Top Gifts for Horse Racing Fans & Bettors

Do you have friends or family that love horse racing and horse racing betting? Maybe you are also a fan. There are some great gift ideas for the handicapper in your life. We’ve put together a list of the top gifts for horse racing fans and bettors. You can find most of these at major online retailers, and a few others are available from the big names in horse racing like the Daily Racing Form.

About Horse Racing Gifts

A horse racing gift can be a unique present for someone you care about. These gifts make for a wonderful surprise because few people expect a shirt or hat from their favorite race track or a subscription for past performances. Your gift will stand out as something the recipient will remember.

A gift inspired by horse racing can also have value for the bettor. Things like past performances or race replays can be expensive. When you gift someone these things you are helping them save money on the horse racing tools that they use on a regular basis.

Without any further explanation here are our top horse racing gift suggestions.

Top 5 Horse Racing Gifts

MoneyLine Sports Betting Notebook

Every horse racing bettor should learn how to keep good records. A dedicated betting notebook can help record wagers, but check the actual maker and page layout in the listing. The product title alone does not establish that it is made by Moleskine. There are fields to enter how much you wagered, the odds you received, and more. The great thing about a book like this is that it allows the bettor to go back and look at their horse betting progress. Compare paper quality, binding, page count and whether it has enough room for ticket costs and settled returns before buying.

Derby Day Horse Racing Game

We have also reviewed other horse racing board games here at EZ Horse Betting that you may want to consider. This is one of the most popular. It brings the thrill of live horse racing right into the living room so that everyone can enjoy. Bet on your favorite horse and cheer it to victory. You can even make imaginary bets.

Horse Racing Tie for Men

Every horse bettor wants to look nice when they head out to the race track. A tie like this one shows everybody that you love the game of horse racing. Most ties of this variety are made of silk and will last for many years when properly cared for. Pair this with a hat for the ultimate horse racing betting style.

The Greatest Gambling Story Ever Told

If you like to read about the sport of horse racing and all of its colorful characters, you will enjoy this book about the Kentucky Derby, three gamblers, and the Mexican cartel. It is filled suspense and action in Mark Paul’s personal narrative about backing Winning Colors and attempting to collect the proceeds. The author’s story should not be described as an attempt to fix or manipulate the race.

A Daily Racing Form Subscription

Since 1894 the Daily Racing Form has been the leading horse racing newspaper in the world. This daily paper is sold at live racetracks, but you can also purchase subscriptions online. The hallmark of the Daily Racing Form are its past performances. These are the most valuable handicapping tools that are used by bettors to pick winning horses.

Miscellaneous Horse Racing Gift Suggestions

In addition to the above gifts, you also might want to consider some of these ideas. These are general horse racing gifts that you can find in many different places.

• A hat or shirt from the bettor’s favorite horse racing track
• A gift card to a nice restaurant to enjoy after a day at the horse races
• A fancy cigar or a bottle of whiskey
• Cash to use for betting at an online racebook

When it comes to gifts for bettors, you really can’t go wrong with the last one on the list. Consider the recipient’s preferences before offering cash intended for gambling. A non-wagering gift can be more appropriate, and a cash gift should not be treated as an instruction to open or fund an account.

Last Minute Horse Racing Gifts

Most of us have been in the situation where we are trying to assemble gifts at the last minute. If you need something for the horse racing fan in your life that is quick and easy, try these:

• Handicapping tools such as pens, pencils, notepads, and a calculator
• A gift basket with snacks for watching the horse races online
• Binoculars for use at the live horse racing track

Gifts That Actually Improve the Betting Experience

Beyond the decorative and novelty gifts that celebrate horse racing’s culture and history, a category of gifts exists that genuinely improves a bettor’s handicapping ability and overall wagering experience. Subscriptions to premium handicapping services or past performance databases are among the most practical gifts for a serious bettor — access to comprehensive speed figures, trainer statistics, and pace data gives them better information to work with and can support a more organized analysis, but do not guarantee better returns. Many of the leading services offer gift subscriptions that are easy to purchase and immediately useful.

High-quality reference books on handicapping theory and strategy are another practical gift with lasting value. The works of legendary handicappers and betting theorists — covering topics from speed figure construction to pace handicapping to betting psychology — provide conceptual frameworks that improve a bettor’s analytical thinking in ways that data tools alone cannot. A bettor who has read and absorbed the major works in racing literature approaches their handicapping with a richer theoretical foundation that enhances everything else they do. For bettors who prefer digital resources, confirm whether a data subscription or digital book can be gifted and used on their device. Promotional wagering credit is not necessarily cash, and eligibility or transfer restrictions can make it unsuitable as a present. Our article on the best horse racing books identifies the essential reading list for bettors at every level. And our guide to handicapping tools covers the best analytical resources.

The Greatest Horse Racing Gift of All

If you have a budget and are able to spare no expense on the horse racing gift that you would like to get, there is one Holy Grail you should consider. This would be a ticket package to watch the Kentucky Derby in person on the first Saturday in May.

For a fan who wants to attend, a Derby visit can be a memorable experience; confirm their interest and availability before buying nonrefundable arrangements. Be aware that this horse racing gift will be expensive. It can cost thousands of dollars for tickets alone. You will also have to consider how the person will get to and from the races, accommodations, and other expenses. You can either go big and pay for it all, or you can just provide the tickets.

The cost of the tickets will depend upon where you want to sit at the event. Tickets in the grandstand section are going to cost far less than the tickets in the clubhouse. You can try ticket providers and ticket resale shops online to search for the best deals.

With all this talk about horse racing gifts, don’t forget to recommend an online racebook to your friends and family. This recommendation can also be a gift because some online racebooks offer free bets and other bonuses to new players. Read the AmWager review for account context; it does not establish a current best deal or a universally available gift.

DRF dates its service to 1894 in its published playbook introduction. For subscriptions, verify the exact format and gift or account-transfer arrangements rather than assuming every listed product can be transferred.

Related:

• Betting on Horse Racing for Dummies
• Horse Racing Board Games
• Horse Racing Cigarette Cards
• Horse Racing Hats
• Best Horse Racing books