Picking a winner in a horse race involves a combination of research and analysis. You have to study a runner’s form, the jockey, the quality of the field and the racing conditions. However, there is one element which plays a part in any race which is impossible to take into account; luck.

In the 1967 English Grand National, Foinavon’s chances of winning the race were so remote that owner Cyril Watkins didn’t even turn up to the race. However, when two fallers at the 23^rd fence brought down every single horse in the race, except Foinavon, the $100 shot cantered around the course to win by twenty lengths. It’s probably the greatest example of luck in horse racing history.

Anyone who has watched horse racing or has ridden in a race knows there are countless reasons why a horse may not perform at its best on any given day, for reasons that will rarely seem apparent. Here are ten such reasons.

1. Horses will not race when boxed inside another

Many races see horses hampered when they are boxed in either by other horses or by the barriers at the side of the track.

2. Some may get hit by another jockey’s whip

3. Some horses panic in the mid race madness

In races where there is a large field, some horses find it difficult to cope with such a large number of other runners.

4. Some may refuse to race for a particular jockey

The choice of jockey for a horse is one of the most important factors in determining a runner’s success in a race. Some horse and jockey combinations work perfectly; on other occasions horses will simply not run for a particular jockey.

5. Some may lose balance mid race & never get it back again

6. Some may get hit by a clog of turf

7. The layout of the track, turns and rises

Some horses run better on clockwise than anti-clockwise tracks. Some just prefer the layout of certain courses. The great Kingston Town won 21 races from as many starts in Sydney between June 1979 and August 1982, but only five of his 13 starts on his trips to Melbourne.

8. Some may have a bad time at the barrier

There have been countless occasions where horses have experienced problems at the start of a race. An extreme example was in 2007 when Maldivian wounded his neck in the barriers and was scratched from the Caulfield Cup as favourite.

9. Some may get bumped & ease off

In large race fields, jostling between horses is commonplace. Some horses respond badly to being bumped and simply ease off, despite the jockey’s efforts.

10. Some may simply not be in the mood

There are simply some days when a horse just isn’t in the mood for racing. They may have a light cold or other ailment and simply don’t perform to their capability.

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