Talking Betting With….Gerard McGrath
Published: 18th March 2025
– Updated: 18th March 2025
In the latest in our popular Talking Betting series, bettingexpert racing editor Stephen Harris talks to senior horse racing trader Gerard McGrath, who has led a varied career across the industry at companies from Sporting Odds to UK betting.
How were you first attracted to horse racing and betting? What jobs have you done in the industry?
My dad used to import the odd greyhound from Tipperary in Ireland through my uncle, we used to keep them mainly with Nora McEllistrum and Phil/David Bergin. From the age of five I was going racing 2 to 3 times a week to venues such as Romford, Rye House, Canterbury, Walthamstow and Wimbledon etc. I loved it from the off and like most I fell in love with the game and was hooked for life. The buzz and adrenaline rush of watching your greyhound is very hard to explain nor beat in any other sphere.
What is it like being a senior trader at an up and coming firm?
I’ve been an online trader now for the best part of 20 years for well known firms such as Sporting Index, Sportingodds, Ukbetting/Totalbet, Paddy Power and I’m currently working for a major online sportsbook as a senior horse racing trader in Malta. I worked on the various desks such as UK Sports, US Sports, Football and now I am currently on the Horse Racing desk.
Working within a trade room is very frantic, you have to be on the ball, blink for a second and someone will have your pants down. I’ve worked with some great characters, had many ups and downs with huge swings, wins and losses. The banter between traders is second to none and most would say they would do the job for nothing if you get my drift. Watching sport and getting paid to do so is Nirvana for most sport enthusiasts.
How do you go about forming your prices in the morning? How do you trade the markets?
The game has changed dramatically, many old school traders and punters will say for the worst as most of the edge has been taken away with the arrival of the exchange. Everyone goes up with the same
