IT REALLY is horses for courses: scientists have found evidence that horses have a preference for different racetracks depending on their sex.

Research by the University of Limerick (UL) has established that female horses are more likely to be right-handed while male horses tend to be left-sided. Knowing which way a horse is inclined, and whether a racetrack is clockwise or anti-clockwise, could help punters beat the bookies.

Jack Murphy, a lecturer in UL’s equine department and one of the study’s authors, said: “There has always been a certain level of acceptance within the horseracing industry that some horses race better on a course if it is left or right. Now we have the science to support this.”

Murphy tested 40 unschooled steeds, most of them four years old. The horses, destined for showjumping or dressage, were judged in a series of tests to see if they relied on a particular side of their bodies for power and performance.

Researchers monitored which leg the horses stepped forward on and in which direction they chose to manoeuvre around an obstacle or roll over in a bed of hay. Most females preferred their right side while most males favoured their left. About 10% used both sides equally.

Murphy said the findings can be further developed to help trainers concentrate on a horse’s strength from a young age. “Ideally, a horse should be balanced and use both sides of the body equally. This is what trainers strive for,” he said.

“From a practical point of view, it would be very useful to know from early on if your horse was balanced, or left- or right-handed. If the horse is left-handed, you can devise a programme to get its maximum athletic performance.”

Fairyhouse, the Curragh and Galway racecourses veer rightwards, while Navan and Leopardstown are left-oriented. Next month, when thousands of racing fans flock to Cheltenham, they will watch horses race on a left-leaning track. According to the bookies, racing enthusiasts already pick their winners based on this fact.

Paul Ryan of Paddy Power said: “Punters with any sort of interest in racing will know this and it is reflected in the bets that are placed on the day.”

Ryan said the UL study may put a scientific stamp on horses being left- or right-sided but will have no great effect on the way people bet.

Trainers are not convinced that Murphy’s findings will help separate the donkeys from the Derby winners. Dessie Hughes, the champion trainer, said: “There is only the very odd horse that goes better in one direction. Most horses race just as well either way.”

John Oxx, another champion trainer, said that while Murphy’s findings are interesting, it would not be realistic for trainers to pick and choose courses based simply on whether they are left- or right-bended.

“There are so many different reasons as to why a horse might put in a bad performance,” he said. “It’s very difficult to hang your hat on the fact that it was a right- or left-handed track.”

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