Why Real Trainer Information Still Matters

‘Info’ is one of the most controversial words in horse racing circles. Just four letters — yet often loaded with scepticism. For many punters, though, it’s still the holy grail: inside information that can lead to winners.

Spend five minutes on social media and you’ll see tipsters boasting about their “info”. In reality, they’re often backing short-priced favourites or horses that have already been well supported in the market. Labelling a selection as “info” adds mystique, but rarely substance.

That’s why many savvy punters now see “info” as a dirty word.

But let’s be clear — information is what punters should always be chasing. The more accurate insight you have about a race, the better your decisions. Basic tools like going reports, free form guides, or even paid services offering pace maps, draw data, and sectional times, all help you build a better betting picture.

But what about genuine trainer information? Not the vague “they can’t see this one beaten” clichés, but useful insights into tactics, well-being, and expectations?

For example, backers of William Knight’s Sugarloaf Lenny at Lingfield in May might have been a bit miffed that the horse suddenly made the running, before dropping away tamely. Most punters would have been in the dark about riding tactics ahead of his latest start at Salisbury. Would he make the running again (which would have been off putting for many potential backers) or would he be ridden more patiently this time?

William Knight was actually able to answer that question with his comments before the race:

“Sugarloaf Lenny has a good chance. It wasn't intended that he would again be making the running last time but that's how it worked out, to his detriment. We'll be holding onto him for sure tonight and give him the chance to fill up before the long straight.”

That comment removed much of the unknown for those looking to have a bet on the 4yo and although he couldn’t win in the end, he did finish 2nd at an each way price and ran much better reverting to more patient tactics again.

There are other winning examples where trainers have been much more bullish about their horses’ chances than you’d perhaps expect at the prices.

Ben Brookhouse is often very honest about the chances of his string and it’s always useful when a trainer tells you a horse has both improved for a recent run and will enjoy the nature of the track and the going.

This was the case though with recent winner My Dream World, who was backed into 4/1 from 8/1 before winning the Queen Mother’s Cup at York on MacMillan Charity Day.

This is exactly what Ben had to say on his runner:

“My Dream World ran very well on his comeback at Ascot last month. He will strip fitter for that and loves quick ground and a galloping track. He should take a step forward and not be too far away.”

On the same card, Hucklesbrook was a big priced winner of the ‘Churchill Tyres Handicap’, often one of the most competitive 3yo sprint handicaps run all season. Despite the extremely competitive nature of the race, and the fact that Hucklesbrook was available at 16/1, Roger Teal wasn’t afraid to let people know that he fancied the horse to fill the frame at least. He also wasn’t afraid to share the fact that he was struggling to get to the racecourse on time!

“I'm in a bit of a hurry this morning as the horsebox has broken down on the way to York and I'm waiting for another to get us there. Hucklesbrook won very well last time and while this is a very competitive race, he has a nice draw. I wouldn't put anyone off an each-way bet at 16/1.”

A recent wide margin winner at Brighton was Brian Meehan’s Bourbon Blues, backed from 9/2 into 6/4 before winning by over 4 lengths. Trainers can often be quite reserved, even when they really think they have a winner on their hands, but Brian’s choice of words about this horse was very telling:

“Bourbon Blues wouldn't want the ground to be too slow. His first run at Newbury in a big field was promising, considering he was slowly away. Strongly fancied.”

Quotes like this are hugely valuable, even in isolation, but obviously not all trainer quotes are like that. Some of the more subtle information trainers provide is still massively useful though when combined with other information about a race. On those occasions, even knowing the likely riding instructions for the horse, or that they’ve come on a bit for their last run, can be the icing on the cake.

These sorts of quotes aren’t freely available, but members of a service called From The Stables do receive an average of 376 quotes a month from 18 top trainers including the likes of Fergal O’Brien, Ollie Sangster, Ben Pauling and Hughie Morrison. The trainers have won 2843 races between them in the past 5 years, and quotes have been provided for every one of those winners.

You can try this service for just £1 (31 days membership) when you visit fromthestables.com and use coupon code ‘OnCourseProfits’ at the checkout.

Sam Darby