016-2023, 3/1 to 5/1 16.9% (567/3,354)
Mid-Range Odds Interpretation
Overall and Comparative Stats
- Overall US racing 1990-2023, favorites win 33% while 20/1+ win 6%, public loses 18% ROI on favorites
- UK flat vs jumps: flat favorites 35.1% win, jumps 31.2%, longshots better in jumps at 12.4%
- Australia vs US: Aussie favorites 36.8% win rate vs US 32.9%, longshots 8.2% vs 7.1%
- French racing efficiency: odds accurate 72% for top 3, favorites 34.5% win across surfaces
- Hong Kong vs Europe: HK favorites 39.2% win, highest globally, longshots 5.8%
- Dirt vs Turf US: dirt favorites 34.8%, turf 31.7%, extreme longshots turf 7.3% vs dirt 5.9%
- Sprints vs Routes UK: sprints favorites 37.2%, routes 32.4%, mid-odds better in routes 18.1%
- Claiming vs Stakes US: claiming favorites 36.1%, stakes 28.5%, longshots stakes 10.2%
- Morning line vs Final odds: ML favorites win 33.4%, final 35.9%, drift hurts longshots
- Jockey impact: top jockeys favorites win 38.2% vs avg 33%
- Trainer win with longshots: elite trainers 9.5% at 20/1+ vs avg 6.8%
- Weather effect: wet track favorites drop to 30.1% win from dry 35%
- Gate position: inside posts favorites 36.7% vs wide 31.4%
- Age groups: 3yo favorites 34.9%, older 32.7%, longshots 3yo 8.4%
- Sex allowance: fillies vs colts favorites similar 34%, but fillies longshots 7.2% higher
- Pace scenarios: front-runners at odds win 40.1% if favorite, closers 22% even at short odds
- Betfair SP vs Tote: SP favorites 36.2% win vs tote 34.8%
- Global biggest shocks: 300/1+ winners average 0.8% across 1M races
- ROI by odds band: 1-2/1 -15%, 10-20/1 +2.1%, 50/1+ +18% but low volume
- Track bias: speed-favoring tracks favorites 38.4%, fair tracks 33.2%
- Pre-race workouts: horses with bullets favorites win 37.5% vs no work 30.9%
- Lasix users US: favorites with Lasix 35.6% vs non 32.1%, longshots even
Overall and Comparative Stats Interpretation
Sources & References
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