A Q and A with Colin Leafe of Elite Racing

Hi Colin, and many thanks for joining us this month, first off would you start by telling our readers a little about yourself and your background?

I have had a fortunate life through my love of the horse, in my younger days I competed at Show Jumping and Cross Country events representing the Royal Air Force.

In 1987 I met trainer Dai Williams and any free time would be at the stables or at the races, and over a period of time I met an array of trainers and gained experience and knowledge, which I put into my second love, methods and systems, which over the years have proved very successful.

Would you say that you have a “typical” working day, and how would you describe it?

My working day starts the night before, where I usually do an hours prep. The following morning, I start around 8:00 a.m. researching the potential bets and decide which bets are to go live, this usually takes me until about 9:30 a.m.

What do you think of the world of sports tipping in general and what do you think people are in search of when it comes to their hunt for a successful tipster?

In general I am not impressed with the world of sports tipping.

I think people searching for a successful tipster are after a steady flow of winners, which builds up a nice profit over a period of time and who are open and transparent with their results.

Do you regularly bet yourself? What style of approach do you take to your betting? What do you think of staking plans, loss retrieval systems etc.?

I bet on every advice that I put up for my customers, and only bet with Betfair Exchange at SP. I only back win only at level stakes; I have never been into EW.

Staking plans are not for me, however I do advise a bank of 100 at say:

£1000 = £10 bets bank increases to £1500

£1500 = £15 bets bank increases to £2000

£2000 = £20 etc…

Essentially, you are only risking your original bank of £1000 as you build up your stakes.

What attracted you to the world of horse racing and what do you enjoy most about the sport?

Having competed at show jumping and cross country whilst in the RAF, I adore the horse.

Upon leaving the RAF, I met with a trainer at Ripon races well over 30 years ago, and all my free time was down at the stables and meeting them at the races. Being involved with the horses is what I enjoy the most.

What led you into the world of racing tipsters and what do you feel you can offer racing enthusiasts and punters that other tipsters can’t?

Honesty and integrity is what I offer to my customers, the results are published on a regular basis and recorded by an independent analyst.

The bets are advised between 10:00 and 10:15 each morning when most non runners have been announced and the betting market is settling down.

I never advise bets the night before as you will struggle to have a decent bet accepted and I do not advise BOG.

New and old punters alike can struggle to make a success of their betting. If you could give them just one piece of advice to improve their profitability what would it be?

Going, if a horse is only proven winning on good to firm why should it win on soft?

Horses are bred for certain going.

What would you consider to be a highlight of your racing experience to date? Do you have any personal racing / betting experiences which when reflecting back brings a smile, or for that matter any which bring a grimace; you can share with our readers?

I had the good fortune to walk the Cheltenham course with Ruby Walsh; the circuit was two and a half miles and very wet. I only had slip on shoes, not a wise choice! Ruby was laughing his head off as I only really expected to walk to the first fence and back, not the full circuit.

Armchair jockeys always make me smile as they know how the jockey should have ridden the race, having never sat on a horse!

What about the gambling industry, is there anything you like to see changed there? Many website forums are full of criticisms of the bookmakers and their treatment of their customers? Is this something you have an opinion on?

I think bookmakers have been allowed to bleed racing dry, taking more money out of the sport than they put back into it ever since betting became legal in the 60’s.

I understand the concerns and share many of the frustrations with fellow racing lovers across the forums and boards.

I think racing should take more notice of trainers and ex professional jockeys in the control of everyday running of the sport and the BHA should take on the role of more major issues rather than the trivial issues they appear to relish.

What do you do to relax and unwind? What interests have you outside the world of horse racing?

I regularly attend dancing classes in my area, 4/5 times a week – before COVID-19 of course!

For 25 years, I struggled with my hips as a result of a lifetime of playing sport and horse riding. About 20 months ago I had my left hip replaced, and it has been life changing.

I now regularly go on walks and in April clocked up 500 miles!

Find out more about Elite Racing here