An Alphabet Of Horse Racing Terms – B – Part 2
BOOKMAKERS
These can be divided into
those who make a book on the racecourse
those who operate betting shops off course
those who operate a telephone credit service or a postal betting service
firms who operate spread betting services
A number of big firm bookmakers will combine two or even all of the first three activities. On the racecourse bets are settled at the prices quoted for, if agreed with the backer at starting price.
However they settle them, their activities on course and off course are governed by what goes on in the market, on the racecourse.
A betting market is formed immediately before each race. Prices fluctuate according to the total of money known to be on a particular horse in the ring as a whole.
Amounts of significance are signaled by Tic Tac from the rails to Tattersalls and back, and to the silver ring and bookmakers outside. I.e. on the course itself.
The amount a price will contract or go out in the market varies also, according to whether the market is a weak or strong one.
The prices originally on...