A horse racing analytics group based in the UK and led by professional punter James Atkinson has recorded profits exceeding £50 million from bookmakers in the UK and Ireland over the past year.
Atkinson’s platform, Race Reads, has grown rapidly in both membership and influence, built on a foundation of meticulous data analysis, structured betting logic, and a subscriber base that now exceeds 4,000 monthly members.
“James built an entire university of punting wisdom and it works,” said one Race Reads member. “Most tipsters can’t tell you how many furlongs are in a mile.” They added.
Subscribers say that when Atkinson releases tips, bookmakers react within minutes, with odds often slashed. On more than one occasion, this has led to restrictions, including Starting Price-only bets being imposed by two major online betting sites.
“They fear smart money. They fear James,” said another long-standing member.
Although Atkinson has faced bans from in-store and online accounts, his operations have adapted. He now uses a broad and trusted network of individuals across the country to place bets on his behalf.
“Yes, people double-crossed him. Some ran off with five-figure bankrolls,” They added. “But James recalibrated and built something smarter.”
A New Model for Betting
Race Reads, launched in 2023, is a horse racing platform focused on UK and Irish events. It delivers a curated list of selections each week, with detailed explanations that combine video study, pace mapping, and market movements. Unlike traditional tipping sites, the service functions more as a structured learning hub.
“This isn’t about guesswork or hunches,” said Atkinson. “Every selection is the product of hours of video analysis, sectional timing breakdowns, and market intelligence.”
Race Reads also runs Betting University, a digital education platform offering in-depth modules designed to elevate members’ betting knowledge. Topics include:
- Creating personal odds markets
- Replay-based analysis techniques
- Interpreting jockey positioning and tactics
- Risk and bankroll strategy
- Identifying bookmaker patterns and account health
“It’s a complete framework,” said one user. “It’s changed how I think about betting — and helped me stay profitable.”
Several users credit the platform with life-enhancing results — from funding family breaks to enabling second incomes and supporting new ventures.
Atkinson, a father of four — including two non-verbal autistic children — built Race Reads while managing his home life full-time.
In 2024, he authored Blood, Sweat & Bets, an honest and gritty reflection on his experience in the professional betting world. He has also delivered talks at venues like Doncaster Racecourse and continues to champion causes such as Autism in Racing and the Injured Jockey Fund.
